This week has been ‘science week’ and we have been lucky enough to have support from our wider community of science ‘experts’ to motivate and engage our learners. 

Abi (from the Department of Conservation), Sarah and Rowena (from Horizons) were here working with groups of children bug hunting and pest tracking.

The children were ‘like detectives’ - looking for clues and using them to make decisions!

Dr Naffa also came along and presented an exciting science show for all the children (and staff) to enjoy. The hall was full of ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ and ‘wow’ moments!

Thank you to our special guests - we really appreciate your time and willingness to share your passion and expertise in science with us.

This week we hosted a team from the Education Review Office. BoT members were yesterday given a verbal summary of the findings of this team. The draft review will be sent to the school in approximately a month’s time, and then will become confirmed and published following consultation.
The Board members present were very pleased to hear that the team’s observations in the kete showed that our learners are settled, engaged and respectful. They also commented on the great systems and processes that the teachers have in place for monitoring and tracking student achievement - to use their words, ‘we know our learners and provide explicit instructional learning experiences’. Thank you and well done to our great team!

Welcome to Term two everyone. A very special welcome to the ten new students who have started at Hokowhitu School this term and also to both Whaea Kim and Mrs Blay who have joined our teaching team!
It has also been lovely to welcome Mr Pouniu back on a part-time basis.
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We are confident that you will all enjoy being part of the Hokowhitu School whanau. Remember there is no such thing as a ‘silly question’. If something is unclear to you, PLEASE feel free to ask for clarification - we sometimes forget that things that we have done before, or are regular routines for us, can be quite daunting for new families!

I hope you have all been enjoying the Commonwealth Games coverage over the last week. Special congratulations must go to Campbell Stewart, a former pupil of Hokowhitu School. Campbell has won 2 silver medals in cycling events at these games on the Gold Coast. What a great example Campbell has shown of someone STRIVING to be the best they can be.