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Tuesday 16th June 2026 | Vol 36 Issue 18 | Term 2 Week 9
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What Our Children Are Really Telling Us
Hilary Asquith – Lead Teacher Kawakawa
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When a four-year-old melts down over the wrong colour cup, or a teenager slams a door and disappears into their room, our first instinct is often to respond to the behaviour itself. To correct it, contain it, or fix it!
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At this year's Montessori Congress, physician and author Gabor Maté offered a reframe that is both simple and profound: behaviour is communication. Across every age and stage, when our tamariki and rangatahi act out, withdraw, resist, or shut down, they are telling us something. Not always clearly, and not always consciously, but something is being expressed that they have not yet found words for. Maté's work is focused on attachment and trauma neuroscience. He shared that children and adolescents are biologically wired to orient towards emotionally mature adults. When that connection feels secure, they are far better equipped to regulate their emotions, navigate difficulty, and develop a grounded sense of who they are. When it feels absent or unpredictable, they communicate that too, through behaviour.
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For our tamariki, this might look like clinginess, defiance, or sudden regression. For our rangatahi, it can be harder to read. Withdrawal, irritability, risk-taking, and resistance are often not defiance at all. They are commonly signals of stress, disconnection, or unmet need. Maté invites us to shift the question from "what is wrong with them?" to "what is going on for them?" That shift can change everything about how we respond.
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It is easy to assume that as our children grow older and more independent, they need less from us. Parents return to work, our schedules fill, and the distance between adolescents and the adults in their lives can unintentionally grow, quietly and quickly. But the need for mature adult connection doesn't diminish with age. Maté’s research showed that rangatahi are increasingly turning to peers and online communities to find the kind of support they are hardwired to seek from adults. Online content that promotes curated body images, romantic and sexual ideals, and lifestyle expectations tailored for validation and revenue. Gaming communities can normalise fantasy, rivalry, aggression, and dominance. Both reflect a kind of cultural immaturity, values focused on status, appearance, and self-interest rather than manaaki, aroha, and community. Adolescent peers, however well-intentioned or mature, are navigating the relentless deluge of unrealistic social pressures whilst also trying to figure out who they are and how they are valued.
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Maté was explicit: when the attachments are to others who are themselves immature, regardless of age, healthy human development is impacted. When young people can't find what they need from the adults in their lives and instead turn to immature or self-interested sources to fill that gap, it comes at a real cost to their future health and well-being, and science and research are proving this. Maté identified this as a major contributing factor to the growing global crisis in child and adolescent mental health.
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The adult, present, calm, and genuinely connected, is the most important element of any child's environment at any age. An adult who stays curious and observant. One who asks questions, rather than judges. One who remains available even when being pushed away. With tamariki, it might be staying present and calm through a meltdown. With our older ones, it might be a meal without distractions, or being the first to say sorry after an argument. At every age, it means letting them see, through you, what it looks like to stay connected even when things are hard. Maté was clear that it is never too late to reconnect, that even just one secure, attuned adult relationship has significant protective power for a young person's development and well-being. Our tamariki and rangatahi are communicating with us all the time. The invitation is simply to be attached enough to listen.
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E WHAI AKE (Coming up) . . .
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Monday 15th June Matariki Concert (Whole School), 10am - 12pm, T2, High School
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Tuesday 16th June Preschool Kapa Haka, 2:45pm - 3:15pm, Pōhutukawa
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Tuesday 16th June Drama Club (9-12 and High School ākonga), 3:15pm - 4:15pm, T2
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Wednesday 17th June Primary Kapa Haka, 3pm - 4pm, Kauri Classroom
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Wednesday 17th June BOT/Council Hui, 6:45pm - 9:45pm, Sunroom Tāwari, High School
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Friday 19th June Technology - Year 7's, 8:45am - 12:15pm, Avalon Intermediate
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Tuesday 23rd June Drama Club (9-12 and High School ākonga), 3:15pm - 4:15pm, T2
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Wednesday 24th June Primary Kapa Haka, 3pm - 4pm, Kauri Classroom
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Wednesday 24th June Wā Ora Council AGM, 7pm - 8:30pm, Tōtara
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Friday 26th June Technology - Year 7's, 8:45am - 12:15pm, Avalon Intermediate
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Saturday 27th June Matariki Day Activities, 2:30pm - 4:30pm, Preschool and Primary akomanga
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Saturday 27th June Matariki Whānau Hāngī, 5pm - 7pm, T2 at the High School
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HuttFest 2026
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Come and support our Wā Ora Kapa Haka rōpū at HuttFest!
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Our talented performers will be taking the stage during the week of 22nd–26th June at Walter Nash Stadium:
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- Wā Ora Preschool Kapa Haka rōpū – morning of 22nd June
- Wā Ora Primary Kapa Haka rōpū – afternoon of 25th June
- Wā Ora High School (Kawakawa) Kapa Haka rōpū – evening of 25th June
This year marks a special milestone, as Kawakawa in the High School is participating in HuttFest for the very first time. Our small but dedicated group has been working incredibly hard with Sianne to prepare for the big stage and will be performing during the 6pm – 9pm College show on Thursday 25th June.
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We would love to see members of our Wā Ora community there to support our tamariki and rangatahi as they showcase their hard work and passion for kapa haka.
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Tickets are just $9.50 and can be purchased here:
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For more information, check out HuttFest 2026 on Facebook.
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Matariki Daytime Activities - Saturday 27th June
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We warmly invite our school community to join us for our annual Matariki celebration on Saturday 27th June, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
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This year's theme, Matariki Herenga Waka, celebrates the connections that bring us together as a community. Wander through our Playgroup, Preschool, and Primary spaces as each akomanga shares learning, creativity, and experiences inspired by their chosen whetū.
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Following the event, whānau are invited to continue the celebrations at the High School with a delicious hāngī. Information about ordering hāngī meals will be shared soon.
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Bring your whānau and friends and join us for an afternoon of connection, discovery, learning, and celebration.
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Rā: Saturday 27th June
Wā: 2.30pm – 4.30pm
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Kia kite koe i reira. We look forward to celebrating with you!
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Matariki Evening Hāngi - Saturday 27th June
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Following the daytime activities above, whānau are invited to join us for a Wā Ora community hāngi.
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From 5pm we’ll head to T2 at the High School for a short welcome, followed by the hāngī.
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You're welcome to bring your own kai if not ordering hāngī, but please RSVP using the link so we can plan seating. We ask that everyone wait until after karakia to eat.
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Numbers for the hāngī and seating are limited - first in, first served.
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The hāngī will be cooked in steamer baskets and served in T2.
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- Tamariki meals: $9 - one piece of chicken. (GF - available = no stuffing)
- Adult meals: $15 - chicken and pork, or 2x chicken (GF - available = no stuffing)
- Vegetarian/Vegan adult/tamariki - $9 - includes stuffing and pudding
- All meals include stuffing, seasonal veges and pudding
- Vegetarian/vegan adult/tamariki - $6 - veggies only
- Older tamariki wanting more meat should order an adult meal.
- All food will be cooked in one steamer (meat in the bottom basket), dietary needs (e.g. vegan, coeliac) will be cooked in a separate steamer if requested.
- Please bring your own cups (water bottles) plates and cutlery for the main and dessert.
Please RSVP and place your orders via this form.
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Once you’ve ordered, please pay promptly, either by Eftpos in the office, or online to:
12 3209 0438285 00 (use your name + “Hāngī” as the reference.
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If you have questions or trouble with the form, please get in touch with the office.
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Mānawatia a Matariki mā Puanga ki a koutou – we look forward to seeing you there!
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Matariki Concert
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Yesterday our kura came together with our whānau to celebrate Matariki, with each akomanga sharing their knowledge of Ngā Whetū o Matariki (the Stars of Matariki) through an original waiata or short play. The ākonga did an amazing job, with each performance bringing the stories to life, and their creativity and confidence shone through.
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A heartfelt thank you to whānau who took the time to join us for this special celebration. It was wonderful to share the occasion with you and see so many of you supporting our tamariki and rangatahi.
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We were also lucky enough to see the Kapa Haka rōpū from each sector perform as they prepare for HuttFest 2026. They have been practising very hard, and it was wonderful to see the pride and enthusiasm our tamariki and rangatahi bring to their performances. We look forward to cheering them on at the festival!
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The Dream Factory - Tickets on Sale Soon!
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Our Primary Production, The Dream Factory, is on next term, and tickets will be going on sale soon!
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Join us for a fun-filled Kiwi adventure as our Primary performers bring some of Aotearoa's best-loved children's stories to life, including Hairy Maclary, The Little Yellow Digger, Nanny Mihi's Medicine, and more. Packed with music, imagination, and plenty of Kiwi charm, this is a show the whole whānau will enjoy.
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Our High School ākonga in Kawakawa and Tawari have also been working behind the scenes, creating props, painting the set and working as the backstage crew to help bring the world of the show to life.
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Performance Dates - Pop these in your diaries and calendars
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Wednesday 5 August – Evening Performance 6:30pm
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Thursday 6 August – Matinee Performance 1:30pm
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Thursday 6 August – Evening Performance 6:30pm
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Tickets will be available from the school office soon. Keep an eye out for the official on-sale announcement—we can't wait to share this wonderful production with you!
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Poster Design: Sadie Taylor (Tawari)
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Coming Up
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Next Meeting: Thursday 2nd July (via Zoom)
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Supporting Scout - Toy Story 5 at Petone Lighthouse
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Kia ora Wā Ora Community!
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My daughter Scout is one of just eight New Zealand kids selected for an incredible international musical theatre programme, performing and training in **Broadway and Atlanta** next year!
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To help get her there, I'm hosting a fundraiser screening of Toy Story 5 on Sunday 19th July.
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Now, I know we're all being hit up for fundraisers every five minutes, but this one comes with a side of Pixar-induced nostalgia, and two hours where nobody can ask you what's for dinner.
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So if you've got kids, grandkids, borrowed kids, or you're simply a grown adult who still cries at animated toys, we'd love to see you there. The cinema seats **112 people** and we've sold **20 tickets so far**, which means there are still plenty of seats waiting for some friendly bottoms.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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Tickets are $20 and include a few nibbles beforehand – available by commenting below or sending me a message.
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Beauty and the Beast - Hutt City Musical Theatre Inc.
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We're excited to share that three of our own Wā Ora stars – Scout Hunter, Mischa Blake and Aria Blake – are performing in Hutt City Musical Theatre's production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast JR.
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This much-loved tale comes to life on stage from 24th June – 4th July, and we'd love to see our community supporting these talented young performers.
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Break a leg, Scout, Mischa and Aria – we're proud of you all!
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The Learning Connexion - Holiday Programme
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Floorball
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Last Thursday, our years 4-6 went to a “have a go” floorball festival. For some of our tamariki, this was their first time playing the sport. Throughout the day, there was some excellent sportsmanship displayed, great passing to each other as a team to score goals and lots of FUN! Our school played against Hutt Central, Our Lady of the Rosary, Te Puni and Waterloo School. We would like to acknowledge the following volunteers for supervising and coaching our tamariki: Sammie Rumball, Richard Hoffman, Josh Searle and Benjamin Johnson.
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Congratulations to the following tamariki for putting their hands up to give floorball a go at this festival: Leah Searle, Isla McLennan-Deans, Tom Tom Woodson, Karun Sologar, Cody Rumball, Buzz Searle, Charlotte Jellicoe, Jocelyn Liang, Marcel Riordan, Harrison Jarvis, Saahil Kalidas, Zephram Hoffman, Bishmeet Gill, Arjun Poddar, James Li, Adeline Johnstone, Clara Buescher, Romelie Johnson, Matilda Tysoe, Ezekiel Kauri, Logan Dyer, Anita Mead and Gareth Atkinson.
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Term 3 Sports
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Further information about the sports can be found when you click on the Google Form:
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Please note all Term 3 registrations will close on the 23rd of June.
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