Kei aku nui, kei aku rahi, tēnā koutou katoa i roto i ngā āhuatanga o te wā. Welcome back to a new school year.

A huge congratulations to all our senior students on their 2025 NCEA results. Whether you achieved your personal best, gained a Merit or Excellence endorsement, or reached a specific credit milestone, the school is incredibly proud of your hard work and every senior student and their whānau can be very proud as well.  Ka rawe!

A warm welcome back to Mr Romana who returns to school after completing his Principal’s sabbatical during Term 4, 2025.  

We’re feeling refreshed and ready to go, and we look forward to reconnecting with all students and their whānau next week.   We wanted to update you with the latest information, so make sure you read this letter carefully. 

Upcoming Activities and Events 

Tuesday, 27th January: Staff Only Day 

Wednesday, 28th January: Year 12 and Year 13 Course Confirmation 

Year 12 and 13 students are expected to be onsite between 11.30 am and 1.00 pm to confirm their subject choices for 2026 (school uniform not required). When students arrive, they should check the whiteboard outside the hall foyer for further instructions. 

Thursday, 29th January: Year 9 Orientation, Year 13 Student Leaders, International Students’ Orientation, Students new to Mairehau High School Orientation.

The groups of students listed above are expected on-site for their orientation day from 8.45 am to 1 pm. Year 13 student leaders will support the new Year 9s on this day. 

School buses will be running, and free school lunches will be available. Full school uniform is required for all students on site. 

Friday 30th January, All Students 

The whole school Pōwhiri, on Friday, 30th January, welcomes all Year 9 students/whānau and new staff to Mairehau High School. The pōwhiri will be happening, rain or shine!  All current students should report to the school hall in full school uniform at 8.45 am. All Year 9 students and students in other year levels new to Mairehau High School are asked to meet outside the whare at 10.30 am. Parents are most welcome to attend. 

Following the pōwhiri, students will meet up in Wā Whānau classes with their tutors. More information will be given on the day. Timetabled classes will run during periods 4 and 5. The school day concludes at 2.35 pm. 

School buses will be running, and free school lunches will be available. Full school uniform is required for all students.

From Monday 2nd February: School is open for instruction for all students  as per school timetables (current students can check their timetables on the parent portal). Click on this link for 2026 times of the day. 

Friday 6th February, Waitangi Day: School Closed. 

ATTENDANCE / EVERY DAY MATTERS Every day a student spends in the classroom is an investment in their future. To help our students reach their academic potential, we are officially adopting the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) programme.  This is a national initiative developed by the Ministry of Education to ensure that all schools across New Zealand have a consistent and supportive way to manage student attendance. Our stepped attendance responses will follow the Ministry’s guidelines.  We have appointed a new Whānau Liaison staff member to support student attendance.  All students are expected to demonstrate good (regular) attendance, which means less than 5 days of absences per  term.  In line with STAR, there will be an escalation of responses to all absences that go over and above this threshold.  Please communicate your child’s absence to the school in a timely manner either by phone/app or email.  If you would like  to speak to someone about your child’s attendance please contact our Junior Support Dean, Mrs Purvis.

Communication: School Website/Parent Portal/School App/School Facebook Page         

An email with instructions/reminders for accessing the parent portal (on our school website) will be sent to all caregivers. You can find up to date information about student attendance, timetable, and academic results on the parent portal. 

We also recommend liking or following our school’s Facebook page. You should see the school crest as the profile picture. You can also download our school app by searching ‘SchoolApps’ via the App Store or Google Play. The school app is especially useful for accessing the parent

portal, advising of your child’s absence, newsletters and term dates. You can also sign up for alerts and reminders. 

In addition, our Year 13 student leaders run a school Instagram account for students. Keep an eye out for updates in Term 1! 

Stationery Here is a link to information about school stationery, including how to purchase a Chromebook. If you need financial support to purchase a Chromebook, please click on the link. We expect all students to bring and use their own Chromebooks at school.

 Uniform: Demonstrate our Mairehau CARE values all day, every day 

At Mairehau High School, we have high expectations regarding students wearing the correct school uniform. A link to our school website regarding the school uniform is here. We have a limited stock of new uniform items – see the list/prices on the next page. Contact the school office for more information. 

Travel to school   Walking, biking or scooting to school:  Students are required to follow all road rules, behave responsibly at intersections and along footpaths and wear a helmet at all times.    We require all student bicycles and scooters to be stored in the locked compound (next to A1) during the school day.    If students are being dropped off at the school gate by car, please do not enter the school grounds to do this.  

• Mairehau High School Bus Route 715, Queenspark & Prestons 

  •  The route has been extended to Prestons Park to accommodate more students. For the 715 timetable and map link click here.

• Orbiter and No. 44 (Shirley)

  • See metrobus information for timetables and route maps for these local metro buses (stop just outside school on  Innes Rd).

Sickness?   

If you feel unwell, stay home and let the school know asap. Please contact the school office via phone or use the absentee feature on the school app.

Lunches 

This year, free healthy school lunches will again be provided daily by the School Lunch Collective at interval and lunchtime, outside Waikākariki and if wet, inside the hall.  Don’t forget to update/email us about your child’s special dietary requirements. School lunches will be available from Thursday, 29 January.  You can view a current lunch menu on the School Lunch Collective website, here.

Work and Income Support 

The beginning of the year can be a challenging time for parents who are faced with many costs, and it is important you are aware of what assistance you may be able to get from Work and Income. These are available to people on a low income as well as those on a benefit.

Call 0800 559 009 to find out more or apply. 

Work and Income Support is also available for the purchasing of a Chromebook to support your child’s learning. For a letter of support, please contact Rebecca Swanson: swansonr@mairehau.school.nz or email admin@mairehau.school.nz.

We are here to help. Please get in touch if you have any concerns or need help in any way ph. 03 3853145 ext. 0 or email admin@mairehau.school.nz . Further up-to-date information can be found on our school website www.mairehau.school.nz 

See you soon! 

Nā mātou noa, nā (Yours sincerely) 

Harry Romana, Siobhan Murphy and Rebecca Swanson (Senior Leadership Team)