INTRODUCTION FROM OUR TUMUAKI - PRINCIPAL |
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Tēnā koutou katoa Ko Gary Veysi ingoa Ko Mauo te maunga, Ko Wairoa te awa No Tauranga ahau engari Ko Gary Charles toku papa Ko Kathleen toku mama Ko Angelina Veysi taku wahine Ko Renee taku tamāhine ma Braedyn ma Curtis ma Marcus taku tama Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa |
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My name is Gary Veysi the Principal at Whenuakite School - Te Kura o Whenuakite. I feel very honored and privileged to be the Kaitiaki that will help develop our school. We are building positive relationships with the tamariki, whanau and the wider community. As a child, I grew up in Tauranga with my parents and my four sisters. We lived close to the water with nearby estuaries, the Wairoa river, McLaren falls/lakes, Tauranga harbour and Mount Maunganui beach. This is where my passion for aquatic activities started and I enjoyed fishing, swimming, bush walks and sports. I have enjoyed taking many camps as well as class team building trips, leadership and using the outdoors. The outdoors is an area I feel passionate about and we are fortunate that we live in Aotearoa/NZ. I really enjoyed playing multiple sports growing up and believe every child should have the right and opportunity to learn how to ride a bike, swim and be involved in team sports/recreation. I was a member of the Hora Hora school tennis club and touch team. I have played volleyball and tennis as part of a Te Ranga team. Touch in Maraetai and social Soccer and Hockey in Mamaku/Rotorua. I believe as teachers - kaiako we have a crucial role and my aim in this role is to empower students to become the best versions of themselves. I am passionate to work with the future of tomorrow to support children in leading fulfilling lives. Through the value of whānaungatanga and creating strong relationships in order to create a sense of belonging, I believe this can be achieved. I believe as the Principal, leader of learning I need to have in place strategies and systems to enable the children and staff to develop to their full potential, academically, socially, physically and culturally in a challenging and stimulating environment. I call this doing your P.B – “Personal Best with Positive Behaviour”. I am fortunate to be working with teachers, support staff, parents, Boards of Trustees and communities, who all value life long learning, and who work together being proactive in providing the best outcomes for everyone. I have a very definite child-centered view of education and learning. This is demonstrated in my own philosophy and belief that every decision made in a school must help improve the child as a whole person and be robust, and sustainable. I promote a collegial style of leadership and have mentored many potential and future leaders. I look for the strengths in others and provide open opportunities for mentoring to build consistency and capacity. I will endeavour to bring enthusiasm, experience and excellence. Ngā mihi nui Gary Veysi
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He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!What is the most important thing in the world? It is people! It is people! It is people! |
 Students with Toby our therapy dog |
 Junior trip to Hahei Beach |
 New Students Arrive |
 House competition and fundraisers |
 Celebrating support staff day |
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A huge celebration with 80% of students at least 90% of the time in term 1. |
House captains meeting Mayor Len Salt with a Mihi Whakatau - Welcome |
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27 Oct 2026 - 28 Oct 2026
30 Oct 2026
30 Oct 2026
Kia ora koutou,
With the Labour Day long weekend and a shorter week, there will be no school newsletter this week. However, there are a few important updates and reminders for parents and caregivers to be aware of over the next few weeks.
Upcoming Trips and Events
We have several exciting trips and activities coming up, including some bigger trips off-site. It is important that all notices and permission forms are completed accurately and returned by the required dates. This helps us ensure we have the correct information for student safety, transport arrangements and supervision. Some of our upcoming activities are water-based, so we also need to make sure we have enough parent helpers available to support these events and provide the necessary supervision.
Please check your child's school notices and return any outstanding forms as soon as possible. Your support makes a real difference in helping these experiences run safely and successfully for our tamariki.
Spring Festival – Monday 2 November
Our Spring Festival is coming up next Monday, 2 November. We are looking forward to another great opportunity for our students and school community to come together.
If you are unsure about any upcoming events, activities or arrangements, please don't hesitate to email your child's class teacher or contact the school office for clarification.
Keeping Up the Positive Vibes
As we move through the final term, let's continue to keep the positive vibes going at Whenuakite School! We remain focused on regular attendance, positive engagement in learning, and making the most of every opportunity at school.
Every day counts, and working together as a school and whānau helps our students finish the term positively, confidently and successfully.
Thank you for your continued support, encouragement and involvement in school life. We really appreciate the role our families play in making Whenuakite School such a great place to learn and grow.
Ngā mihi nui,
Gary Veysi
Principal
Whenuakite School
Dear parents/caregivers,
As you may be aware, Shona Thompson retires and has resigned from her teaching/team leader role from the start of next year. She will be hugely missed and the school and BoT thank her for all the work she does.
As part of the resignation is the process of employment to fill her role. Attached is the re-advertisement that has been in the Education Gazette and Whitianga Informer. This outlines the process for teachers applying.
Attached is the updated advertisement
Thanks from the Whenuakite BoT employment sub committee.
Dear Whanau,
Please find attached the Spring Festival Notice, it will be sent home in paper copy next week.
Thank you
Whenuakite Staff
Please find attached the notice that also came out in paper copy today.
Thank you
Whenuakite Staff
Whitianga Blue Light Neon Rave Dress-Up Disco on Friday 20 November 2026, and we'd love to see some Whenuakite School rangatahi come along!
The disco is all about bringing our local young people together for an afternoon of music, dancing, fun and positive connections in a safe and welcoming environment.
Event Details:
Date: Friday 20 November 2026
Time: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Whitianga Town Hall
Theme: Neon Rave – dress in your brightest neon colours!
Entry: Gold coin donation (optional)
Food and drinks: Available at the event
Alcohol-free event
We're keeping the event accessible to everyone, so while a gold coin donation is appreciated, no rangatahi will be turned away if they cannot pay.
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