Puketapu School, Bell Block

13/10/2026

🚒 School Fire Alarm Update – False Alarm 💚

Kia ora e te whānau

You may have heard our school fire alarm going off today, and we’re happy to report that it was a false alarm 🚒💚

The Fire Brigade attended, and all our tamariki and staff evacuated safely and promptly. A big thank you to our tamariki and staff for following instructions and making sure everyone was safe. 👏

Luckily, the rain held off while we waited outside for the all-clear to return to our classrooms! ☁️🌧️

Ngā mihi to our local Fire Brigade for their quick response and for helping us keep our kura safe. 💚

13/10/2026

🚸🦺Have you spotted our new Road Patrol signs on Mangati Road? 🦺🚸

We’re so excited to have our Mangati Street crossing now manned by our awesome Year 6–8 students before and after school, helping our tamariki cross the road safely! 🙌

Our front crossing, right outside the kura, continues to be manned daily by the fabulous Mr Quince, who does an amazing job rain or shine! 🌧️☀️

A huge THANK YOU to Mr Quince and all our dedicated Road Patrollers for looking out for our tamariki and helping keep our kura community safe. 💚

Please remember to slow down, keep an eye out for our Road Patrollers, and follow their instructions when approaching the crossings.

Mā te poipoi, mā te ako, ka ora te iwi 💚

12/10/2026

💚 WELCOME BACK TO TERM 4! 💚

📰 OUR LATEST NEWSLETTER IS HERE!

Please take the time to read through our latest newsletter, which is packed with important information, upcoming events, key dates and everything you need to know for the term ahead.

👉 Read our Term 4 newsletter here: https://app.smore.com/n/cw9hy

Please make sure you have a good read so you don't miss any important notices or dates for your whānau!

We look forward to a fantastic Term 4 together. 💚

Mā te poipoi, mā te ako, ka ora te iwi.

Term 4 2026

11/10/2026

*** UPDATED - SWING GONE***

📣 Hey Puketapu community! We have two things to share with you! 🥰

1️⃣ Has this fridge gone missing? 🤔

A fridge has mysteriously appeared in our school playground over the holidays! 😂 It’s quite distinctive, so if you recognise it or know who might have left it here, please let them know it needs to be collected. Thank you! 💚

2️⃣ Beautiful wooden swing stand for sale! 🌿- GONE ***

We have this beautiful wooden swing stand available for sale (swing seat not included).

📏 Measurements:
• Height: 2.2 metres
• Base: 1.2m x 1.2m

💰 Price: Open to offers!

📍 Must be collected from Puketapu School.

If you’re interested, please comment on this post or get in touch with the office! 😊

11/10/2026

💚 CAN YOU HELP? SUPPLIES NEEDED! 💚

Kia ora Puketapu whānau and wider community!
SOMADD is happening this term, and Room 13 & 14 are on the lookout for a few items to help bring this year’s performance to life! 🎭

If you have any of the following items lying around at home that you no longer need, we would love your help!

📦 ITEMS WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

- Large cardboard boxes (fridge or washing machine size)
- Paint – brown, neon green, yellow, white or black
- Chicken wire netting
- Newspaper
- An inflatable/blow-up boat you no longer need
- Lavalava
- Brown Hawaiian grass skirts
- Moana or Maui costumes
- Foam board or insulation board (approximately 40cm x 40cm)
- Bamboo sticks

📍 DROP-OFF DETAILS:
Please bring any donations directly to Room 14 (in the new block by the basketball courts) as soon as possible this term.

Every little bit helps, and we really appreciate our amazing community getting behind our tamariki and helping make this show a success!

Ngā mihi nui 💚
Jemma and Cara

27/09/2026

🏀🏐 Mangorei Mini Sports Exchange! 🏐🏀

Last week, some of our Year 7 & 8 tamariki headed to Mangorei School for a mini sports exchange, and what a great afternoon it was! 💚

We took along our B Netball Interschool team, two 3v3 Basketball teams, and two students who took part in some indoor games, including co****le.

Our netball and basketball teams both came away with the win 🏆, but more importantly, our tamariki represented Puketapu so well. They showed our school values throughout the afternoon, supported one another, gave everything a go and, most importantly, had the best time! 🙌

A huge ngā mihi nui to Mangorei School for hosting us, welcoming us into your kura and providing such a fun afternoon of sport, connection and whanaungatanga. 💚

📸 Check out all the photos we took here!
https://photos.app.goo.gl/V27i7Tx8kys2iX8c6

We can't wait for the next one! 🏀🏐

Mā te poipoi, mā te ako, ka ora te iwi. 💚

21/09/2026

ENROLMENT IN 2027 - OUT OF ZONE PLACES AVAILABLE

Enrolment at our school is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available from the school office.

In 2027 there will be three enrolment periods, one in each of the first three terms. Information for enrolments within each of those periods will be advertised part way through the previous term.

As our school operates a Cohort Entry policy for new entrants which means that new entrants start school in groups through the year rather than on their fifth birthday, at specified points in the year: either on the first day of term or at a mid-point of a term after they turn five. More information is at https://www.education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/starting-school/cohort-or-group-entry-children-starting-school

For the first enrolment period, the school has determined that the following places are likely to be available for out-of-zone students to start at the beginning of Term 1 2027 (Monday 1 February 2027):

-up to 10 places for Year 1 (new entrant) students
-up to 8 places for Year 5-6 students
-up to 8 places for Year 7-8 students

The exact number of places will depend on the number of applications received from students who live within the school’s home zone.

Parents of students who live outside our home zone and would like to enrol their child at Puketapu School should complete an application form no later than 4pm on Monday 12 October 2026.

Parents of students who live within the home zone and intend enrolling their child at any time during the next year should also notify the school by Monday 12 October to assist the school to plan appropriately for next year.

Applications are made online at https://enrolments.linc-ed.com/apply/NZ/2223

If the number of out of zone applications exceeds the number of places available in each year group, students will be selected by ballot. If a ballot for out-of-zone places is required, it will be held on Wednesday 14 October 2026. Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within three school days of the ballot being held.

Details relating to the next enrolment period will be published in 2027.

21/09/2026

🏐 Supporting Our Local Community!

Today our Sports Coordinator Kerie, Sports Leader Hamuora, and Interschool A Team Captains Cara and Kiah-Jayne headed along to Bell Block School to support them in the 2026 Interschool Netball Final against Stratford Primary School.

There was an incredibly high level of netball on display, with both teams showcasing skill, determination and great sportsmanship. 👏🏐

Congratulations to Stratford on taking out the win, and a huge well done to Bell Block School on making it to the final!

We loved being able to support and celebrate the other local school in our community.

Thanks for having us, Bell Block School! 🙌

💚💙

17/09/2026

DON'T FORGET TO GET YOUR TICKETS! Rob Cope is here NEXT WEEK!

16/09/2026

🏀 PUKETAPU TOA – SECTION 1 CHAMPIONS! 🏆

Last night, our Year 5 & 6 basketball team, Puketapu Toa, took out 1st place in Section 1 after an undefeated season! What an incredible achievement!

A huge congratulations to our amazing tamariki: Bryn Smith, Cooper Kerr, Ivy Adams, James Smith, Jaxon Kuchler, Kyan Hoskin, Matayce Martin, Mercy-Rose O’Quinn and Tyler Kenny. You should all be so proud of yourselves!

These tamariki have shown our school values throughout the entire season, demonstrating teamwork, determination and sportsmanship. You have represented Puketapu School with pride, and we couldn’t be prouder of you all!

A massive thank you to Matua Phil and Whaea Kerie for helping out with the team, and to all the awesome parents who supported the team with coaching, scoring and everything in between. Your time and support are so appreciated!

And we can’t forget about all of our supporters who came along to cheer us on last nigh 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

What a season, what a team, and what a way to finish! 💚

Puketapu Toa – undefeated and champions! 🏆