Newsletter 31 July 2025

Kia ora TPS whānau                                  Like us

 

 

Principal’s Message: 

LATE to school:

Let’s work together to boost punctuality! Arriving on time is a vital life skill that helps students start their day smoothly and prepare for learning. Our Term 2 Ministry of Education data showed only 69% of students arrived before 9:00AM. We want to significantly improve this number. Your help is essential!

School News and updates

Community Survey:

Please submit your thoughts by Monday 18 August 2025. We’ve got a unique survey link just for you to complete as parents/caregivers of students at TPS. The link has been shared via Hero. So far we have received 24 submissions and look to get feedback from all families.

Curriculum Information Evening:

A huge thank you to all the families who joined our session last week on the new curriculum changes in English and Mathematics. Here is valuable feedback we received:

Hi Devika,

“Hope you’re doing well! Thanks again for the session last night—it was genuinely helpful and made things feel a bit clearer, even though I know the curriculum is still a work in progress as it rolls out. 

…I just want to say I appreciate what you’re doing. On the note of composite classes, I’m a fan of them. I’ve noticed [child] being able to push himself where he’s ready for more—especially in maths and literacy—and it’s also been great to see him try to step up to be a role model for the younger kids (with some help from [teacher] reminders!). Even with [child], I hear her mention how [teacher] encourages kids with peer learning and the new ways in which she tries to explain concepts to younger learners. 

Really appreciate all your hard work and the time you take to keep us informed. Thanks again for everything!”

3 way (parent, teacher, student) Conferences: SAVE THE DATE

Bookings will be opening soon for you to book:

Wednesday 20 August from 3:30pm to 7:00pm 

Thursday 21 August from 3:30pm to 5:30pm

ESOL:

Students attending ESOL lessons with Tash Giles will be able to visit their ESOL class and students can show their families the areas of focus and learning. This will be available from 3:30pm to 6:00pm on Wednesday and 3:30pm to 5:30pm on Thursday. This is not a conference and there is no need to book.

Te Ao Māori:

Students attending lessons with Kipa will be able to visit their Te Ao Māori classroom to show their families the areas of focus and learning. This will be available from 3:30pm to 6:00pm on Wednesday and 3:30pm to 5:30pm on Thursday. This is not a conference and there is no need to book.   

Recordings, Photographs and Video: 

Takapuna Primary School expects our school community to consider privacy when sharing someone else’s personal information. This includes taking recordings and photographs at school or school-related events or activities, and sharing this content widely. For further information please see our policies (details referenced below and on our website).

Spotlight learner! 

In Tui E we have been focusing on using descriptive language in our writing. Nga Hauewha has written an amazing descriptive piece about kina, using similes to help paint a vivid picture for the reader. Ka pai Nga Hauewha!

MOTAT visit:

Kiwi had a visit from the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) this week. We made a simple machine that could make a small ball move along tracks and obstacles to knock over a piece at the end. This took a lot of teamwork and communication to take turns and build something that worked. We are proud of our Kiwi learners and what they achieved.

Families attending Te Reo Māori lessons with Kipa:

It was wonderful to see families engage with Kipa and start their own learning journey. Please see the information below:

Kia ora!  I would like to offer free Te Reo Māori lessons to parents of TPS – If you want to learn about Māori Language and Culture, come to my classes.

Monday fortnightly – no stationery required

Time:         8.15am  – 8.45am (30mins)

Location:  Te Āo Māori Classroom. Takapuna Primary School

Contact Kipa: kipar@tps.school.nz

Property updates: EXTRA PLAYSPACE!

With the recent removal of the old building, a fantastic opportunity has opened up to create an additional play space for our students. While it will also be a concrete surface, it’s a valuable expansion that will help alleviate congestion and provide more dedicated space in particular for our younger students.

As this is a Ministry of Education project, their primary focus is on returning the space to a usable state following the building’s removal. This means we have some limitations regarding extra funding for additional features beyond the standard preparation of the concrete area. Therefore, the school has specific boundaries for how this space can be developed and utilised. We’ll be sharing updates as the plans develop.

IMPORTANT SCHOOL COMMUNITY GROUP (SCG) NEWS:

The SCG is looking for new members to step into the roles of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer as the current team finishes up. Come along to the library on Monday 4th August at 3:00pm to find out more. The SCG organises some of the events we all love like Pizza Day, Sushi Fridays, Discos and the Quiz Night. Without new people, some of these may not happen in 2026. Questions welcome – email scg@tps.school.nz

Our recent SCG Quiz Night at Hauraki Social Club was a fantastic success, raising over $3,000 for our school! The evening was filled with fun, friendly competition, and plenty of laughter as teams battled it out for bragging rights and some truly amazing prizes.

A big thank you to everyone who attended, donated, and helped make the night run smoothly. Events like this not only support our fundraising goals but also help strengthen the wonderful sense of community that makes our school so special. Keep an eye out for the next social event!

Special thanks to the following sponsors –

Hauraki Social Club; Our amazing MC Lance Dunne; BFT Takapuna; Farro Smales Farm; ANZ; Kids Music Company; Beachside Cinemas Takapuna; Mooi Hair; BittaSweet; Kinship; Michies Automotive; Skintopia; Takapuna Beach Cafe; My Wonderland; Clip & Climb; Funis Takapuna; Professional Shore City; Noel Leeming; Sal’s Pizza; Adventure World; Livewire; and Activezone Rollerskating Rink

School Policies:

Each term, the whole school community is invited to review and comment on specific policies and procedures. This feedback is captured using the review button on topics that are under review. The review topics for each term are listed on the Current Review and Review Instructions page.

General Feedback:

At any time, members of the school community can send general feedback on a topic to the school by clicking the green feedback button on the top right of the page.

Schooldocs:

Username: takapunaprimary

Password: deedsnotwords

Are you ready to make a difference? Train to be a teacher with us in 2026

The Teachers’ Institute’s Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary, School-based) offers you the chance to gain teacher registration in just one year, while learning hands-on at our school every day. This programme is perfect for anyone considering a career change, returning to work after a break, or even after an OE.

Pay no tuition fees for the year.  For more information, visit teachersinstitute.org.nz

 

Upcoming Events and Important Dates

 

Term 3 Board Meeting: Monday 1 September: email takapunaboard@tps.school.nz  for further information

3 way (parent, teacher, student) Conferences: Bookings will be available from next week for Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 August

Wheels, pizza & non-uniform: Thursday 18 September

Last day of term 3: Friday 19 September

 

Regards, Devika & the TPS Team

Are you a Facebook and Social Media Expert?

Takapuna Primary School Alumni Network needs your help!

TPS recently launched an alumni group on Facebook. We’re just in the beginning stages and we need someone who can assist with the growth of the group by attracting members. The objectives of the TPS Alumni Network are:

• Build a database of TPS alumni
• Develop connections with TPS’s current staff and students
• Enhance current students’ understanding of TPS’s history
• Offer fundraising opportunities for alumni to invest so TPS can continue its high-quality educational standards
• Promote TPS’s brand in the community
• Host alumni events
• Begin the path towards TPS’s 150th reunion in 2029
• Create an online archive of TPS class photos, memorabilia etc.

Please join the Facebook group here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/666338743056767

If you would like to assist by helping us develop the Facebook group, please contact us at alumni@tps.school.nz

The time commitment is approx 1-2 hours per month.

Thank you.
TPS Board of Trustees

 

Special Notice – School Board Elections 2025 – Takapuna Primary School – Reminder

Every three years all public schools in Aotearoa hold elections for their School Boards, and this is going to happen again in 2025. This is our second notice, with the first on Hero on the 18th July 2025.

Nominations are now open and there is still time for you to get your nomination in. This election is for 5 parent representatives to join the Takapuna Primary School Board. Schooled Election Pilot have been appointed as the Returning Officer for this election. Nominations close at noon on Wednesday 6th August 2025.

You can email in your nomination, complete it online at www.boardelections.nz or fill it in and drop it off at the school office. We have already sent out nomination forms by email or by post, however if you need additional nomination forms, or want a copy in Te Reo Māori or another language just contact the Returning Officer directly on 0800 VOTENZ (0800 868 369) or election@electionpilot.nz. 

You can nominate yourself, or you can nominate someone else in the community. If you are going to nominate someone else, please ensure they are aware of your nomination and are willing to accept the nomination. Information on who is not eligible to be a School Board member is provided with the nomination form. 

The electoral roll is held at the school office and can be viewed during normal school hours. 

As of midday Thursday 31st July the Returning Officer accepted nominations (so far) are:

• Claudette Chung
• Duncan Gross
• Manjeera Hammond
• Sukhpreet Kaur
• Denham Koni
• Michael Ma
• Eileen Qian
• Andrew Stevens
• Mariam Tayyab
• Jesse Yang

Subject to accepted nominations, voting will open on Wednesday 13th August and will close at 4:00pm on Wednesday 10th September 2025.

Finally, on our TPS School Board website (https://www.tps.school.nz/bot) we have some great resources about what is involved in the Board and we welcome any questions that you may have.

School Safety Notice:

CLICK HERE

 

Updating Contact Details:

If you have moved to a new address or changed your email or contact phone numbers, it is important to update us by emailing office@tps.school.nz

SCHOOL DONATIONS – an investment in our students

Our mission at Takapuna Primary School is to deliver a great quality learning environment that supports a quality education. To support this, we are seeking your help.

Your school donations make a very real difference to us as a state-funded public school. Our basic costs are met by the Ministry of Education, but it’s the money we receive from our school community that really allows us to provide opportunities, equipment and teaching beyond what is funded by the government. As an example, we would like to undertake further enhancements including sun shades, and also to enable wet weather use. This funding is therefore so important in providing a high-quality learning environment (both in and out of the classroom).

The school donation for 2025 is $250 per student, or $400 for families with two or more students. We can arrange weekly, fortnightly, or monthly instalments via internet banking if this helps spread the cost. Importantly, donations are tax deductible so approximately one third of every donation can be claimed back as a tax credit. That means for a $250 donation you receive $83 back in your wallet. Your actual donation cost is just $167.

To make your donation payments please go to the ‘Hero’ app and click on the ‘Finance’ tab. Alternatively, any payments can also be made directly into the school bank account 12 3026 0792484 00 – if doing so, please ensure you include your child’s name and ‘donation’ as reference on the payment.

We do understand these are uncertain times and managing financial priorities can be difficult for some families. 

Any queries regarding payments can be directed to our accounts team: accounts@tps.school.nz

If you would like to know more about how the School Board operates and/or would be interested in understanding how else you can help, please contact: takapunaboard@tps.school.nz 

Thanks so much for helping to support our growing and vibrant community.

Kindest regards

Takapuna Primary School Board 

History of Takapuna Primary School

(since 1879)

In 1983, Prince Charles (now King Charles) and Princess Diana visited New Zealand. TPS was invited to the opening of Waterwise in Milford.

At the opening were Prince Charles and Princess Diana. 

Looks like a wet day, but the children of TPS were all smiles!

TPS demonstrating the Optimist Dinghy.

Princess Diana talking to some children from TPS.

Prince Charles (now King Charles) asking the TPS children if they windsurf.

Here is a photograph from 1962 of TPS students enjoying some new play equipment. Looks like it is entirely made of metal, very different from todays playground equipment.

Clothing donations needed:

If you have any spare school uniform, boys/girls underwear or navy blue/black socks, we would appreciate these to use as spare clothes for the Sick Bay.

TPS SPORTS

School Cross Country training has begun at TPS – Please remember to send your child to school on training days in appropriate shoes and clothes. Also if your child has medical issues, it is important that they manage their own medication. Cross Country will now be held on Friday 22 August, Week 6. Please mark this in your whanau diary and come along to support your child.

Win a share in 200k worth of sports prizes

We are collecting these stickers from Yummy apples. When your sheet is full of Yummy stickers, return it to school and we will give you another sheet. If you buy bags of apples, there is a special sheet for you. You can get more sheets from the office. These stickers are being collected until the end of the term. By collecting these Yummy stickers we are able to get sports equipment for our Tāmariki to use during morning tea and lunchtimes.

For more information see here. 

TPS Team Reflections

TPS Basketball – The teams have been organised for Semester 2 (Term 3 & 4) and all players will be notified by their Manager about their first game time and venue in Week 4.
Semester 2 will commence on Tuesday 12th August (Yr 2-4 league) and Wednesday 13th August (Yr 5-6 league).

Takapuna Hawks training with Coach Adrian

Takapuna Splashes – One mixed team has been entered into the league and their competition for Term 3 has begun.

TPS Netball – Takapuna Tulips have been practicing their footwork and have improved a lot over the last couple weeks. They won their game 7-0 on this very windy Monday. Go Tulips!

TPS students in action – In the past week we have had our students involved in so many sporting opportunities; cross country training, run club, rippa rugby, football, bike track, sports x basketball, basketball, netball and cricket.

Rippa Rugby Festival – Is coming up on Thursday 14 August and reminder notices have been sent out to all players and these need to be returned to the Sports Notice Box in Kereru by Friday 8th August.

Peninsular Football Festival for Year 3-6 students – The registrations for this festival is closed and the teams have been organised for Tuesday 9th September.

Sport X Basketball – This is Wednesday after school from 3:00 – 4:00pm. If you are interested in signing up your child email regand@sports-x.nz or phone 020 4111 3590

Haunt for a Cause: Devonport’s Darkest Night 

Step inside… if you dare! This Halloween season, Devonport will never be the same. Join us for Haunt for a Cause, a one-night-only haunted house experience that will chill you to the bone — all in support of a great cause.

Hosted by North Shore Rugby and Cricket Clubs, this eerie evening is raising funds to help transform the old bowls club into much-needed girls’ changing room facilities. Expect frights, fun, and a few unexpected visitors…

Date: 8th and 9th August 2025

Location: 10 Cheltenham Road, Devonport

Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm both nights

Entry – $15 pp or $50 for a family of four

Important Note: Please don’t all arrive at 6:00pm! The later you come, the scarier it gets — and the fewer crowds you’ll face. Early birds get mild chills… brave souls get the full scare.

Come scream for a good cause — your fear might just help fund the future of girls in sport.

North Shore Baseball is running a Winter Ball programme to give girls and boys a chance to experience baseball, learn new skills, have fun, and get active!

All sessions are led by our team of experienced coaches. All are welcome – all ages and abilities are catered for.

The programme will then run for 10 Sundays in Terms 3 from the 3rd of August at Unsworth Reserve.

More details and sign-ups are at https://nscbaseball.co.nz/winter-ball/ and the club can be contacted at admin@nscbaseball.co.nz

MATHS CORNER

IMPORTANT DATES

Wednesday 20 August      3 Way Conferences 3:30pm – 7:00pm (bookings open soon)

Thursday 21 August          3 Way Conferences 3:30pm – 5:30pm (bookings open soon)

Monday 1 September       Term 3 Board Meeting

Thursday 18 September   Pizza, wheels & non uniform day

Friday 19 September         End of Term 3

Monday 6 October            Beginning of Term 4

Tuesday 2 December         Graduation (Year 6) details to come…

Click here for School Calendar

2025 Term Dates

COMMUNITY NOTICES

 

Takapuna Primary School is a Mitey school. Mitey is a Sir John Kirwan Foundation initiative and is an evidence-based approach to teaching mental health education in schools. You can see Mitey in action here.

Mitey is provided free to all schools and relies on the generosity of our communities to support its great work. The East Coast Bays Football Club is holding a charity weekend on 22-23 August 2025 to raise awareness and funds for Mitey.

Sir John Kirwan is speaking at the clubrooms on Friday night which you are all welcome to attend. On Saturday there is a charity game day and an online auction.  Check out the details at https://ecbafc.nz/mitey-and-sir-john-kirwan-foundation-charity-weekend.

It would be wonderful for our community to come out in support of Mitey!”

https://communitysafety.co.nz/magazine.php?m=276

Looking for the perfect outing for the next school holidays? We’d love to invite your group to I SPY – a laugh-out-loud musical pantomime adventure for kids (and their grown-ups!), running at the Pumphouse Theatre from 30 September to 4 October.

Presented by CDP Productions and directed by Christine Davern, I SPY is packed with spies, fairies, talking sheep, ridiculous villains, original toe-tapping music and plenty of silly surprises. Join Beth MacDonald and her brave B.A.R.N. buddies as they battle the mischievous agents of H.A.R.M. to solve the mysterious case of the stolen sweets and save the children of Auckland from utter chaos!

SHOW DATES & TIMES:

Pumphouse Theatre, Takapuna

30 September at 7:00pm

1–3 October at 10:00am & 1:00pm

4 October at 1:00pm  & 6:00pm

TICKET PRICES:

All tickets $20 – adults at kids’ prices!