Kohimarama School News - 25th June 2025

School News

A Message from the Principal

Dear Parents

As we approach the midpoint in this academic year, the end of Term 2, I want to share the presentation that was made to the community on the 10th June, about Assessment for Learning.

How Assessment Drives Learning at Kohimarama School

As school reports approach, we want to take this opportunity to share how assessment at Kohimarama School is much more than just a test figure; it's a powerful tool that supports your child's learning journey every single day.

In the past, assessment was often seen as a final test of what students remembered. However, in today's rapidly changing world, we know learners need to be curious, reflective, self-motivated, and collaborative. That's why we've evolved our assessment practices to support deeper learning and empower our students.

Empowering Assessment-Capable Learners

At Kohimarama School, we use assessment to help students understand themselves as learners. This means they learn to identify their learning goals, track their progress, and understand their next steps. We call this becoming assessment-capable. When students are actively involved in this process, it significantly boosts their motivation, confidence, and ownership of their learning.

Our teachers make Overall Teacher Judgements (OTJs), which are professional, well-rounded assessments of your child's learning. These judgments are based on a rich variety of evidence, including classroom observations, student work, conversations, specific assessments, and input from other teachers. All of our OTJs are carefully aligned with the learning progressions outlined in the New Zealand Curriculum, ensuring a clear and consistent understanding of your child's progress.

Our Commitment to Empowering Every Child

Ultimately, assessment at Kohimarama School is not about sorting or labeling students. It's about empowering each child to take ownership of their learning journey and ensuring that teachers and families can provide the right support at the right time.

This approach is deeply rooted in The Kohimarama Way - our core values and dispositions that guide all aspects of learning. Being assessment-capable is a key disposition for us, as it equips students with essential skills to thrive not only throughout their schooling but also in life.

At Kohimarama School, assessment is how we dream, inspire, create and empower - every day. We believe this approach truly supports your child to reach their full potential.

View the video number four in our series. (link to video)

Teaching Shapes What Matters Most

As your Principal, I have the immense privilege of seeing the incredible work our teachers do every single day. Their dedication goes far beyond simply imparting knowledge; our teachers are actively shaping the brains of our young learners, creating new connections that can truly last a lifetime.

The teaching profession (link to video) is often seen as important work, and it absolutely is. But I want to emphasise that it is also expert work. Our teachers undertake extensive training, often up to seven years, to equip themselves with the specialized skills and deep understanding that underpin great teaching and learning. This rigorous preparation allows them to craft engaging experiences, adapt to diverse learning styles, and foster an environment where every child can thrive.

In a time when the teaching profession can sometimes feel challenging and undervalued, I want to take this opportunity to strengthen the mana/profession of our teachers to highlight the impact our educators have on our children's daily lives. Our teachers aren't just teaching subjects; they are cultivating curiosity, building resilience, nurturing creativity, and empowering our students to become confident, capable individuals.

The expertise of our teachers underpins our Kohimarama School community, and it's what allows us to deliver the high-quality education your children deserve. They are quite literally changing lives every day within the learning spaces across Kohimarama School.

Annual Matariki Welcome Hikoi

Thursday 19th dawned crisp and clear. Students, parents and staff began to gather on the tennis courts from 6.30am onward. Soon almost 200 had gathered and the hikoi to Kohimarama beach was underway. We assembled on the beach facing Rangitoto Island to watch the sunrise in the East and began our ceremony with a welcome to Matariki followed by waiata led by our Kapa Haka students. 

Returning to Kohimarama School we gathered and then following our karakia Mo te kai participated in a shared breakfast. Thank you to all who contributed food and time to make this a wonderful way to start Matariki in Kohimarama.  A special thank you to Sarah Witchalls, Te O Maori and Kapa Haka lead for her coordination and leadership of this event.

School Cross Country Event - Wednesday 23rd July 2025

The annual School Cross Country event will be held at Madills on Wednesday 23rd July starting at 10.00am. Please find below a schedule of when we intend to begin races.  

We  ‘intend to begin’ because as you know it depends on the number of pupils running on the day and the weather. We will try our best to run on time however, we cannot guarantee exact times and we thank you for your patience.  We suggest you allow yourself 20 to 30 minutes before the scheduled time of your child’s race.  

All parents are welcome to come and encourage your child as they run our Cross Country course. Children are expected to remain with the other children who are in the same house team during the event. 

Spectators

We would really appreciate all spectators sitting/standing in the designated area near the finish line. It is most important that you stay away from the running area.

Event Timetable

The PTA have organised the Eastern Suburbs club rooms to be open to serve tea and coffee. Thank you for this important and necessary support as I know that the staff certainly enjoy a coffee break at times during the day.

Works being undertaken in the grounds and buildings during the Term 2 School Holidays

• Electrical upgrades including LED lighting and Distribution Boards in the Hall, Library, Staffroom, Learning Spaces 18-23 and 6-8, and administration.
• Plumbing and drainage works in Kiri and Cowley Team areas.
• Re-roofing in the toilets behind the Library and the Library roof and covered way at the rear of the Library.

With this amount of work taking place I ask you to exercise caution when entering the school grounds during the school holidays.

Reminder

Our Kohimarama School, Bizzy Bodz, will be running their extensive holiday programme. Please see their information below to sign up if you wish to participate.

I wish you all the very best during this winter break. If you are travelling I wish you a safe journey and I look forward to seeing you at the commencement of Term 3 on 14th July.

The Kohimarama Way - Reliable/Totika

Roll Return June 2025

Twice a year, in March and June, all schools in New Zealand are required to furnish to the Ministry of Education a return detailing all students enrolled at their schools. This return determines our funding and staffing for the remainder of the school year. If your child is going to be absent or late for any reason on Thursday 26^th June the office will require a letter or email from a parent/guardian justifying the student’s absence from school.

This correspondence is to be provided to the school office, at office@kohimarama.school.nz, no later than Friday 27^th June by 11am. Thank you in advance.

Lost Property

The lost property will be laid out in the hall each morning and afternoon until Friday 3.15. Anything left after this time is disposed of so please make sure you pop down to the hall if you are missing anything.

Road Patrol - Parent Supervision

Are you able to give 30 minutes any morning during the week, to support our Road Patrollers?  It could be once a week for a term, or share the day and you do one week another parent does the other week, it could be 3 of you so it is twice a term that you support our school.  Please contact Meegan Hill on mhill@kohimarama.school.co.nz if you are able to support our fabulous students as they keep us safe when crossing the pedestrian crossing.  Thank you.

Kohimarama School Rock Band Performance - Friday 27th June @ 11.30 am

We have a 'wicked' school Rock Band, directed by Ben Jurisich and they will be performing live in a couple of days time.  You are very welcome to come and 'rock' with us.

Futsal Fundraising

Date for your diary - fundraising car wash on 27th July

As our Year 8 futsal team gears up to represent Kohimarama School at the AIMs Games in Tauranga this August, they’re rolling up their sleeves for a big fundraiser...

On Sunday 27th July, the boys (and some year 8 helpers) will be hosting a fundraising car wash in the Kohimarama School car park. Come along between 10.30am and 1.30pm to get your car sparkling clean while supporting a great cause. 

There will be coffee, home baking, and raffle tickets available to purchase on the day so come down, grab a treat, and let the boys take care of your car while you help them get to AIMs!

And, if you need any DIY or garden supplies this Sunday, 29th June, pop down to Bunnings in Mt Wellington and get a sausage from the boys as they host a sausage sizzle. A huge thank you to Hellers for generously supplying the sausages through their Hellers Sausages for Schools programme, we’re very grateful for the support!

PTA News

We made it….. Term 2 is complete and we are half way through the year! 

Looking ahead at Term 3, please note the following events… 

Term 3: July 14th – September 19th 

Rob Cope – Tuesday July 15th – Second day of term 3!

Please be sure to book your tickets and not miss out on this opportunity. There are 200 seats available and if you, Parents of Kohimarama school don’t grab them with in the next week, It will be opened up to the wider eastern Bay community. This is not a fundraiser. This is a supportive session. 

Book Your Tickets NOW!...

Yummy Stickers

It’s the last week to get your yummy sticker sheets into the office. The individual who has collected the most stickers will be announced in the first week of Term 3. 

Stay collecting over the holidays and into Term 3 as this will continue to run. 

School Holiday Programme

Community Notices