Ngā Mōhiohio o te Kura | School Information 

Please let the kura know each morning if your child will be absent.

You can report an absence by:

• phoning the kura on 09 406 8830

• emailing office@waiharara.school.nz

Please also advise the bus driver if your child normally travels on the kura bus.

Prompt notification helps us ensure every tamaiti is safe and accounted for. If we have not received an explanation for an absence, the kura will contact the parent or caregiver as part of our usual attendance procedures.

Regular attendance is important for learning, wellbeing and connection with kura. We recognise that illness, urgent whānau circumstances and other genuine barriers may sometimes affect attendance. Please keep us informed so we can understand what is happening and work alongside whānau where support is needed.

Te Kura o Waihārara Attendance Management Plan 2026

Our Te Poumarumaru-approved Attendance Management Plan guides how the kura prevents, identifies, responds to, monitors and reviews student attendance.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, attendance is about more than simply being present. It is about belonging, connection, hauora and ensuring every tamaiti has the opportunity to learn and thrive.

We work alongside whānau to understand barriers to attendance, uphold mana, strengthen relationships and support tamariki back towards regular attendance.

The plan sets out a clear and consistent response when a tamaiti reaches 5, 10 or 15 days of absence within a term, while recognising that earlier support may be needed where an attendance pattern is causing concern.

Our approach is respectful, proactive and grounded in Ako, Kaitiakitanga and Rangatiratanga. It aligns with current Ministry of Education attendance requirements and the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR).

The Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) is a Ministry of Education framework that guides how schools respond when patterns of absence begin to develop.

It supports schools to:

• set clear expectations for regular attendance

• identify concerns early

• respond consistently and appropriately

• work alongside tamariki, whānau and support agencies

• provide increasing levels of support as absences accumulate.

Every state and state-integrated school is required to have an Attendance Management Plan. Each plan must have regard to the STAR framework while reflecting the needs of its own kura community.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, our Attendance Management Plan sets out the actions we take when a tamaiti reaches 5, 10 or 15 days of absence within a term. These thresholds include both explained and unexplained absences, and the required response activity is recorded in our student management system.

Our response may include:

• checking in with the tamaiti and whānau

• understanding the reasons for absence and identifying barriers

• developing practical and individualised support

• working with Attendance Services or other agencies when needed

• monitoring progress and reviewing the support provided.

Our approach is grounded in Ako, Kaitiakitanga and Rangatiratanga. Attendance concerns are addressed through early communication, mana-enhancing relationships and partnership with whānau, with the aim of supporting every tamaiti back towards regular attendance and connection with kura.

Te Kura o Waihārara provides free school transport for eligible tamariki within our approved school transport area.

Our school bus collects and returns tamariki from designated pick-up and drop-off points. When enrolling, please let the kura know if your child requires school transport so that routes, times and collection points can be confirmed.

The safety and wellbeing of everyone travelling on our school transport is important. Tamariki are expected to behave safely and respectfully towards the driver and one another. Whānau and tamariki are asked to discuss and sign the School Transport Behaviour Agreement when enrolling. If there are ongoing safety concerns, transport arrangements may need to be reviewed with whānau.

Unless the kura receives a phone call or message advising of a change by 12.00 pm, your child will be transported to their usual drop-off point.

The kura also operates a school van. Where whānau live outside the school bus route, additional transport support may sometimes be available. Please contact the kura to discuss your circumstances and the options that may be available.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, positive behaviour, resilience and wellbeing are strengthened through kaupapa Māori, hauora Māori, everyday expectations and targeted support that uphold the mana of each tamaiti.

Our approach includes Mana Potential and Mauri Oho, a waka ama programme provided by the Ngāti Kahu SWiS team. These supports help tamariki grow in confidence, strengthen their identity, build positive relationships, develop teamwork skills and learn healthy strategies for managing challenges.

We take concerns such as bullying seriously and respond in ways that seek to restore safety, dignity, wellbeing and mana. We work alongside tamariki and whānau to understand what has happened, address concerns early and provide appropriate support.

Our goal is for every tamaiti to feel safe, valued, supported and connected at kura.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, we believe tamariki thrive when they are surrounded by strong, respectful and caring relationships. Our kura values of Rangatiratanga, Ako and Kaitiakitanga, together with the principles of Tika, Pono and Aroha, guide the way we support learning and behaviour.

Tamariki are expected to follow the learning and safety expectations of the kura, show respect and care for others, and take responsibility for their choices.

When concerns arise, our approach is restorative and focused on preserving the mana of everyone involved. We support tamariki to reflect on what has happened, understand the impact of their choices, repair harm where possible and restore relationships.

Where behaviour is affecting learning, wellbeing or safety, we work alongside whānau to understand the concern and agree on the best way forward. Our aim is to support positive change while maintaining strong relationships, clear expectations and a sense of belonging at kura.

At Te Kura o Waihārara, we value respectful communication and strong relationships with whānau, hapū and iwi. If you have a concern, we encourage you to raise it early so that we can kōrero together and work towards a positive way forward.

Where appropriate, please speak first with the kaiako or staff member most closely involved. Many concerns can be resolved through early, respectful conversation.

If the matter is not resolved, you would like further support, or it is not appropriate to speak with the staff member involved, please contact the Tumuaki | Principal to arrange a time to meet.

To protect teaching and learning time, we ask that concerns are raised outside class time and away from tamariki wherever possible.

If a matter requires a formal response, a written complaint may be made in accordance with the kura complaints policy. Where a complaint concerns the Tumuaki, it may be directed to Te Poumarumaru.

A copy of the kura concerns and complaints policy is available from the school office.

We ask that all communication with kura staff remains respectful and safe. Our aim is to work through concerns in ways that uphold the mana of everyone involved, maintain strong relationships and support the wellbeing of our kura community.

Do whānau need to pay school fees at Te Kura o Waihārara?

No. Te Kura o Waihārara does not charge school fees or ask whānau for regular school donations.

From time to time, there may be costs associated with genuinely optional activities, extra-curricular events or particular goods and services. Whānau will always be informed in advance.

If cost is creating a barrier to participation, please kōrero with us. We will work alongside whānau wherever possible to find a way forward.

Te Kura o Waihārara supports the hauora and learning of tamariki by providing healthy food and drink throughout the school day.

Through the Healthy School Lunches programme, every tamaiti receives a nutritious lunch each school day. The programme supports wellbeing and helps remove barriers to participation and learning.

Fresh fruit is also available, and breakfast support is provided through the KickStart Breakfast programme.

Our kura promotes healthy choices and is a water-only school. Filtered, chilled drinking water is available throughout the day.

Whānau are welcome to provide additional healthy snacks for their tamariki if needed.

Our school lunch menus are updated each term so whānau can see what is being provided for tamariki.

Select the links below to view the menu for each term.

Please contact the kura if your tamaiti has any food allergies, dietary requirements or other needs we should be aware of.

Te Kura o Waihārara – School Lunch Menu – Term 1 2026 

Te Kura o Waihārara – School Lunch Menu – Term 2 2026 

Te Kura o Waihārara – School Lunch Menu - Term 3 2026

Te Kura o Waihārara is part of the Duffy Books in Homes programme, which supports tamariki to develop a love of reading and build their own collection of books at home.

Throughout the year, tamariki receive book catalogues and choose books with the support of their whānau. These books belong to the tamariki and become part of their own home library.

Book presentations and Duffy Role Model visits help us celebrate reading and encourage tamariki to see the possibilities that books, learning and perseverance can open up. Visiting authors, athletes, artists and other role models may join Duffy schools to share their experiences and inspire tamariki.

Whānau can support this kaupapa by:

• helping tamariki choose books that interest them

• reading and sharing stories together at home

• visiting the local library

• showing that reading can be enjoyed by everyone.

Duffy Books also provides opportunities for the kura to recognise and celebrate tamariki through special book awards and other literacy initiatives.

During the swimming season, tamariki have regular opportunities to develop water confidence, swimming skills and an understanding of water safety.

Swimming is an important part of hauora and helps tamariki build confidence, independence and safe practices in and around water. Lessons with a qualified swimming instructor may also be included as part of the kura learning programme.

During the swimming terms, tamariki should bring:

• appropriate swimwear

• a swimming cap

• a towel.

Please ensure all items are clearly named.