What a great start to the term! There was so much energy and enthusiasm at our Show Day yesterday. Lots of you talked about how Show Day reminds you of your own tamarikitanga | childhood and how much you love the fact that this tradition continues. We will add some more pictures and a summary of our winners in our next newsletter.
Strike Day Today, our Board received a notice from NZEI informing them of scheduled to take place from 7:00am to 7:00pm on Thursday 23 October 2025. This action will involve employees who are members of NZEI Te Riu Roa and are covered by the Primary School Teachers', Primary Principals' and Support Staff in Schools Collective Agreements
As a result of this the Board have made the decision that we do not have enough staff to safely open our kura on Thursday. Therefore Ruakākā School will be closed on Thursday 23 October.
Beach Art & Sand Sculpture Day - Labour Weekend On Sat 25th October from 12.30-3.30pm there will be an opportunity for families to participate in a fun day of sand art - meet in the carpark at Ruakākā Surf Club. There is a poster below advertising this great event. Please spread the word and support the Bream Bay Youth Ambassadors.
Whānau Survey We always use Show Day to begin our annual whānau survey to get feedback from our community as we begin work on our Strategic Plan 2026. We ask, "What do you love about Ruakākā School?" "What would you like to improve?" If you have not yet answered our 2 question survey please click on the link: https://forms.gle/BdG6pbJR14YbAqNB9 Thank you for taking the time to let us know your thoughts.
Ngā mihi Helen
Staff News
At this time of year we always have changes in our staff and we would like to announce that 2 of our valued kaiako have gained positions at other kura in our rohe.
Ash Mudford has been with us since 2024. It has been a privilege to support her first two years as a new kaiako - she will gain her Full Practising Certificate at the end of the year. It can be tough as a new teacher to find the first permanent teaching contract and while Ash has been covering for teachers on leave, we have not been able to offer that to her. We are very proud to say that Ash will be starting 2026 as a permanently employed teacher at One Tree Point - Te Ara Kahika. He poho kūkupa matou ki a ia! Ash will be missed - but we also know her wairua and mana wāhine will be an asset to her new kura.
Jacob Rangi is completing his 8th year as a kaiako here at Ruakākā. For Jacob it has been both a professional journey and a personal journey in connecting to Te Reo Rangatira. This year Jacob has had a leadership role through the Kāhui Ako, As that comes to an end he has been looking for other avenues to develop as a professional. He has gained a position at Bream Bay College within Te Rerenga Kōtuku where he will support both the learning and the pastoral care of rangitahi. Whilst he will be greatly missed here we also know that our hononga | connection through him will support us to further strengthen our connection to BBC.
Being able to mentor and grow kaiako, kaiāwhina and kaimahi within our kura and then support them to fly is something we are really proud to do.
Tēnei te mihi nui ki a kōrua, e ai ki te kōrero, "Mā te huruhuru, ka rere ai te manu!"
Pet Portraits from Room 5
Whaea Ash is so proud of the papahueke her class showed in developing their water colour skills so that they could produce portraits of their much loved pets. Ka rawe!
Tūtaki i ngā Kaimahi / Meet the Staff
Our kaimahi (staff) have been working hard to create a visual of who they are. This is being put up on windows of classrooms, offices, etc so that our tamariki and whānau get to know us better.
This newsletter we would like to take the opportinuty to introduce you to two new kaiāwhina working in English Medium, Ange Sly & Natalie Pollard (who is a returning staff member). Nau mai haere mai!
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Kia ora! I’m Angela Sly, and I’m proud to be part of the awesome team here at Ruākākā School. As a teacher aide, I love supporting our tamariki in the classroom and helping them grow in confidence with their learning. I’m also a proud mum, and having my own children has made me even more passionate about creating a positive and caring environment for all kids. Outside of school, I enjoy my whānau and enjoying life in our beautiful community, reading, going for walks, and chasing after my dogs. I’m looking forward to a great term of supporting our amazing students and staff!
Celebrating Niue Language week in Tai Tokerau
PTA
Next meeting:
Tuesday 28th October at 6pm in the Multi Purpose Room
Prizegiving Trophies
If you have any Prizegiving trophies at home, please bring them into the office.
Garden To Table / Māra ki te tēpu
Ruakākā School Apparel Ordering / Hoko Kākahu
Ruakākā School hoodies and tees, Whānau t-shirts and Te Whānau Harakeke hoodies and tees can be ordered online here. These are not being done as a fundraiser and are being sold at the lowest possible price for you all. Happy shopping. Any questions, please get in touch with Emma, info@designbyem.co.nz
Spare Change of Clothes / Kākahu mō te pēke
Please make sure your tamariki has a change of clothes in their bag every day. We only have a small amount of clothes in the office in case of emergencies, so we may need to call you to bring in some clothes for your child.
Important Dates
Lions' Clubs of Marsden and Waipu - Junior Citizen Awards Evening
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Labour Day - School Closed
All Day
Senior Athletics Day
All Day
Gumboot Friday
All Day
Junior Athletics
All Day
Year 3/4 Camp
All Day
Marsden Christian Camp
Prizegiving
All Day
Year 6 Graduation Dinner
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Ruakākā School
End of Term 4
All Day
School finishes at 12pm. Buses will leave at 12pm.
Community Notices
How to Register Please share the registration link with your students and whānau: Click here to register.https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/386202 For further details, please contact operations@whangareinetball.co.nz. Ngā mihi nui, Whangārei Netball Centre