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Term 3 Week 9 / 18th September 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,

Ake, Ake, Ake – A Forever Language
This week we have celebrated Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, with a particular focus on the local place names and stories that connect us to the whenua around us.
For our ākonga, learning te reo Māori is about much more than learning words. It is about understanding who we are, where we come from, and the places and stories that hold meaning for our communities. It has been a wonderful opportunity for our students and staff to revisit our school pepeha, strengthen our understanding of important local place names, and explore the stories and histories that sit behind them. In doing so, we continue to build a deeper connection to the whenua, to our local communities, and to our identity as Mokoia Intermediate.
We encourage our tamariki to keep using the kupu and kōrero they have learned throughout the year. Te reo Māori is a living language, and every word spoken helps keep it strong, visible and valued.

Ko Whakapoungakau te pae Maunga

Ko Pukepoto te Tihi

Ko Waingaehe te Awa

Ko Te Rotorua-nui-a-Kahumatamomoe te moana

Ko Mokoia te Motutapu a Tinirau

Ko Puketāwhero te Papawhenua

Ko Whakaue te Iwi

Ko Te Roro o Te Rangi te Hapū

Ko Mokoia te Kura

Tīhei Mauri Ora

While it is wonderful to have a special week that places an extra focus on te reo Māori, it is what we do every week that really counts. Te reo Māori should not be something we bring out for one week of the year and then put away again. It needs to be heard, spoken, seen and learned regularly, becoming a natural, valued and visible part of everyday life at Mokoia.
We are fortunate to have staff who lead and support this mahi, and I am particularly proud that our kaiako have embraced their role as teachers of te reo Māori. Every week, our tamariki have opportunities to hear and use the language, building their confidence and helping to make te reo Māori a natural part of our school culture. Our challenge is to keep building on this — ensuring that the language is woven into the everyday life of our classrooms, learning centres and wider school environment.
A huge ngā mihi to Whaea Tiare for the excellent programmes she organises for our kaiako and ākonga every week, and to all of our staff who contributed activities and opportunities to celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Māori. Your enthusiasm and commitment help create a school where te reo Māori is valued, visible and lived.
A special thank you also goes to Kimiora and Ana from Sport Bay of Plenty, who led our staff professional learning on Monday. Kaiako explored the pūrākau of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai through the lenses of whakapapa, identity, relationships, perseverance and place.
Through pūrākau, participation in kēmu and rich discussion, kaiako deepened their understanding of the people, and connections represented within the story. They also participated in the kēmu, providing another opportunity for our staff to learn, and grow together.
It has been particularly wonderful to see our kaiako taking what they learnt and sharing it with our ākonga. I have really enjoyed watching kaiako teaching the kēmu to their classes and seeing our students getting involved, having fun and learning together. This is exactly what we want to see — our teachers growing in confidence and capability and then creating opportunities for our ākonga to experience and use te reo Māori in meaningful and enjoyable ways.
This is the kind of professional learning that strengthens our collective capability and, most importantly, flows through to the experiences we provide for our ākonga. Te reo Māori is not just for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori — it is part of who we are at Mokoia.

AIMS Games – Pride, Determination and Teamwork

The school continues to be a flurry of activity, with so many opportunities for our students both in their learning and beyond the classroom. Our students have represented Mokoia Intermediate with pride, determination and sportsmanship across every event at the AIMS Games. It has been fantastic to see them challenge themselves, support one another and give their best throughout the week.
We enjoyed Celebrating Success at AIMS, recognising the results, achievements and, importantly, the effort and commitment of our students throughout our assembly toda. There is much to be proud of!

Behind every successful team is a group of people who make it possible. A huge thank you to our parents and teachers who have generously given their time throughout the week — travelling, spectating, encouraging and helping wherever needed. We also extend our sincere appreciation to our coaches and managers, who have spent months preparing teams, attending training sessions and putting in the hard yards so that our students could enjoy such a successful and memorable AIMS campaign.
A very special and heartfelt thank you must go to our Sports Coordinator, Gareth Upston, who puts an incredible amount of time, energy and dedication into making AIMS Games such a success for our ākonga.

AIMS is so much more than just organising the week itself; it involves hours and hours of preparation in the lead-up, from coordinating team and individual entries, ensuring whānau have completed the necessary waivers, managing budgets and fundraising, organising transport and accommodation bookings, and so much more. Gareth goes above and beyond every year to ensure our students have these amazing opportunities, and his commitment, organisation and dedication do not go unnoticed. Gareth, thank you for everything you do to make AIMS Games possible for our ākonga. We truly appreciate you!
We are incredibly proud of all our athletes and the way they have represented our school. They have demonstrated resilience, teamwork, determination and sportsmanship at every opportunity.

Finding Our Voices – Speech Writing

Our ākonga have also been finding and developing their voices through speech writing.
They have been learning about the structural and language features of both persuasive and informative speeches before writing and presenting their own speeches to their classes. They have had the opportunity to select topics that matter to them, develop their ideas, construct arguments and speak confidently in front of others.
A select group of students has now progressed through to the Learning Centre Finals this week and School Finals next week.
Public speaking takes courage. It requires students to stand up, share their thinking and allow others to hear their voice. We are proud of every student who has stepped forward and given it a go.

Te Hiwi o Tōroa

Next week brings another wonderful opportunity for our tamariki, with our Kapa Haka Festival on Tuesday at Owhata Primary School.
Our Ngā Potiki Ngaū Papawai rōpū have been working hard under the guidance of Whaea Tiare ,Whaea Hotu, Matua Hori and Matua Mokoia . Their commitment, practice and enthusiasm have been fantastic to see.
Kapa Haka provides our students with an opportunity to express themselves through waiata, haka, movement, language and culture, while also developing the values of teamwork, discipline, confidence and belonging. We are incredibly proud of our performers and would love to see plenty of our whānau there to support them and celebrate their achievements.

What a Week!

From celebrating Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori and reconnecting with our local places and stories, to national sporting competition, public speaking and Kapa Haka, there has been so much happening across our school.
These opportunities remind us that learning happens in many different ways. It happens in classrooms, on sports fields, on stages, through language and culture, and through the relationships we build with one another.
It has been wonderful to see our tamariki stepping forward, finding their voices, challenging themselves and discovering what they are capable of. These experiences help our ākonga grow in confidence, resilience and pride in who they are.

A Small but Important Reminder

If you have moved house or changed your phone number recently, please let the school office know so that we can update your child’s records.
Having accurate contact information is particularly important in an emergency or if your child becomes unwell at school. Thank you for helping us keep our records current and ensuring we can contact you when we need to.

End of Term 3

Next week marks the end of Term 3, and what a busy and rewarding term it has been!
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank our Mokoia staff for their hard work, commitment and care throughout the term. There have been so many opportunities for our ākonga, both in and beyond the classroom, and these would not be possible without the dedication, energy and time our staff give each day.
Ngā mihi nui to all of you for everything you do for our tamariki. Your commitment makes such a difference to the experiences and opportunities our students have at Mokoia.
As we head into the school holidays, I would like to wish all of our Mokoia whānau a safe, happy and restful break. I hope our students enjoy some time to relax, recharge and spend time with whānau and friends.
Thank you, too, to our whānau for your continued support throughout the term. We look forward to welcoming everyone back and seeing your tamariki again on Monday 12 October for Term 4.
Have a wonderful and well-deserved holiday break!
Ngā mihi nui,
Ally Gibbons
Acting Principal
Mokoia Intermediate School

KEY DATES FOR TERM 3 - What's coming up?
Term 3 Week 9:
  • Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori
  • Thursday 17th September - Mokoia Showcase
  • Friday 18th September - Art Extension Trip / Learning Centre Speech Finals

Term 3 Week 10:
  • Tuesday 22nd September - Ti Hiwi o Torua / Rip, Grip and Whip
LAST DAY - Friday 25th September - Speech Finals / Book/Movie Dress Up Day - Gold coin for Nepal

KEY DATES FOR TERM 4
Term 4 Week 1:
  • Monday 12th October - First day of Term 4
  • Thursday 15th October - House Haka Competition
  • Friday 16th October - Super 11 Touch Rugby
Term 4 Week 2:
  • Wednesday 21st October - Great NZ Shakeout!
  • Thursday 22nd October - Evolocity Competition
Term 4 Week 3:
  • Monday 26th October - Labour Day. - NO SCHOOL

Term 4 Week 4:
  • Tuesday 3rd November - Voices of Hope Talk
Term 4 Week 5:
  • Wednesday 11th November - Mokoia Fun Fair
Term 4 Week 6:
Term 4 Week 7:
  • Thursday 26th November - Mokoia School Production
Term 4 Week 8:

Term 4 Week 9:
  • Tuesday 8th December - Wednesday 9th December - Alt Ed
  • Thursday 10th December - PROM 5:00pm - 9:00pm
  • Friday 11th December - Mokoia Colour Fun Run and Water afternoon
Term 4 Week 10:
  • Monday 14th December - Mokoia Prize Giving 9 - 11:30
Monday 14th December - HALF DAY - School Finishes after prize giving

From the desk of Whaea Kathryn -

Celebrating the Learning of Our Kaiako
It has been another exciting week of learning and opportunities at Mokoia Intermediate, and I wanted to take a moment to celebrate some of the wonderful things happening across our school.

Learning Centre Speech Finals

Our Learning Centre speech finals have begun this week, with our school finals taking place next Friday during Block Three. It has been fantastic to see our ākonga developing their confidence, communication skills and ability to share their ideas with an audience.
Speech writing and delivery are about so much more than simply standing up and speaking. Through this process, students are learning how to organise their thoughts, research and develop ideas, consider their audience, use language effectively, and communicate with clarity and purpose. They are also building resilience, learning to manage nerves, and developing the confidence to share their voice with others.
These are valuable skills that extend well beyond the classroom. Whether students are speaking in front of a group, sharing an opinion, presenting their learning or advocating for something they believe in, the ability to communicate effectively is an important part of their learning journey.
We would love to invite our whānau to join us for the finals next Friday in Block Three and help us celebrate the hard work, courage and achievements of our ākonga. Your encouragement and support make such a difference as our students take these opportunities to challenge themselves and grow.

Art Extension – Exploring Creativity Beyond the Classroom

Today, our Art Extension students are heading out on a trip to Tauranga Art Gallery, providing them with the opportunity to experience and engage with art beyond the classroom.
Trips such as these allow students to encounter new ideas, perspectives, techniques and creative possibilities. They help connect classroom learning to the wider world and encourage our ākonga to look closely, ask questions, interpret meaning and develop their own creative thinking.
It is so lovely to have staff like Whaea Fiona, who are willing to take our students on these experiences and create opportunities for them to learn, explore and be inspired. These experiences are incredibly valuable, and I am grateful for the time, energy and passion our teachers put into making them happen. Our students benefit enormously from having staff who are committed to providing learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom.

Alt Ed Groups – Creating Opportunities for Our Ākonga

Speaking of teachers providing wonderful opportunities, our Alternative Education (Alt Ed) forms have now come in, and I am working my way through them as quickly as possible so students can find out which group they have been placed in.
I know how excited our ākonga are about these experiences, and I completely understand that many students would love to participate in everything on offer. As much as I would love to give every child the opportunity to do all of their preferred activities, unfortunately, each group has a limit on numbers. In most cases, these limits have been set by the venues and providers we are visiting, rather than by our teachers.
I had a whopping 119 forms submitted before 8:15am, so there has certainly been a lot to work through! I have endeavoured to place as many ākonga as possible in their first, second or third choices. However, with the demand for some activities and the limits on group sizes, this has not always been possible.
To ensure the process is as fair as possible, I have recorded the entry times and places for each form. Students who have missed out on their preferred choices are given first choice of what they participate in from what is available, and we still have so many fantastic ones to choose from. This allows us provide a fairer process by considering the order in which forms were received when allocating opportunities to students.
All groups should be finalised and named by next Friday.
We are incredibly fortunate to have so many amazing opportunities available to our ākonga, and I know that regardless of which group they are placed in, our students will have a fantastic time learning, exploring and creating memories with their friends and teachers.
Thank you to our staff for the time, effort and organisation that goes into making these experiences possible. These opportunities are a wonderful reflection of our commitment to ensuring our ākonga are at the heart of all that we do.

End-of-Year Testing – SMART Testing

Next term, our ākonga will be completing their SMART testing, which is an important part of helping us understand and monitor student progress and achievement. Unlike some previous assessments, SMART testing has a set testing window, meaning students need to complete their assessments within the allocated timeframe. If students are absent and do not complete their testing during this window, they may miss the opportunity to participate.
Our end-of-year testing will take place in classes during Week 2 of next term, and we are asking for the support of our whānau in ensuring that all students attend school throughout this week so they have the opportunity to complete their assessments. We understand that, on occasion, children may already have planned absences or circumstances that mean they cannot attend.
If you know your child will be away during Week 2, please don't worry, but contact your child's classroom teacher as soon as possible so we can make arrangements for individual students where possible. Thank you for your support in helping all our ākonga have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning and progress

Mr Upston's Turf Talk....

WELL DONE TO ALL OUR AIMS PARTICIPANT
Mokoia Intermediate had a hugely successful AIMS Games 2026, sending a team of 90 students to compete across a wide range of team and individual sports. With a variety of results throughout the week, our students experienced first-hand the incredibly competitive nature of what is widely regarded as the premier sporting event for intermediate-aged students in New Zealand. Mokoia was proud to secure medals in Orienteering, Mountain Biking, Adaptive Table Tennis and Adaptive Indoor Bowls, while many other teams and individuals competed strongly against some of the country’s largest and most accomplished intermediate schools.
For us, the real value of AIMS Games goes beyond results—it is the experience it provides our students. There is nothing more satisfying for a competitive-minded student than competing in their chosen passion against some of the best young athletes in the country and coming away with a win. Equally, there is great humility and learning in competing against these schools and experiencing defeat. Either way, AIMS provides our students with invaluable exposure, competition, resilience and opportunities to develop both as athletes and as young people.

Sport

Name

Result

Basketball

 Connor Otukolo
Hikairo Adams-Ngawhika
Kade Martin
Kaiden Gourlay
Khaiyan Marsters
Moses McGrath
Noah Baird
Raymond Reid
Takore Tokatu Gardiner

18th Place

(2nd in Championship Division)

Boys Futsal

 Eamon Herbert
Eli Barter
Finlay Miller
Leathon Prins
Liam Wickett
Lockie Wade
Nico Klomp
Robert McMurdo
Ryan Bray
Tom Turner

14th Place

Girls Futsal

 Anya Greyling
Bella Dallaway
Kyah Harvey
Lucy Salisbury
Milly Dove
Nikita Samvelyan
Serene Stevens
Willow Grayling

13th Place

Hip Hop

 Anja Withington
Aylah Amon
Isla Lauder
Kaylee Holder
Mikayla Murphy
Milla Goodhue
Sophie Kelly
Tyler Gibbs
Zosia Costello
Dihana Loof

48th Place

Hockey

 Ashleigh Ramson
Ben Ford
Bonnie MacDonald
Findlay Short
Jack Schulte
Jordi Gledhill
Micah O’Leary
Prue Macpherson
Reid Moulin
Tommy Porthouse (GK)

24th Place

Mixed Rippa

 Carey-Lou Te Moana
Dayne Temara
Indie Adlam
Iroam Kameta
Myra Smith-Raroa
Paris Edge
Sapphire Weko
Darius Tupara-Tonihi
Tere Marsters
Kaydence Murray

77th Place

Netball

 Amelia Leach
Anaya Mohi-Tipu
Caden Purdie
Katoia Hubbard-Aliiva’a
Keira Martin
Paige Coxhead
Paris Wiringi
Rylee Anderson
Sienna VanDoorne
Tessa La’aiva

63rd Place

Orienteering

 Emily Packham
Sprints = 24th Place
Rogaine = 13th Place
Dihana Loof
Sprints = MP
Rogaine = 12th Place
Willow Grayling Rogaine = 18th Place
Emma Kenny
Sprints = 16th Place
Rogaine = 3rd Place
Freddie Flynn
Sprints = 2nd Place
Rogaine = 1st Place

Freya Porthouse
Sprints = MP
Rogaine = 12th Place
Frida Hamilton
Sprints = 3rd Place
Rogaine = 3rd Place
Hazel Iversen
Sprints = 18th Place
Rogaine = 13th Place
Mia Uhl Rogaine = 18th Place
Oscar Gray
Sprints = MP
Rogaine = 3rdPlace

MTB XC

 Emma Kenny 5th Place
Hazel Iverson 8th Place

Poppy Roberts 9th Place
Frida Hamilton 4th Place
Jackson Blackledge 69th Place

MTB XC Relay

 Frida, Poppy, Emma 1st Place

MTB Enduro

 Emma Kenny 6th Place
Poppy Roberts 10th Place
Frida Hamilton 11th Place
Jackson Blackledge 104th Place
Nixon Sears 31st Place

Cross Country

Emma Kenny 62nd Place

Running

 Oscar Gray 36th Place
Freddie Flynn 95th Place
Frida Hamilton 6th Place

Rock Climbing

 Logan Cameron 22nd Place
Dexter Coull-Roberts 15th Place
Zoe McCann 15th Place
Isla Lauder 36th Place

Golf 18 holes

 Landré Deetlefs 28th Gross Boys / 6th Equal

BMX

 Nixon Sears
Time Trials = 10th Place
11th Place Overall
5th Novelty Teams

Canoe Slalom

 Eliška Austin-Davídková 8th Place
Mia Uhl 10th Place

ASA Bowls

 Oceanna Weko Pairs = 2nd Place
Mason Feck Ind = 1st Place
Pairs = 1st Place
Anarv Chandra Pairs = 1st Place
Whawhai Hunuhunu
Ind = 3rd Place
Pairs = 2nd Place
Bryan Homan Pairs = 4th Place
Rico Evans Pairs = 4th Place

ASA Table

Rico Evans 4th Place

Tennis

 Oceanna Weko 1st Place
Mason Feck 3rd = Place
Bryan Homan 3rd = Place

Check it out.....


RBA Reps Basketballers 🏀

All the best to our boys and girls representing RBA at the Mid North Island Championships over the next two weekends! We are so proud to see our tamariki representing RBA and wish them all the best for their games. Give it your all and enjoy the experience! 🏀👏

Rep Rugby

Congratulations to Paris Wiringi who took part in Globals All Rugby Girls Tournament over the weekend where they finished 3rd. We always love to hear about our students taking part in events outside school. Well done Paris!
Blake Quirk

Blake has been consistently training in CrossFit and Hyrox throughout the year, and over the weekend he took on his first competition, Surge, a Hyrox/CrossFit-style event. Blake proudly represented Profile Gym and put his training to the test in his first competition experience. Ka pai, Blake! What an awesome achievement!
Iyla Rosanoski

Iyla was recently selected for the Bay of Plenty Gymnastics Squad for trampolining! Iyla has been training and competing throughout the year, so this selection is a huge achievement and a fantastic recognition of all her hard work. Iyla is now heading off to Nationals with the Bay of Plenty team, where she will compete against some of the best trampolinists from around the country. Ka pai, Iyla! We are so proud of you!

Ti Hiwi O Torua 2026

Merit Awards

Kaituna Merit Award Winners Weeks 6 & 7

K2
Ruku Wira
Ruku, kua whakapau kaha koe ki ngā mahi Kapa Haka, ā, kua tino kitea tō whanaketanga i roto i ngā wiki kua pahure. Kua tino pai ake ō pūkenga ki te poi, ā, kua kaha ake tō tū me ō āhua kanohi i a koe e haka ana. He kaha, he māia hoki tō reo waiata, ā, ka kitea tō hiahia ki te ako me te whakapakari i ō pūkenga mō Te Hiwi o Toroa. Kei runga noa atu koe Ruku!

Takore-Tokatu Gardiner
Takore, kua tino kitea tō mana me tō rangatiratanga i roto i ngā mahi Kapa Haka. He pou kaha koe mō tō rōpū, ā, ka rangona tō reo waiata. He rawe tō āhei ki te ārahi i tō rōpū, ki te whakahihiko i ō hoa, me te tū māia ki mua. Kua whakapau kaha koe ki te whakarite mō Te Hiwi o Toroa, ā, e tino kitea ana ngā hua o tō mahi. Kia kaha tonu e Takore, he tino pou koe mō tō kapa!

Te Mihi Takuta
Te Mihi, kua tino kitea tō māia me tō whakapau kaha ki ngā mahi Kapa Haka i tēnei wā. Kua tino whanake ō pūkenga ki te poi, ā, kua kaha ake hoki tō whakamahi i ngā āhua kanohi hei whakaputa i te wairua me te ihi o te waiata. He tino kaha tō reo waiata, ā, ka rangona tō māia i a koe e tū ana ki te rōpū. He pai tō whakarite mō Te Hiwi o Toroa. Ko koe ā runga Te Mihi.

K3
Elijah Harvey - Well done for being brave and presenting your speech to the learning centre today! What a fantastic achievement! You have shown so many of our school values and should be very proud of yourself! Ka mau te wehi!

Nehchal Kang - What a fantastic speech you have written! You should be very proud of yourself for making it through to the learning centre finals! Well done Nehchal! Ka Rawe!

K4
Skylar Taingahue – For having a fantastic year and consistently being a positive role model in Kaituna 4. Your respectful attitude and the example you set for others have been awesome to see. Ka rawe, Skylar!
Caydence Theodore-October – For representing our kura with pride at the AIMS Games in Rippa Rugby. Your effort, teamwork, and commitment were awesome to see. Ka mau te wehi, Caydence!
Royale Herangi-Kingi – For representing our kura with pride at the AIMS Games in Rippa Rugby. You showed great teamwork, determination, and commitment throughout the competition. Ka rawe, Royale!
Katoia Hubbard-Aliiva'a – For representing our kura with pride at the AIMS Games in Netball. Your hard work, teamwork, and commitment on the court were outstanding. Ka mau te wehi, Katoia!!

K5
Lucy Salisbury - For representing our kura at AIMS and being an absolute weapon in goal! You put your body on the line, made huge saves and showed serious courage when your team needed you. Absolute goalie legend! 🔥

Kyah Harvey - For representing our kura at AIMS and being an absolute boss on the futsal court! Your energy, skill and determination were awesome to watch. You owned that court! 🔥

Connor Utokolo - For representing our kura at AIMS and staying completely locked in on court. You worked hard, supported your teammates and showed what being a great team player is all about. Huge mahi, Connor! 🔥

Keira Martin - For representing our kura at AIMS and being an incredible goal shoot! You stepped up, held your ground and showed that GD who was boss! Absolute court legend! 💪🔥

Whaea Anna - For holding down the fort while Whaea Casey was away at AIMS all week. You are so appreciated!

K6
Te Ata Haapara Bennenbroek-Tamaki
He kōtiro ngākau mahaki ia. Ka taea e ia ki te whai whakaaro ki te pūtake me ngā kaipānui e tika ana i a ia e whakarite ana ki te tuhituhi. He kaha ia ki te whakamahi i te whānuitanga o ngā mahere whakarite hāngai ana ki te momo tuhinga. Ka taea anō ia ki matapaki i ngā āhuatanga reo i ngā momo pūtake tuhituhi, hai tauira, te reo tapa, te huahuatau me te tātorutanga i te pepeha. Miharo!!! Ka wani kē Te Ata Haapara.
Carey-Lou Te Moana
He tino pai te noho mai o Carey-Lou hei ākonga, ā, ka eke ia ki ngā taumata tiketike i ngā mahi katoa. E kaingākau ana ia ki ngā wero, ā, e whakaaturia ana e āna hua, kāore he mea e arai ana i a ia kia eke angitu ai. Ka wani kē Carey-Lou.

Puarenga Merit Award Winners Weeks 6 & 7

P1
Poppy Roberts - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.

Ashleigh Ramson - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.

Nixon Sears - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.

Lockie Wade - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.

Robert McMurdo - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.

Eamon Herbert - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.

Noah Baird - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.

Sapphire Weko - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.

Sienna Van Doorne- Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.

Emma Kenny- Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.

P2
Anya Greyling, Dihana Loof, Freya Porthouse, Prue Macpherson, Serene Stevens, Findlay Short, Jack Schulte, Kaiden Gourlay, Oscar Gray, Tom Turner - For all the hard work, dedication, enthusiasm, and passion you showed leading up to and during your AIMS Games time. Congratulations on your achievements and accomplishments. I am super proud of you. 🙂🏅
Jax Harris - Writing a speech can be difficult for many. It was good to see you engaged while writing your speech about ‘Why we shouldn’t have to go to school.’ You had a good idea and a few points for argument. Well done Jax.
Khan Nuttall - for being engaged and on task while you were researching and writing your speech about Beauden Barret. You found interesting and relevant information out about him. Who knew he had so many siblings, and that his mum was such an athlete too? Well done on digging deep and presenting this to the group, I know it was difficult. You did well.
Logan Hall - ‘Art.’ A subject very close to your heart. Your speech was interesting and informative. Well done on the way you researched, gathered your information, and put it all together so it made sense and flowed nicely. Well done Logan.
Mitchell Vercoe - for the dedication, enthusiasm and positivity you put into writing your speech. You worked really hard to add your personal experiences with your researched facts. You practiced and made sure you knew what you were saying using your cue cards. Well done Mitchell, I am very proud of you.

P3
Eli Barter, Micah O’Leary, Finlay Miller, Freddie Flynn, Reid Moulin, Nikita Samvelyan, Roman Wrigley-Pari, Ryan Bray, Mikayla Murphy- For the time, dedication, enthusiasm and passion you showed in your preparation for AIMS. You represented our school with pride and displayed our school values.
I am very proud of you. 💚🏅
Torrin Poi - for the wonderful way you presented your speech to the class. You worked really hard to research and gather information, sort your facts, draft your speech and then create cue cards. 'Baking’ is a topic you are passionate about and it showed. You spoke clearly, confidently and knew your speech well. We loved hearing stories about your role models and future goals. You are a pretty amazing Chef Torrin. I can’t wait to try your biscoff cheesecake. Whaea Moana and I are very proud of you. 🧑‍🍳💚

Roman Wrigley-Pari - for the hard work and perseverance you showed when writing your speech about Basketball. You listened, researched, took notes, sorted your facts and created cue cards. I love the way you added your own stories, shared your role models and future goals. You spoke clearly to the class and we really enjoyed your speech. Tumeke Roman. Whaea Moana and I are very proud of you. 💚 🏀

P4
Rose Leeke - I am proud of the way you presented your speech. You were nervous but didn’t let that stop you from presenting. Very well done.
Imogen Gibson - Your speech was really interesting and I am proud that you presented it. You felt the nerves but did it anyway. Well done.
Hazel Iversen - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.
Liam Wickett - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.
Ben Ford - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.
Emily Packham - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.
Hikairo Adams-Ngawhika - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.
Oceanna Weko - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.
Amelia Leach - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.
Landre Deetlefs - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.
Dexter Coull-Roberts - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.
Bryan Homan - Congratulations on representing Mokoia Intermediate School so well at the AIMS Games, 2026. I am proud of you.

Waiteti Merit Award Winners Weeks 6 & 7

W1
Kairo Mahara – Dance For doing an amazing job in dance, staying focused, not mucking around, and giving it your best effort. Whaea is so proud of you, Kairo! Ka rawe!
Devon Tarplett - Devon, you have been amazing at getting your mahi done, staying on task, and practising saying your speech. Whaea is proud of how your speech is coming along. Great mahi, Devon!
Vaanya Sharma - Vaanya, you have been amazing with your speech, helping out in class, and getting your mahi done. Whaea is so proud of you. Ka pai, Vaanya!
Rico Evans – I am so proud of you for participating in AIMS Games and earning a medal! What an amazing achievement. Ka mau te wehi! 🏅
Mason Feck – Whaea is so proud of you for winning gold in AIMS Bowling and placing third in Table Tennis! What an incredible achievement. Whaea is beyond proud of you! 🥇🏓
Rylee Anderson – You have been amazing in poitarawhiti (netball) and representing our kura at AIMS. Whaea is so proud of your hard work, commitment, and effort! 🏐
Paige Coxhead – Whaea is so proud of you for taking part in AIMS for poitarawhiti (netball) and making it into the Learning Centre finals for speeches. What an awesome achievement! 🏐🎤
Kade Martin – Whaea is so proud of you for participating in AIMS for poitūkohu (basketball). Whaea has seen the leadership, commitment, and dedication you bring to your team. Ka mau te wehi, Kade! 🏀
Bella Dallaway – Your ability to captain your team at AIMS is amazing. Whaea is so proud of the leadership and commitment you have shown, and also of your speech making it into the Learning Centre finals. Ka mau te wehi, Bella! 🏐🎤
Milly Dove – Whaea is beyond proud of you. Whaea has seen you shine and overcome so much of the pressure you have put on yourself for AIMS. You should be so proud of everything you have achieved! ✨
Matua Ren – For being the best coach ever! Thank you for your encouragement, support, and for always bringing the good vibes. We appreciate everything you do! 🏆👏

W2
Kairo Mahara - for presenting and delivering a great speech this week. His confidence and hard work showed with his mahi. Ka mau te wehi Kairo!
Nathan Paenga - you worked hard with your speech, you showed determination and perseverance with your speech. MIHARO koe Nathan!
Tanishka Kaka - Despite the hectic start to the week, she has managed to come everyday, put her head down and work consistently and diligently this week in completing tasks and supporting others around her. Kei Tawhiti Koe Tanishka!

Aniela McLeod - Despite the hectic start to the week, Aniela has managed to come everyday, put her head down and work consistently and diligently this week in completing tasks and supporting others around her. MEINGA MEINGA Aniela!

W3
Daena Street - Daena, for working quietly and consistently on your speech. You have created a fantastic speech that is really interesting and engaging. I can see the effort you have put into it, and I can’t wait to hear you present it in front of the class. Ka rawe, Daena!
Zoe McCann - Zoe, you have written an awesome and really interesting speech! You have worked so hard to make it strong and engaging, and you should be very proud of what you have created. I can’t wait to hear you present it to the class next week. Ka rawe, Zoe!

Paris Wiringi – I am so proud of you for representing our kura so positively at the AIMS Games. You made me so proud watching you play. Ka mau te wehi, Paris!
Myra Smith - Raroa – For showing awesome teamwork and determination while competing in Rippa Rugby at the AIMS Games. What a great experience and achievement to represent our kura on such a big stage! Ka rawe, Myra!
Eliška Austin-Davídková – For taking on not one, but two events at the AIMS Games – Canoe Slalom! Your courage, enthusiasm and willingness to give things a go is something to be proud of. Tino pai rawa atu, Eliška!
Zoe McCann – What an incredible achievement in Rock Climbing at the AIMS Games! Making the semi-finals and finishing 15th is an awesome result and shows just how much hard work and determination you put in. He rawe tō mahi, Zoe!
Eliška Austin-Davídková - For creating a beyond amazing speech that was so interesting from start to finish and presented so beautifully. You should be incredibly proud of all the hard work you put into it. I can’t wait to hear it again during our Learning Centre finals! Ka mau te wehi, Eliška!
Sam Lee - For creating such an awesome and interesting speech on a topic you are clearly passionate about and know so much about! Your enthusiasm really came through when you presented, and you did an amazing job. I can’t wait to hear it again in our Learning Centre finals! Pāia, Sam!

W4
Keita Epariama-Harrison - For kindly giving up your time to help your classmates with their maths work. You were patient when explaining the concept and took the time to show them how to complete the task. Your willingness to support others and share your knowledge is fantastic. Well done!
Isla Lauder - For delivering a fantastic speech on whether our pets are alien spies. You spoke confidently, made great eye contact with your audience, and kept everyone engaged. You should be incredibly proud of your fantastic effort! Well done, Isla!

Mila Malanchuk - For your fantastic speech on living on Mars. You spoke confidently, made great eye contact with your audience, and kept everyone engaged. It was fantastic to see you use costumes and photos to support your speech and bring your ideas to life. You did an awesome job, Mila! Well done!
Sienna Hague - For your fantastic speech on bullying. You spoke confidently, made great eye contact with your audience, and shared your ideas clearly. You kept everyone engaged and delivered an important message with confidence and maturity. Fantastic effort, Sienna! You should be very proud of yourself!

Jordi Gledhill - For your fantastic speech on ways the Earth could explode. You spoke confidently, made great eye contact with your audience, and kept everyone engaged. You shared some fascinating ideas and delivered your speech with enthusiasm and confidence. Fantastic effort, Jordi!

Utuhina Merit Award Winners Weeks 6 & 7

Hard Materials
Iyla Rosanoski - K5: For the great effort you put into your work. You work hard and are creating great results! You always have a positive, ‘can do’ attitude in class and strive for your best, Keep up the great work Iyla!

Deegan Morrissey - W1: You are always very diligent in class Deegan. I was super impressed to see your initiative, you noticed when you had finished slightly early you looked around and started tidying up without even being asked. Keep up the great work ethic Deegan, it will take you far!
Aria Marks-Parkinson - W2: Aria, you are consistently hard working and always have a positive ‘can do’ attitude. You take pride in your work and have nearly completed a great chopping board. Keep up the great learning attitude, it will take you far!

Visual Arts
Chloe Natusch K4: Chloe, you have produced beautiful work in Art this term! I appreciate how you take the time and care necessary to produce work of a high standard. You are not afraid to work hard, push your ideas, and to explore new techniques. You are a star!

Stian Fourie K3: Stian, you have produced some fantastic work in Art this term! I am so impressed with the painting skills you have demonstrated. I hope you have enjoyed working with the different processes that we’ve learnt. You should be very proud of your efforts!


Cef Cudby W2: Cef, the enthusiasm that you’ve shown for your work in Art this term is brilliant! You have been positive, hardworking and creative. I am looking forward to seeing your completed artwork. Keep up the great mahi!!

Aylah Amon W4: Aylah, the painting that you have produced in Art this term is absolutely beautiful! You are a hardworking and thoughtful student. It is a pleasure having you in the class. You are a star!


Brian Homan P4: Brian, the work that you have produced in Art this term is fantastic! You have been so innovative working hard to push your ideas as far as you can take them. Thank you for inspiring those around you to experiment and explore their ideas further. You are going to thrive at Highschool! Well done:)

Ricky-J Green P1: Ricky-J, it has been exciting to see the work you have created in Art this term! I appreciate how willing you have been to explore new ideas and take creative risks with your work. I hope you have enjoyed your painting. Ka mau te wehi!


Rian Luke P3: Rian, the work you have produced in Art this term is excellent! I appreciate how much time and care you take with your work. You have amazing drawing skills. I hope you are proud. Well done!

Food Technology
Oliver Worth P2 - Well done this week Oliver you were amazing in class by helping Whaea Delina. You were not too sure about Lamingtons but you had a go at it and I am proud that you stepped outside your comfort zone. Your maths was on point too, leading the way with answering all my kitchen maths questions. Keep up the great work.


Harrison Boyd K1 - Well done this week working alongside your buddy. You participated fully in all aspects of the cook and completed all your theory and cleaned up to a high standard. You even had time to help Whaea Delina throughout the lesson. Keep up the great work.

Nathan Paenga W1 - Every week you quietly work away in class. Always focused on what you need to do. You always clean up really well. Thank you for respecting the classroom expectations.

Music Technology
Maddison Robinson W2 - You have a positive attitude toward your learning. You show manaakitanga by helping others. Most specifically helping Rico with his written work and encouraging your peers when having to perform in front of each other. Keep it up!
Grace Te Moni W3 - You are vibrant and joyful no matter the activity. Your encouragement during ensemble work makes it easier for your peers to perform in front of each other.Thank you for showing positivity and encouragement in the classroom. Keep shining and being you.

Laurel Creed-Withers W4 - You are growing into a more confident performer in music tech. Although some mahi may be intimidating to start with, you have never given up and have developed a solid foundation of basic rhythm and ensemble skills. Ka pai to mahi!

Tai Onekawa-Timothy W1 - For your diligence and calm positive attitude in our music tech room. You are showing great emerging skills as well as a natural ability to keep timing and recognise musical terms and notation. Ka mau te wehi!


Jed Stephens P2 - You have displayed exemplary skills during our rhythm and notation practice. You truly lead in many areas due to your enthusiasm and openness to learning in music tech. You have been a joy to teach this year and I appreciate your efforts in everything you do, karawhiua!

Micah O’Leary P3 - You have shown true diligence and focus during music tech this term. Your attitude is always positive and enthusiastic as you quietly and calmly navigate each activity.
Keep being awesome!

Paige Walmsley P2 - Your enthusiasm, work ethic and positivity has helped you develop your skills swiftly. You stay focused and give each task a go with grace and diligence. You are also becoming fluent at recognising rhythm notation. Your mahi has not gone unnoticed. Kei runga noa atu koe!
Mia Thomson P2 - Your quiet dedication has not gone unnoticed. You are showing steady skills in reading rhythm notation and are growing confidence each week. Keep your focus up and you may grow even more!
Mikayla Murphy P3 - You have grown more into contributing to class activities and sharing which is awesome to see. You have a steady understanding of music notation and have been a delight to teach in music tech. Keep being you and working on your individual skills and you can shine in this area. Ka mau te wehi!
Taylor Whata P3 - You are always on task and do your work with such grace and demure. Thank you for your dedication and diligence while learning in the classroom. Ka Rawe!
Jack Schulte P2 - You are a delight to work with. You are always positive and give everything a try. I have seen great improvements with your rhythm notation recognition and confidence in the ensemble work. Keep it up! Tino pai to mahi!
Cassie Edkins P2 - Your enthusiasm, curiosity and willingness to learn about music is a joy to watch. You have grown in confidence performing in front of others and are quick to encourage or contribute input into the ensemble mahi. Ka pai to mahi!
Ruben Andric W3 - You have displayed exemplary skills in music technology in every area whether it be a demonstration on an instrument or understanding Rhythm notation, you have an excellent ear for tunes and chords and it has been a joy having you in music tech. Ka mau te wehi!
Ro-né Peniston P3 - You give everything your best go and display the attributes of a great leader in the classroom. You are always positive and ready to tackle any task. Your contribution to classroom discussions and activities is exemplary and I appreciate your efforts this term. Ka pai to mahi!
Khan Nuttall P2 - You have improved your understanding of how an ensemble works and overcome the challenge of performing in front of others. Ask questions and show no fear toward learning something new and you could benefit immensely. Kia manawanui!
Oceanna Weko P4 - You have shown outstanding growth this term. This one is for your contribution toward our ensemble practice where you composed your own rap as part of the rhythm section. You gave it a go and displayed your creativity in front of the whole class showing others what they could do if they stepped out of their comfort zone. Tino pai rawa atu!
Whawhai Hunuhunu P1 - You have displayed enthusiasm and a positive attitude toward our learning in music technology as well as a natural ear for rhythms. I appreciate your efforts in the written work also as it is not always the brightest side of learning. You have creativity waiting to burn and I hope you can take as much as you can from our lessons to use in the near future and beyond. Kia ū ki te ara!
Yanael Sereni K3 - You are very clever and have picked up notation and concepts of finding triad chords very easily. You are always focused ,quiet and follow instructions well. Ka mau te wehi.

Tristan Collier K3 - You have built great drumming skills to the point where you are able to teach skills to your fellow classmates. You are a natural and it is lovely to see you show others what you have learnt. Well done for showing whakawhanaungatanga throughout this term. Ka rawe!
Elijah Harvey K3 - You have displayed a keen interest in every aspect of music tech. You are humble and polite. You use every moment to practice, even during break times. An attitude and work ethic like that can only get you further in life. Keep up the amazing work!

Value Awards Weeks 9

Ellie Chen P1
Poppy Roberts P1


Liam Wickett P4


Nixon Sears P1
Hazel Iversen P4


Bryan Homan P4

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.
Whānau and Parents are welcome to review the policies and provide feedback as part of our consultation process. Your feedback helps ensure that our policies reflect the needs of our students, whānau and wider school community.

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.

Check It Out!
BRENT ROAD, ROTORUA, NEW ZEALAND PHONE: 07 3459071
EMAIL: OFFICE@MOKOIA.SCHOOL.NZ
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29 Brent Road, Ōwhata, Rotorua