Wiki Tuatekau mā tahi (Week 11), Term 2, 2026: Next week’s message from Jason Elder.

Friday 26 June 2026

Kia ora whānau

Next week, Learning Reports and Learning I.E.Ps will be sent home on Tuesday.

Here are some important reminders from last week’s newsletter to support whānau:

I encourage all whānau to take the time to read through their child’s report or I.E.P alongside them. This should be a positive experience, celebrating their successes while also identifying areas for future growth. Focus on the comments that highlight what your child is doing well as a learner, along with the next steps that will help them continue to make progress.
A reminder that schools are now using the new Curriculum Descriptors. Curriculum expectations have increased significantly from last year, meaning achievement results may appear lower than they have in previous reports. This does not necessarily mean your child is making less progress; rather, the expectations have become more rigorous.
Whānau will have the opportunity to meet with teachers early next term to discuss their child’s report and work together on ways to support learning at home. This includes those who have had an I.E.P.
I encourage whānau to ask questions and seek clarification from classroom teachers. Discussions about the specific skills and knowledge that will help your child make accelerated progress in Reading, Writing and Mathematics are particularly valuable. If you have any concerns, please contact your child’s teacher before the Parent Interviews so these can be discussed early.

Paper Road Safety Issue

Earlier this week, I was disappointed to learn that a small number of parents/caregivers used the paper road to drop off tamariki during wet weather. This created a near miss involving some of our most vulnerable tamariki.

Please show manaakitanga by respecting the safety procedures we have in place. The paper road is not to be used by parents, grandparents or caregivers for student drop-off, unless they have a school permit. These permits are issued for specific operational purposes and are not intended for general drop-off or pick-up.

Thank you for helping us keep all of our tamariki safe.

Ngā mihi nui

Jason Elder
Principal
Stratford Primary School

What is happening next week

Tuesday 30 June: Huranga Whānui – Year 7-8 (Tech Programme); Sport Taranaki; Enviro Schools Roadshow for Years 3-6; Reports and I.E.Ps go home.
Wednesday 1 July Huranga Whānui – Year 7-8 (Tech Programme); Huranga Whānui Exhibition after school – 3.00 – 3.30pm and 5.00 – 5.30pm.
Thursday 2 July: Kapa Haka; Junior Team Matariki Celebrations; Year 7-8 Golf Day. Reports and I.E.Ps go home.
Friday 3 July: Assembly at 9.15am – all whānau are welcome to attend; Basketball Finals after school; End of Term 2 at 2.35pm.

Key Dates for Term 3

Monday 20 July: Term 3 starts at 8.45am. School finishes at 2.35pm as we are still in Winter Term Hours.
Thursday 30 July: School finishes at 2pm, followed by Parent Interviews.
Thursday 6 August: School finishes at 2pm, followed by Parent Interviews.
Monday 31 August: Teachers Only Day.
Friday 25 September: Last day of Term 3. School finishes at 2.35pm. End of the Winter Hours.

Parent Interviews:

When: Thursday 30 July and Thursday 6 August from 2.15pm (See below for booking details).

School will finish at 2pm on both days. Tamariki can be supervised from 2.00 – 2.35pm if whānau have work commitments. Contact your child’s classroom teacher to book supervision.

School Planned Teachers Only Day:

Stratford Primary School has one Teachers Only Day in Term 3.

When: Monday 31 August 2026
Why: School planned Teachers Only Day to coincide with Stratford High School. Teachers will be using this day to work on planning and assessment related to the updated New Zealand Curriculum.
Note: School will be closed on this day.