Term 3 Week 1 / 24th July 2026

Our Mission: We are Limitless! We are Passionate! We are Mokoia!

Our Vision: The needs of ākonga are at the heart of all that we do at Mokoia Intermediate!

From across the desk of the principal- Whaea Ally

Kia ora e te Whānau,Parents and Caregivers,

We hope that our ākonga and whānau have enjoyed a restful break and are feeling refreshed and ready for another exciting term of learning, growth and connection at Mokoia Intermediate.

Term 3 is already shaping up to be a busy and exciting one, with many opportunities for our ākonga to learn, participate, challenge themselves and shine.

We are looking forward to an action-packed term, with our School Production, Mokoia’s Got Talent, Super 11 sports, our Forensics inquiry, Aqua Bots , Robo Bots and AIMS Games, all providing opportunities for our ākonga to explore their interests, develop new skills and show what they can do.

Alongside these exciting events, there will be countless opportunities for our ākonga to grow,discover new passions and demonstrate the values that make our school community so special.

Our Term 3 assembly today focussed on the value of Whakaiti – Humility. Humility is about recognising that we do not have to be the loudest person in the room to make a difference. It is demonstrated through listening to others, showing respect, encouraging those around us, accepting feedback and being willing to learn.

Our whakataukī for this value is:

“Koia kai te pōriro, koia rawa hai toa!”
It is the one who perseveres who becomes the champion.

This whakataukī reminds us that success is not simply about talent or being the best from the beginning. It is about being willing to learn, to listen, to persevere and to keep growing. These qualities are reflected in the inspirational story of Lamine Yamal, one of Spain's brightest young football stars. His journey reminds us that extraordinary success can come from dedication, courage, humility and a willingness to keep learning from those around us.

Teacher Only Day – Friday 24 July

Tomorrow, our staff will be travelling to Auckland for an engaging and insightful day of professional learning with Karen Young, renowned speaker and founder of Hey Sigmund.

Karen explores how we can better support children to develop emotional regulation, which is a key foundation for lifelong wellbeing, learning and success.

Emotional regulation takes time to develop. In the meantime, big feelings can often lead to big behaviours. Karen's professional learning will support our staff to deepen their understanding of the what, why and how of emotions, and to consider how we can respond to ākonga in ways that are effective, compassionate and supportive.

This learning is particularly relevant to our work at Mokoia Intermediate as we continue to strengthen our understanding of the whole child. Supporting ākonga to recognise their emotions, understand what is happening in their bodies and brains, and develop strategies for managing big feelings is an important part of helping them to feel safe, included, connected and ready to learn.

We look forward to our kaiāko / teachers bringing this learning back to our classrooms and continuing to strengthen the ways in which we support our ākonga and whānau.

As we begin Term 3, we encourage our entire Mokoia community to embrace the spirit of Whakaiti: to listen, to learn, to encourage others and to recognise that every day provides an opportunity to grow.

We are Limitless! We are Passionate! We are Mokoia!

We look forward to a fantastic Term 3 together.

Ngā mihi nui,
Ally Gibbons
Acting Principal

KEY DATES FOR TERM 3 - What's coming up?

Term 3 Week 1:

Client Schools Week
Friday 24th July - Teacher Only Day
Friday 24th July - Super 11 Basketball

Term 3 Week 2:

Client Schools Week

Monday 27th July - ERO Visit
Thursday 30th July - RGHS Yr 8 Assembly
Friday 31st July - Super 11 Winter Tournament
Saturday 1st August - Robocup Nationals

Term 3 Week 3:

Monday 3rd August - RLHS Roadshow
Wednesday 5th August - Vision Screening Catchups
Friday 7th August - Super 11 Cross Country / Tarzan Musical

Term 3 Week 4:

Maths Week!
Friday 14th August - Super 11 Rugby 7's

Term 3 Week 5:

Open Week
Tuesday 18th August - Mokoia Open Evening 4 - 6pm
Wednesday 19th August - Lakes High Open Evening / WWHS Orientation Day
Friday 21st August - Lakes High Orientation Day

Term 3 Week 6:

Wednesday 26th - 28th August - Te Tūkohu Ngāwhā 2026 Science, Art and Design Fair
Friday 28th August - RBHS Orientation Day / Chess Regionals

Term 3 Week 7:

Monday 31st August - Inter-school Gymnastics
Saturday 5th September - AIMS Games starts

Term 3 Week 8:

AIMS Week

Term 3 Week 9:

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
Friday 18th September - Art Extension Trip

Term 3 Week 10:

Thursday 24th September - Dance NZ Made
Friday 25th September - Haka Competition / Last Day

From the desk of Whaea Kathryn - Curriculum DP

Teacher Only Day – Professional Learning

This week, our school will be holding a Teacher Only Day as our teaching staff travel to Auckland to participate in professional learning with Karyn Young, a leading educator in the areas of big feelings, behaviour, and self-regulation.

Throughout the day, our teachers will deepen their understanding of how emotions, stress, and brain development influence behaviour. They will explore practical, evidence-informed strategies that help create calm, safe, and supportive learning environments where all ākonga can thrive. This learning will strengthen our staff's ability to recognise the needs behind behaviour, build positive relationships, support emotional regulation, and respond in ways that help students feel understood, connected, and ready to learn.

While our teaching staff are away, our Learning Support Assistants will also be taking part in valuable professional learning here at school. They will be working alongside our Mathematics Support Teacher, Whaea Wendy, and our new Learning Support Coordinator, Whaea Nicola, to further develop their knowledge and skills in supporting learners across the school. This session will focus on strengthening mathematical understanding, exploring effective support strategies, and ensuring our Learning Support Assistants continue to provide high-quality, targeted support that helps our ākonga experience success in their learning.

At Mokoia Intermediate, we are committed to continuous professional learning. Investing in the development of all our staff ensures we continue to grow our collective expertise and provide the very best learning opportunities and support for every ākonga.

From the desk of Matua Dean

DP Pastoral Care / Student Wellbeing

It has been an amazing start to Term Three. It has been great to see our students return safely from the school holidays. It has been a chilly start weatherwise, we realise this, however we still require students to attend school in fully correct uniform. If your child needs a warm school polar fleece, and you don't have one, we will try and sort this for you so there is no need for nonuniform hoodies etc.

This Friday was the final opportunity for families to complete the Mokoia Intermediate School Health Curriculum Consultation 2026 survey. All those who completed the survey went into the draw for a $100 Pak 'n' Save voucher. Congratulations to Erica Withington who is our random winner. If you missed the survey but would still like to have your say, we will leave the link active until the end of Week 2 (http://tiny.cc/8dd6101).

This term we start to transition our Year 8 students to highschool. Our students will get the opportunity to attend open days and orientations at high schools across Rotorua, it is very important as whanau to start thinking about what school your child will atend next year. This is even more so for our students who will need extra support to make transition to highschool as successful as possible.

Our attendance goal for Term 3 remains for at least 70% of our students to attend on a regular basis. We achieved this in Term 1 and were a few percent off in Term 2. egular attendance expectations require students to attend school daily, arrive on time, and maintain an attendance rate above 90% (missing fewer than 5 days per term).

Regular attendance at school is important to your child’s success and there is a clear connection between going to school regularly and doing well in the classroom.

Making sure students attend and engage in learning is a shared responsibility.

As a parent, you are responsible for making sure your child attends school every day. If your child is going to be absent for any reason it is essential that you let us know as soon as possible. It is important that you phone us/send us an email/message us on Hero to confirm your child’s absence and provide us with the reason.

We acknowledge that there are genuine reasons students may occasionally be absent. However, without regular attendance your child will struggle to make progress. If your child is absent regularly, or for extended periods, we will reach out to you to discuss the situation.

We are committed to supporting your child to attend school. If you’re having difficulty getting your child to school, you can ask for support by: speaking with your child’s teacher, • Sending an email to the school office or calling Whaea Sue or Matua Dean on 07 345 9071. We can work with you to develop a support plan that addresses any barriers to regular attendance. More information on attendance, including your rights and responsibilities as parents or caregivers, is available on the Ministry of Education’s webpage: https://www.education.govt.nz/parents-and-caregivers/schools-year-0-13/attendance

Week 1's Attendance

We have started the term well with 77% regular attendance and 90% overall attendance for the first week. Our wero is to keep this up for the rest of the term.

Mr Upston's Turf Talk

We are 8 weeks away from AIMS. Term 3 we always offer one week to each code for a bake sale. Funds made from the bake sale go directly to the team so keep an eye out on those weeks.

Scheduled weeks

Week One	Boys Futsal
Week Two	Mixed Hockey
Week Three	Basketball
Week Four	Netball
Week Five	Girls Futsal
Week Six	Rippa Rugby
Week Seven	Orienteering/Individual codes/ Para Sports

NB: Hip Hop are doing a hoodie fundraiser.

Fundraising committee

If any parents in the community are happy to help on a given Thursday with hot chips etc funds made will be distributed to the AIMS funds account and benefit all students who are involved- If fees have already been paid funds will be credited to your school accounts.

Baseline fees

Team codes = $100 per student

Individual codes = $80 per event entered

*unsure of fees owing, please contact Sue in the school office who will inform you what AIMS fees are outstanding.

Team lists (coaches, managers only)

Due on the 28th July - No changes to players permitted after this date.

Medical Waivers

August 1st - August 14th. Two weeks for parents/caregivers to submit their own child's medical waivers.

Managers/Coaches

Scheduled meeting week 3 - time to be confirmed.

Any questions please do ask. You can contact me via email on gupston@mokoia.school.nz

Kind Regards,

Gareth Upston

Mokoia Intermediate AIMS Games Framework 2026

Purpose

At Mokoia Intermediate School, participation in the Zespri AIMS Games is viewed as a high-level sporting opportunity that promotes excellence, commitment, teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal growth.

Our AIMS Games programme is grounded in the values of our kura and reflects the expectations we hold for students, staff, coaches, managers, and whānau.

We aim to provide opportunities for students to compete at an elite intermediate sporting event while ensuring participation aligns with:

Student wellbeing
School values
Academic expectations
Appropriate preparation and support
Safe and sustainable management practices

The framework recognises that AIMS Games is:

A prestigious national tournament
A significant commitment for students and whānau
A privilege that carries expectations and responsibilities

Our Values in Action

Whānaungatanga – Relationships

We succeed when we work together

AIMS Games success relies on strong relationships between students, whānau, staff, coaches, managers, and supporters.

Students are expected to:

Support teammates and coaches positively
Show respect to opponents, officials, and supporters
Communicate honestly and respectfully
Contribute positively to team culture

Whānau are encouraged to:

Work collaboratively with the school
Support all students, not only their own child
Promote positive sideline behaviour and sportsmanship

Manaakitanga – Caring for Others

Take care of people, keeping the connections alive

Student wellbeing remains a priority throughout preparation and competition.

Students are expected to:

Care for teammates and others
Demonstrate kindness, inclusion, and encouragement
Support positive team environments
Look after their physical and emotional wellbeing

The school will:

Prioritise safe participation
Encourage balanced workloads and recovery
Maintain strong communication with whānau

Upoko Pakaru – Resilience

A person who never gives up AIMS Games requires perseverance, commitment, and determination.

Students are expected to:

Attend trainings consistently
Respond positively to challenges and setbacks
Demonstrate effort and commitment
Show resilience during competition and preparation

Selection may consider a student’s:

Work ethic
Commitment to improvement
Ability to respond positively under pressure

Komaitanga – Sense of Achievement

Striving for and celebrating success

Success at AIMS Games is measured in many ways, including:

Personal improvement
Team contribution
Commitment
Sportsmanship
Competitive performance

Students are encouraged to:

Set personal and team goals
Take pride in preparation and effort
Celebrate success appropriately
Represent the kura with pride

Whakaiti – Humility

How remarkable that you have become a champion

Students representing Mokoia Intermediate are expected to:

Win with humility
Lose with dignity
Show gratitude for opportunities provided
Respect teammates, opponents, officials, and supporters
Represent the school positively at all times
Students must remember they are ambassadors for the kura both on and off the field.

Selection Criteria for Trials

Students wishing to trial for participation must:

Demonstrate an appropriate level of sporting ability and readiness for the event.
Maintain satisfactory attendance, behaviour, and engagement in learning at school.
Show a commitment to attending trainings, competitions, and related events.
Consistently uphold the school's values and behavioural expectations.
Be medically fit and able to participate safely in all aspects of the activity.

Selection Philosophy

AIMS Games as a Competitive Event

Mokoia Intermediate views the Zespri AIMS Games as:

A high-performance tournament
A representative sporting opportunity
An event requiring preparation, commitment, resilience, and competitive readiness

AIMS Games is a high-performance event and is not considered a “have a go” experience for team sports. Students must demonstrate the ability to compete at a high level and positively represent the kura through their performance, attitude, commitment, and behaviour.

Selection decisions may consider:

Skill and performance level
Team balance and compatibility
Commitment to trainings and preparation
Attitude and sportsmanship
Representation of school values
Behaviour, attendance, and learning engagement
Final selection decisions rest with the school.

Team Selection Criteria

Teams may be entered where:

Sufficient player numbers exist
A qualified coach and manager are confirmed
Appropriate supervision is available
Training programmes can be maintained across Terms 2–3
Accommodation and transport can be secured
The school believes the team can compete at an appropriate level

Preference may be given to:

Teams competing in premier or top local grades
Teams demonstrating strong preparation and potential
Students consistently representing school values

Individual Sports Participation

Students entering individual sports must:

Meet any qualifying standards set by AIMS Games organisers
Demonstrate the ability to compete safely and competitively
Have appropriate parent support for transport and supervision where required

The school may limit entries where:

Adequate supervision cannot be provided
Scheduling creates significant conflicts
Student wellbeing may be compromised

Multiple Sport Participation

Students may apply to compete in more than one sporting code. However:

Parents/caregivers are responsible for managing scheduling conflicts
No timetable allowances will be made
Student welfare and recovery must remain a priority
The school reserves the right to limit participation if workload or wellbeing concerns arise

Students must demonstrate:

Strong organisation
High commitment levels
Ability to manage academic and sporting demands

Commitment Expectations

Students selected for AIMS Games are expected to:

Attend all trainings, trials, meetings, and warm-up events
Prioritise team commitments
Demonstrate positive attitude and effort
Communicate appropriately with coaches and staff
Maintain school expectations during the lead-up to the tournament

Failure to meet expectations may result in:

Warnings
Parent meetings
Removal from a team or event

Academic Expectations

Students remain responsible for their learning throughout the AIMS Games period.

Students are expected to:

Complete self-directed learning tasks
Catch up on missed learning
Demonstrate responsibility and organisation
Maintain appropriate engagement with classroom programmes

Attendance and Behaviour Expectations

Participation in AIMS Games is conditional upon students:

Maintaining acceptable attendance
Demonstrating respectful behaviour
Representing the kura positively both online and in person

Students who significantly breach school expectations may lose eligibility to attend.

Parent and Whānau Partnership

Whānau support is essential to the success of the AIMS programme.

Parents/caregivers may assist with:

Transport and carpooling
Supervision between games
Coaching or managing teams
Supporting student wellbeing and recovery

Parents are expected to:

Promote positive behaviour and sportsmanship
Support attendance at trainings and events
Work collaboratively with staff and volunteers
Uphold the values of the kura

Staffing and Supervision

The school will only enter teams or individuals where:

Appropriate adult supervision is available
RAMS documentation is completed
Health and safety requirements are met
Staff and volunteers are appropriately vetted and approved

Our EOTC and Sport’s co-ordinator- Gareth Upston is responsible for:

Planning and organisation
Risk management processes
Communication
Compliance with school procedures

Health, Safety, and Wellbeing

All AIMS Games activities must comply with:

School EOTC procedures
Health and Safety requirements
School RAMS processes

The school will prioritise:

Student safety
Appropriate supervision
Rest and recovery
Safe transport arrangements
Positive wellbeing practices

Financial Expectations

AIMS Games participation is largely self-funded.

Costs may include:

Entry fees
Accommodation
Transport
Food
Uniforms
Tournament preparation events
Relief teacher costs where applicable

All funds must:

Be processed through school accounts
Follow school financial procedures
Have Board approval for fundraising activities

The school may contribute financially where possible.

Communication

All official communication regarding AIMS Games will occur through:

HERO
School newsletters
Parent meetings
Team meetings
School-approved digital platforms

Any external communication must align with school policies and be approved where necessary.

Representation of Mokoia Intermediate

Students attending AIMS Games are ambassadors for Mokoia Intermediate School.

Students are expected to represent the school with:

Respect
Integrity
Humility
Commitment
Pride

Participation may be withdrawn where students fail to uphold school values or expectations.

Withdrawal or Removal from Participation

The school reserves the right to withdraw teams or individuals where:

Health and safety concerns arise
Adequate supervision is unavailable
Behavioural expectations are not met
Financial commitments are not fulfilled
Accommodation or logistical requirements cannot be secured
Student wellbeing is at risk

Review

This framework will be reviewed annually by leadership and the Board to ensure alignment with:

School values
Student wellbeing
Safe and sustainable practice
Positive outcomes for students and whānau

Merit Awards

Kaituna Merit Award Winners

K2

Ben Bridson

He tama ngākau nui ana ki āna mahi katoa, ahakoa te mahi. He tama ngāwari ki te tautoko i āna hoa ia te wā, ahakoa ko wai. Kāre he kupu tū atu i a ia mo te manaaki tangata, me te awhi ētahi atu. Ka wani kē Ben, kei runga noa atu koe!

K3

Yanael Serini - What a great first week at Mokoia you have had. You have done a great job at settling in Katina 3! Well done Yanael!

Nechal - Thank you for always getting on with your mahi and quietly going about your work! It is appreciated! You are developing a great work ethic! Keep up the great work Nechal! Ka Rawe!

K4

Kaituna 4 - My Merit Award goes to everyone in K4 for making a fantastic start to the term. Thank you for returning with such a positive attitude and a real willingness to learn. Keep it up, K4!

K6

Carey-Lou Te Moana

He kōtiro kaha ana ki te whakamahi rautaki-ā-hinengaro hei whakaoti rapanga e whai horopaki ana. He rawe ia ki te whakawhānui i āna kōrero mo te tuhinga whakaahua. Ka taea e ia ki te whakamahi i ngā ngohe, te whakatakinga me te whakakapinga.

Kia kaha tonu koe Carey-Lou.

Puarenga Merit Award Winners

P2

Mitchell Vercoe - You have made a conscious decision to work hard and focus on your mahi. It has been great to see you make positive steps not only in your learning but socially too. You have been an upstander for someone who needed support in the playground. Thank you Mitchell, keep showing up and stepping up. 😊

P3

Pragati Naicker - for the way you focus during class discussions. You often share your own ideas and ask relevant questions. You show pride in your work and always have beautiful manners. Thank you Pragati. We are so lucky to have you in P3. 💚

Taylor Whata - for the determination and resilience you show during fitness and PE. You gave 100% effort when working with your buddy at our shuttles and sprint training this week. You are doing your very best to stay focused and complete your work to a high standard in a set time. Tumeke Taylor. 💚

Waiteti Merit Award Winners

W2

Jermaine Muāgututi’a - Nau mai haere mai ki W2 Jermaine. You have settled in well these last 2 days and we look forward to making pleasant moments/ memories with you. Ka pai koe!

W4

Anja Withington - For the fantastic contributions you have been making during class discussions. It has been wonderful to see your confidence continue to grow, and your willingness to share your ideas and answers with the class. Keep up the great work!

Jordi Gledhill - For the fantastic effort you consistently put into all areas of your learning. You actively participate in class discussions, manage your time effectively, and always strive to keep up to date with your classwork. Your positive attitude and dedication to learning are commendable. Keep up the excellent work!

Utuhina Merit Award Winners

Choir

and

Band

Zoe McCann- You consistently come to rehearsals ready to do your part. You have shown graceful commitment while trying things out of your comfort zone with a smile and a quiet can do attitude. Your contribution is very much appreciated.

WALKAWAY AND DROP OFF ZONE

All pedestrians, cyclists, scooter riders and skateboarders, please use the pathway on the Owhata School side of our turf.

All caregivers collecting students by car, please follow the arrows to use our drop off zone at the front of the school.Traffic needs to move through smartly. If you need to wait for your child, please park along Brent Road. We ask that you do not expect your child to run across the road, but that you use the pedestrian crossing.

For health and safety reasons, we ask parents NOT to drive vehicles or walk down the driveway.

BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS

Bicycle and scooter stands are in a gated area provided for pupils and they must be locked to the stand at all times.

While in the school grounds, all pupils must walk their bikes and scooters along the footpath.
All pupils must wear safety helmets when using bicycles.
Bicycles and scooters will not be stored in the office area or classrooms.
We strongly recommend that all bikes and scooters be locked with bike locks in the bike compound.

At Mokoia Intermediate we are committed to providing a safe, fair, and effective learning environment. To achieve this, we rely on a robust set of policies and procedures that guide everything from student wellbeing to health and safety.

These documents provide a clear framework for how we support our ākonga and meet our legal obligations, allowing our staff to focus on teaching and learning.

Our Mokoia Intermediate Board of Trustees plays a vital role in this process. As part of their governance responsibilities, the Board actively reviews all governance-focused policies and procedures. This ensures our school's leadership remains transparent, compliant, and aligned with our community’s strategic goals.

We use SchoolDocs to maintain our policies. This ensures our guidelines stay current with the latest New Zealand legislation and Ministry of Education requirements.

We invite you to visit the site at https://mokoia.schooldocs.co.nz ( note there is no “www”)

Username is “mokoia” and password “limitless”

Thank you for your sponsorship

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Praneel from Clean Planet for generously sponsoring our VisTab sign-in and sign-out system we use in our school office for visitors, staff and students.

This support helps us ensure the safety and smooth management of everyone coming in and out of our school each day. Having an efficient and reliable system like VisTab makes a real difference to how we manage visitors, staff, and students on site.

We truly appreciate the support from Praneel and Clean Planet. Your generosity helps strengthen the systems that keep our school running smoothly and safely each day.

Scholastic Book club Issue 5 is out now. Catalogues are available at the Library or visit https://scholastic.co.nz/ LOOPor via the Loop app on either Android or Apple.

BRENT ROAD, ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND PHONE: 07 3459071

EMAIL: OFFICE@MOKOIA.SCHOOL.NZ

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29 Brent Road, Ōwhata, Rotorua