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Tuesday 28th April 2026 | Vol 36 Issue 11 | Term 2 Week 2
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Odyssey Wrap-up
Hilary Asquith - Kawakawa Head Teacher, High School
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Over the final weeks of Term 1, Kawakawa ran our 10-day Odyssey in Te Tau Ihu o Te Waka-a-Māui. Time in the Marlborough Sounds has a way of slowing down. Ākonga began to notice things they might otherwise have passed by. Our experiences with Eko Tours, and Lochmara provided firsthand interactions with dolphins travelling alongside us, penguins and seals moving through their own rhythms, and tuatara attempting to warm themselves on a cold, wet day. These moments fostered respect for our privilege as New Zealanders to live in such a unique and beautiful country. Kaitiakitanga began to feel less like a concept we talk about, and more like a relationship we step into and actively foster.
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It was not all smooth sailing. The weather tested us, plans changed, and the cancelled overnight camp at Davies Bay was a disappointment. The 96-year-old boat, Tutanekai, breaking down while returning from Blumine Island, was yet another challenge. What stayed with me was how the group responded. There was no panic, just a steady coming together. Our ākonga even helped the Captain to try and repair the boat’s water pump! Kaiako and ākonga listened, adjusted, and supported one another. The school’s extensive planning and preparations for safety-first took effect, and worked extremely well. Captains of both the Tutanekai and the rescue mail-boat commented on how awesome our Kawakawa students were in that situation.
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The everyday parts of Odyssey mattered just as much. Cooking together, managing gear, making daily plans, and keeping shared spaces running. These are small things on the surface, but they are where adolescents begin to see themselves as capable and needed. You could see the shift as the days went on. More initiative, more care for others, more awareness that their actions mattered.
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And then there are the moments that simply stay with you; jumping off the wharf at night into the phosphorescent Sounds, laughing with a mix of shock and excitement. It’s hard to explain why those moments stick, but they do. Experiences like Odyssey show how powerful the environment itself can be as a teacher. Out there, the bush, the water, and the weather become the “prepared environment,” and the role of adult’s shifts; we guide, support, and create the opportunities, but the real learning comes from being in it. Through that, we start to build a real connection with the place and with each other. If we want young people to take responsibility for caring for Aotearoa in the future, they need opportunities like this to know it, experience it, and feel connected to it. That sense of care grows naturally from shared experience, and it’s what helps shape people who not only understand their environment, but feel responsible for it.
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WELCOME TO THE FOLLOWING ĀKONGA AND THEIR WHĀNAU STARTING THIS WEEK...
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Riley Sung - Kōwhai
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E WHAI AKE (Coming up) . . .
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Monday 27th April ANZAC Day Observed (WHOLE SCHOOL CLOSED)
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Tuesday 28th April Preschool Kapa Haka, 2:45pm - 3:15pm, Pōhutukawa
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Tuesday 28th April [CANCELLED] Drama Club (9-12 and High School ākonga), 3:15pm - 4:15pm, T2
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Wednesday 29th April Kawakawa/Staff/Playgroup School Photos
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Wednesday 29th April Primary Kapa Haka, 3pm - 4pm, Kauri Classroom
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Friday 1st May Technology - Year 7's, 8:45am - 12:15pm, Avalon Intermediate
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Saturday 2nd May Working Bee
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Tuesday 5th May Preschool Kapa Haka, 2:45pm - 3:15pm, Pōhutukawa
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Tuesday 5th May Drama Club (9-12 and High School ākonga), 3:15pm - 4:15pm, T2
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Tuesday 5th May PTA Meeting, 7:30pm - 8:30pm (In person at school)
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Wednesday 6th May Tāwari Whānau Conferences, 3:30pm - 7pm
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Wednesday 6th May Primary Kapa Haka, 3pm - 4pm, Kauri Classroom
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Thursday 7th May Tāwari Whānau Conferences, 3:30pm - 7pm
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Friday 8th May Technology - Year 7's, 8:45am - 12:15pm, Avalon Intermediate
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Please check below for your eldest child’s name to attend the next working bee.
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Saturday 2nd May
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Scholastic Catalogues
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Issue 4 Scholastic Book Club catalogues went home last week. If you missed out on a copy, extras can be found in the office. Orders are due on Friday 1st May.
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Just a reminder that 15% of the total from all orders go towards the school getting rewards to buy more books for the school, which is a great help to us. Thank you to all those who have made orders in the past.
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Support for South Wellington Montessori
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Krista is organising some material making for South Wellington Montessori School, which sadly lost everything in the recent flooding.
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If you would like to help, there is an option to do some careful cutting out at home in place of attending your scheduled working bee. Please email the office if you’re able to support.
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As you know, preschool materials need to be finished to a high standard, so this work is best suited to an adult.
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Camp Donation Letters
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The Board of Trustees camp donation letters were emailed out by Sharon last week.
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Please contact Sharon if you did not receive yours or have any questions.
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Hell Pizza Reading Challenge
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Hannah, our school librarian, is running the Hell Pizza Reading Challenge for the Primary school again this year. If you're unfamiliar with how the reading challenge works, here's a quick run down.
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Each child has a “pizza wheel” and a book record sheet in the library. Every time they finish a book, they fill in the title, author and a comment about the book on their book record sheet and a slice of the wheel gets signed by Hannah. When they have finished seven books, they can take their completed pizza wheel to any HELL Pizza outlet and redeem it for a free 333 kids’ pizza.
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- Each pizza wheel is good for one 333 kids' pizza from any HELL Pizza outlet nationwide
- The wheel must be signed by the librarian, and stamped with the official school stamp
- One pizza per visit per child
- Wheels are non-transferable for money
- Children must redeem their free pizza in person before Sunday 31st January 2027
If you have any queries about the HELL Pizza Reading Challenge, please contact Hannah.
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Rumi Finds a Frog!
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We’re really excited to share a special story about one of our own, Rumi Lourie from Kawakawa. While exploring a creek near his home, Rumi discovered three rare Hochstetter’s frogs, a native species that is incredibly hard to find and not usually seen this far south.
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Rumi’s curiosity and love of nature led to a discovery that has caught the attention of the Department of Conservation, and it’s pretty amazing to think these frogs may have been living and breeding there for decades.
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We love seeing our tamariki follow their interests and make unexpected discoveries like this. We hope you enjoy reading more about Rumi’s experience at 1News.
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Coming Up
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Next Meeting: Tuesday 5th May, 7:30pm (in-person at school)
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Save the Date - PTA Pool Party!
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The Learning Connexion - Art and Creativity Preview
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We have some spaces available for our Creativity Preview/Workshop this Thursday 30th April, 6pm at Walter Nash, Taine Street, Taita.
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This session is led by local artist and TLC tutor Dan Wilkinson and offers a great introduction to our Certificate in Creativity (Level 4), so will be ideal for those thinking about their pathway beyond school. It is a free event, and registration is required for attendee limits.
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Wellington Family Tough Guy and Gal Challenge
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The Hobbs Global Family Tough Guy and Gal Challenge is an action-packed 3km obstacle course that brings families together for a day of muddy fun, fitness, and teamwork, creating unforgettable memories while conquering challenges side by side.
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Wellington - Saturday 9th May
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
• Obstacle Course Fun for All Ages: A mix of family-friendly obstacles and classic challenges, including mud pits, climbing walls, and crawling tunnels, ensuring fun for kids and adults alike.
• Teamwork and Camaraderie: Work together to conquer obstacles and cheer each other on, building lasting memories and stronger bonds.
• All Levels Welcome: Whether you’re a competitive family or just looking for a fun day out, this event caters to everyone.
• Quality Time Outdoors: A fantastic way to get outside, get active, and create unforgettable experiences with your loved ones.
The Family Tough Guy and Gal Challenge is more than just a race – it’s an adventure that strengthens family ties while embracing the great outdoors. So grab the kids, rally the adults, and take on the mud, climbs, and crawls together! All competitors will receive a special finishers medal for taking part!
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