Rotokawa School 2026

24/09/2026

24/09/2026

Please see attached the current term dates for Term 4.

If any of these dates change, we will endeavour to share updates as soon as possible.

24/09/2026

On Tuesday, all tamariki from Rotokawa School had the opportunity to stand and perform at the 2026 Te Hiwi o Toroa Rotorua East Kapa Haka Festival. This marks the 5th year of the event and the 5th year that all students from our kura have performed!

Our tamariki represented themselves, their whānau, their kura and our hāpori with confidence and pride, showcasing the hard work and dedication they have put into learning the haka and waiata connected to our Biennial Local Curriculum.

A huge mihi to all of our Rotokawa staff who supported the learning of waiata, organised uniforms, lunches and everything in between - and to Ōwhata School for hosting such an amazing event!

Watch this space for more snaps from the day!

We look forward to 2027, hosted by Te Roro o te Rangi hapū!

23/09/2026

Last week, room 5 and 10 hosted our whole school assembly!

There were so many acknowledgments on the day:
Attendance award: Room 11 with 96% attendance overall
Tidy Kiwi Award: Room 5
Grubby Fingers award: Averly
House points: Karamuramu are in the lead
Principal Awards: Piki, VJ, Anya, Hana, Kyzer, Kobe, Te Ahorangi, Averly, Peany, Havana, Teanaki, Sonny, Ramihia, and Shardae

Hinemaru Speech winners were also acknowledged

Hinemaru - Year 0/1: 1st - Anya, 2nd - JJ, 3rd - Ava
Hinemaeu - Year 2: 1st - VJ, 2nd - Kiah, 3rd - Royalty
Hinemaru - Year 3: 1st - Aubrey-Rose, 2nd - Deion

Huge mihi to all recipients of awards! Kei runga noa atu koutou!

23/09/2026

A couple of weeks ago, 10 tamariki represented Rotokawa School at the MarineBots Water Robotics Competition here in Rotorua.

In the several weeks leading up to the event, our tamariki spent many hours working through a design thinking process - measuring, planning, documenting, testing and trialling, making modifications, learning about engineering concepts, communicating, problem-solving and working as a team to build and refine their water robots. Each team also created a factsheet, completed a technical report and completed an interview

On the day, all of our tamariki represented our kura with pride, with many whānau coming along to support and cheer them on. It was awesome to see their hard work, determination and teamwork come together.

We would like to acknowledge all whānau who sponsored our kaupapa or supported in practices! Without you, the day wouldn’t have been possible!

One of our teams, Rotokawa Racers, came 3rd, behind Western Heights High School and Te Rangihakahaka. This result gives the team a strong chance of qualifying to represent Aotearoa at the international SeaPerch competition in Florida, USA, in 2027.

We now eagerly await the final results to see whether our Rotokawa Racers will be heading to America in 2026!

What an incredible experience for our tamariki - and what an awesome example of our tamariki putting their learning into action!

23/09/2026

Earlier in the term, our 2026 Production Leads had the privilege of heading down to the Sir Howard Morrison Centre to connect with and learn from Matua Jack David Grace.

They were given a special behind-the-scenes look at the set of ‘8 Scott Ave’, just before the production opened at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre.

Our Production Leads had the opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes to bring a show to life - from the props and stage, to the venue itself and all the little details that help make a production work. Huge mihi to all thar made this possible!

This experience opened so many minds and hearts and gave our tamariki a real insight into what is possible as we head towards our very own ‘ROTOKAWA Production’ at the Sir Howard Morrison Centre in Week 5 of Term 4!

Watch this space for more information, e te whānau!

23/09/2026

I tēnei rā, i tū maia, i tū pakari ngā tamariki o Pae Maia ki te tuku i ā rātou Manu Kōrero. Ehara tēnei i te mahi māmā, heoi anō, i rawe ngā kōrero a ngā ākonga katoa!

Today our Pae Maia tamariki stood strong and brave as they delivered their Manu Kōrero. Not an easy task, but they all did an amazing job!

Ka rawe hoki koutou tamariki mā!

Kairangi Tau 1 -Ramihia, 2nd = Luther & Aria
Kairangi Tau 2 - Scarlett, 2nd = Taika & Summer
Kairangi Tau 3 - Bella, 2nd = Loki & Ginhia
Kairangi Tau 4 - Remi, 2nd Benji, 3rd Elliot
Kairangi Tau 5 - Teanaki, 2nd = Aliana & Reid
Kairangi Tau 6 - C**t & Ruhia, 2nd Loretta

21/09/2026

Te Hiwi o Toroa – Tomorrow!

Today our tamariki had the opportunity to perform in front of our other kapa haka group as they prepare for Te Hiwi o Toroa – the Rotorua East annual Kapa Haka Festival tomorrow at Ōwhata School.

A reminder for all whānau:
- Drop-off: Ōwhata School - 8.15am–8.50am– Tamariki need to be at Ōwhata School and ready for a 9.00am start.
- Pick-up:Ōwhata School. 2.30pm–3.00pm. Please ensure that you connect with all classroom teachers prior to taking your tamaiti home.
- All pre-organised transport will transport tamariki to and from Rotokawa School.

Performance times - Every tamaiti from our kura will be performing tomorrow:
- Te Kapa Tupu (Room 1/2/3/5/Puna/Pae Maia Awa):approximately 10.45am
- Te Kapa Māhuri (Room 9/10/11/Pae Maia Roto): approximately 12pm

We encourage all our whānau to come along, support all of our tamariki and celebrate kapa haka alongside all of the performers from here in Rotorua East throughout the day.

We are so proud of our tamariki and staff and the mahi they have put in to prepare for tomorrow. Ka rawe koutou!

17/09/2026

Kia ora e te whānau,

You may have noticed some new faces around our kura this week.
Please see the attached document introducing Whaea Kristy and Whaea Georjah, two wonderful kaimahi who will be working alongside our kura through Mana Ake.

If you see them around the kura, be sure to say kia ora and make them feel welcome!
Ngā mihi,
Rotokawa School

10/09/2026

Coffees to go this morning whanau!!!!