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Growing our future by inspiring a passion for life long learning

RESPECT | RESILIENCE | RESPONSIBILITY | EXCELLENCE

Welcome from the Principal

Welcome to Wakanui School – Growing the Future

Kia ora koutou

Established in 1876, Wakanui School has a long and proud history of catering for local Year 1 to 8 students. Situated 10km east of Ashburton, and inclusive of an enrolment zone, we enjoy a rural environment whilst maintaining urban connections.

Our small class sizes ensure that we can cater for individual learning needs. Students in Year 4 and up utilise learning technologies to support their learning through a 1:1 ratio and BYOD programme. Our senior Year 7 and 8 students have many opportunities to develop leadership skills both within and beyond the school.

At Wakanui School, we believe in supporting our students to develop skills and knowledge in the key learning areas in conjunction with strong links to our community, rural environment, and modern technology. Our school values of Respect, Responsibility, Resilience and Excellence underpin all that we do.

Our school is very whānau oriented. We encourage active involvement from those who are part of the wider Wakanui family – parents, friends, grandparents, neighbours and community members. This gives Wakanui a strong foundation and a hard-working and generous support network.

Ngā mihi

Trena

Tumuaki | Principal

What's happening at Wakanui School?

Upcoming Events in October

Wed 8

Harold

8 Oct 2025

Fri 17

Athletics Day

17 Oct 2025

Mon 20

Year 0-3 Swim Week

20 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

Mon 20

Athletics postponement

20 Oct 2025

Mon 20

Parent Support Meeting

20 Oct 2025

Wed 22

School Assembly

22 Oct 2025

Thu 23

Primary School Strike Y0-8

23 Oct 2025

Tue 28

Pet Day

28 Oct 2025

Wed 29

BOT Meting 6:30pm

29 Oct 2025

Wed 29

COSARS Y8 9:30-11:30am

29 Oct 2025

Fri 31

Zones Athletics

31 Oct 2025

Latest Notices

Lucky Book Club Flyers

8 Oct 2025

The Lucky Book Club flyers are being sent home today. Please have all orders placed online (not through the school office) by next Thursday, October 16th.

Many thanks

Futsal teams 2025

8 Oct 2025

Hi,

Please see attached the combined Wakanui and Longbeach teams (Coastal) for the Futsal competition. Please read all the information on the attachment and note the new starting weekend that has been brought forward to this weekend 12th October.

Please wear your Wakanui sports top.

Thanks,

Ross Smith

2025-Futsal-Teams.pdf

Junior Classes - Keeping Ourselves Safe Programme

7 Oct 2025

Kia ora Kōwhai, Kauri and Kawakawa whanau,

From next week and for the following 4-5 weeks, in your child’s class we will be teaching the unit Knowing What to Do. This programme is for Years 1-3 and is part of the personal safety programme Keeping Ourselves Safe.

Keeping Ourselves Safe has been designed to give children the skills to cope in situations involving abuse. It has three overall aims:

· To develop and strengthen children’s skills to keep themselves safe with other people.;

· To support and encourage children to get help from caring adults;

· To make teachers and parents more aware of the need to keep children safe from abuse by adults or other children.

Knowing What To Do will be taught by your child’s class teacher.

To be successful Keeping Ourselves Safe needs your help and support. Some days your child will have some Home Activities to work on. It is important that you participate as much as possible and talk to your child about what they have been learning. This will help reinforce the messages the school is giving, and help your child to use his or her new skills with confidence.

See below for an overview of the programme that we will be teaching.

On Monday 13 October, after school from 3.00-3.15pm, we will have a parent hui for anyone who would like some additional information about the Keeping Ourselves Safe Programme. This will be held in Kawakawa classroom.

Ngā mihi nui,

Gayle, Karen and Julia