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Monday 3rd August | Vol 36 Issue 23 | Term 3 Week 3
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Matariki Herenga Waka. Finding Our Place Together
Whānau Hui Rōpū
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There’s something special about a hapori (community) connected through a commitment to a way of learning that puts our tamariki at the centre.
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This year's Matariki theme, Matariki Herenga Waka, a mooring place for all canoes, feels especially meaningful given our connections. A waka only reaches its destination because everyone has a role to play. Some guide the way, some provide strength, some share knowledge, and others quietly support those around them. Every contribution matters, and together they create something far greater than any one person could achieve alone.
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It's a beautiful way to think about our hapori.
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At Wā Ora, our tamariki experience this every day. Montessori's Cosmic Education invites children to see themselves as part of something much bigger than themselves. They begin to understand that every living thing has a place, every action has an impact, and every person has something valuable to contribute. Rather than simply learning about the world, they discover their place within it.
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That way of thinking sits comfortably alongside te ao Māori, where relationships with one another and with te taiao (nature) are central to how we understand our place in the world.
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When tamariki care for the classroom, tend the gardens, welcome a new friend, or help someone who needs a hand, they aren't just completing a task. They're learning what it means to belong to a hapori. They're discovering that caring for others and caring for the world around us are one and the same.
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Perhaps that's why Matariki feels so at home at Wā Ora.
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It's more than a celebration of the Māori New Year. It's an opportunity to bring our values to life. To gather across generations. To remember those who have travelled before us. To celebrate who we are today. And to look ahead together with hope.
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As Whānau, we're incredibly proud that Matariki has become such an important part of life at our kura. It's a time when Montessori philosophy, te ao Māori, and the unique spirit of Wā Ora come together so naturally that they no longer feel like separate ideas, they simply become who we are.
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Long after the stars fade from the winter sky, the spirit of Matariki can continue to guide us. Every act of manaakitanga, every shared conversation, every child encouraged to ask questions, explore, and care for te taiao strengthens the ties that bind our waka together.
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As a hapori, we each have something to offer. Together, we create the place where every waka can find safe harbour.
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E WHAI AKE (Coming up) . . .
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Tuesday 4th August [CANCELLED] Drama Club (9-12 and High School ākonga), 3:15pm - 4:15pm, T2
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Wednesday 5th August Maths Club, 3:30 - 4:30pm, Tāwari
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Wednesday 5th August Primary Production 'The Dream Factory', 6:30pm
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Thursday 6th August Primary Production 'The Dream Factory', 1:30pm and 6:30pm
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Tuesday 11th July [CANCELLED] Drama Club (9-12 and High School ākonga), 3:15pm - 4:15pm, T2
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Wednesday 12th August Lockdown Drill (WHOLE School), 10:30am
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Wednesday 12th August Maths Club, 3:30 - 4:30pm, Tāwari
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Friday 14th August PTA Rainbow Disco, 5pm - 7pm, T2
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Primary Production - The Dream Factory
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Tickets for the Wednesday evening performance have now SOLD OUT!
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There are still tickets available for the Thursday evening performance, and plenty of Thursday matinee tickets.
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Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and can be purchased from the school office. Payment can be made by EFTPOS, cash or online to account number 12-3209-0438306-00 (please make sure to pay into this account).
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Prior to each show, Kawakawa will be operating the Dream Factory Cafe. Prepare to be delighted by the themed menu! You will also be able to warm yourselves with a hot drink from our talented baristas.
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Please support your tamariki and rangatahi who have been putting so much mahi into The Dream Factory, both on stage and behind the scenes!
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Production Logistics
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Thank you for all of your support in helping your child prepare for the production this week - we know this is a busy time, but the memories and confidence gained through a school production make it all worthwhile. Please make sure you are familiar with schedules, costumes, etc. below.
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Wednesday 5 August – Evening Performance
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- Drop off: 5:30pm
- Show: 6:30pm
- Collection: Approx. 7:45pm
Thursday 6 August – School Matinee
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- Held during the normal school day.
- Please collect your child from the Primary School at 3pm as per usual.
Thursday 6 August – Evening Performance
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- Drop off: 5:30pm
- Show: 6:30pm
- Collection: Approx. 7:45pm
Please note: All tamariki are required to attend all three performances, as every cast member plays an important role in the show.
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All performances will be held at the High School. Please sign your child in and out with their kaiako.
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- Tāwari & Tōtara: Music and Art Room
- Rātā, Pūriri & Kauri: Upstairs in the Tāwari space
Any costume items being provided from home should be brought to your child's drama lesson this week. As we begin full dress rehearsals next Tuesday, all costume items need to be at school by then.
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If your child has an allergy to face paint, or if you have any costume questions, please email me as soon as possible.
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A huge thank you to the wonderful parent volunteers who have been making costumes behind the scenes.
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Ākonga should now be feeling confident with their lines. If your child needs another copy of their script for extra practice, please let me know.
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Supervised snack areas will be available backstage. To help keep everyone safe and our backstage areas allergen-free, please do not send foods containing whole eggs, nuts, or chickpeas (including hummus).
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Upper Hutt Libraries Poetry Competition 2026
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Calling all budding poets! Upper Hutt Libraries’ annual Poetry Competition is now open for entries, with this year’s theme ‘Wilderness’.
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The competition is open to children, teens and adults, so this could be a great opportunity for our creative ākonga to put pen to paper and share their poetry.
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Entries close 2nd August 2026.
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John Parsons Cyber Safety Resources
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You may remember that we were fortunate to have John Parsons visit our school last term to present to whānau and ākonga on cyber safety.
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We are pleased to share some helpful resources from John to support whānau in continuing these important conversations at home with your tamariki and rangatahi. You can access the resources here.
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P.T.A (PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION)
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Coming Up
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Upcoming Meetings:
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Tuesday 20th August, 7:30pm (Zoom)
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Join us for the Wā Ora PTA RAINBOW Disco!
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Get ready for a fun evening of music and dancing on Friday, 14 August, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at The High School in T2. Tickets are $10 per child (adults attend free) and include a party bag with snacks and sweets. Bring some gold coins to purchase extra snacks or fun disco activities and accessories.
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Camp Code for Girls
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Camp Code for Girls is a FREE week-long programme that makes computer programming fun and accessible for girls in Years 9 and 11, during the next school holidays. Campers gain hands-on experience in coding, while learning how to solve real-world problems, build mobile apps, and make a positive impact.
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Gallery Community Orchestra, Lower Hutt - New members welcome!
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Basketball
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Last Tuesday 28th July and Friday 31st July our junior and senior basketball teams played their last round-robin games.
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This Tuesday 4th August and Friday 7th August we are playing our semi-final games.
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The results from last week were:
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- Wainui Jnr 50 vs HIB’s 49 - we won.
- Wainui Snr 79 vs St Pat’s Sliverstream 60 - we won.
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Angus, Ollie, Atreyu, Vale and 2 ex Wa Ora students Rome and Moyana will be heading to Tauranga in October to play in the Hoops Nation Classic tournament. We have a garage sale fundraising event this Saturday - see the flyer below. Any support would be greatly appreciated!
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