Kia ora Parents & Caregivers,
We hope you had a restful break over the Christmas period. As we head into the start of the 2026 school year, this email outlines the key information you’ll need for the weeks ahead.
As we start the year, we want to acknowledge the hard work of our students and staff. In 2025, our Year 13 students achieved NCEA Level 3 and University Entrance results above both the national average and our Equity Index comparison group. We’re also pleased that literacy and numeracy achievement across all NCEA levels sits above the national average.
This document includes important start-of-year information to help us build on this success. By working together, we can support each student to have the best, positive, and productive start to 2026.
Referral 2026
One of the biggest shifts this year is the stronger emphasis we are placing on reducing disruptions to learning. Our referral process already supports students to reflect on the impact of classroom disruption. The changes make the consequences of disruption more significant, and the teacher’s response more preventative. You can read more about this trial here: https://tinyurl.com/KHS-referral.
In summary, the slightly modified referral process we are trialling is:
- A student is referred when they do not respond to a series of escalating, in-class prompts and interventions by staff.
- The student leaves the class and completes a staff-guided reflection process.
- The teacher contacts home and arranges an after-school restorative student meeting.
- On the agreed day, the student remains on site until 3.45 pm to catch up on missed classwork and take part in a meaningful restorative conversation with the teacher.
The key difference is that dedicated after-school time is now built in for restorative follow-up, so we can resolve issues thoroughly and protect lesson time for learning.
Uniform
This year, we have a much-expanded range of uniform items available. To see the range and the uniform requirements, see the uniform page of our website here: https://kaiapoi.school.nz/parent-home/
Shoes are the most common uniform issue. Any fully black, closed-toe shoe is fine, but note that this means no white or coloured logos/stripes, no white soles, and no boots i.e. shoes that go above the ankle. For example, slippers, Crocs and Birkenstock style are not permitted. Another common issue is hoodies. No hoodies, even sports ones, are allowed.
Uniforms must be sourced from the U-Shop in Rangiora. This means that all uniforms are standard colours and the allowed style. Please do not invest in items such as Dickies shorts, black jeans, or drawstring pants, as these are not acceptable uniform items.
We understand there may be supply or financial issues, so if something arises, please let us know. Where possible, we may be able to lend uniform items for a short period of time.
Cellphones
Like all schools in New Zealand, we are required to have ‘phones away for the day’. Ensuring students are fully aware of the rules will help prevent their phones from being confiscated.
Confiscation of a phone can be a distressing situation for a young person, so we need to avoid this possible scenario. We appreciate it when parents discuss these requirements with students prior to their first day back at school.
As a summary:
- Phones are not to be seen at school from the first bell to after the students are released from class at the end of the day.
- If a phone is brought to school, it should be turned off and stored in their school bag.
- Phones will be confiscated if seen, with escalating consequences to discourage their use during school hours. For a first-time confiscation, the student can pick up the phone at the end of the day. After that, caregivers will be required to collect the phone.
- Parents and caregivers can apply for exemptions due to learning needs or medical conditions.
For detailed information on phones, see this link: https://tinyurl.com/KHS-phones.
Please be aware that headphones can distract from learning, and unpermitted use may also result in their confiscation.
Key Events
- This week — Office open
The school office is officially open this week.
- Fri 23 Jan — Course confirmation (Years 10–13) (Tāwera Iwa / T9)
Especially important if your student has an incomplete timetable.
- Year 13: 9.00–10.30 am
- Year 12: 11.00 am–12.30 pm
- Year 11: 1.00–1.45 pm
- Year 10: 2.00–2.45 pm
- Thu 29 Jan — Peer Support training
Peer Support leaders can find additional information in their Google Classroom.
- Fri 30 Jan — Year 9 Orientation Day (with Peer Support)
- Includes a Mihi Whakatau (welcome ceremony) for new staff and new students.
- Whānau are welcome — please be seated in Hiwa i te Rangi (new gym) by 9.15 am.
- Students are to wear full school uniform. However, no laptops or stationery are required for Orientation Day.
- Mon 2 Feb — First full day of school (all year levels)
- Starts with Tutor Time at 9.00 am.
- Students bring laptops and stationery. Laptops need to be fully charged.
- Years 10–13: timetables are available on SchoolBridge (sign in via the Student page on the school website). Please check before Monday to ensure the correct stationery.
- Thu 5 Feb — House Challenge Day
Students should come in their House colours.
- Fri 6 Feb — Waitangi Day
Join us at Trousselot Park from 12.30 pm for our iconic hāngī fundraiser, with items from our Head Students, Kapa Haka and Polyfest groups.
- Tue 17 Feb — Meet the Teacher Evening (Year 9 whānau)
More information will follow.
Road Safety
We encourage township students to bike to school. Please ensure they bring a helmet and a bike lock. For safety, students must cross Ohoka Road on foot at the pedestrian crossing.
Staff will be on duty at the Ohoka Road pedestrian crossing during peak times to support student safety. To help us with this, please remind your student to:
- Stand at the crossing only if they intend to cross (this helps traffic flow).
- Look carefully before stepping onto the crossing — never assume cars will stop.
- Cross Ohoka Road only at the pedestrian crossing (no shortcuts to the dairy).
- Give drivers a friendly wave to say thanks.
Student Cars
There is no on-site parking for student vehicles. Students may park on Robert Coup Drive; on-site parking is reserved for staff, visitors and buses. Students are not permitted to transport other students to or from school, regardless of licence status. If you need to request an exemption, please contact the school office.
Please also remind students that vehicles are for travel to and from school only, and are not to be used as social spaces during breaks or study periods.
Bus Services
Our school buses will be back in action starting Friday, January 30. If you are registered for a bus route, you will receive an email from our Bus Controller shortly. If you don’t hear from us, please let us know by emailing bus.controller@kaiapoi.school.nz.
Newsletter
You can find our newsletters on this ‘Pīwakawaka Rere Tuku (News)’ newsfeed. We add articles regularly, including a monthly message from the Principal.
SchoolBridge
For quick access to recording absences, parent-teacher interviews, course selection, timetables, academic results, the school calendar and notices, please use the SchoolBridge app. You can also access SchoolBridge via a web browser by going to the Parents page on our website and following the Parent login prompts.
International Homestays
If you are interested in hosting an international student, we have several short and long-term options available. Contact our international department at international@kaiapoi.school.nz for more details.
Lastly…
We are very excited to welcome our awesome students back to school next week and look forward to the exciting opportunities that the year ahead holds. For those new to our school community, we believe in fostering open communication from the start.
Your child’s tutor teacher will be your primary contact and will be in touch soon, but if you have any questions or would like to reach out earlier, please feel free to email or call the school office (reception@kaiapoi.school.nz or 03 375 5004).
Ngā mihi mahana, warm regards,
Jason Reid, Principal
