Friday 30 October 2026
Kia ora whānau
Today is Teacher Appreciation Day. At Stratford Primary School we are lucky to have such a talented and dedicated team of teachers. Please make the time to thank your child’s classroom teacher for all their mahi.
Well done to all our ākonga who were involved in this week’s Kapa Haka Performances at the Puanga Festival in Waitara. We had over 100 ākonga express their talent on stage. Ki runga rawa tō mahi. A huge thank you to all the staff and whānau who supported them during their performances.
Regan Street Pick Up and Drop Off:
In the first week of school we nearly had a car accident near the crossing. A car turned right from the parking bay heading towards town, when a car was also turning right from Hamlet Street into Regan Street.
Whānau – you cannot turn right from the car parking bay. I have been informed by the Police that turning into Hamlett Street from the Car Park Bay is also illegal. When leaving the Car Park Bay you must turn left and head up Regan Street towards the roundabout. Ki runga rawa to those parents who have been turning left over the last few weeks after they have been informed of the change.
Have you expressed an interest in attending the Year 7-8 Camp in 2027?
In Term 1, the Year 7-8 Team will be heading to Turangi near Lake Taupo. The dates for this camp are:
- Tuesday 16 February to Friday 19 February.
Whānau will be selected by the EOTC Leadership Team based on set criteria. If you wish to be considered for their camps you must attend one of the up and coming Camp Meetings. All selected parents must be police vetted.
Scheduled Camp Meetings for later this term:
- Wednesday 18 November in the Staffroom – 9am; 3.15pm or 5.15pm.
- Wednesday 25 November in the Staffroom – 9am; 3.15pm or 5.15pm.
Agenda:
- Details about the camps
- What parent skills we require for the camps
- Parents then complete the EOTC Volunteer Form and Police Vet if needed.
In Term 3, the Year 5-6 Team will be visiting Topec for full days of activities. They will not stay overnight for this camp. The dates for this camp are:
- Monday 20 September and Tuesday 21 September – two classes to be confirmed.
- Thursday 23 September and Friday 24 September – two classes to be confirmed.
More information will be shared next year for the Year 5-6 Camp Week.
Attendance
It is fantastic to see our attendance return to positive numbers over the first three weeks of Term 4. At the time of writing this message, 429 ākonga have had less than 5 days away this term. There is a concerning group of 23 ākonga who have been away for more than 5 days over a 12 day period. Legal reasons for absenceStudents are expected to attend school every day unless they are unwell. Whānau holidays or time away for extra activities are not acceptable reasons for absence. By law, your child must attend school every day unless they are sick.
Gumboot Friday – 6 November 2026
A message from the Ākonga Council: Gumboot Friday is a way to raise awareness and money for people aged 5 – 25 battling with mental health. Next Friday (6th November) we would appreciate it if all tamariki came to school with a gold coin donation and wear a pair of gumboots.
Class placements and Teaching Plan for 2027
The Teaching Team for 2027 has nearly been finalised. There will be some minor changes across the team. The Teaching Team will be shared with whānau towards the end of the school year when ākonga find out their class placement for next year. To support the transition to new classes, we have organised a transition day in Week 9.
- Friday 4 December – Teaching Team for 2027 shared with whānau.
- Tuesday 8 December – Learning Reports/Individual Education Plans and Stationery Lists go home.
- Thursday 10 December – Transition Time – Class visits for 2027.
What is happening next week?
- Monday 2 November: SENCO/Learning I.E.Ps – Year 7-8; Te Reo Māori Online; Swimming Year 5-8.
- Tuesday 3 November: SENCO/Learning I.E.Ps – Year 1-6; Swimming Year 1-4; Huranga Whānui – Digital Design and Visual Art.
- Wednesday 4 November: SENCO/Learning I.E.Ps – Year 1-6; Huranga Whānui – Digital Design and Visual Art.
- Thursday 5 November: Kapa Haka; Sport Taranaki; Taranaki Basketball – Year 5-6; Teachers v Year 8’s – Basketball.
- Friday 6 November: Assembly at 9.15am – All whānau are welcome to attend. Gumboot Friday.
Key Future Dates Term 4
- Christmas Parade – Friday 27 November.
- Swimming Sports: Friday 4 December – Year 5-8.
- Senior Social: Thursday 10 December – Year 7-8.
- Home and School Colour Run Fundraiser – Friday 11 December.
- Big Day Out – Year 7-8: Monday 14 December.
- Leavers Assembly: Tuesday 15 December. Be seated in the hall by 12.45pm.
- Final Assembly: Wednesday 16 December at 11.00am.
- Final School Day: Wednesday 16 December at 12.00pm.
Important Information
- School Calendar: SPS School Calendar
- Staff contact emails
- Enrolment for Out of Zone Students
- Notices/Team Newsletters/School Bank Details/How to use the School App
- School Newsletters
- Stationery Lists
- Student absences (Freephone): 0800 000 352