'THE FLASH'

Welcome Back to Term 1, 2026! POWERing into 2026

It has been wonderful to see our students return to school, reconnecting with friends and stepping confidently into their new classroom environments. Over the holidays, our teachers spent considerable time preparing classrooms and programmes to ensure every student feels welcomed, settled, and ready to learn. It is already clear that our students are ready to display their POWER values this year.

Mihi Whakatau

We were proud to welcome our new students and families with a beautiful mihi whakatau to begin the year. A sincere thank you to Clayton Koroheke for leading the whakatau with grace, mana, and thoughtful guidance. Your support enabled our tamariki leaders to shine with confidence.

I would also like to congratulate Kayden Eynon and Joeziah Mauriohoohoo-Henry for their exemplary leadership. They represented Kio Kio School with Excellence and Respect. The mana they brought to the ceremony reflected the very best of our school. By taking Ownership of their roles, they showed they are ready to grow as strong leaders in the years ahead.

Our mihi whakatau brought our community together in a meaningful way, honouring those who have gone before us while setting a positive and united tone for the year ahead.

Welcome to Our Structured Literacy Intervention Teacher

A very warm welcome to Mrs Stacey Reynolds, who joins us as our Structured Literacy & Mathematics Intervention Teacher. Stacey is a highly qualified and experienced educator, and this is a crucial role within our school.

Her work will provide targeted support for students who need assistance, helping them develop the Perseverance needed to overcome challenges in Literacy and Mathematics. We know her work will have a significant impact on student achievement.

Working Bee – What an Incredible Effort!

What can I say other than a massive THANK YOU to the incredible families & staff who showed up and got stuck in at our working bee. Your willingness to give your time makes such a difference.

A special thank you to Karl Morrow for coordinating the day. An enormous amount was achieved, including:

Water blasting the bus shelter
Weeding and hedge trimming
Wet and Forget spraying
Fence building
Cleaning gutters
Moving furniture
Removing rubbish

A huge thank you also to Dan Brice for organising his tractor and trailer to remove rubbish and coordinating the scrap metal collection. To everyone who contributed—thank you. Your willingness to give your time shows a deep Respect for our school, creating an environment where our students can truly thrive.

Classroom Changes – Forward-Facing Seating

You may notice that some of our classrooms, particularly in the senior area, are set up differently this year with more forward-facing desks.

This is a deliberate, research-informed decision. Across New Zealand, we are seeing an increasing number of students with neurodiverse learning needs. Research shows that structured classroom layouts can reduce cognitive load, minimise distractions, and support sustained attention. Forward-facing seating helps students focus more effectively during direct instruction, which improves engagement and learning outcomes.

This does not mean collaboration has disappeared — group work, discussion, and cooperative learning remain important parts of our teaching programmes. However, the physical layout now better supports focus and clarity during key teaching moments. So far, teachers have reported that students are concentrating for longer periods and completing work more efficiently.

Drama Lessons

Yesterday, we were fortunate to have Tovah O’Neill from Tovah’s Tutoring Company offer the school drama lessons. Each class had a thirty-minute session playing drama games.

It was fantastic to see the students’ sense of Wonder come alive as they explored creativity, actions, and drama skills. The students had a wonderful time, bringing fun and energy to the lesson. Thank you, Tovah, for the wonderful lessons.

Family Picnic Evening

Next week, we warmly invite all families to an informal evening to meet your child’s teacher. Bring your dinner and drinks for a shared picnic and an opportunity to connect with other families.

When: Tuesday, 10th of February, 5:00 - 6.30 pm.

What: Bring a picnic dinner and drinks for your family. A blanket to sit on.

Bonus: The pool will be open for a swim.

It would be wonderful to see our community gathered together, chatting and enjoying time together.

Maunga Day – Connecting with Our Place

Next Wednesday, 11th February, is a special event in our school calendar: Maunga Day.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to connect with their local environment and learn about the significance of the mountain that represents our school Houses. Each House group will travel to one of the four maunga to locate it, walk up, and learn more about the history and stories of our region.

Every student & staff member at Kio Kio School belongs to one of our four Houses, each named after a significant local landmark:

Kākepuku (Red)
Pirongia (Blue)
Maungatautari (Yellow)
Puketarata (Green)

Our House system is about more than just colours; it is about building a sense of Ownership and team spirit. Throughout the year, students earn House Points not just for winning, but for active participation, effort, and displaying our school values in sports events and school-wide activities.

Teacher Only Day – Mathematics Focus

This term, we have a Teacher Only Day on the 13th of March dedicated to strengthening our understanding of the refreshed Mathematics Curriculum and aligning it with the Maths No Problem programme.

During the holidays, staff participated in either a half-day or full-day professional learning session. There is genuine excitement among the team about teaching mathematics this year, alongside our continued strong focus on literacy and science.

Waitangi Day

Tomorrow, Friday 6th February, is Waitangi Day. This is a significant day for Aotearoa New Zealand, marking the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi) in 1840. It is a day for us to pause and reflect on our nation's unique history and the partnership between Māori and the Crown. Whether you are spending the day with whānau, visiting a local event, or simply enjoying the break, we hope you take a moment to appreciate the beautiful country we call home. We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday.

Here’s to a positive and successful Term 1.

Ngā mihi,
Pip Were
Principal
Kio Kio School