Some of our Mako Values, Duffy Book and Students of the Day so far this year.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1352328438780133
Meet Rocky
We've got some paws-itively awesome news to share with you!
Meet Rocky, Mrs Pascoe's dog.
Rocky is a handsome 2-year-old Huntaway cross, and he's not just your average pup – he's trained to therapy level standards! 
Rocky will be making a special appearance once a week at school, to spread joy, comfort, and wagging tails!
Puketau whānau, if you see Rocky trotting around the school grounds, don't hesitate to stop by and say hi!
Rocky is trained to therapy level, which means he's an expert in providing love and support to everyone he meets. He's especially fond of cuddles, so feel free to give him a gentle pat or share a warm embrace. 
Let's welcome Rocky, our furry friend, and make his weekly visits a highlight for everyone. Get ready for some tail-wagging, heartwarming moments! 
We trust our Puketapu whānau had a wonderful Waitangi Day.
Whether you spent time with your whānau at home, explored the beauty of our land, or engaged in cultural activities, we hope your day was filled with aroha and connection.
Week 1 done 
Kia ora 
Welcome to 2024 at our kura.
I’m really looking forward to working with you and your precious tamariki this year.
Your child/ren are the most important people in our school and I can’t wait to get to know them and you, as we work together to help them thrive!
Reminder- book your ‘Head Start Hui’ to meet your child’s teacher on Wednesday 31 January and we look forward to seeing all our tamariki together back at school on Thursday 1 February.
Ngā mihi,
Katherine Pascoe
Principal
Puketapu School
Welcome Back to 2024!
OFFICE HOURS:
The school office will be open the below days between 10am-2pm:
Thursday 25 Jan
Friday 26 Jan
Monday 29 Jan
Closed Tuesday 30 Jan
Normal office hours resuming Wednesday 31 January: 8.30am-3.30pm
Check out this mural designed by one of our Year 8’s Iona Den-McKay and painted by Iona and her friends Gretta Keith, Lydia Walthew, Adelle Robinson and Kylah Neilson.
In Iona’s words the mural represents:
The Poutama represents the pursuit of knowledge, progression and growth.
The school logos are circled by the Matawhero-shark which protects our school and the land.
The sharks are red because they represent the chief's (in the school narrative) red dreadlocks. The blue represents the sea surrounding Puketapu and Bell Block.
The colours on the poutama and logo are the school colours.
Farewell to a legend... 
We all know Mr Walker loves a good dad joke:
Why did the scarecrow win an award?
Because he was outstanding in his field!
From one job where we often find him out standing in a field, to another where he will still be out standing in a field. From Tumuaki to coach, we celebrate and farewell our principal, Ngatai Walker.
Seven and a half years ago Ngatai came to Puketapu School from Inglewood with a vision and passion for education, and in that 7½ years he has donned many costumes, cracked plenty of jokes and encouraged untold numbers of students and teachers.
He brought our school values of Kia Manawanui, Kia Kaha, Kia Māia, and more recently, Kia Ora into the fabric of Puketapu. We see these values embedded into the very beings of all of us at Puketapu, and we are better people for living them.
The physical spaces in the school have changed and then some colours have changed again in that time. The list of songs played at the gate in the morning and the number of high fives given are countless.
A Principal’s job is varied, from crossing duty at Mangati, to property, to strategic planning, to human resources, to contracts, to planning inspiring staff hui, and the list goes on.
Many people wouldn’t understand the scope of the mahi. It’s often unseen, but makes all the difference to the culture, strategy and direction of a school.
There is a whakatauki that says: Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua Those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead.
There have been many ups and downs through these years, big challenges faced, growth from lessons learned and joy that you spread around. It’s not easy being the person who looks to fill everyone’s buckets every day but you do it and that
inspires us all to do the same.
Every leader we have builds on the success and foundations the previous leaders have laid and Puketapu is undoubtedly a better place for the layer that Ngatai has
built and added.
We thank Mr. Walker for the leadership, energy and care he has given to Puketapu School.
We wish him well on his next adventure.
Kia Māia, Kia Manawanui, Kia Kaha, Kia Ora 
We have made it to the end of 2023!
Please see link below for our end of year Newsletter:
Happy reading and happy holidays.
To make the week fun and go out with a BANG, our staff dressed up for the week.
Starting the week dressing like a year 8, we saw crocs, socks & scuffs, You Know & White Fox along with Hoodies, Oodies and peace signs.
