The weekly update from our Principal

Kia Ora, Talofa, Kumusta, Guten Tag, Namaste, Salaam Alaikum, Konnichiwa, Ni Hao, Malo e lelei and Warm Greetings

Your Voice, Our Tamariki’s Future

We’re grateful for the many ways you already champion your tamariki’s education, whether through homework help, volunteer hours, or simply showing up to Te Aratai College events. Voting in these local elections is another powerful way to extend that advocacy beyond your front door.

Your school board representatives work in partnership with educators, families, and community members to shape policies that affect everything from school budgets to curriculum choices. By casting your ballot, you’re ensuring that the voices making these important decisions truly represent our community’s values and priorities.

Together, we can continue building schools where every tamariki at Te Aratai College has the opportunity to thrive. Your vote is your voice in that vital work.

School Board Elections close on Wednesday, September 10th at 4pm.

Derived Grade Exams and CAAs: A Week of Excellence

What an incredible week it has been watching our senior akonga navigate their Derived Grade Exams and CAAs with such professionalism and determination! The atmosphere throughout the school has been one of focused anticipation and quiet excitement as our akonga have stepped up to meet these important milestones in their academic journey. A huge thank you to Mr Paul Osbourne, Ms Francine Nijdam, Mr Paul O’Connor, Mr Garth Lewis, Mr Tim Porter and the wider Exam Team for making this happen. Thanks to all our Reader/Writers and Exam Supervisors.

It’s been truly rewarding to witness the flow of akonga moving through their examinations with confidence and purpose. Their preparation, resilience, and positive attitudes have been outstanding to observe. While we still have two more days ahead for some of our seniors next week, we’re already so proud of how everyone has approached this experience.

A huge thanks must go to our families and whānau for the incredible support you’ve provided during this time. Your encouragement, understanding, and care have made all the difference – not just for the akonga sitting exams, but for our entire school community. We know that exam periods can be intense for families too, and your patience and support in creating the right environment for learning and rest has been invaluable.

As we head into the final stretch next week, let’s continue to support our seniors with the same energy and aroha they’ve shown throughout this process.

Maddi Scott Shines in Young Enterprise Scheme

We’re thrilled to congratulate Year 13 student Maddi Scott on her outstanding achievement in the Young Enterprise Scheme! Maddi’s business venture, “The Purple Project,” has been named the Canterbury Ōtākaro South Regional Winner for Challenge 3 – Promotion and Sales.

This remarkable accomplishment means Maddi’s work has now been submitted to Wellington to compete for the prestigious National Winner title. The regional coordinators noted that this year’s submissions were “the highest level we’ve ever seen in the region,” making Maddi’s success even more impressive.

The Purple Project represents months of dedication, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit – qualities that exemplify the very best of our students. We’re incredibly proud of Maddi’s achievement and wish her the very best of luck in the national competition.

Thanks to Lukas Davidson for sharing this wonderful news with our school and community.

Congratulations, Maddi – you’re an inspiration to us all!

Gagana Sāmoa Students Build Traditional Fale with Modern Technology by Afamasaga Feleti Pesefea

This past month, our Year 10 Gagana Sāmoa students had the opportunity to collaborate alongside the Christchurch city library maker space team to create and design all the parts of a traditional Sāmoan Fale. The process started by our students learning about the different types of Sāmoan Fale and what type of traditional resources are used to create each of the parts. Then, students incorporated learning on Såmoan Tatau patterns and created drawings based on the Sāmoan values and important measina (treasure) that shows their identity. From here, students learnt from technology and software experts Uai, Robbie and Danny on how to digitally form their design, ready to be laser etched on the panels that go around their Fale. This Cross curricular activity helped show students about the use of Software and new technology that they may have not had the opportunity to use and how they can bring a slice of home into their learning that weaves culture, language and identity.

Te Aratai Ākonga Shine on National Stage

Our Students Represent with Pride at National Secondary Schools Rugby League Tournament

Te Aratai College is immensely proud to celebrate the outstanding achievement of five of our ākonga who recently represented Okea Ururoatia Rugby League at the prestigious National Secondary Schools Rugby League Tournament.

Our National Representatives:

• Nalicia Te Araiki

• Maofa Aso Tui Samau

• Paige Swan

• Tafafa Luteru

• Hera Moana

These remarkable young athletes not only showcased their sporting talents on a national platform but also exemplified the values and mana of Te Aratai College throughout the tournament.

Recognition from Leadership

The respect and admiration our students have earned is evident in the heartfelt acknowledgment we received from Te Iwingaro Wairau, Coach of Okea Ururoatia Rugby League:

“It was a privilege to have your students and staff involved in this kaupapa and to see them perform at the National Secondary Schools Rugby League Tournament. Your students carried the values of Okea Ururoatia and their respective schools with pride, integrity, and mana. They are a credit to your communities.”

This recognition speaks volumes about the character and dedication our ākonga displayed, not just in their performance on the field, but in how they conducted themselves as representatives of our kura.

A Testament to Our Values

The coach’s words – that our students carried themselves with “pride, integrity, and mana” – perfectly reflect the values we strive to instill in all our ākonga at Te Aratai College. To see these values shine through on such a significant stage is a testament to both the students’ personal commitment and the supportive environment fostered by our school community.

Celebrating Success

We extend our congratulations to Nalicia, Maofa, Paige, Tafafa, and Hera for their exceptional representation of Te Aratai College. Their success reminds us all of what can be achieved when talent, dedication, and strong values come together.

This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the support of whānau, staff, and the wider Te Aratai community. Together, we continue to provide opportunities for our ākonga to excel and represent our kura with distinction.

Ngā mihi nui to our national representatives.

Whānau Connections Day – Saturday 6th September

Join us for a fantastic community celebration at Mary Dixon Park Ferry Rd this Saturday from 11:00am-2:00pm! The Woolston Development Project is hosting a fun-filled day designed to bring our community together.

There’s something for everyone – exciting games and family activities, free sausage sizzle, kapa haka performance, and free pre-loved clothing. This is also a great opportunity to have your say about our community by participating in their survey, and you can learn more about their amazing OSCARS program.

It’s a wonderful chance for our Te Aratai College whānau to connect with the wider Woolston community. Everyone is welcome to come along, share some laughs, and enjoy this free community event together.

For more information, visit: https://woolstondevelopmentproject.org.nz/

See you there!

Mrs Maria Lemalie-Herbert

Principal-Tumuaki

Looking ahead:

• 8 Sep-9 Sep: Y12-13 Final Assessment Days

• 15 Sep, PPTA members partial strike – Y12&13 rostered home

• 15 Sep, 5:45pm: Toikupu: an English celebration

• 16 Sep, PPTA members partial strike – Y11 rostered home

• 16 Sep, 6:00pm: Aupaki Cultural Festival

• 17 Sep, PPTA members partial strike – Y10 rostered home

• 18 Sep, PPTA members partial strike – Y9 rostered home

• 18 Sep, 4:00pm: Board Meeting

• 18 Sep, 6:00pm: Blue Noise (music event)

• 19 Sep: Final day of term 3

2025 School Terms:

• Term 3: 14th July – 19th September

• Term 4: 6th October – 10 December