Newsletter 1 term 1 2025
Kia ora Koutou
A warm welcome to all our new and returning whānau as we begin another exciting year at Maeroa Intermediate. Term 1 marks the start of a new journey for our Year 7 students, and we are thrilled to welcome you to our school community. We are also excited to see our Year 8 students return, ready to step into their roles as leaders and mentors for our new students.
Open Morning – Friday, 31 January
To help ease the transition into the school year, we invite families to come into Maeroa Intermediate on Friday, 31 January, between 8:00 and 10:00 am, to touch base with their child’s teacher. This is an excellent opportunity for families to bring their children in, meet the teacher, and help them get familiar with their new learning environment before school officially begins.
First Day of School
The 2025 school year will begin on Monday, 3 February, at 8:30 am. All students are to meet at the front of the school near the flagpole, where our teachers will be ready to greet you and guide students to their classes.
Special Welcome – Pōwhiri
For those students and whānau who were not formally welcomed to Maeroa Intermediate at the end of 2024, we will hold a pōwhiri in our gym on the first day of school. This is a significant occasion to welcome you into our school community, and we encourage you to join us if it applies to you.
School Day
Teachers are on duty from 8.15 am, and students are expected to arrive between 8.15 am and 8.30 am to begin their formal learning at 8.45 am.
- 8:45 – 10.15 Block 1
- 10:15 – 10.35 Morning Tea
- 10:35 – 12.05 Block 2
- 12:05 – 12:30 Lunch - free school lunch provided
- 12:30 – 1.30 Block 3
- 1:30 – 2:00 Sports Break
- 2:00 – 3.00 Block 4
If your child needs to leave during the day, they must bring a note to the office and sign out. If you are collecting your child from school, please be aware that if you arrive in a break time without notice, it can take some time to locate your child, get their bag and organise themselves to leave.
Absentee Information
Please inform us if your child is going to be away from school by using one of the following ways:
- Text: 021847015
- Phone: 078475014 ext 1
- Email: attendance@maeroa.school.nz
- You must ring/text your child is absent by 9 am daily.
Change of Contact Details
You must advise our office if you have any changes to your address/phone numbers/emails and emergency contact details. In the event of an emergency, sickness or injury we need to be able to contact someone who can collect your child.
Dropping your child to and from school
Do not enter our school car park before or after school. Students will cross the road at the Maeroa Rd and Churchill Avenue crossings. Please be thoughtful of others who are also trying to drop off or pick up their children and our neighbours around our school.
Uniform and Shoes
- All students are expected to wear our school uniform.
- Students are expected to wear school hats or caps.
- All shoes or sandals must be completely plain black. No white soles.
- Socks are to be worn with shoes only and be black - not striped or spots.
- Remember, no jandals, crocs or slides
Medication
Contact the school office if your child has a severe medical condition or needs medication. You will need to complete a medicine authority form.
- Students are permitted to carry their asthma inhalers with them.
- Students must not carry any other medication on them or in their bags.
Bikes/scooters
- Students riding their bikes or scooters to school must not use them on the school grounds.
- When students arrive before 8.15, they should put their bikes/scooters away and then come out and wait at the front gate. Then, students can come out and stay at the entrance until 8.15
- Bikes and scooters should be stored in the bike cage at the end of the driveway and secured with a padlock. Cycle helmets are mandatory when riding a bike by NZ Law, please be responsible and make sure your child is wearing one.
Healthy Lunches in Schools Programme
Teachers will check dietary requirements with their classes if you have not already advised us. Please let your child's teacher know if you do not want your child to be provided with a lunch.
Our school canteen will not be open except for ice block sales on advised days.
Exciting Term 1 Opportunity – Overnight Camp
All our students can participate in an overnight camp in the Karangahake Gorge. This will be a fantastic experience where students can connect with their peers, explore the outdoors, and develop teamwork and resilience. A newsletter will be sent in the first week to provide further details about the camp, including dates, costs, activities, and what to bring.
Looking Ahead
We are excited about the year ahead and all the opportunities it brings for our students to grow, learn, and thrive. Our school values of Maanakitanga, Maanawanui, and Whakamiha will guide us as we build a strong and respectful community where everyone feels supported.
Thank you for your ongoing support. We look forward to working together to make 2025 a fantastic year for all our tamariki.
Ngaa mihi nui
Susan Wood
Principal
School lunches
School Lunches
Students are given a free school lunch each day, provided by the School Lunch Collective and funded by the Government. Contact the classroom teacher if your child has special dietary requirements. If you prefer to provide your lunch, please let the classroom teacher know so that we minimise waste.
Our School Uniform
We expect all students to be wearing the correct school uniform when they begin school next week. Our school uniform can be purchased from NZ Uniforms.
Reminders:
- Shoes or sandals are completely black without white or any other colour soles.
- Sandals with socks are not permitted.
- Students do not need to wear jackets or sweatshirts to school in this hot weather - leave them at home.
- Sunhats are strongly advised.
- No track pants in terms 1 & 4. Our track pants are uniform ones purchased from NZ Uniforms for terms 2 & 3.
- Students should only wear one earring in each ear. No facial piercings are permitted.
- No make up is to be worn to school, this includes mascara, eyelash extensions, nail polish.
- Name all uniform items. We have white marker pens at the office to use when naming uniforms.
Swimming at Maeroa Intermediate
Our school has a fantastic pool, and we expect all of our students to swim during their class swimming time. If your child has an occasion that they can't swim, you will need to write a note to excuse them from swimming for that day. Unless the note explicitly says otherwise the note will only cover for one day.
Our pool is not over any student's head, so it is very safe for all students.
Our teachers focus on water safety skills, which are very important for New Zealand children as we all live close to water.
Your child must bring their togs and towels on the designated days their class has swimming.
The weather is so warm at the moment, our students are enjoying being in the pool. We are so fortunate to have a pool and a Board of Trustees that are willing to continue to fund the ongoing maintenance of it.
Our Term Dates 2025
Term Dates 2025
- Term 1: 3 February- 11 April
- Term 2: 28 April - 27 June
- Term 3: 14 July - 19 September
- Term 4: 6 October - 17 December
