Newsletter 9 October 2025

Kia ora TPS whānau                                  Like us

 

 

Principal’s message: 

A warm welcome back to everyone! We are excited to launch into the last term of the school year, bringing with us the promise of summer sunshine and some huge highlights!

Ready, set, GO! TPS Athletics Day at Onewa Domain:

Get ready to cheer! Our whole school Athletics Day is set for Tuesday 4th November at Onewa Domain. Our learners have started their learning and will be excited to showcase their skills in running, jumping, and throwing.

To ensure a great day with buses, equipment hire, and the venue, we are asking for a small contribution of $5.00 per child. Please make your contributions on Hero.

Hats!

A friendly reminder to all students and staff: Hats are compulsory during Term 4. Please ensure your child has their school hat and wears it during all outdoor activities, including playtime, lunch, and PE.

Don’t forget togs and towels!

Water skills is an essential part of our curriculum here at Takapuna Primary, and we ensure every child participates in this important water safety and confidence lesson.

Please help us by reminding your child to pack their togs (swimsuit) and a towel on the days they are rostered for swimming. We know children prefer their own togs but If your child forgets their gear, we have a stock of clean, washed spare togs ready to use so no one misses out.

Staffing updates:

We officially welcome back Bernice (for one term only!) who has started another class with our Term 4, New Entrants in Room 6D. 

Harmony has resigned from her Music/STEM specialist teacher role and we wish her well with the arrival of her baby. We will take time to review this role for the future.

Property:

We know many of you are eagerly awaiting the removal of the fencing and the restoration of the space next to the sandpit. We are just as keen to have this area fully opened up for our learners! Unfortunately, we are currently unable to move forward with the final phase of this project.

We are still in active discussions with the Ministry of Education to secure the necessary funding for the remaining work. Please be reassured that we are pursuing this daily and are doing everything we can to speed up this process.

TEACHER INDUSTRIAL STRIKE ACTION:

We are writing to gather essential information regarding the possibility of a teacher strike scheduled for Thursday 23 October. Your timely response is crucial for our planning.

In the event that the strike proceeds, we anticipate that the majority of our teaching staff will be absent.

Action required: To help us plan, please inform your child’s classroom teacher as soon as possible if you intend to send your child to school on the potential strike day. Depending on these numbers the school will need to make further decisions.

Kelly Club update:

We are currently working with Kelly Club regarding their ability to provide care. The decision will depend on the overall number of students who indicate a need for onsite supervision. We will notify you immediately once we have definitive information about their operating status for that day.

Thank you for your understanding and prompt cooperation during this time.

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

Upcoming Events and Important Dates: 

Week 1: Friday 9.00am Mihi Whakatau to welcome new students and whānau to TPS

Week 2: Monday 13 October – School Board meeting 6:00pm (contact takapunaboard@tps.school.nz)

Week 3: Thursday 23 October  –  Potential teacher strike

Week 4: Monday 27 October – LABOUR DAY – NO School

Week 5: Tuesday 4 November – Whole school athletics day 

Week 6: Friday 14 November – School Disco night

Week 8: Monday 24 November – School Board Meeting 6:00pm (contact takapunaboard@tps.school.nz)

Week 9:  Monday 1 December – Whole school beach picnic   

               Tuesday 2 December – Year 6 Graduation evening

Week 11: Monday 15 December – Wheels – non-uniform day     

                Tuesday 16 December (last day of school)

 

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

 

 

Regards, Devika & the TPS Team

YUMMY APPLE STICKERS

Please return ALL Yummy Apple Sticker Sheets to the office

BY MONDAY 13 OCTOBER 3:00PM

 

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

 

Last term the learners in the ESOL program had a visit from the Bee Lady. Our Inquiry topic was ‘All About Bees’ so it was really exciting to put our learning into practice. The Bee Lady brought a real hive so we could see (and hear) what was happening inside the hive. We also got to make a beeswax candle and try some delicious honey. 

In fact the honey was so delicious that the ESOL classroom is now running a HONEY PROMO so you can all enjoy the honey at home. The Bee Lady will donate $2.00 from every jar sold to our ESOL program. We are hoping to raise some money towards new resources. Please go onto her website https://thebeelady.nz/shop/

to order and mention Takapuna Primary School at checkout. The honey will arrive at school in a few weeks and will be delivered to your child’s class.

Any questions or for more information please email natashag@tps.school.nz

 

Students leaving TPS:

If your child is in year 1,2,3,4 or 5 and leaving TPS, please email office@tps.school.nz to let us know. Please include the school they will be attending (if known) and/or the area you are moving to.

Updating Contact Details:

If you have moved to a new address, changed your email or contact phone numbers, it is important to update us 

https://www.tps.school.nz/update-student-details/

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 

For Takapuna School Board information and meeting dates:

https://www.tps.school.nz/bot/

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)

This photo was taken in 1963 of students watching a performance by two actors. My guess is it’s outside rooms 5A & 5B.

TPS SPORTS

Term 4 Sports Calendar

-TPS Run Club Registrations are open, register HERE

-TPS Athletics Carnival at Onewa Domain on Tuesday 4th November. The learners will begin their athletics programme from T4 Week 1 to 4. Block this day out and come and support our tamariki. The first events begin at 10:15am – 1:00pm for Year 1-3 and 10:15am-2:00pm for Year 4-6.

If you can help at the upcoming TPS Athletics Carnival day at Onewa Domain on Tuesday 4th November please email Valerie  sports@tps.school.nz . We need time keepers for the sprints, field event marshalls for discus, long jump, high jump.

TPS Students in Action
Congratulations to Jack who is in the TPS Chess Team.

TPS Run Club 

Great to have so many tamariki joining the TPS Run Club. If you are keen join HERE . We meet Wednesday mornings at 8:00am by the Collins Street gates.

Congratulations to these Takapuna Football Club players from TPS who received end of year team awards.

North Harbour 3×3 Basketball Competition– In week 10 TPS entered two Year 5-6 teams in the 3×3 basketball tournament. Court play requires more dribbling, passing, shooting and decision-making and defending is important as the game is super fast. Both teams had fun and enjoyed the challenges of being in the competitive grade. Thanks to Rebekah, Simon and Marwa for your support.

Dodge ball– Thanks to Sarah who runs a dodge ball game once a week in the school hall. The tamariki love playing this game, you have to have quick reactions.

TPS Teams participating in Term 4

Basketball – All the best to our five TPS basketball teams competing in the Tuesday and Wednesday comp – Taka Alley Oops, Taka Hawks, Taka Slam Dunks, Taka Tigers and Taka Stars.

Splash Polo– We have entered Taka Splashes for their fourth term as a team, have fun and play hard.

Touch Rugby– Two TPS teams are entered into the Monday evening competition at Sunnynook Park. Taka Turbos Year 5-6 and Year 2 mixed team Takapuna Flyers.

A huge thank you to all our amazing coaches and managers of these teams; Petra, Marwa, Sarah, Adam, Tom, Rebekah, Allie, Claudia and Nikita. Your time, dedication and positive energy is appreciated by us all at TPS!

TPS Team Reflections

Takapuna Splashes– Congratulations for winning your grade and coming FIRST place, very commendable effort and all your hard work and skills paid off.

TPS Basketball

Tuesday playing dates for Semester 2 are October 14, Wednesday playing dates Semester 2 are October: 8, 15, 22, 29 November: 5, Finals Game on  12, 19

TPS Slam Dunkers– Last game of Term 3 and your skills are coming together which resulted in a win for the team, well done.

TPS Stars– Last game of Term 3 and we defeated Bayfield 32-18. The team worked tirelessly up and down the court and our defense was on point with each player pressuring their opposite and some really nice ball steals to keep momentum Takapuna’s way.

 

                                                                 Slam Dunkers

                                                                        TPS Stars

 

Community Sports Notices:

 

Yummy Apple Stickers

Please return your completed Yummy Apple sheets to the office by Monday 13th October at 3:00pm. Thank you so much for your contribution to helping our kura.

Shore Cricket Club registrations are  now open for all ages and levels.

If you have any questions about junior cricket, please contact juniors@northshorecricket.co.nz

Click here to register

 

Applications for the 2026 Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon^TM are now OPEN!

Race day is Sunday 22nd March 2026 at Point England Reserve, Pt England

You can join with your friends or individually. Click  local event to register and find out more about this amazing event.

 

If your child is interested in taking part in a unique learning experience at the 2025 Weightlifting NZ National Championships. Click on this link here to register your interest;

This is an exciting opportunity for rangatahi and tamariki to:

• Hear motivational speaking through the personal journeys of New Zealand Olympians
• Learn about the sport of weightlifting and what it takes to become some of the strongest athletes in Aotearoa
• Watch our country’s best weightlifters compete for national titles, as well as New Zealand and Oceania records.
• 

 

 

Another great term of chess with Chess Power.

MATHS CORNER

 

 

IMPORTANT DATES

Friday 10 October            Mihi Whakatau (new families only) 9:00am Hall

Monday 13 October         Board Meeting 6:00pm

Thursday 23 October       Potential Teacher Strike

Monday 27 October         Labour Day (NO school)

Tuesday 4 November       TPS Athletics Carnival (Onewa Domain)

Friday 14 November         Disco night

Monday 24 November     Board Meeting 6:00pm

Monday 1 December        Whole school beach picnic

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

Monday 15 December      Wheels & non uniform day

Tuesday 16 December       Last day of school

Click here for School Calendar

2025 Term Dates

COMMUNITY NOTICES