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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 6, 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

Wakanui School 150 Years - Facebook Group

Registration Form

What's happening at Wakanui School?

Upcoming Events in October

Mon 2

Year 1/2 Big Day Out

2 Nov 2026

Tue 3

School Assembly 2:30

3 Nov 2026

Tue 3

Wakanui's Got Talent

3 Nov 2026

Wed 4

School Photos

4 Nov 2026

Wed 4

Mid Canterbury Athletics

4 Nov 2026

Fri 6

Mid Canterbury Athletics postponement

6 Nov 2026

Sun 8

Year 7/8 Camp

8 Nov 2026 - 12 Nov 2026

Tue 10

Year 5/6 Camp

10 Nov 2026 - 12 Nov 2026

Fri 13

Canterbury Anniversary- School Closed

13 Nov 2026

Mon 16

Year 1-3 Swim Lessons

16 Nov 2026 - 20 Nov 2026

Wed 25

Canterbury Athletics

25 Nov 2026

Fri 27

School Colour Run

27 Nov 2026

Latest Notices

Kauri, T4, W4

31 Oct 2026

Kia ora Kauri whanau

I hope you all had a great time at the show if you went. What fantastic weather for it! Kauri did soo well with their entries. Congratulations to those who got placed and to all of the children for all of their time and effort. I am very proud of them all.

Monday, is of course, our 'Big Day Out' in Christchurch at the Antarctic Centre. All details have been sent out but do contact me if you have any questions. When your child gets to school, Kowhai and Kauri doors will be locked so please go straight to Kanuka. (middle room)

We have school photos on Tuesday morning. Please ensure your child is wearing the correct summer uniform for this. Our assembly day has been shifted to Tuesday at 2.30 in the hall. As always, you are all welcome.

In Phonics this week, we are doing sound revision activities and going over basic sight words. In maths, we are are looking at calendars and the operations of addition and subtraction. In story writing, we will be looking at writing non-fiction and fiction stories, using brainstorms, which the children are getting good at. We are very much looking at correct full stop and capital letter use, especially for the year 2s. We will continue to learn about 'Antarctica' until the end of the week.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I will see most of you on Monday, all ready for our exciting day!

Kind regards,

Karen Digby

Sibling Photos

30 Oct 2026

If your family has more than one student at Wakanui School and would like a sibling photo taken on Tuesday morning, please email the office by 3pm on Monday to confirm.

Many thanks

Year 5/6 Camp

30 Oct 2026

Coming home today in your child's bag will be a food donation slip and a gear list for our upcoming camp.

Please can you return the food donation slip to us.

Thanks,

Ross and Dylan

School Assembly change of date

28 Oct 2026

Next week's School Assembly has been changed to Tuesday November 3rd, instead of the Wednesday. The assembly is hosted by Kawakaaw.

Year 5/6 Camp - Bikes

28 Oct 2026

Hi there,

An activity on our camp will be a bike ride through the tracks at Bottle Lake Forest.

Could you please email myself or Dylan if your child DOES NOT have a suitable mountain bike (or could borrow one from someone you know). Of course a helmet would be required too.

Thanks,

Ross and Dylan