Kia ora Mairangi Bay Whānau,
Welcome back to a brand-new school year at Mairangi Bay School! We have had an exciting start to 2025, filled with opportunities for our students to connect with new friends, teachers, and peers. The atmosphere around the school has been one of enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine sense of belonging as we establish our learning routines and build strong relationships within our school community. The first week has been a wonderful time for students to settle into their classes, get to know their teachers and engage in activities designed to strengthen their sense of community and school spirit.
Welcome to Our New Students, Whānau and Staff
A very warm welcome to all our new students and whānau joining us this year! We are delighted to have you as part of our Mairangi Bay School community. Today, at our Mihi Whakatau, we formally welcomed our newest staff members, including Casey Bellingham (Year 3), Ashley Berking (Year 6), and Gerry Campbell (ESOL Leader). We also extend a special welcome to our new teacher aides, Cameron Blair and Fin Janes, who will be supporting our students in their learning. We are excited about the journey ahead and look forward to the contributions each of you will bring to our school.
Our Place, Our Identity, Our Tūrangawaewae
This week, we began exploring our school pepeha, a meaningful way to celebrate who we are, where we come from, and what connects us to this special place. Through class discussions, storytelling, and interactive activities, students have started conversing about our local environment, our shared histories, and the significance of tūrangawaewae—a place where we all belong. This exploration will help our students develop a strong sense of identity and pride in their heritage while fostering respect and appreciation for the diversity within our school community. We look forward to deepening this understanding throughout the term through shared experiences, and collaborative learning opportunities.
A New Era for Mathematics Learning
We are excited to introduce the new Mathematics Curriculum, designed to support all learners through a structured and targeted approach. This curriculum emphasises a clear progression of mathematical concepts, ensuring students build a solid foundation before moving on to more complex ideas.
This year, students will engage with the Oxford Mathematics Workbooks, carefully aligned with the curriculum to ensure clear progression in their mathematical thinking. These workbooks provide structured exercises that help students consolidate their learning and develop confidence in applying mathematical strategies to real-life problems.
To further enhance learning, we are incorporating online resources to support students’ understanding, offering interactive practice and reinforcement of key concepts. These digital tools provide students with engaging and adaptive learning experiences, allowing them to strengthen their mathematical skills at their own pace. Our scope and sequence planning will allow teachers to provide deliberate acts of teaching, ensuring that every student receives the support they need to succeed in mathematics. The new program focuses on building strong mathematical foundations, promoting problem-solving skills, and enhancing student confidence in numeracy.
For more information on these resources, please visit the following links:
We encourage whānau to engage in discussions at home about mathematical thinking and problem-solving, as these everyday interactions can greatly support learning. Simple activities like measuring ingredients while cooking, calculating shopping totals, or exploring patterns in nature can help reinforce key mathematical concepts in an enjoyable and meaningful way.
A New Era for English Learning
We are also excited to introduce the New Zealand English Curriculum 2025, which supports students in developing strong literacy skills through an updated and structured approach. This curriculum places a greater emphasis on reading comprehension, writing fluency, and oral language development, ensuring students become confident and effective communicators.
The revised English curriculum includes structured learning pathways that allow students to progress at their own pace while being supported with explicit teaching of vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure. The focus on developing strong foundational literacy skills will support students in all areas of their learning and empower them with the skills needed for lifelong success.
For more details, visit:
Continuing Our Structured Literacy Approach
We are committed to ensuring strong literacy foundations for all students through our structured literacy approach. This year, we continue to implement Little Learners Love Literacy and The Code, both of which provide a systematic and explicit approach to phonics instruction. These programs support students in developing essential decoding skills, spelling patterns, and fluency, setting them up for success in reading and writing. By focusing on phonemic awareness and structured reading strategies, students gain confidence in their ability to decode and comprehend texts effectively.
In addition to classroom instruction, teachers will continue to provide targeted support to students through small-group work and one-on-one interventions where needed. These initiatives help to ensure that all learners, regardless of their starting points, are given the best possible opportunities to succeed in their literacy journey.
For more information, visit:
Looking Ahead
As we settle into Term 1, we are looking forward to seeing our students grow as learners, leaders, and contributors to our school community. Over the coming weeks, students will be engaged in a range of exciting learning experiences, including inquiry projects, outdoor education opportunities, and school events that promote collaboration and school spirit. We also encourage families to stay connected with their child’s learning by attending upcoming parent information sessions and school-wide celebrations.
Thank you for your ongoing support as we embark on another year of learning and discovery together. We look forward to working alongside you to ensure every student at Mairangi Bay School experiences a rich and rewarding school year.
Ngā mihi nui,
He nui ake tō mātou mana i te kura anahe - We are more than just a school
Nathan Janes MEdLM
Tumuaki/ Principal Mairangi Bay Kura
Galaxy Drive Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0630
Tel: 09-478 8424
Learning together to create a better tomorrow
Ako tahi mō āpōpō kia pai ake - #iLOVEMBS
