This is our last official communication; however, should you wish to get in touch, feel free to email us directly.
[email protected] Te Ao Māori
[email protected] Hauora
[email protected] Future Ready
[email protected] 21st Century Learning
[email protected] Structured Literacy
2017-2025
As we say farewell to Kāhui Ako ki Orewa we remember all of the kaiako, Principals and RTLBs that have been involved. The involvement of eight schools, the hundreds of tamariki that we have supported and the massive amount of mahi that was completed. We thank you for your time, your energy and your support. Mā te wā!
A Mihi
Orewarewa whenua, puāwai māhuri
On the fertile ground of Orewa, the sapling blooms
Our DREAMS Room – A Celebration of Collaboration and Innovation
Through the incredible support of our Kāhui Ako, the dedicated staff at Orewa Beach Primary School, our wonderful WAFS (Whānau and Families), and the generosity of whanau and our local sponsors, our fundraising events, including our much-loved Colour Run, we have transformed our former Hard Tech/Woodwork room into a future-focused DREAMS Room.
The DREAMS programme, standing for Design, Robotics, Engineering, Art, Mathematics, and Science, reflects our commitment to providing engaging, hands-on learning experiences that prepare our tamariki for an ever-changing world. This transformation marks an exciting step forward in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration across all year levels.
We are sincerely grateful to the families of our ‘Leavers’, our current Year 6 students, many of whom have been connected with our kura for the past nine years and more, for their generous support and financial contribution to this project.
A special acknowledgement also goes to a kind benefactor who has chosen to support our DREAMS programme in honour of a family member. Their whānau have been part of our Orewa Beach Community for over 35 years. Their generosity and connection to our kura embody the spirit of belonging and partnership that makes our school so special.
The photos below capture our tamariki exploring and creating in this inspiring new space, a vibrant reflection of curiosity, collaboration, and imagination coming to life.
Caption to accompany photos.
Our tamariki are bringing the DREAMS Room to life, designing, building, and exploring with creativity and confidence.
Together, we celebrate the creation of a space where curiosity is encouraged, ideas take shape, and dreams truly come to life at Orewa Beach Primary School.
A huge thank you to the many people who have come together to make this possible.
He Waka Eke Noa.
Louise Boot.
Orewa Beach Primary School.
Goodbye and Thank You
For the final newsletter, I want to acknowledge all of the amazing work that teachers across our kura are doing in their classrooms.
A structured literacy approach is relatively new, yet all of our schools have embraced it and done so much mahi and learning to ensure that the students have the best instruction to learn to read and write.
I have been privileged to work with an incredible group of literacy leaders who are so passionate and knowledgeable, leading literacy in their schools so skillfully. Through sharing our collective knowledge, we have all helped each other grow, and I am so grateful for the collaboration and collegiality. There’s still a lot of work to do, and I hope that we will keep working together and support each other as we continue the journey.
A reminder of where we’ve come from:
A massive thank you to all the amazing Across School Leaders, Within School Leaders, Principals, SENCO, RTLB, Youth Police, HBC Youth Hauora network members and of course, amazing teachers that I have had the privilege to work with over the last 9 years of Kahui Ako ki Ōrewa.
What an amazing journey it has been with two focus areas over the years – Learner Support and Hauora Wellbeing. I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to form The Learner Support Team, and The Panel. I know that as a passionate team of caring professionals, we did make a difference to a number of tamariki and rangitahi that needed support. I am grateful for the learning and collaboration as the Hauora team focussed on staff and student wellbeing and the increased attention these areas have had.
Our Learner Support Within School Leaders, and our Hauora Within School Leaders dived into learning, designed initiatives and created resources which have helped classroom teachers, school leaders and management to find new ways of supporting students in their learning and in their wellbeing. From the moment we learnt about the Learner Support Model, and The Mental Health Education Document, everyone has been on board with our learning, collaboration and creation.
I have been blown away by the positivity, passion and persistence that all our team members have shared. Most of all I am grateful for the relationships I have developed. The check-ins, the care, the mahi and of course the laughs we have shared along the way have made this journey one of the most rewarding times I have had.
I will leave you all with the wise words of Christopher Robin and Winnie the Pooh.
Gosh, what a journey. I became an ASL just as the curriculum refresh was really beginning.
While the latest changes leave us somewhat disheartened after all the time and PD that has gone into it, I know as teachers we are a resilient bunch and will implement changes and do the best possible by our tamariki.
My hope is that we do not lose sight of the holistic view of education and that school does not become just about the academics. Keep doing those amazing things you have always done! Make your class a place where children are excited about coming to school. Make time for maths games, the arts, book days, and whole-school activities.
It has been a privilege to be an ASL. Making connections across our schools has been invaluable and hopefully this will still continue. The Kahui Ako website is still available, and many great resources can be found there across all our focus areas. One example is the esti-mysteries. If you don’t already use these in maths, give them a go. In the link, you will find all the 2024/2025 Esti Mysteries that I have downloaded into one document to make it easy
Steve Wyborney 2024/2025 Esti Mysteries
Wishing all the very best for Christmas and into the future.
Rhonda Beet
