End of Term 2 Pānui

Ka nui te mihi mahana ki a koutou.
Warmest greetings to you all.

Looking back over what has been a long 11-week term, there have been many memorable moments. One highlight came early in the term, when we had the privilege of welcoming the Mounted Rifles and their Army horses for our special ANZAC Day commemoration—an experience that made a lasting impression on our tamariki.

There have also been many other opportunities for our students throughout the term. From cross country, chess competitions, the World Vision Junior Youth Conference, Kapa Haka, Trees for Survival, and our regular Garden to Table programme, to the many learning experiences that take place in our classrooms each day, our tamariki have embraced each opportunity with enthusiasm. They continue to make us proud with their willingness to give everything a go.

Matariki Celebrations:

The term ended with a wonderful whole-school Matariki celebration. Students were grouped into tuakana-teina teams, with older and younger students learning, playing, and working together through a variety of activities inspired by the stars of the Matariki cluster. From games and drawing, to storytelling and other hands-on experiences, there were many different ways to learn while celebrating this special occasion. It was a fantastic way to finish the term!

Student Mid-Year Reports:

Student reports celebrate the progress and achievements of each learner and provide an opportunity to reflect on the learning so far this year. Hopefully you have all had some time to celebrate your child’s successes together. Check out the provided slides sent out earlier in the week so that you can better understand how to interpret the reports and the language used within them. If you have any questions please make contact with your child’s teacher.

RealParents Resource:

Our free School Holiday Planner is a simple way to help whānau think ahead, make a few plans together and create a holiday that’s a little calmer, a little more connected and a lot more enjoyable, no matter their work schedule or budget. 

It isn’t about filling every day, it’s about giving tamariki something to look forward to, balancing adventures with quiet days at home or holiday programmes and helping parents avoid the inevitable, “What are we doing today?” before it even begins. So check out the free school holiday calendar for you to use. www.realparents.org.nz

Winter wellness – know what to do when you’re unwell

As we move through winter, coughs, colds and other illnesses are more common. It’s important to know where to go for the right care. This handy guide shows what to do if you or your whānau or tamariki are unwell – whether that’s visiting your pharmacist, calling your GP, or knowing when it’s urgent.

You can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free health advice anytime.

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 3 Important Dates:
Week 1:   Pae Tamariki details – Thursday 23 July

    • Year 5/6 will leave school at 9.30am to watch some of the earlier performances.
    • 11.30am: Two buses will arrive at school to collect the rest of the kura.
    • All students need to be in full Turitea School uniform, with hair tied up. No sweatshirts please, trying to take as little as possible.
    • 12.20pm: On stage.
    • 12.40pm: Performance finishes.
    • 1.10pm: Arrive back at school for a late lunch.

Week 3:

  • Kind Hearts Conference – Pohutukawa / Mataī – Tuesday 4th August – 9 – 11.30
  • School Speech Finals – Friday 7th August

As the term comes to an end, I would like to thank our Board for their support while Troy has been away, our dedicated staff and teaching assistants for their ongoing commitment to our students, Julie for keeping the office running so smoothly, and Meryl for the care she takes in maintaining our school grounds.

Thank you also to our students and whānau for your continued support throughout the term.

Our thoughts are with Troy and his whānau, and we send them our aroha during this difficult time.

We wish everyone a safe, restful and enjoyable holiday break. We hope you find time to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with whānau. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the next term.

Ngā manaakitanga,

Trish Molloy

Acting Principal