31 Jul 2026

Kia ora 

Following the break-in last weekend we have been advised by NZ Police to lock the school gates after hours. We appreciate our school playground is widely used by our families at weekends and therefore do not want to lock you out. As a compromise we will be trialling locking the bottom two gates only, the ones by the carpark and the bike park. The top gate by the main office will remain open so that our families can continue to enjoy using our school grounds out of school hours as this area is well lit and with multiple security cameras.  

Many thanks for your understanding and have a fabulous weekend. 

Ngā mihi nui 

Jules 

31 Jul 2026

AG Day Information :   Animal and Home Projects

AG Day and Country Fair are just around the corner and will soon be here - Saturday 31 October 2026 is the date for your calendar. 

 

Animal and Home Project Expectations:

Children who are not raising an animal for Ag Day are expected to complete at least one home project as part of their Ag Day involvement.

Children are welcome to complete more than one home project if they wish. 

Children who are raising an animal are also welcome to take part in the home projects; however, they are not required to do so, as raising and caring for an animal is their Ag Day project.

We encourage all children to choose a project that interests them and enjoy the process of creating something they can be proud of.

The projects this year are:

Option one: Construction Project: Bird Bath or Feeder Challenge

Option two: Growing Project Sunflower Challenge **

Option Three: Baking Project: Country Baking Challenge

Option four: Creative Project: Diorama Project.

Please see the attachment for full details.

**The seeds for the Sunflower Challenge are now available to collect from the school office.

 

2026-Final-Ag-Day-Booklet.pdf

30 Jul 2026

Kia ora

Every two years the Board consults with the school community about our health education programme and we welcome receiving your feedback. The information obtained through this consultation process will be used by the Board to review its current health education delivery statement, which is a summary of health education within the Waitoki School local curriculum. 
Please could you complete the following Health Education survey by Friday 14th August 2026. 

Survey Link: https://forms.gle/RKeLPmuou37xzB8Z7 

Ngā mihi nui
Jules McCourt 

 

1 Jul 2026

Kia ora whānau,

• Chick orders by Friday 

If you would like to order chicks and/or rearing equipment and feed - please complete the order form attached and return before 2 July 2026 at the latest.  

Payment for the chicks and equipment can be made into the school account: 12-3139-0003007-00 or by Eftpos/cash in the school office.

Chicks will arrive in August, date to be confirmed.

• AG Day Animals 

As Ag Day approaches we are gauging how many people are planning to raise animals. Please fill in this form if you plan to raise a chick, calf, lamb or kid goat.

Lambs, calves and kid goats must be born between July 1st and September 15th 2026.

Form Here : AG Day Animal Form

If you're interested or would like more information about any aspect of AG day, please email: sbateman@waitoki.school.nz

We can’t wait to see this year’s animals and chicks and the proud efforts of their young handlers!

Ngā mihi,

Serena Bateman and Briar Porter 

Ag Day Co-ordinators

Waitoki School

AG-Day-Product-List-2026.pdf

22 Apr 2026

William Pike Challenge

Waitoki School Year 6 to 8 students are participating in an innovative youth development programme called the William Pike Challenge, which inspires youth to step outside of their comfort zone and develop crucial 21st century skills. 

To register for the programme there is an individual student fee which needs to be paid to the school in order for each student to participate in the WPC and to have access to the Challenge Hub.https://www.williampikechallenge.co.nz/

The fee for 2026 is $53 per student and can be paid online to the school account or by cash/eftpos to the school office. Invoices will be issued to parent /caregivers. We appreciate that this is an expensive time so we can accommodate you spreading this payment out over the coming weeks.

School Account: 12-3139-0003007-00  Waitoki School Board

William Pike Challenge programme overview:

Who is William Pike. 

William is a proud Kiwi, businessman, social entrepreneur and motivational speaker. Learn more at www.williampike.co.nz 

The William Pike Challenge (WPC) is a year-long youth development programme for students (Years 6–9)that is facilitated in schools and by teachers around NZ. It is designed to encourage stepping outside comfort zones to build resilience, confidence, and 21st-century skills. The programme operates through three core pillars: 20 hours of community service, 20 hours of passion projects, and five outdoor activity days. 

Core Programme Pillars:

Outdoor Activities (5+ Activities): Students participate in challenging outdoor experiences, such as kayaking, tramping, or camping, aimed at fostering adventure and nature appreciation.

Passion Projects (20+ Hours): Students choose, plan, and complete a new hobby, skill, or sport to foster personal growth and passion.

Community Service (20+ Hours): Students contribute to their local community, learning the value of service and giving back. 

William Pike Challenge driving belief and mission:

We believe all young people deserve a future where they succeed in whatever they do in life, no matter what unexpected challenges and obstacles come at them, which they will in the rapidly changing world our kids are going out into. 

To be prepared for that, they need a bank of experiences under their belt, that’s got them used to stepping out of their comfort zone, so they’re prepared for whatever is around the corner in life and go on to achieve their absolute best. 

That’s what the WPC programme does and our mission is to have every child in our New Zealand school system given this opportunity in years 6, 7, 8 & 9 because we believe that collectively we can do this.