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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

What's happening at Wakanui School?

Upcoming Events in May

Thu 14

School Cross Country

14 May 2026

Fri 15

Pink Out- School Disco

15 May 2026

Fri 15

Pink Shirt Day

15 May 2026

Mon 18

School Cross Country Pp Day

18 May 2026

Wed 20

Kōwhai Open Day

20 May 2026

Thu 21

Mass Choir Practice Y5-8

21 May 2026

Tue 26

Zone Cross Country

26 May 2026

Tue 26

Zone Cross Country

26 May 2026

Wed 27

School Assembly 2:30pm

27 May 2026

Thu 28

Pp Zone Cross Country

28 May 2026

Latest Notices

Sports Uniform for Cross Country

13 May 2026

For tomorrows cross country all students need to wear their sports uniform, sneakers and have a drink bottle please. It's a good idea to also take along some warm clothing for before and after races.

If you haven't already ordered sausages for tomorrow they will be available as a cash purchase on the day for $2.50.

Best of luck to all our students!

Staff Absences

13 May 2026

With all the nasty bugs currently spreading around the community and both staff and students becoming unwell, we wanted to let you know in advance there may be days that classes will have to be combined.

This would be a last resort and would be due to the fact there is a severe shortage of relief teachers available in mid Canterbury to cover staff absences.

Normally Trena would step in to cover any shortfalls in the classrooms but she is currently away with an injury that may make it difficult to be in a classroom even when she returns.

Many thanks

Map for Cross Country

13 May 2026

Hi all,

Please see map attached for where we will be for tomorrow.

There will be guiding signs out but it is the paddock just up the road from school on the left hand side.

See you all tomorrow! Here is hoping for a great day of weather.

Thanks,

Ross Smith

Screenshot-2026-05-07-at-80001AM.png

DISCO - Parents stay for a cuppa

11 May 2026

During the disco Kahikatea classroom will be open for parents to stay for a cuppa.

Please bring your own hot drink and a small plate to share!

EVERYONE WELCOME.

Kōwhai week 4

11 May 2026

Kōwhai week 4

Goodness the flu really got me last week, I am back on deck today, thank you for your understanding with different teachers.

Phonics we are revising the sounds and year 0 we are looking at M & S

Maths we are looking at patterns

Reading will continue as normal

Science we are doing investigations

Tuesday we have basketball at School

Wednesday I am at a course in Christchurch for the day Mrs Livingstone is in here

Thursday we have Cross Country, see previous Skool loop in regards to timings; please note that we ask whānau to not come over to their child prior to their race, as this event can already cause a few nerves and having parents etc come over heightens it. However after their race please see me to collect them, and I will sign them out and leave them in your care if you are there.

Many thanks

Gayle