Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa – Greetings to you all,

It’s been a vibrant and exciting start to the term, and I am thrilled to share all the fantastic learning and events happening at Kio Kio School.

Life Education Trust Visits Kio Kio

We began the week with a visit from Abby Miles and Harold the Giraffe from the Life Education Trust, who have been educating our students in the interactive mobile classroom. The sessions are designed to support the health and well-being of our tamariki through engaging and age-appropriate topics. Our students have participated enthusiastically—asking thoughtful questions, engaging in discussions about friendships, emotions, and making positive choices. It has been wonderful to see such active learning taking place in such a fun, meaningful environment.

Rio Carnival Fundraiser – What a Night!

Oh, what a night it was! Our Rio Carnival Fundraiser was a spectacular evening filled with colour, sparkle, and joy. The hall came alive with vibrant decorations, glittering costumes, feathers, and sequins, creating a festive and unforgettable carnival atmosphere. Guests were treated to a delicious spread of Rio-themed food, rich in spices and flavour, while the energy of Sambatron, who greeted everyone on arrival with infectious rhythms and drumming.

After the auctions, “Liam McKenzie and the Lost Boys” kicked off their set and soon had everyone on their feet, dancing to a mix of classic and modern tunes. It was a night full of laughter, music, and community spirit.

A huge thank you to our dedicated and passionate Supporters Committee, who worked tirelessly to bring this event to life. From the planning, decorating, food preparation, music, and drinks, to the set-up and clean-up—every detail was executed with care and excellence. Thank you also to everyone who attended and supported our school; your contributions are deeply appreciated and make a real difference for our tamariki.

Book Week & Grandparents’ Morning

Next week we celebrate Book Week, led by our librarian Amanda Wright, who has planned a fun-filled week of activities to inspire a love of reading and to promote the importance of our school library.

Reading not only strengthens literacy skills but opens doors to imagination, creativity, and lifelong learning. As Dr. Seuss once said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

We’re also looking forward to welcoming our grandparents and special guests for Grandparents’ Morning. It’s always a treasured occasion to share time, stories, and smiles with the wider whānau of our school community. Grandparents, please pop on down to Kio Kio School on Tuesday, 20th from 11am onwards. There will be a cuppa & snack to follow.

COPS Winter Sports – Wednesday 21 May

Next Wednesday, our Year 3–8 students will head to Ōtorohanga for a day of friendly competition at the COPS Winter Sports Day.

Year 7 & 8 students will take part in Rippa Rugby
Year 5 & 6 will be playing Netball
Year 3 & 4 will enjoy Football (Soccer)

Please ensure your child comes prepared with suitable gear, a packed lunch, and plenty of water. It promises to be a fantastic day of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fun across our local schools.

Assessments & Reporting

Teachers have begun assessing students across spelling, reading, writing, and maths using a range of tools and classroom observations. These assessments help teachers form well-rounded, evidence-based judgements using the New Zealand Curriculum to identify where students are at and how best to support their progress.

Currently, there are no changes to our existing reporting format, as we await further guidelines from the Ministry of Education. We expect these updates to come in Term 3 and will keep you informed before any adjustments are made.

Pink Shirt Day – Friday

Tomorrow is Pink Shirt Day, and we’ll be turning our school pink to take a stand against bullying and promote kindness, inclusion, and respect. This nationwide movement encourages students to celebrate diversity and speak up for one another. We encourage everyone to wear pink and stand together to create a safe and inclusive environment for all.

Matariki Week – Week 8 (June 16–19)

We are excited to celebrate Matariki, the Māori New Year, in Week 8. Throughout the week, students will engage in a range of cultural and educational activities to learn more about the significance of Matariki and the values it represents—reflection, renewal, and community.

On Wednesday, June 18, we plan to begin the day with a hāngī, prepared on-site from 6:00am. We’ll need whānau support for preparation and contributions—look out for a Google Form coming home next week where you can let us know how you can help.

We are fortunate to have Anaru Morgan guiding us through the whaikōrero (formal speeches) and sharing his knowledge with our students and staff. More details about this special day will be shared soon.

Polo Fridays

Just a reminder that Polo Fridays are a great way for our students to show pride in their school and promote a strong sense of unity and belonging. We encourage students to wear their school polos every Friday—let’s wear them with pride and show our Kio Kio spirit!

"He waka eke noa – We are all in this together."

Thank you all for your ongoing support and involvement in school life. It is through our shared efforts that we create such a vibrant, caring, and enriching environment for our tamariki.

Ngā mihi nui,
Pip Were
Principal – Kio Kio School

BREAKFAST CLUB

We are still on the lookout for parent volunteers to run the Monday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings for approximately 3/4 of an hour before school. If you are able to help out please contact the school office.

STUDENT ABSENCES

If your child is going to be absent from school, please advise the office by phone (078731816), email (admin@kiokio.school.nz) or the absent tab on the Parent APP with the reason so the absence can be marked correctly for the Ministry of Education. If the school is not notified, the child is deemed TRUANT and marked accordingly. If your child is late to school, they must come to the office and sign in on the electronic register.

STUDENTS ENTERING & LEAVING SCHOOL

Please make sure that your child/ren are dropped off and collected from the bus shelter each day.
We are enforcing safety rules at school pick-up and drop-off. Children are NOT to open our school gates. Parents are required to drop off inside the gate and come into the school grounds to collect their children. This is a safety measure. Our carpark is very busy at the end of the day and we need to do everything we can to keep everyone safe.

BUS BOOK REMINDER

Please ensure that the school office is informed early if your child won't be on the school bus in the afternoon. We also need to be contacted if your child/ren are getting off at another stop. You can do this by phoning the school office on 07 8731816 or emailing admin@kiokio.school.nz

PEANUT ALLERGY

We have a student in Kahikatea class with a severe peanut allergy who cannot come into contact with peanuts or products with peanuts in them. We ask that parents do not send peanuts or any peanut related products to school, so that we can keep this student safe. Thank you for your understanding.

LOST PROPERTY

Lost property supply is building up again. Come and check it out so we can return the clothing to your children.
Would be very helpful if your child's name or initials are placed on their belongings, so they can be returned to them immediately.