Ngā mihi mahana e te whānau (warm greetings to you all family),
I always enjoy the opportunity to write the pānui and keep you all up to date with what has been happening around our kura (school). I don’t know about you, but reaching the end of Week 10 has made it feel very much like the end of term… except we have one more week to go! An 11-week term in the middle of the year is certainly a rare occurrence, so there are a few tired faces around. However, in true Turitea fashion, there is still plenty happening as we head into our final week of Term 2.
On Wednesday, Cameron took 12 Year 5 and 6 students to the interschool Ki o Rahi tournament. Ayla, Makayla, Mackenzie, Emelie, Munroe, Jackson, Joe, Kyerin, Ihaia, Rory, Van, and Lincoln headed down to Manawaroa Park to represent Turitea School in the competitive round. We are very proud of the teamwork, sportsmanship, and determination they showed throughout the day. Ka mau te wehi (awesome), team!
Today marked Kauri’s final Garden to Table session for the term. Kirstin made okonomiyaki, Japanese savoury pancakes, which looked delicious, while Meryl continued the important mahi of predator tracking and setting out nectar bird feeders and wētā hotels. A huge thank you to Meryl and Kirstin for the mahi they put into running Garden to Table each term for our tamariki. Thank you also to the whānau members who come in to volunteer and support these sessions.
He whakamihi nui ki a koutou (A huge congratulations to you all),our table tennis tamariki, Caleb, Lily, Marissa, Matthew, Maya, Olly, and Stanley, who have finished up a successful season this week. A special congratulations to Maya and Marissa, who won their grade, and to Lily, who won overall in her grade. Ka mau te wehi koutou, You are awesome!
Mid-Year Reports:
Our kaiako have worked very hard writing your children’s mid-year reports, which will be published on HERO on Tuesday 30 June.
As you are aware, the Ministry of Education introduced a new curriculum for English and Maths & Statistics this year. As we have transitioned to the new curriculum, teaching approaches, and assessment expectations, you may notice a shift in your child’s reported progress or achievement levels compared to previous years. This reflects the changing curriculum expectations rather than a sudden change in your child’s learning.
We will have another round of Kōrero Mai, our parent-teacher conferences, early next term, where you will have the opportunity to discuss your child’s report further. If you missed our Curriculum Clarity evening last term, please check out the slides that were shared for more information about these changes.
The layout of our reporting system is also new this year, so reports may look a little different. They begin with information about the reporting system and an explanation of what each progress descriptor means.
Reading, writing, and maths reports each include a teacher comment, next steps, ways you can support learning at home, and an indication of where your child is sitting within each sub-area. This is followed by student voice, a school values comment, and attendance information.
To access your child’s report:
- Open the HERO app.
- Ensure you are on the home page.
- Scroll down and click the icon labelled Reports.
- Select the child’s report you would like to view.
We have been keeping whānau updated on the curriculum changes this year and what these mean for our learners. Please contact your child’s teacher via email or HERO if you have any questions about progress descriptors, the curriculum, or your child’s learning goals.
Pae Tamariki:
Our tamariki have been practising kapa haka super hard for their performance at Pae Tamariki on Thursday 23 July. We are on stage at 12.20 pm, so come down to the Regent and watch us if you are free. Entry is a gold coin donation. If you are unable to make it, there will be a livestream and we will send out the link closer to the time. Children with a “no photos online” privacy request will be positioned at the back of the group.
Thank you to everyone who completed the survey about the Year 3-6 performance at the Palmerston North City Council Puanga Festival on Friday 10 July, held in Pit Lane at Robinson Prestige International Speedway. Unfortunately, we did not have enough students to form a performance group, so we will no longer be taking part. It is still a fantastic community event, though, so I would highly encourage whānau to head along, watch the performances, and grab something to eat if you are free that afternoon!
Hui-Ā-Kura:
Hui-Ā-Kura was pretty special this afternoon, as we were delighted to welcome Fiona Love, an NZ Sign Language interpreter, who joined us and signed throughout our assembly. Our assembly was led by our tuakana, Kyerin, Munroe, Ella and Joe. Thank you to Kauri and Rimu for sharing your learning with us. It is always wonderful to hear about the different ways Turitea students are showing our uara this fortnight through their whāinga uara, or values goals. Congratulations to everyone who received a tiwhikete (certificate) today.(Certificate today.)
Rimu: Ollie – Whanaungatanga
Rātā: Jeisle – Manaakitanga
Pōhutukawa: Heidi – Manaakitanga
Mataī: Ethan – Mātauranga
Kauri: Olly – Manaakitanga & Mātauranga
Tōtara: Joe – Mātauranga
Meagan: Theo – Mātauranga
Trish: Leo – Whanaungatanga
At Hui Ā Kura, we also said hei konā rā to Charlotte. Today, we farewelled Charlotte, a student teacher from Te Rito Maioho, who has spent the past four weeks learning alongside Carly and the tamariki in Rātā. Thank you for the care, energy and enthusiasm you have brought to the classroom during your time with us. We wish you all the very best as you continue your journey into teaching.
Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui. Be strong, be courageous, be steadfast.
Intermediate Information 2027
- Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School (PNINS)
Open Day: Tuesday 4 August 2026
There will be three sessions held during the school day: 9.30am, 11.30am and 2.00pm.
Enrolments open: Tuesday 4 August. - St Peter’s College
Open Night: Thursday 30 July, 5.30pm.
Enrolments: Open now. - Te Kura Waenga o Tirohanga – Monrad Intermediate
Open Night: Wednesday 5 August, 6.00pm-8.00pm, in the school hall.
Enrolments: Open now. - Ross Intermediate
Open Evening: Friday 21 August.
There will be two sessions held in the afternoon: 5pm-6.30pm, 7pm-8.30pm
Enrolments open: Wednesday 5 August.
Term 2 Important Dates:
Week 11:
- Mid Year Reports Live in Hero on Tuesday 30th June
- Last Day of Term is Friday 3rd July at 3pm.
Term 3 Important Dates:
Week 1:
- Pae Tamariki performance – Y0-6 – Regent Theatre – 12.20pm
What’s happening in our Community:
- The Cave Palmy is offering a school holiday special, with bookings reduced from $50 to $35 per person, per hour, using the code TURITEA when you book online. They will also donate $5 from every individual booking back to the school if families use it as a fundraiser, so check out the flyer for more details.
- Manawatu Badminton Association has a Holiday Programme in the second week of the holidays.
- Kelly Sport also have their action-packed Holiday Programme full of sport, games & fun.
- Kate from College Street Normal School is running a two-day Netball Holiday Programme at Te Kura Waenga o Tirohanga, Monrad Intermediate, alongside her daughters Madison and Coralee, who both play for Marist Prem. Check out the flyer for more details.
- Ngā Manu has some fun Matariki activities running from 10–12 July, check out the information here.
- Wild Nature School is running a school holiday programme. Check out the details here.
- Manawatū Gym Sports are holding an open day, check out the details here.
- The Turbos have their pre-season game on Friday 17 July, with free entry for all. Check out the details here.
Kia pai tō rā whakatā (Have a great weekend),
Anneliese Kakau
anneliese.kakau@turitea.school.nz