Week 1, term 2 2025
Kia ora Koutou,
I hope all our students enjoyed a restful break and found a healthy balance away from their devices. Term 2 is now well underway, and we’re looking forward to another great term of teaching and learning.
Over the holiday break, our teachers were hard at work preparing for the term ahead, ensuring that students are set up for success. At the same time, we’ve had builders on site working on the remediation of Rooms 72 and 73. These classrooms were identified as leaky buildings, and we’re very grateful to the Ministry of Education for stepping in to carry out this important work. The rooms are looking fantastic and are now in line with our other learning spaces across the school.
To complement this work, our Board of Trustees has funded the replacement of the large deck outside Rooms 72 and 73, which was well overdue. A huge thank you to the Board for their continued commitment to improving our school environment. If your child is in Room 72 or 73, they can look forward to returning to a practically new learning space very soon.
Last week, we hosted the EPro8 Challenge heats here at school, and our teams performed exceptionally well—ka pai to all involved!
With winter sports getting underway, we’re proud to have many teams representing Maeroa across a variety of codes. A heartfelt thank you to the parents, whaanau, and friends who have volunteered to coach or manage a team—we simply couldn’t do it without you.
Let’s keep the momentum going for a successful term ahead!
Ngaa mihi nui
Susan Wood - Principal
Education Review Office Report
At the end of last year, our school had their latest ERO Review. Here are some statements from our finalised ERO Report, which we received at the end of last term:
- The majority of students experience positive learning outcomes; some students require further support to engage and succeed.
- Collaborative leadership is increasingly developing a culture of quality teaching to progress student outcomes.
- Teachers are growing and embedding effective teaching practices.
- School systems and processes are increasingly inclusive of and responsive to the needs of the students.
Attendance at School
Our latest analysis of our attendance data: Our overall regular attendance for term 1 is 63%; this means that 442 of our students have attended school regularly with less than 5 days' absence in term 1.
146 or 21% have had moderate absence; this means between 5 - 9 days of absence in term 1.
63 or 9% have had 10 - 15 days absent from school in term 1
54 or 8% have been absent for more than 15 days, which is classified as a very serious concern by Moe.
Improved Regular Attendance: The school is trending positively, with a 5% gain in regular attendance since Term 1, 2024.
Ongoing Concern: Punctuality – Only 65% of students arrive on time. Our school day begins at 8:45 am. Being on time is critical, as teaching and learning start promptly at 8:45 am.
Friday Drop-off: Attendance tends to dip notably on Fridays. It is essential to attend every day of the week.
Unjustified Absences: 33% of all absences fall into this category. If you do not notify us and tell us why your child is absent, they will be marked as truant.
The importance of regular attendance at school can not be underestimated:
Attending school every day helps students stay connected to their learning, their teachers, and their friends.
Every day at school is a chance to grow, learn something new, and build towards future success.
When students miss school, they miss out—not just on lessons, but on conversations, teamwork, and essential learning moments.
Regular attendance helps students develop routines, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging.
Success at school starts with showing up—every day counts!
Good attendance sets students up for success, not only at school but also in life.
Learning is a journey, and every day adds another critical piece to the puzzle.
ANZAC Day 2025
We were proud to have two of our students represent Maeroa Intermediate at the ANZAC Day service. They laid a wreath at the cenotaph on behalf of our school, honouring those who served and sacrificed. Ka mau te wehi – well done to both of you for representing us with pride and respect.
Lest we forget.
Music Lessons at Maeroa
We are fortunate, at Maeroa, to have intinerant music teachers for drumming, violin and guitar. It is always good to hear the drummers practising in a room near the office. We are fortunate to have our drumming and guitar tutor, Paul, who does an excellent job with our students.
Ultimate Frisbee Returns
We’re very fortunate to have our Ultimate Frisbee coach back working with our students for the second time this year! Ultimate is a fast-paced, fun, and easy-to-learn sport that combines the movement of football with the passing skills of netball — all played with a flying disc.
Our students have been loving the challenge, learning new skills, and getting active out on the field. It’s a great game that builds teamwork, fitness, and quick thinking. Huge thanks to the coach for bringing their energy and expertise to Maeroa once again!
Ultimate Frisbee
AIMS Games August 30 - Sept 5 2025
The Zespri AIMS Games is Australasia’s largest junior sporting event, held annually in Tauranga Moana. Celebrating diversity, the Games provide an opportunity for adolescents from all demographics and educational contexts to compete in sporting competitions, meet others from outside their normal peer group, and learn and build on their social interaction skills. The Zespri AIMS Games are highly regarded by national education and sporting organisations and are considered a leader in their field. This event is for top sports teams to compete at an elite level against other teams from across the country.
Some coaches, managers, and teachers are carefully considering whether their teams will meet the required standard to compete at the games this year. The cost for each individual student to go to these games is usually around $600, which each family has to pay.
If your child is competing at a high level in one of the individual sports listed below, then you may be interested in your child entering. Our school covers the entry fee for teams and individuals, but accommodation, food, transportation, and the cost of adults accompanying your child to an individual sport are all the family's responsibility. If you would like your child to be considered, please make contact with me - swood@maeroa.school.nz or 07 8475014.
EPRO8
The EPro8 Challenge is an inter-school science and engineering competition. Every year, over 35,000 students from across New Zealand participate in this event. Students participate in a series of events: firstly within their school and then inter-school. These events are designed to promote science, engineering, and problem-solving.
This year, we had two teams involved in this event. Our girls' team won their first heat and are off to the semi-finals. Our boys' team were placed 3rd in their heat. We are very proud of both teams and the thinking and problem-solving they put into the challenges they were presented with.
Our school has hosted this event in our school gym for four days/nights.
EPRO8 2025
Velodrome Victory for Maeroa Cyclists
After six weeks of dedicated training, two Maeroa Intermediate cycling teams—Maeroa Magic and Maeroa Velocity—took to the velodrome in a thrilling race-day showdown. The event marked the exciting conclusion of a journey filled with challenges, new skills, and Olympic inspiration.
Students spent weeks learning how to start properly, balance on fixed gear bikes, and build the confidence to ride up towards the tricky blue Madison line. The steeply banked track at the velodrome was intimidating at first, but with persistence and support, the riders mastered the curves and improved their times with every session.
A highlight of the programme was meeting Elysse Andrews, fresh from winning a gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games. Her visit and encouraging words left a lasting impression on the students and added a spark of motivation ahead of Race Day.
On the big day, both teams impressed. Maeroa Magic clocked an impressive 1:14 over three laps (about 750 metres),with Maeroa Velocity, who finished strong in 1:17. Riders included Blake M, David K, Isaac W, Davian D, and Jake V. Although Blake was new to track cycling, he quickly found his rhythm and is now officially accredited to ride at the velodrome.
While pedalling might seem simple, the students discovered that velodrome racing is as much about science and strategy as it is about speed. Learning to manage the steep incline, plan race lines, and conserve energy made this a truly valuable and memorable learning experience.
Velodrome Victory
Maeroa Events
- 6 May - Waikato Intermediate and Middle Schools (WIMS) Football Tournament
- 13 May - WIMS Basketball Tournament
- 27 May - WIMS Hockey Tournament
- 28 May - Maeroa Intermediate Science Evening
- 2 June - King's Birthday
- 20 June - Matariki