Week 3 Term 3 2025
Kia ora koutou,
As we head into Week 3 of the term, it’s been lovely to enjoy a bit of sunshine what a difference it makes to everyone’s day! It’s been great to see our students returning to school with such positive attitudes, and most are really making the most of their learning.
I also want to take a moment to thank all the parents and caregivers who attended our student conferences last week. Your support is hugely appreciated. We know how busy life can be, and the time you take to engage in your child’s learning journey really does make a difference both to their confidence and their progress. Our teachers truly value your partnership.
As we settle into the term, I’d like to remind our whaanau about the importance of regular attendance and being on time each day. While we completely understand that illness can happen, we are noticing an increase in unexplained absences, and this is a growing concern.
Every day at school counts. For our tamariki to thrive in this complex and ever-changing world, they need to attend school regularly. At Maeroa Intermediate, our daily programme is carefully structured to ensure that key learning happens early in the day. Maths is taught in Block 1 and Literacy in Block 2, so when students are late or frequently absent, they miss out on essential teaching, particularly in maths.
This is more than just a matter of "catching up." When students miss key learning, teachers are placed in the difficult position of having to reteach concepts while also continuing to support the rest of the class. It’s not fair to your child, and it disrupts the flow of learning for everyone.
We ask that all students arrive at school by 8:30 am, ready to begin their learning at 8:45 am sharp. Being on time means they receive important daily notices, settle into class routines smoothly, and are prepared to learn alongside their peers.
Let’s continue to work together to give our students every opportunity to succeed. If your whaanau needs support with attendance, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help. We are currently working with Blue Light, and if your child is frequently absent, we may refer them to Blue Light for additional support.
Ngaa mihi nui,
Susan Wood
Principal
WIMS Girls Rugby
After rain delayed the tournament by two days, our Girls Rugby was off to find their way through the fog, and what a fantastic day of rugby! Both our OVERs and UNDERs teams showed heart, grit, and true Maeroa spirit on and off the field.
Our OVERs team played three games, improving with each match. Their final game against Berkeley was a nail-biter, showcasing how far they’d come throughout the day. Though it was a close game, our OVERs team achieved the outcome they wanted, resulting in 5th place overall for the Open Division.
Our UNDERS team had a long and tiring day, playing five games in total. From start to finish, they displayed outstanding athleticism, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Their dedication paid off, as they remained undefeated and earned a well-deserved 1st place overall in the Under 50 Division!
The tournament just showcased the high level of talent, determination, and passion we have here at Maeroa. Well done to everyone who played today and represented Maeroa with such pride! Thank you to Whaea Jas - Jasmine Hoani, who supported the girls on the day.
WIMS Girls Rugby
School Assembly - Online Safety
Social media is not just a distraction — it can be harmful.
What are you doing to protect your child?
We were fortunate to have members of the NZ Police come to an assembly this week to speak about bullying, with a focus on online bullying.
In today’s digital world, social media is a significant part of our young people’s lives — and while it can offer opportunities for connection and creativity, it also presents real risks. As parents and caregivers, it’s essential to remain actively involved in your child’s online life.
- Do you know what your child is doing online?
Do you have access to all of their social media accounts?
Many parents believe they know what platforms their children are using — only to discover that some young people have hidden or secondary accounts that they keep out of sight. These “finsta” (fake Instagram) or secondary Snapchat accounts are not uncommon, and they allow students to interact without parental oversight.
At school, we are noticing some worrying signs of students becoming addicted to their phones. This includes difficulty focusing, anxiety when separated from their device, and conversations dominated by what is happening online. For some, their entire time outside of school revolves around their phones — endlessly scrolling, messaging, and checking social media updates.
This behaviour is concerning and, frankly, unhealthy. It impacts sleep, mental health, and real-world relationships.
As a parent, ask yourself:
Do I know all the apps and platforms my child uses?
Do I regularly talk to my child about what they’re seeing and doing online?
Do we have boundaries around screen time, especially at night?
Am I modelling healthy phone and social media use myself?
We strongly encourage all families to:
Have open, ongoing conversations about the risks of social media.
Set clear expectations and limits around device use.
Make sure you have access to all accounts — not just the ones your child chooses to show you.
Be vigilant. Watch for changes in mood, behaviour, or sleep that may be linked to social media use.
Social media is not just a distraction — it can be harmful.
What are you doing to protect your child?
Let’s work together to help our tamariki navigate the online world in healthy, safe, and age-appropriate ways.
Term 2 Maeroa Gully Newsletter
Koru Success and Awards
Congratulations to the following students who have earned their Koru Badges over the last two weeks. Every student in our school has the capacity and ability to earn their Koru Badges, which are earned through commitment, hard work and determination.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." – Lao Tzu
Bronze: Teau, Jackson, Zara, Christelle, Harrison, Nina, Moana, Danica, Sasha, Emily, Carlos, Safiya, Sky, Iyla, Briar, Davian, Ngapoko, Sohail, Irene, Rylee, Kayley, Kathy, Charlotte, Aden, Roman, Hayley, Shelby, Skylah, Lorranya, Willis, Ruby, Ryan.
Silver: Khushi, Chané, Lily-Manaia, Sky, Ethan, Vainga, Isaac, Ariah, Lenard, Zara, Caden, Izac, Ngapoko, Imogen, Troy, Willow, Iyla, Keaton, Kelly.
Gold: Taimana, Blake, Peyton, Mohammed, Aradhya.
Platinum: Bella, David, Kingston, Blake.
Star: Bella, Emily, Mikayla, Georgia, Levi, Finn.
Super Star: Georgia
Attendance Matters
Attendance Matters – Term 2 Snapshot
At Maeroa Intermediate, we know that regular attendance plays a vital role in student learning, friendships, and wellbeing. Here's how we did in Term 2:
✅ 55% of students attended school regularly (90% or more of the term) – up slightly from 53% this time last year.
⏰ 61% of students were on time to class – there’s room for improvement here!
🤒 The top reason for absence was illness or medical reasons, followed by unexplained absences. Unexplained absences occur when families do not text/phone in to explain why their child is absent from school. If this unexplained absence continues, then your child is marked as truant.
📊 Who’s attending regularly?
Year 7 students had the highest regular attendance (59%)
Year 8 students had the highest rate of chronic absence (16%)
📅 Attendance by day:
Tuesday had the best attendance
Friday was the lowest – let’s finish the week strong!
👧👦 By gender:
Boys had slightly higher regular attendance
Girls had a higher rate of justified absences
We’re working hard to support our students and whaanau with improving attendance. Coming to school every day, on time, helps our students stay connected, engaged, and ready to thrive.
Let’s keep making Every Day Matter!
Uniform Reminders
We are noticing that some students are not wearing the correct school uniform, particularly when it comes to footwear. As a reminder, students are required to wear completely black shoes or sandals as part of the Maeroa Intermediate uniform.
Please note:
Crocs are not permitted.
Sandals must have backstraps for safety and support.
Sandals are not to be worn with socks.
If your child needs school shoes, we have brand-new black shoes available at the school office, and we are more than happy to provide these to any student who needs them.
Please ensure your child leaves home each morning wearing their complete and correct uniform, including appropriate footwear. Your support helps us maintain high standards and a sense of pride in our school.
Thank you to all the students who come to school every day in their correct uniform.
A reminder as well that students are not permitted to have:
- facial piercings
- Multiple earrings in their ears
- false eyelashes
- false nails
- make up
- unnatural hair colours
All of this is outlined in our enrolment form/pack, which parents agreed to when enrolling their child at Maeroa Intermediate.
Secondary School Enrolments
If your child is in Year 8 this year, it is essential to ensure they are enrolled in a secondary school for 2026. Please be aware of the following enrolment closing dates for local secondary schools:
Hamilton Girls’ High School – Friday 22 August 2025
Hamilton Boys’ High School – Friday 29 August 2025
Fraser High School (out-of-zone applications) – Thursday 19 September 2025
Please note: Out-of-zone applications received after the closing date will not be considered. You must enrol your child on time to ensure their placement for next year.
Please do not request our teachers to write references for your child. Their latest school report will be out before these closing-off dates, and these reports are what the High Schools require. Your child's mid-year report has been emailed to you this week.
Upcoming dates
Week 4
- 5 August - Maeroa Open Night for all Yr 6 families considering Maeroa for 2026
- 5 August WIMS Boys Rugby
- 6 August 2026 Maeroa Enrolments Open
- Sports Camp away for the week
Week 5
- 12 August - WIMS Cross Country
Week 6
- 18 August Teacher Only Day - Our teachers will all participate in professional learning on the new maths curriculum, facilitated by a specialist. Our school will be closed.
- 19 August - WIMS Netball
- 22 August - Enrolments for HGHS 2026 close
Week 7
- 29 August - Enrolments for HBHS 2026 close
Week 8
- ASB Get Wise Financial Education Starts
- AIMS Week
Week 9
- 10 September Maeroa Enrolments for 2026 close
Week 10
- 15 September - Japan trip leaves
- 19 September - out-of-zone enrolments for Fraser High close
Week 1 of School Break
- 28 September - Japan trip returns
