Established in 2008, the school is located in Rototuna in Hamilton. To see more information visit: www.tetotara.school.nz
Te Totara Primary School opened in February 2008 with 58 students. It is built to cater for 650 students and as at May 2014 we have 721 students enrolled. The facilities are modern and learner focussed. Staff use both Apple and PC computers and we have wireless network around the school. The principal's role is to check smiles and make sure everyone has one. Use of this page is to convey
10/08/2026
Orchard and Dough Coffee Cart ☕
Our kaiako LOVED having our Coffee Cart on site on Friday morning to warm up with a hot drink before our Cultural Day.
Parents and Whānau, bring a reuseable keep cup and get your coffee fix tomorrow morning before our X Challenge! The cart will be on site all day from 8am, so make the most of it and help us to support local businesses!
09/08/2026
☕️ MEET THE TEAM MONDAY: The Neptune Team! 🌊
Happy Mid-Term Break! We hope all of our wonderful Te Totara whānau are enjoying a well deserved day of rest and relaxation today.
While you're putting your feet up, it’s time to shine the spotlight on our awesome Neptune Team (Year 2)! 🌟
This week, we’re getting to know Miss Trask, Mrs Gillies, Mrs McLaughlin, Mrs Hunter, and Miss Sweeney! We asked them about their time at Te Totara, their essential coffee orders, and the one thing they simply cannot live without in the classroom!
Check out the graphics below to see how long they've been part of our school family and what their go-to warm drinks are!
06/08/2026
🌱 REMINDER: Mid Term Break Coming Up! 🌱
Just a friendly reminder to our Te Totara whānau that School will be closed on Monday, 10th August 2026 for our scheduled Mid-Term Break.
This break was set on our calendar last year with everyone’s wellbeing in mind! With winter bug season in full swing, taking this little breather helps reduce student illness and gives our tamariki and staff a well-deserved refresh during a term with no public holidays.
We hope everyone gets to enjoy a relaxing long weekend, rest up, and recharge those batteries!
We look forward to seeing all our learners back, bright and healthy, on Tuesday, 11th August, ready to go for the X Challenge!
06/08/2026
Mōrena Te Totara Whānau,
Need something warm to help get you through these frosty early mornings? We are so excited to be partnering with Orchard and Dough, and brining warm hot coffees and drinks to you!!
Every odd week this term (Weeks 3, 5, 7, 9) we will be having a coffee cart outside of the Matariki Hall to get all of your winter warmer goodies ☕️
See you there this morning 🤩
06/08/2026
🌟 Gate Activation Day 🛴🚲
Thank you so much to all our wonderful tamariki and whānau who participated in our Wednesday Challenge Gate Activation Day yesterday!
The bright outfits were fantastic, but the stats from yesterday’s modes of transport are even better! Look at how our travel habits have transformed since September 2025:
🚗 Car trips dropped massively from 41% down to just 8%!
🛴 Scootering soared from 17% up to 30%!
🚲 Biking jumped from 8% up to 14%!
🚶 Walking & Park 'n' Stride increased as well!
Altogether, our school community has logged an astounding 29,200 active journeys to date!
Thank you for choosing active, sustainable travel to get to school safely and keep our school gates clear. Keep up the amazing work, Te Totara! 💚
05/08/2026
Cultural Day Checklist!
Here are some few last minute reminders before the big day tomorrow! We are so excited to see you all in your beautiful traditional clothing, eat some yummy kai and share stories and culture with whānau and ākonga.
Our parade starts at 10.10am outside of the office and Matariki Hall, so we look forward to seeing you all there!
05/08/2026
🏃♂️💥 GET READY FOR THE X CHALLENGE 2026! 🏃♀️💥
The countdown is officially ON! We are so excited for our annual X Challenge happening next Tuesday!
Here is everything you need to know to be prepped and ready for the big day:
Wear Your House Colours: Show your house pride by coming dressed head-to-toe in your house colour!
Pack Spare Clothes & a Towel: Things might get a little muddy or chilly, so make sure you have a warm change of dry clothes in your bag!
Golden Tickets: Keep an eye out, our stars who show awesome effort, determination, and sportsmanship will be earning Golden Tickets throughout the day!
Timetable: Check out our post from yesterday for a copy of our timetable for the day, so you know when your tamariki will be running the course.
So... which house is taking the crown this year?! 🏆
🔴 MERCURY (Red)
🟡 APOLLO (Yellow)
🟢 DISCOVERY (Green)
🔵 CHALLENGER (Blue)
Weather Backup: In case the weather doesn't play ball, our postponement date is Thursday, 13th August.
Take a look back at some snaps from last years X Challenge!
04/08/2026
🌿 HAERE MAI & WELCOME TO TE TOTARA! 🌿
Yesterday, our school community gathered for a beautiful Mihi Whakatau to officially welcome our new kaiako and student teachers to the Te Totara Primary whānau!
It was a special morning filled with heart and pride. Our talented Kapa Haka group delivered a moving performance, and we were so proud of our brave Year 6 students who stepped up to deliver the karanga with confidence and respect.
A massive thank you to Whaea Penny and Mrs. Lingard for their incredible hard work organising our Kapa Haka group and coordinating the Mihi Whakatau so seamlessly.
To our new kaiako and student teachers—we are so excited to have you join our learning community. Welcome aboard!
“Nau mai, haere mai, ki te ao o te mātauranga.”
(Welcome to the world of learning.)
03/08/2026
X CHALLENGE IS COMING UP — TUESDAY 11TH AUGUST! 🏃♀️💥
Parents, caregivers, and whānau, you are warmly invited to come along and cheer on our tamariki as they tackle the X Challenge for 2026!
Here is everything you need to know for the big day:
Wear Your House Colours:
🟡 Apollo: Yellow
🔵 Challenger: Blue
🟢 Discovery: Green
🔴 Mercury: Red
(Students can ask their teacher if they aren't sure which House they are in!)
X-Challenge Timetable:
9:10am – 9:30am: House Chants in the Galaxy Courts
9:35am – 10:00am: Marama
10:05am – 10:30am: Milky Way
10:40am – 11:00am: Matawhero
Morning Tea
11:55am – 12:20pm: Earth
12:25pm – 12:50pm: Rā & Room 45 & 46
Lunch
2:00pm – 2:25pm: Neptune
2:30pm – 2:50pm: Orion
Coffee Cart: There will be a coffee cart on site for adults to purchase hot drinks while watching the action! *your children will need to have an adult present and with them in order to purchase something.
We are looking forward to an awesome day filled with team spirit, fun, and house pride. See you there! 💚🏆
03/08/2026
Gate Activation Day Reminder!
Tomorrow we will be having our second Gate Activation Day as a part of our Wednesday Challenge.
We invite all students to come to school dressed in their best fluro/neon outfits to support our Wednesday Challenge. We will earn leaderboard points as we compete against other schools in the region.
There will be no cost/donation for this m***i day.
The Wednesday Challenge Team will be on site at each gate as your tamariki arrive to school with prizes, stickers and so SO much more!
We want ALL of our aakonga to walk, bike, bus, skate or carpool to and from school if it is possible to do so. Dropping your children off on Moonlight Drive and allowing them to walk the rest of the way is a great option if you do need to use your car in the mornings.