Recent Updates

Current notices are listed below. Old notices from the last month (if any) are listed below them.

Student Led Conferences

Kia ora parents / whānau

Bookings are now open for Student Led Conferences and are available on both Wednesday 16 July and Thursday 17 July.

To make a booking, please click on School Bookings on the Hero app, then follow the instructions. If you have more than one child with us, you will need to select their image first before making the booking/s.

School will close at 1:05pm on Wednesday 16 July. Buses will operate as normal on this day. Those who cannot leave early will be supervised at school until 3pm.

Ngā mihi

Te Kamo Intermediate School

School Mid Year Reports

Kia ora parents/whānau

You are likely to have already received this message through Hero.

Your child’s mid-year report is now available to view on Hero! This is our first time reporting through Hero, and we’re excited to share your child’s progress with you in this new format.

The new report includes:

Attendance to date
A graph showing whether they are working Towards, At, or Above their expected curriculum level in Reading, Writing and Mathematics
Effort and Attitude indicators for Reading, Writing, and Mathematics
Student self-reflection
STEAM grade for Year 8 students only

If your child has been absent for an extended period of time, some areas may not be included in their report.

To view your child’s report:

1.Log in to the Hero app or visit https://go.linc-ed.com

2.Click on your child’s name

3.Click on 2025 Report

To print your child’s report, click the printer icon towards the top of the report page and follow the instructions according to your printer.

Student Led Conferences will be held in the first week of Term 3.

If your child is in The Bach, you will receive your report from the SENCO or Learning Support Coordinator. They will also help to arrange your student conference.

Ngā mihi

Te Kamo Intermediate School

Statement from the Ministry of Education

As part of our focus on lifting student achievement we have introduced a new curriculum this year for Maths in Years 0–8. This means we are currently changing from the old to the new curriculum.

We want to acknowledge that schools and kura will only have been using the new curricula from the start of 2025, which includes new teaching and assessment methods and content.

Because of this you could see a change in your child’s progress or achievement compared to previous years, which may be the result of changes in the curriculum expectations for your child’s year level. If you have concerns or questions about your child’s achievement, we strongly suggest you talk with your child’s teacher or kaiako. They will also have used their own observations, classroom tasks and other tests to report on the progress your child is making.

LIONS NEW ZEALAND PEACE POSTER COMPETITION 2025

Want something to think about, start over the holidays???? Have a look at this.

LIONS NEW ZEALAND PEACE POSTER COMPETITION 2025

Judged on originality, artistic merit and expression of the theme.

' TOGETHER AS ONE'

When we come together, we can do amazing things. Imagine what can happen when a diverse group of people unites around a common cause or goal. Imagine a world where we all come together as one!

This competition is open to 11, 12 or 13 years old on November 15th of the year of entry. SO THAT'S YOU!

A few of the rules:

No smaller than 33cm by 50cm

No larger than 50cm by 60cm

Do not mount work or frame it.

Do not laminate entries.

It must be your original creation.

All media accepted but it must be sealed with a clear fixative spray if it will smear e.g. chalk, charcoal, pastel.

No lettering or numbering allowed.

Three dimensional entries will not be accepted as it has to be able to be rolled. So nothing glued, stapled or attached to the artwork in any way.

Next term in week 1, Whaea Ros will have a short meeting with anyone interested and give more pointers if needed. Have a play with ideas over the holiday, get started if you want. Entries must be in to the art room by mid September. (Date still to be confirmed)

Have a look at the following web site for more information and past winners

https://www.lionsclubs.org.nz/services/youth/international-peace-poster-contest

Principal's Corner

Tēnā koutou katoa

As we move through the last week of Term Two, I take this opportunity to thank you for the important role you play in teaching your young adolescents how to be resilient. Your guidance, support, and encouragement help them navigate challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and develop the confidence to face the ups and downs of growing up. By modelling perseverance and fostering a positive mindset, you are equipping them with lifelong skills that will serve them well in every area of their lives.

I recently attended the annual NZAIMS Leadership Conference, where Jake Bailey presented his take on resilience. Many of you will remember seeing Jake on television and social media in 2015 when, as a student of Christchurch Boys High he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. With treatment he was well enough to present his speech at the end of year Prize Giving and it received thousands of views on social media.

Twelve years later, Jake is a full time public speaker and the youngest #1 bestselling author in NZ history. He is a passionate educator on the power of resilience.

Jake promotes the Four ‘S’ model, which I share below:

What: Resilience is the ability to overcome and recover from both big and small challenges we face in our lives (adversity).

SLOW DOWN: Break challenges down into manageable/smaller goals. Focus on getting through each week,day or hour at a time.

SALVAGE: Seek out anything good within challenging situations. Any piece of happiness, no matter how small, is crucial to capture during tough times. Aim for realistic optimism.

STREAMLINE: Try to put your attention where it matters. If you can spend at least two hours of each day NOT worrying, you will grow resilience. Try to find things that you enjoy.

STAND ALONGSIDE: Don’t climb mountains alone. Build, create, develop relationships so that when the time comes for support, you have those established.

Our staff will be using some of these strategies while working alongside the students.

School Reports

School reports will be emailed to parents this Thursday. Student Led Conferences will take place early next term, providing an opportunity for students to share their progress and goals.

I have really enjoyed reading through the Students’ reflections following their growth as they navigate their intermediate school years. Students are becoming increasingly competent in knowing where they 'sit' academically in the areas of mathematics, reading and writing and, can talk about their next steps in learning.

There is separate communication in the Updates about the Reports and Conferences.

We wish our school community a safe, happy, and restful Winter holiday. Enjoy the break with your whānau, and we look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for an exciting new term.

Nga mihi

Kim Sloane

Principal / Tumuaki

Reports and Student Led Conferences

Kia ora parents / whānau

On Thursday, school reports will be available on Hero to view or print. You should get a Hero notification when these go live with further information about our new reports.

Next term in week one we will be holding student led conferences over two days - 16 and 17 July. This coincides with the Science Fair, which will be held in the school hall. A notification will be sent out on Friday this week when bookings for the conferences open. If you are unable to make a time on one of these days, you will be able to make an alternative appointment by contacting the classroom teacher.

We will be closing the school on Wednesday 16 July at 1:05pm for the student led conferences. Classes will not be operating after 1:05pm.

Buses will operate at their normal times on Wednesday 16 July. We understand that there may be a very small number of students who are unable to be collected/walk home at 1pm on this day. These students will be supervised for the afternoon until 3pm.

We will not be closing the school early for second day, 17 July. Conferences will start at 3:30.

Ngā mihi

Lisa Ferris

Deputy Principal

T2 Bus Lane Update

WDC are extending the T2 bus lane. Information about the project can be found here.

Unfortnately, this will mean that morning drop off's on Kamo Road will be imacted. The council have created this map with suggested driving/drop off route for when the T2 Transit Lane is in operation (which will be 7-9am Mon-Fri).

Secondary School Information for 2025

Secondary School Information for 2025

Te Kamo High School

Tuesday 15th July - Week 1

All Te Kamo Intermediate Year 8 students will walk to Te Kamo High School to watch a presentation

Thursday 24th July - Week 2

Te Kamo High School Open night at the high school 5.30pm - 7.45pm

Te kamo High Enrolment Info.pdf

Te kamo High Open Night .pdf

Whangarei Girls High School

Tuesday 22nd July

All Year 8 girls will watch a presentation from WGHS here at Te Kamo Intermediate School

Thursday 31st July

WGHS Open night at the high school 5.30pm - 7pm

Whangarei Boys High School

Monday 21st July

All Year 8 boys will watch a presentation from WBHS here at Te Kamo Intermediate School

Wednesday 30th July

WBHS Open night at the high school 4.30pm - 5.30pm, 6.15pm Principals Address

WBHS Open Evening.pdf

Tikipunga High School

Thursday 17th July

Open Evening from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at Tikipunga High School

Enrolments are now open online for enrolling your student

Te Manawa Tahi Community Timetable Term 3

Movie Night Fundraiser

Please support this fundraiser. Word on the street is there are some great spot prizes. It could be your lucky night.

Quiz Night Fundraiser

Something for those of you who love a good quiz night. The boys football team would love to see you there.

Kids Learn Through Consequences

Kids Learn Through Consequences

One of the most valuable ways our kids learn is through natural consequences.

Every action has a result — some good, some not so good. Eat well, feel well. Eat crap, feel crap. Act silly and break something? There’s a consequence for that too.

In our house, the rule is simple: if you break it, you fix it. If you spill it, you clean it. If you leave a spade in the driveway and a car runs it over, you save up and replace it.

Parenting isn’t just about keeping the peace — it’s about preparing our kids for the real world. Teaching responsibility when young gives them a head start on life. It builds resilience, accountability, and the kind of character that will serve them for years to come.

Kids Learn Through Consequences Link

Day Zero - Term Three

Dear Parents & Caregivers

Day Zero Lessons are an exciting opportunity at TKIS. They are totally OPTIONAL and designed to provide an opportunity for students to sample instruments & performance. Many students continue to pursue creative professions, or enrich and shape their creative lives after leaving TKIS, as a result of these lessons. This is also a head start for High School options and developing talents to higher standards in music / performing arts. Lessons cater for those who wish to ‘have a go’, as well as for those who want to extend existing skills. Tutors are all leading professionals in their fields. Lessons cost $80.25 per option, per term and represent awesome value and an opportunity to invest in your young person.

Full information including the application and contract can be found here:

Lesson dates for Term 3 2025: Friday 18 July - Friday 19 September. Cost $80.25 per option per term.

The following Day Zero options are available this term:

GUITAR - tutored by Craig McTavish 20 spaces available

BASS GUITAR - tutored by Matua Opai 8 spaces available

KEYBOARD - tutored by Craig McTavish 20 spaces available

DRUMS - tutored by Matua Opai 15 spaces available

Parent Support Group

Parent Support Group

Would you like to be part of a group of parents who the school through assisting with fundraising events?

We have had our main one for the year, The Mighty Walk. The other main event we help organise is the end of year Y8 Graduation Dance.

If you would like to find out more, pop along to the school on Monday 9th June at 700pm. We really need you!

The Mighty Walk

Last week we acknowledged students for their outstanding efforts in both fundraising and distance walked during The Mighty Walk.

We were grateful to all sponsors who so generously gave prizes for our students.

Acknowledgement and congratulations to the following students:

Money Raised:

1st: Sebastian Moon $1035

2nd: Lilly Osborne $600

3rd: Harper Sergeant $590

4th: Giacomo Wong: $510

1st class: Room 8 $2662

2nd class: Room 11 $2350

Overall winning team: Matai. $6919

Overall runner up team: Tawa $4962

Distance Walked:

Boys:

1st: Kale Paniora 44km

2nd: Kale Overton 42km

3rd: Oliver Moselen-Meehan

Girls:

1st: Ella Watts 36.4 km

2nd: Rosie Soole 34.8km

3rd: Renee Hardwick 31.6km

1st class: Room 10: 643.6km

2nd class: Room 11: 603.08km

Overall winning team: Tawa 1843.48km

Overall runner up team: Kowhai 1758.2km

Attendance

Attendance:

Last week's attendance: 83.56%. Well done to the 585 students who were at school between 90 - 100%.

Justified absences: 10.90%

Unjustified absences: 5.02%. (This equates to approximately 35 students).

The Mighty Walk

The Mighty Walk

What a fantastic day we had last Thursday. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. The students really made an effort to walk as far as they could in the allocated time and the canteen was well supported. We are still tallying distances walked per student, class and team and while the online platform has now closed for donations, we still need to look at our top fundraisers per class.

We will publish the top students and classes next week.

We take this time to thank our wonderful Parent Support Group for their time and effort in making this event a success. I cannot speak highly enough of these parents who donate their time and fully support our school - THANK YOU!

We are always looking for new members for the PSG and other than the main fundraiser of the year, there is little to do by way of other events. We will be meeting on June 9 at 700pm if you would like to join us in the staffroom.

We are also extremely grateful for the generous donations and sponsorship of the following businesses. This has made a huge difference to our profit.

Please support these organisations where possible.

Fundraiser

TKIS Krispy Kreme Order_Form_2025.pdf

Principal's Corner

Tēnā koutou katoa

Welcome to Week 4!

A nice sunny start to the week! I enjoyed watching a number of our students play hockey on Friday afternoon and/or netball on Saturday morning. Sport offers so many opportunities and the benefits are huge. I acknowledge the time each parent/caregiver invests in their child’s sport. Team building, resilience, co-operation, respect, communication, goal setting - all valuable skills moving forward.

The Mighty Walk

At the time of writing we have raised just under $20,000. The Walk is on Thursday and we invite you to come and walk a few laps with your child if you have time. I know the Parent Support Group would also appreciate some assistance if you can spare a few hours.

Fundraising will remain open until Monday 26, 12:00pm - a reminder that funds will go towards class trips. The more we raise, the less you need to pay for trips:)

It’s not too late to register and help Te Kamo Intermediate.
https://tekamointermediatemightywalk2025.raiseit.co.nz

Some information for Thursday:

Students are welcome at Kensington from 8:15 onwards. Walking will commence at 8:30am
Buses will run from school soon after 8:45am and return at 1:45pm. If you want to take your child home from Kensington, please send written information to the class teacher. Otherwise students will be released from school at the usual time.
Students may wear their P.E Gear to and from school. They may dress up in team colours with hair ties, tutus etc. Please - no paint of any description.
As there will be no school lunches on Thursday, students are encouraged to bring a small amount of money to purchase food or bring their own. Filled water bottles are highly recommended.
Phones: Students bringing phones to school will be asked (as they are each day) to hand them in to the class teacher. Our preference would be to keep the phones at home.

Attendance

We really do appreciate whanau making an effort to get their children to school. We are here to support you - please reach out if necessary.

We understand that as we approach winter, there are the usual illnesses. I have attached some communication from the Ministry of Education, offering guidance around when to send/not send children to school.

MOE Guidance around sickness.

Today we took six students out for lunch for 100% attendance last week. These students were drawn randomly from all of those with 100% attendance. We will do the same in a few weeks for some more students.

Congratulations to:

Madison - Rm 3, Awarangi - Rm 21, Ella - Rm 23, Sebastian - Rm 6, Jackson - Rm 17 and, Rocco - Rm 11

Pink Shirt Day

A huge thank you for supporting Pink Shirt Day last Friday. We raised over $800 for the Mental Health Foundation of NZ.

More can be seen on other areas of the Recent Updates.

Kim Sloane

Tūmuaki / Principal

Principal's Corner

Tēnā koutou katoa

Welcome to Week 3!

We’re now well into Term 2, and it’s definitely starting to feel like winter—with winter sports in full swing! It was fantastic to see four of our hockey teams playing simultaneously on Friday afternoon and our netball teams enjoying strong competition on Saturday.

Kid’s Lit Quiz

Yesterday we had three teams competing in the regional final of the Kid’s Lit Quiz in Kerikeri. While they did not come away with a victory and a place in the national final, they made us very proud. The competition was very close with only one mark each separating the top three placegetters. Congratulations to all of our competitors. We will look forward to competing in the sport of reading again next year.

Attendance Update

On Friday, we received a breakdown of our Term 1 attendance data. Here's a brief summary:

63% of students had regular attendance (over 90%), an improvement from 61% in Term 1, 2024
21% of students were absent for 5–9 days during the term
66% of students consistently arrived on time (this is an area of concern)
Year 7 students had a higher rate of regular attendance
Friday had the lowest average attendance across the week
A significant concern: Over 20% of absences were unexplained

This week, we’re running an attendance incentive. Students who are at school every day and on time will go into a draw to win a McDonald’s or sushi lunch.

Despite regular reminders, we continue to see a number of students arriving well after the 8:45 bell. In some cases, students are dropped off early but then head to the shops instead of school. If this continues, we will contact parents directly.

Thank you for your continued support in helping your child arrive at school on time, ready to start the day positively.

The Mighty Walk

Our major fundraising event is just a few weeks away! We’re aiming to support every class with $1000 towards trips—whether for buses or entry fees. Thanks to your generosity, we've already raised just over $16,000—an incredible start!

If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here:
https://tekamointermediatemightywalk2025.raiseit.co.nz

Let’s keep up the momentum!

Winter Sports Day

Tomorrow is the annual Year 7 & 8 Winter Sports Day at Kensington Park. Students have selected a sport and will compete against teams from TKIS and other schools.

Students must bring their own lunch.
Buses will transport them to and from the venue.
If alternative travel plans are made, please inform the classroom teacher directly.
Families are welcome to come and support!

Please check with your child which sport they’re playing—some have opted to try something new, which we’ve encouraged.

We’re confident our students will represent Te Kamo Intermediate with pride and positive behaviour.

Pink Shirt Day

This Friday we will be acknowledging the annual Pink Shirt Day fundraiser in conjunction with the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. The Pink Shirt movement first began in Canada and has moved across the world being synonymous with an anti-bullying stance. We will be celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusion on this day, as on all days within our kura.

All of our school is being encouraged to wear pink on Friday in support of this kaupapa. A minimum $2 donation is also being asked for so that we can make a donation directly to the Mental Health Foundation. This will be collected on Friday morning after the roll has been taken.

Each team will select their best dressed student who will be winning a prize. Kōrero mai, Kōrero atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora. Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

Support Staff Appreciation

Finally, we want to take a moment to acknowledge our incredible Support Staff. From Learning Assistants who provide classroom and specialist support, to our Administration and Property teams who keep everything running smoothly and ensuring our property and grounds are well maintained —thank you for all that you do for our students and staff. You are very much appreciated.

Kim Sloane

Seven week Strength & Conditioning Programme

We have an exciting 7 week Strength and Conditioning programme to offer the TKIS kids to improve their overall fitness, speed and reduce the risk of injury. Unfortunately, we have not secured any funding for this, so it will be on a user pays basis. It is totally optional.

It will be run by Jon Renes. Jon is currently the Strength and Conditioning Lead for Northland Football where he runs sessions 4 days a week.

Jon will offer a weekly 1 hour Strength and Conditioning programme over 7 weeks of the term, starting in week 2.

The sessions will be on Mondays 3.15pm-4.15pm on the school turf.

5 May (week 2)

12 May

19 May

26 May

2 June (Queen’s Birthday - no session)

9 June

16 June

23 June

Regular strength and conditioning training can help athletes increase their power, speed, agility and endurance, as well as reduce injury risk and enhance their tolerance to training load.

There will be a maximum of 25 places on a first come first serve basis.

Total cost for the term is $70 ($10 a session).

To secure your child's place, please complete this form and make payment to bank account: 38-9018-0857871-15 (Bronwyn Bayne) by Friday, 2 May. If a weekly installment option is better for you, please set up an AP. Use child's name as reference.

Enquiries to Bronwyn Bayne, tkishockey@kamoint.school.nz

Principal's Corner

Tēnā koutou katoa

Welcome to Week 11 of the school term. We are looking forward to welcoming many of you into the school tomorrow and hope you are able to find some time to visit your child’s classroom to see what they have been learning.

AIMS Games Update

All AIMS Games teams have now been confirmed. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the selection process, as well as those who have generously volunteered to coach or manage teams. Please note that until accommodation is secured, we cannot guarantee that teams will be able to travel to Tauranga. However, we are hopeful that suitable accommodation will be found over the coming weeks.

This is a timely reminder that, as representatives of our school, all students selected for AIMS teams are expected to demonstrate high standards of behaviour, commitment, and attendance.

Attendance Focus

Unfortunately, last Friday saw our lowest attendance rate of the year to date—with over 150 students absent, and nearly 50 of those absences unexplained. While we acknowledge the weather was a factor, we must emphasise the importance of regular school attendance. The government is closely monitoring attendance data, and we ask that you continue to support us by ensuring your child attends school each day.

We were concerned to hear that a small number of students missed school due to hair appointments. We kindly request that such appointments be scheduled outside of school hours where possible. While we understand that medical appointments may occasionally occur during the school day, we do encourage students to return to school afterwards whenever feasible.

We have also noticed an increasing number of students being collected well before the end of the school day, often without explanation. We ask that families support our efforts to maximise learning time by minimising early pickups.

The Mighty Walk

A sincere thank you to all who have already signed up to Go Raise It in support of our Mighty Walk fundraiser. Our goal is to raise $27,000 so that every class has the opportunity to benefit from a school trip this year.

Spot prizes will continue to be awarded to students who register and make a genuine effort to fundraise. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Building Project

We are about to embark on a new building project which has been in the planning stages for a number of years. When the students return after the school holidays, there will be fencing around some parts of the school as areas are cordoned off. Two new four classroom blocks will be built and we hope to occupy them by May next year. More information will be shared during the holidays.

Nga mihi

Kim Sloane

Principal's Corner

Tēnā koutou katoa

Last week four of our students from Rm15 represented Te Kamo Intermediate at the Te Tai Tokerau EPro 8 finals. We placed second which is an amazing achievement. Congratulations to these students who we are so proud of:

William Marshall, Lashani Thiru, Evie Coates and Mackenzie Clover.

The students chose to construct a scene from Indian Jones and the Temple of Doom. They had to create a track for Indiana Jones’s cart to travel down, attach a boulder (balloon) that got trapped, and release snakes onto the cart. When time ran out, they were working on the final part, the trap door. They worked tremendously well as a team on this challenge and were only 20 points behind the winners. An amazing effort to come 2nd in their first ever EPRO8 together as a team, congratulations.

Attendance Focus

Yesterday we had our lowest ever number of students sign in late! Thank you parents/caregivers for supporting your tamariki in getting to school by 845. We very much appreciate your support.

Whole school attendance was 89.4%. Some other local schools are tracking over 90% so let’s see if we can match or better that for the remaining two weeks of Term One.

The Mighty Walk

It is that time of the year again when we undertake our main fundraiser for the year.

This year we hope to raise over $27,000 so each class can receive $1000 towards a class trip. This will benefit all students.

We have partnered with online fundraising company Go Raise It.

Go Raise It specialises in working with schools to maximise their fundraising efforts. Collecting sponsorship online makes it super easy for everyone - no more door knocking, and students can collect more donations from further afield (friends and family living overseas, work colleagues etc) and no need to worry about handling all that cash and bringing it into school!

Each student will be able to set up their very own fundraising page on the website and we have a number of prizes.

As part of creating their fundraising page they will choose their Room as their fundraising team. The website includes leader boards allowing us to create a little bit of healthy competition between teams. You can view the leaderboards and links to information about fundraising prizes on our Fundraising hub page:

https://tekamointermediatemightywalk2025.raiseit.co.nz/

Drop Off/ Pick Up

In the interest of safety, if you are driving your child to/from school, please drop off by our front door entrance. We’ve noticed students being dropped off on the far side of the carpark and running in front of traffic as they circle the loop.

Ngā mihi

Kim Sloane

Tumuaki / Principa

Principal's Corner

Tēnā koutou katoa

On Friday we worked alongside the Ministry of Education Maths facilitator upskilling on the revised curriculum. It had me thinking; it would be good to run a few workshops for parents/caregivers who are interested in upskilling in maths to support their children. If this is something you are interested in, please complete the brief survey and we will ascertain interest. I envisage we would start off with number skills.

Attendance Focus

A few weeks ago I mentioned that attendance is a key priority for us this year. I’m pleased to see we continue to track at just over 90% which is great. We will celebrate anything over 90%.

One concern we do have is the number of students who are arriving late to school. Almost 7% of our students (almost 50) were late last week. Your support in ensuring your child is at school ready to start the day by 845 is greatly appreciated. Repeat offenders can expect a phone call home to discuss this. Ten minutes late a day amounts to over 1 ½ hours a fortnight. That is a great deal of learning time.

Sport

With trials and practices almost complete for our winter sports I take this opportunity to thank those involved in the selection process and those who have offered to coach. We greatly appreciate your support.

EPro 8

Last week we hosted the EPro 8 competition for local primary and intermediate schools. Rm 15 were successful in making the finals which takes place tonight at WBHS. We wish them the very best of luck.

Ngā mihi

Kim Sloane

Tumuaki / Principal

King's College Information Evening

Information Evening:

A second information evening has been organised for interested students and whanau to meet with staff from King's College. Interested parties can meet in the Hatea Room at the Distinction, Riverside Drive between 6pm and 7pm on Friday 11^th April.

Healthy Teeth

Report an Absence

If your child is absent from school, you can use the Hero App to let us know.

Update Contact Details

If your contact details have changed - address, email or phone numbers, please use this link to update our records.

https://www.kamoint.school.nz/forms/2-update-contact-details/submission/new

Many thanks

Postponed AIMS Information Meeting

A reminder that this Thursday's proposed AIMS Information Meeting has been postponed. We will communicate further when another date has been set.

Overseas Trips

A reminder that expressions of interest for the overseas trips are due this Friday. Students need to submit a letter to Mr Epskamp in order to be considered.

Principal's Corner

Tēnā koutou katoa

Attendance Focus

As mentioned in a previous update, attendance remains a key priority for us this year. We sincerely appreciate the efforts of families ensuring their children arrive at school on time, as regular and punctual attendance has a significant impact on student learning and achievement.

We are pleased to report that our attendance data over the past two weeks indicates we are tracking above both the national average and Te Tai Tokerau regional results. Notably, attendance has exceeded 90% on five out of the last ten school days—an outstanding achievement!

We still do have a number of unexplained absences though. This morning 34 students have been marked with unexplained absence, 34 medical, 4 explained but not approved. This amounts to well over two class groups.

Sport

We encourage all students to participate in sport, as the benefits—both physical and social—are immense.

Trials for winter sports are well underway, with netball, football, and hockey trials taking place currently.

This Wednesday, we are excited to have over 140 students competing in the doubles tennis tournament, which represents approximately 20% of our student roll. We look forward to some excellent matches.

Additionally, a number of TKIS students participated in the Beach to Basin event on Sunday. From all reports, they thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Photos from the event can be seen on the Facebook page.

Last Friday, our annual swimming sports event was held, where Josh Smith set three new records. Full results can be found on the Te Kamo Intermediate Sports Facebook Page. This is our main forum for keeping up to date with sports notices, events and results.

We extend our sincere appreciation to Liz Seaton for her dedication, meticulous planning, and coordination of the many sporting events that take place each week.

Cycling to and from school

A reminder that any student riding a bike to and from school must wear a helmet. This is mandated. We are asking all parents, who have a child cycling to school, to check their child is wearing one. If children don't wear a helmet they may be asked to store their bike at school until it is collected.

New Staff

We welcome three new staff members to our kura. Alisa Dodds is part of the Steam Team, teaching Performing Arts while Victoria Bercic and Brooke Johnsen have joined the Kowhai team teaching in Rms 2 and 3 respectively. We feel very fortunate to have each of them join our teaching team.

Ngā mihi

Senior Leadership Team

Parent Support Group

Te Kamo Intermediate Parent Support Group Meeting

All parents and caregivers are invited to attend the first meeting for the year of our Parent Support Group (PSG). We are keen to welcome new members to help with organising our main fundraising event for the year, the Mighty Walk, usually held in May.

We also organise the Year 8 Formal Dance at the end of the year and make decisions on requests for funding from the school. We meet around 3-4 times a year with most activity centred around organising the Mighty Walk over March-May and then November for the Year End Dance.

Joining the group is a great way to meet other parents, get involved with the school in a meaningful way, and have some fun along the way.

We will be meeting in the Staff Room (upstairs in the Office block) at 5pm on Monday 10 March. All are welcome.

Information evening re enrolment at King's College

The Headmaster, Mr Simon Lamb, and Head of Admissions, Mr Graeme Syms will be visiting Northland as follows:

Thursday March 6^th we are holding an information evening at The Turner Centre in Kerikeri from 6pm to 7pm.
Friday March 7^th we are holding an information evening at The Distinction Whangarei Hotel and Conference Centre, 9 Riverside Drive, Whangarei. 6pm-7pm.

You are most welcome to attend if you are considering King’s College for your son or daughter. They are VERY welcome to find out more about King’s.

We have welcomed a large number of students from Northland in 2025, and look forward to increasing the intake for 2026 and beyond.

Rugby Fans:

Saturday April 12^th: King’s College 1^st XV v Whangarei BHS 1^st XV at WBHS: 12 noon kick off.

Principal's Corner

Tēnā koutou katoa

Meet and Greet – Thank You

Thank you to all those who took the time to attend our annual ‘Meet and Greet’ with class teachers last week. These meetings were valuable opportunities to connect, and our teachers sincerely appreciate your efforts. If you were unable to attend but would still like to meet with your child’s teacher, please feel free to contact them via email to arrange a suitable time.

Schoolwide Annual Goals

Each year, we set schoolwide goals to guide our focus. This year, our key priorities are the implementation of the new Mathematics Curriculum and improving student attendance. Our Strategic and Annual Plan will be published later this week following our Board meeting this evening.

Attendance Focus

As part of our attendance improvement efforts, you will receive regular updates and communications. Our goal is to increase our current attendance rate by 10%. Of particular concern is the number of unjustified absences—this morning alone, we recorded 65 absences, 31 of which were unexplained.

Last year, 61% of our students had regular attendance (attending school more than 90% of the time). However, this dropped to 40% in Term Three, before increasing slightly to 45% in Term Four. The government’s goal is for 80% of students to attend school at least 90% of the time, so we have significant progress to make.

We appreciate your support in ensuring that your child attends school regularly and arrives on time. A reminder that all students must be in class by 8:45 am.

Additional Notices

Please read through this week’s Update carefully, as it includes important information, particularly regarding Te Kamo Sport. If your child is trialing for netball, hockey, or football, please ensure you are familiar with the relevant details.

Additionally, a parent and student information evening will be held this Thursday at 5:30pm for those interested in the annual overseas trip.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Ngā mihi

Senior Leadership Team

Sports Facebook Page

All sports-related information is shared on our Te Kamo Intermediate Sports Facebook page. Please join our page if you wish to stay up-to-date with what is happening in and around TKIS.

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15h6pWVFne/

Principal's Corner

Tēnā koutou katoa

Ahiahi pai on this very warm day.

We have been lucky to enjoy some beautiful sunny days making it enjoyable for our students to enjoy our first lunchtime sports competition, tug-o-war. Sunhats are very much encouraged along with students wearing sunscreen.

We are looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible on Wednesday at our annual beginning of the year, Meet and Greet. Thanks to those who have already made appointments. If you are unable to attend this week, please take the time to email the class teacher and suggest another time you could come in to meet with them. Most students have settled well into their class and this is an opportunity for you to ask questions of the teachers, discuss some early goal setting and hear about upcoming events and programmes at school. Making an appointment is by way of HERO.

At our first whole school assembly we talked about our key school value, RESPECT - Respect for Self, Others and the Environment. Every person at Te Kamo Intermediate has a right to feel safe and comfortable in our learning environment. Most students have had a fantastic start to the year and we hope through engaging activities we can ensure everyone is set up for success for the school year.

Unlike many other schools, our school lunches are, on the whole, arriving on time and being enjoyed by the students. For most young people, they will need this supplemented with other items, e.g. fruit, yogurt, muesli bars etc, sandwiches.

We remind school whānau that we want the young people enjoying water, not fizzy drinks please.

A few reminders for everyone:

School starts at 8:45. Please make every effort to have your child at school before then so they start the day off well.
Uniform - We take pride in our uniform. Please ensure your child is coming to school in the correct uniform each day. If unsure, please check our website for uniform information.
Bike safety. Students must wear a well fitted helmet to ride a bike to and from school. Cyclists wearing helmets came into law in 1994. Please support us by ensuring students are wearing their helmets when leaving home in the morning.
Each morning the school has daily notices which classes talk through. This is where students find out about opportunities to be involved in. Encourage your child to listen to the notices and get involved in some of our many opportunities at Te Kamo Intermediate School.

An update for Netballers. Students have been asked to collect informative notices, their contracts will need to be returned as soon as possible.

Below are the following dates for trials which will be held at TKIS after school:

Year 7

Wednesday 19th February 3.15pm - 4.30pm AND

Wednesday 26th February 3.15pm - 4.30pm

Year 8

Thursday 20th February 3.15pm - 4.30pm AND

Thursday 27th February 3.15pm - 4.30pm

COACHES WANTED:

If there is anyone interested in coaching a Netball team this year, please get in touch with Whaea Moana: mphillips@kamoint.school.nz

Ngā mihi

Senior Leadership Team

Beach to Basin - support of Life Education

Life Education Trust

Harold is thrilled to be taking part in the Sport Northland Chilltech Beach to Basin on March 2^nd 2025. We’re excited to be one of the two charities benefitting from this fantastic event, alongside “I have a Dream”. You can show your support by making a donation directly to Whangarei Life Education when you enter and keep an eye out for Harold on the day! www.facebook.com/sportnorthlandevents

New School App - Hero

Kia ora parents/whānau

This year we are working with a new student management system, Hero. An online platform with a complementary parent app.

We will still be using FaceBook (Meta) for communication, this is linked to the Hero app. Our recent updates (newsletter) will also be sent out via email on Tuesdays, and will also be available on the Hero app. Bookings for any school interviews, including our meet and greet in early February will be made through the Hero app.

With Hero, you can:

View school term dates
View a school calendar of events
Notify the school if your child is absent or late
Book your school interviews
Navigate to other school-related web pages
Customise your account by adding a profile image
Select how you wish to receive notifications

For information about Hero including how to log in, go to the Hero website.

Stripes 2025

Kia ora whānau,

We want to inform you that this year, stripes will only be awarded to students who participate in activities, events, and responsibilities directly connected to or organised by the school. This change aims to ensure that stripes recognise involvement and commitment within our school community and activities.

The full list of activities and responsibilities eligible for stripes is attached for your reference.

We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue to encourage active participation and engagement in school-related events.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Ngā manaakitanga

Liz Seaton (Director of Sport)

Previous Notices