Principal's News 5/2/26
Kia ora Kaikorai whānau,
As we approach February 6th, our school community joins the rest of Aotearoa in observing Waitangi Day.
This day offers a significant opportunity to reflect on our nation's history and foundations. At Kaikorai Primary School, we use this time to encourage our students to learn about the Te Tiriti o Waitangi, its historical context, and its role in shaping the diverse and vibrant country we live in today.
Whānau Picnic and Meet The Teacher Evening 🧺
We are excited to see you all at the Whānau Picnic and Meet the Teacher evening next Thursday, 12/2/26.
5:30 - 6:00 pm: BYO family dinner on the courts. We'll also have a free sausage sizzle for all children. (In case of wet weather, the picnic will happen in the learning street and hall).
6:00 - 6:20 pm: Presentations from the Pīwakawaka (Year 0-2) teachers in their classrooms.
6:20 - 6:40 pm: Presentations from the Tūī (Year 3-4) teachers in their classrooms.
6:40 - 7:00 pm: Presentations from the Kererū (Year 5-6) teachers in their classrooms.
While presentations are on, children will be supervised on the playground and courts. Scooters are welcome on the far basketball court.
Mihi Whakatau 👋🏻
We warmly welcome all our new families who have joined Kaikorai this year to a Mihi Whakatau on Thursday, 19th February at 9:15 am. I will reach out to all our new families directly next week to formally invite you to be officially welcomed to Kaikorai Primary School.
Year 6 Office Managers ☎️
One of the many leadership roles available to our Year 6 children is the opportunity to apply for the Office Manager position. This role is very important - being the face of the school office while Sam or Sharon are on their lunch break. These students applied for the job, explaining their skill set and providing referees who can attest to their abilities.
You may encounter our Office Managers when you phone or visit during the day. They may be nervous, so thank you for supporting them as they learn the ropes!
Attendance: Every Day Matters ✅
As part of a nationwide effort to support student success, all New Zealand schools have now implemented the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) framework. This ensures that every student gets the support they need to stay engaged with their learning.
Below is a summary of the thresholds and the actions our school is required to take each term:
Absences per Term | What to Expect |
0–4 Days | We monitor attendance daily and will follow up on every absence. You will receive termly updates on your child’s attendance data. |
5–9 Days | We will send a formal notification to discuss how these missed days may be impacting your child’s learning progress. |
10–14 Days | A mandatory meeting will be held with the family to create a tailored support plan and identify any barriers to getting to school. |
15+ Days | Continued absences will lead to a high-level notification and a potential referral to the Attendance Service or other support agencies. |
We want to work alongside our families to ensure every student is present and thriving. If your child is facing challenges that make it hard to get to school, please reach out to us early so we can help.
If you are planning to take your child out of school for an extended period, please email me at principal@kaikorai.school.nz. Please note that under the new Ministry guidelines, most family holidays during term time are now classified as "unjustified" absences and will count toward the STAR thresholds.
Assessment and reporting 📚
Following the Minister’s recent announcements regarding education changes, we want to provide you with clarity on how our school is responding.
We know that updates to the curriculum and reporting can feel overwhelming, but we want to reassure you that our primary goal remains the same: to provide clear, meaningful, and consistent information about your child’s learning journey.
Navigating New Requirements
Our staff are currently working through the details of the new assessment and reporting requirements. This is being managed alongside our implementation of the refreshed English and Mathematics curricula. We are taking the time to ensure these changes are integrated thoughtfully into our existing high-quality programmes.
Trusting Teacher Expertise
Reliable reporting continues to rely on our teachers' professional expertise, backed by a range of different assessment tools. We don't rely on a single snapshot; instead, our teachers use multiple assessment approaches and daily interactions to build a complete picture of your child’s progress.
We are committed to keeping you updated as we refine our processes. Thank you for your ongoing support as we work to ensure the best outcomes for our students.
Enjoy the long weekend.
Ngā manaakitanga
Beth
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