Waatea School

06/03/2026

07/02/2026

Kia ora e te whānau,

We are very excited to welcome our tamariki and whānau back to kura apōpō to begin our 2026 journey! At Waatea School, we know that when our tamariki are present, they thrive in an environment that celebrates their identity, and we can’t wait to get back into mahi and hit the ground running.

Please find some important information for the week ahead:

📆First Day & First Week
Gates Open: 8:30 am tomorrow morning to welcome our tamariki.

🙏Karakia: Starts at 8:50 am in Tangaroa. Whānau are more than welcome to join us in the wharenui

👔Uniform Updates:
We have a new uniform provider, Lenco, as our previous provider went into liquidation.

🛜Orders: You can place orders online via the Waatea School Uniform website. Please note that shipments will not be ready until mid-February 2026.
https://www.lenco.co.nz/collections/waatea-school?srsltid=AfmBOooqNob4awGPbVhtivbck1EZJ9AxitbBGdZ1OQbmkTvQ9_HE0GTr

Grace Period: We know the start of the year can bring financial pressure. I am working with external providers to secure whānau support. In the meantime, please do not stress if your child does not have a uniform yet; there is a grace period until the end of Term 1.

📚Stationery:
To ensure all tamariki have what they need to start learning immediately, stationery is set at $20 per student for the year.

💰Payment Options: Cash at the admin office (please bring the exact amount) or via bank transfer
Multi-student families: Part-payment options are available to help manage costs.
Bank Details: ASB Bank | Waatea School Board of Trustees | 12-3021-0017059-00 | Ref: Child’s Name.

📍Whānau Support: Tessa, our Navigator:
To help with funding for stationery and uniforms, our Whānau Navigator, Tessa, will be at kura every Tuesday and Thursday (located next to Whaea Zara’s office). I urge whānau to take this opportunity to kōrero with her so we can provide support where required.

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒2026 First Whānau Hui: Picnic & Whakawhanaungatanga
Date: February 25th at 3:30 pm.

🧺The Plan: We are doing things differently! Bring your afternoon tea/dinner, blankets, and chairs for a school picnic. This is a chance for kaiako and whānau to mix, mingle, and introduce ourselves as we build our school community

✅A Focus on Presence:
Our goal for 2026 is a significant lift in Regular Attendance to ensure our learners catch the spark of inspiration every day. Every day counts, and we look forward to seeing our tamariki here daily to build their learning and social foundations.

🗄️Note: My office has moved! I am now located between Uenuku and Tangaroa on the ātea.

Ngā mihi

Whaea Zara

12/01/2026

ENROL NOW FOR 2026! 🏫💙

Looking for a school that feels like home? Waatea School is now accepting enrolments for 2026!

📍 Located at Ngā Whare Waatea Marae (Favona/Māngere).
🎓 Full Primary (Year 0–8).
🚫 No Zone Requirements—Open Enrolment!
✨ Special Character English-medium curriculum.

We pride ourselves on our caring environment and unique marae-based setting. Spaces are limited, so don’t delay!

👉 Scan the QR Code to register

23/11/2025

Kia Ora e te whānau,

Please find attached the formal statement from the Waatea School Board of Trustees, which outlines our unwavering commitment to upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The Board wishes to make it unequivocally clear that, irrespective of any broader changes or challenges within the national education system, the principles of Te Tiriti remain fundamental to our identity (Ngā Whare Waatea and our kura).

We are committed to living these principles across all levels of school operation, from governance and strategic direction to day-to-day planning and pedagogical practice.

Ngā mihi nui,

Waatea School Board of Trustees and Tumuaki

04/11/2025

31/10/2025

31/10/2025

🌙👻Hari Harowīni mai i te whānau o Waatea School me MUMA! 🪄Kia haumaru te haere i tēnei pō whakamataku 🧚‍♀️🐺 Happy Halloween!

02/10/2025

Sharing some good laughs in the wharekai with a cup of tea and good company ☕✨
There’s nothing like a good catch-up between our Waatea services to keep the wairua high 🙌🏽 All real, all heart 💛

Waatea News Waatea School

21/09/2025

📓ENROL NOW FOR 2026!!

Is your little one turning five and ready to begin their school journey? Or perhaps you have moved into the area and are seeking a small school for your tamariki?

We invite you and your whānau to discover the Waatea School difference at our 2026 Enrolment Open Day!

Located in Favona/Māngere at Ngā Whare Waatea Marae, we are a full primary school dedicated to developing well-rounded, socially adept, and culturally aware graduates who can thrive in both te ao Māori and te ao Pākehā.

Join us to see our school in action!

Waatea School Open Day
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 4th November
⏰ Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
📍 Location: Ngā Whare Waatea Marae, Favona/Māngere

What to expect:
- Karakia
-Presentation on what makes our school special
-See our students' skills in a Mau Rākau demonstration
-Experience "Learning in action" in our classrooms
-A Q&A session to answer all your questions
-A clear guide on our enrolment process

We have limited spaces available, and there are no zoning requirements. This is the perfect opportunity to see if our school is the right fit for your five-year-old.

Interested in joining our whānau? Please fill out the form by clicking the link in our bio to register your attendance. We can't wait to meet you!

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc01SeE8R2oJh98lgCx_k6JB1RMKnWJ4z6ptWoBYGgJlgyC_g/viewform?usp=header

04/09/2025

Ngā Whare Waatea Marae Chairman Willie Jackson is attending the Koroneihana today, and what are the odds he runs into these two Waatea School students and their māmā under the same tent! Definitely the time to take a selfie 😎🤳 !