Te Kahu Amohia - Fairhaven School

24/08/2026

We have been having a great time at Nelson Park 1. We wrapped up our swimming lessons last term after learning so much at the Napier Aquatic Center! 🏊‍♀️ Our group art project for Matariki turned out beautiful; stop by our atrium to check it out. 🌟Finally, we ended our term with a class trip to the National Aquarium where everyone had a blast seeing all the marine life! 🐟 This term we have started making new friends with students in Nelson Park 2 and doing activities together – keep an eye out for our next Facebook post to see what amazing activities we have in store for this term. ✨

13/08/2026

Te Kahu Amohia Fairhaven Tamatea Primary unit have had a wonderful start to the term. We have welcomed a new friend to the class and have been having fun helping her to get settled in. 🌟 This term the students have been into the dress ups, we have seen some amazing costume creations and its not odd for passers by to see us all dressed up! 🎩 We have also planted sunflower seeds and we were so excited to see they have already started to sprout. 🌻 We have been spending the sunny afternoons outside creating art, making obstacle courses and having fun together and of course there is lots of learning going on too. 🌞

08/08/2026

What a wonderful start to the term! Base 2 has settled in so well, and we are thrilled to give a huge welcome to our two new students, who are already right at home in their new environment. 🌟

This term, our learning topic is "People Who Help Us in the Community." We kicked things off with a focus on firefighters, which was a huge hit with the boys! 🧑‍🚒🔥 Stay tuned to see who we learn about next!

04/08/2026

Do you or your family member need some information and guidance regarding the disability sector in particular - Work and Income, New to Needs Assessment, Individualised Funding, Leaving School or any community options. There are places available in Hawkes Bay for those that may want a little 1:1 assistance. The conversation is about 45 mins long and then you will get a detailed tailored information document for your situation afterwards.

Apply through the QR code or https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/irgSiu5gKf

Flying Kites

02/08/2026

This term Base 1 has been making the most of the playground and finding sunny spots to stay warm in. 🌞 Our staff have been creating amazing invitations to play that spark curiosity and bring out the inner child in everyone. So far, we have dug in dirt to look for worms and insects, we have hooked a fish on our fishing line at our pretend beach, and shopped for groceries at our mini market stall!
We also welcomed two new students to our class this term. They have settled in well and are quickly making friends! 🙂

31/07/2026

📖 Literacy Update: Bringing BSLA to Our Specialist School.

As part of our overarching Strategic Plan, one of our key focuses has been enhancing literacy and communication for all our learners. We had a later start than usual this year due to a couple of national Better Start Literacy Approach (BSLA) training days.

Currently, our staff are busy assessing our Tamariki. These assessments are vital for tracking progress and helping us tailor our teaching to each student's unique needs. We are so grateful for our teachers' hard work during this busy period!

The programme has been a milestone to specialist schools as this is the very first time a BSLA programme has been specifically written and adapted for specialist schools. Being part of this groundbreaking initiative is a huge privilege.

The hard work is already paying off! We are seeing a wonderful, positive difference in student engagement and literacy skill development right across the school.

Building on this momentum, our newest staff members will be joining the next intake for the BSLA course. This comprehensive program requires a full year of training, and we are delighted that it is entirely fully funded.

We are so proud of the strides our Tamariki and Kaiako are making together. Thank you to our wonderful school community for your continued support as we champion literacy for every learner!

📆 Term 3 is shaping up to be a busy one. Here are some dates for your calendars.

Friday 21st August - Professional Development Day – No school for students.

Tuesday 11th August - Senior School Assembly.

Monday 10th and Wednesday 12th August - Junior PLP Meetings. Information regarding bookings to follow.

Monday 24th and Wednesday 26th August - Senior PLP Meetings. Information regarding bookings to follow.

Friday 28th August - Daffodil Day for Cancer Society. Dress in yellow. Gold Coin koha.

Friday 11th September - Te Ra Whakanui Kura Motuhake – Specialist School Day.

Wednesday 16th September - Wig Wednesday for Child Cancer.

Friday 18th September - Specialist School Kapa Haka Festival at Flaxmere College.

Monday 21st September - Ahuriri Kapa Haka Festival at Pettigrew Arena.

Friday 25th September - Last day of Term 3.

29/07/2026

Today we're celebrating our amazing Tumuaki for Principal Appreciation Day! 💙

They say you should ease into a new job... clearly nobody told our Tumuaki! Since stepping into the role at the end of last year, you've embraced every challenge with grace, courage and determination.

Thank you for being the kind of leader who gives so much of yourself to our kura every single day. Your passion, dedication, and genuine care for our tamariki, whānau, and staff shine through in everything you do.

You lead with strength, compassion, and integrity, but also know how to have a laugh, brighten our days, and remind us not to take ourselves too seriously, and we love this about you. It's a rare combination, and one that makes our school such a wonderful place to be.

We know how very lucky we are to have you leading our kura. You inspire us, support us, challenge us to be our best, and always put people at the heart of what you do.

He taonga koe ki tō tātou kura - You are a treasure to our school!

From all of us at Te Kahu Amohia Fairhaven School,
Diolch, Sioned. Rydyn ni'n eich gwerthfawrogi chi gymaint. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Happy Principal Appreciation Day! ❤️

23/07/2026

A Heartfelt Thank You and Whānau Update 🙏

Kia ora e te whānau,

As we reflect on the start of term 3, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to our entire Te Kahu Amohia community.

Community Support and Aroha:
On Tuesday, we attended the Celebration of Life for our beloved teacher and friend, Donna Briggs. We know that it was not possible for everyone to keep their tamariki at home for the day, but because so many of you were able to, we had significantly fewer students on site. This incredible gesture meant that every single staff member who wished to attend the service and say their goodbyes was able to do so. We are deeply grateful for this support, as well as the beautiful messages, flowers, and condolences you have shared with our staff.

Our Incredible Kapa Haka:
To our senior Kapa Haka students who were able to attend and perform - you were absolutely incredible. Performing at such an emotional event is a heavy privilege, and you handled it with such mana and respect. Donna would have been so incredibly proud of you.

Te Ao Hou: A Lasting Legacy:
Amidst this sadness, we also had a very special moment this week. We officially opened our new satellite unit at Onekawa Primary School. During the opening of the building, Kaumātua Hemi Wickliffe gifted it the name Te Ao Hou - meaning The New World. This name was chosen as a direct reference to Donna and her lifelong dream of a new, truly equitable world for our disabled and neurodiverse tamariki. It is a beautiful comfort to know that her spirit, her advocacy, and her legacy will continue to live on in this new space.

What an amazing kura we have. Everyone has worked so hard and pulled together to support one another during this incredibly difficult time. The aroha and care across our school community is truly special, and it makes us incredibly proud to be part of the Te Kahu Amohia whānau.

Ngā mihi nui,
Sioned and the Te Kahu Amohia Staff 💐

23/07/2026