Kia orāna kōtou kātoatoa,
I am back from sabbatical now and I am so thankful to the board for supporting it and to ‘Dean and the team’ for stepping up and managing the school. It was an opportunity for me to grow in other ways and for the staff to grow through leadership also.
Whilst on sabbatical, I attended a Fono on Pasifika Education in Wellington, trained as a facilitator for Tautai o le Moana (an organisation who support pasifika principals or principals who lead schools with high pasifika numbers), visited numerous bilingual schools in Auckland, and some beautiful schools in Tokoroa. I also helped Kuki Learning provide material for Cook Islands Language Week on behalf of the Ministry of Pacific Peoples through attending and recording media at Te Maeva Nui and the 60th Constitution Celebrations in Rarotonga. When not ‘out of town’, I worked on myself, learning Cook Islands Māori to a conversational level and started learning Samoan. I translated ‘Our Story’ aka the ‘Time Tunnel’ in te reo Māori, so you can hear the history in Māori, by scanning the code at the beginning of ‘Our Story’ in the foyer, or go to our website. It is not my voice, which you will be pleasantly thankful for. Overall, I had a great experience on sabbatical. Meitaki ra!
Photo 1 and 2: Rongomai School – Bilingual Cook Islands Māori/English classes
Photo 3 and 4: Te Maeva Nui – Drumming competition
Photo 5 and 6: End of performances and VIP area (ha ha)
Photo 7: Danny Mataroa (if you’ve been to Raro, you’ve seen or heard him at a cultural night)
Photo 8: Mark Brown (Prime Minister)
Photo 9: Vae Papatua (Ministry of Education-Māori Advisor)
2026
We are beginning to form classes for next year already. With bilingual classes, class sizes are smaller (a government ratio), so we need to do a bit more sorting as there are more classes with less children in them. We did so much assessment and analysis last year to ensure our bilingual education was improving outcomes in all areas and not causing any reductions. You can see some of this data on our website, it was as expected but reassuring that we were doing the right thing with exponential achievement in Māori and no change or higher in English achievement in classes of higher percentage of Māori used. With the continued increase next year we are looking at five to six bilingual classes. Two Sāmoan and three to four Māori.
Staff provisions are bilingual 1:18, non-bilingual/mainstream 1:29 (we aim for these numbers but sometimes they will be one or two higher or lower than that).
Our biggest decisions for our families are:
Samoan or Māori – We know this is a tough decision for our families who have mixed families, or are Samoan, but may want their children to be able to speak Māori for future job opportunities etc. My only advice is, a child who can speak two languages, the third will come a lot quicker. Go with the heart. Language strengthens on cultural identity. We advise you to try and not request a swap. We need around four years to get them speaking and understanding the language to a high level. Māori will still be covered and taught in Samoan classes as is helpful for life in NZ.
Please note: We would accept a non Samoan into these classes if they live in an environment where it can be used (step parents/foster/family etc.).
The plan is looking like this:
English/Māori Bilingual (5-6 years bilingual)
Year 1 – 3 English Medium (Māori as a subject-bilingual prep classes)
Class one – Years 4 (some year 3s)
Class two – Years 5 (some year 4s)
Class three – Years 6 (some year 5s)
Class four – Years 7/8
Samoan Bilingual (6 years)
Class one – Years 3-5
Class two – Years 6-8
Mainstream / Either Māori as a subject or low level bilingual
Class one – Years 6-8
If your child is currently in Rooms 5 or 6 and you are keen on bilingual Māori/English or Samoan/English it is time to talk to us. Also saying that, if your child is showing strong gains in dual language in these classes, you will be contacted to discuss.
Why is there a mainstream class in your plan if the school’s bilingual? Well, this school has been on a journey, we’ve always been Catholic, but not always bilingual. Some jumped on the waka before we were moving to bilingual, so we felt we didn’t want to force it on anyone who didn’t want it. For around four to five years now, we have been telling every parent and every visitor that we are proudly a bilingual school and what we are working towards so everyone knows where the waka is heading.
2025 SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS / KĀ PŌTITAKA POARI KURA 2025
Sadly, we say goodbye to Jonny Parker (Presiding Member) and Havana Vili. We appreciate the countless hours they have put into our kura. You both represented our families and your cultures so well.
We welcome Sone Nafoi and Janette Bradbrook to the team, and welcome back Verity Halkett, Paula Gardiner and Brunette Abelen.
FILIPINO LANGUAGE WEEK / TE WIKI O TE REO PIRIPINO
Here are the highlights of our Feast Day celebrations from our Filipino Language and Culture Week. Huge thanks to Brunette Abelen for coordinating everything, Chef Astig Euro Asian Cuisine and all of our Filipino families who helped with dance practices, clothing and the amazing food. It was a great afternoon!
Nāia kā whakaahua matua o te whakanui Rā Hākari mō te wiki o te reo me te ahurea Piripino. Nui ā mātou mihi ki Brunette Abelen i te whakahaere, Chef Astig Euro Asian Cuisine, te katoa o kā whānau Piripino i te āwhina kanikani, i te haka weruweru, i te tunu kai mīharo hoki. He ahiahi tino pai rawa atu!
COOK ISLANDS LANGUAGE WEEK / TE WIKI O TE REO MĀORI KŪKI AIRANI
In Cook Islands Māori:
Kua ‘aere mai a Charlie Charlie nō Kuki Learning ‘ē Tereapii Charlie ki St Anne’s i tēia rā, ‘ē kua ‘āpi’i’ia tēta’i au Māori, kua ‘īmene’ia tēta’i au ‘īmene, kua ‘āpi’i’ia tēta’i au ‘ura, ‘ei ‘akaepaepa tō tātou ‘epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki Airani. Kua inangaro’ia tēia. Meitaki ma’ata kia rāua!
Charlie Charlie of Kuki Learning and Tereapii Charlie came to St Anne’s today and taught us some Cook Islands Māori, sung some songs and taught us some dance, to celebrate our Cook Islands Language Week. We loved it! Thanks heaps to them.
TIMES TABLES ROCK STARS
Times Tables Rockstar Day – There were some epic battles Thursday afternoon. The students took the staff down, well done to them. Thanks Matua Palo for organising the event.
Te Rā o Kā Times Tables Rockstars – I te ahiahi nei, ka oti ētahi whakataetae maha. Ka toa kā tamariki, e mihi ana ki a rātou. Nui te mihi ki a Matua Palo i te whakarite a te whakataetae nei.
FROST BUSTER / PATUA TE HUKAPAPA
Frost Buster returns on the 22nd of August. All senior students were given a detailed notice on Wednesday. This included a map. Please have your son or daughter return this to Mr Shanahan in Room 8 ASAP. Unfortunately there is no backup day due to the setup equipment being in hot demand.
SWIMMING LESSONS / KĀ AKORAKA KAUHOE
Dates: Monday 25 August – Friday 5 September
Location: Te Pou Toetoe Linwood Pool
Who: All students in Years 1–6 will travel by bus to and from the pool for two weeks of daily swimming lessons.
What to bring each day:
– Togs and towel in a waterproof bag
– Goggles and swim cap (optional)
– All items, including school uniform, must be clearly named
Class Swimming Times:
10:00am: Rooms 3 & 9 11:00am: Rooms 1 & 2
10:30am: Rooms 5 & 7 11:30am: Rooms 4 & 6
Parents are welcome to watch lessons but must arrange their own transport to the pool.
YEAR 7 & 8 SKI TRIP / TE HAEREKA O KĀ TAU 7 ME TE 8
We are getting closer to the exciting event of the Year 7 & 8 ski trip! We are off to Porters on the 28th of August. Should the mountain be shut for any reason, our postponement day is the 1st of September.
On the day, students will need to be at school by 0700 hrs. We depart school at 0715 hrs. We are travelling to Porters on a chartered bus. We will return at around 1730 – 1800 hrs. Updates will be posted on Skool Loop. As stated previously, staying warm and comfortable on the mountain is essential to having fun. Please make sure your child brings the following:
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm layers of clothing, thermals etc.
- Waterproof/-resistant pants
- Waterproof/resistant gloves/mittens
- Warm socks
- Sunglasses/ski goggles
- Footwear with good grip.
- Warm hat
- Scarf
KORU GAMES/KĀ TĀKAROA O KORU
As stated last fortnight, our Year 7 & 8 students will be participating in the Koru Games. Training for the Koru Games has started. The Selwyn Sports Trust have launched their merchandise range. Pre-orders are now open and will be available for pickup at the Games in September. If your son or daughter is interested in getting some cool merch, the range can be found here. https://dynastyteamstore.co.nz/collections/koru-games-2025
POLICIES / KĀ HERE
A reminder, if you are interested and would like to take part in our termly reviews of policies, or are interested in any, they can be found here. Please follow the link and then have a look around!
He mea maumahara tēnei, mēnā tō hiahia, tirohia kā here, mahia kā arotake hoki. Kai konei kā here. Whāia te honoka, kātahi, tirohia!
UPCOMING EVENTS / KĀ TAIOPEKA E HAERE MAI ANA
If you have any questions, please email or talk to the person whose email address follows the reminder. If there is no email address, it is just something to be aware of.
Mēnā he pātai āhau, īmēra atu te īmēra kua tuhia, kōrerotia ki te takata kua whakaikoatia. Mehemea kāhore he īmēra, he mea hai whakamōhio noa iho.
TERM 3 / WĀHAKA TORU
WEEK 6 / WIKI ONO (Tongan Language Week)
Tuesday 19 August – Room 4 Orana Park trip matt@stannes.co.nz or dean@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 21 August – Room 4 Trip to the Teece Museum – matt@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 21 August – Room 7 & 8 trip to the Art Gallery – josh@stannes.co.nz or palo@stannes.co.nz
Friday 22 August – The St Anne’s Frost Buster at Ferrymead Park – palo@stannes.co.nz
WEEK 7 / WIKI WHITU
Monday 25 August – Swimming lessons begin at Te Pou Toetoe Linwood Pool
Wednesday 27 August – Dallas at NZPPA Meeting (Dean Isherwood acting principal)
Thursday 28 August – Dallas at NZPPA Meeting (Jo Smart acting principal)
Thursday 28 August – Year 7 & 8 ski trip to Porters – palo@stannes.co.nz
WEEK 8 / WIKI WARU
Monday 1 September – Last week of swimming
Thursday 4 September – Jubilate (7pm-8pm) – jo@stannes.co.nz
WEEK 9 / WIKI IWA (Papua New Guinea Pidgin Language Week)
Sunday 14 September – Parish Day 9.30am Mass followed by performances students
WEEK 10 / WIKI TEKAU (Māori Language Week / Te Wiki o te Reo Māori)
Monday 15 September – Māori Language Week
Tuesday 16 September – Koru Games – Years 7/8 – palo@stannes.co.nz
Wednesday 17 September – Koru Games – Years 7/8 – palo@stannes.co.nz
Thursday 18 September – Koru Games – Years 7/8 – palo@stannes.co.nz
Te Atua te aro’a ‘ē kia manuia,
Dallas Wichman
Tumuaki / Principal / Pū ‘Āpi’i Ma’ata
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