2026 Learning in Action

Colour Fun Run Success!

What a fantastic day our MWPS Colour Fun Run was! Students, staff and whānau came together for an event filled with laughter, energy and plenty of colour. It was wonderful to see our tamariki challenging themselves, having fun and celebrating their fundraising efforts with their friends and classmates.

A huge thank you to our whānau and wider community for your generosity and support. Thanks to your contributions, we were able to raise a significant amount of money that will help provide valuable learning opportunities and resources for our students. We are incredibly grateful for the time, effort and enthusiasm shown by everyone involved.

Congratulations to our age group winners, who demonstrated determination and perseverance throughout the event:

While these students achieved the top places in their year levels, we are proud of every student who participated, showed school spirit and gave their best effort on the day.

Exploring Creativity Through Sand Art

This term, our school had the privilege of working with Marcus Winter, also known as “The Sandman”, an internationally recognised New Zealand artist, cultural storyteller and educator. Marcus uses sand art as a powerful medium for storytelling, drawing on his Māori heritage and the rich cultural traditions of Aotearoa.

As part of this exciting initiative, Marcus facilitated a professional learning and development (PLD) session for staff during our Teacher Only Day. Teachers explored the use of sand art and light boxes as a creative tool for storytelling, visual expression and student engagement, gaining practical ideas to bring back into their classrooms.

Following the staff workshop, every class had the opportunity to participate in a hands-on session with Marcus. Students experimented with creating images, patterns and stories using sand and light, discovering a unique way to express their ideas and creativity. The experience encouraged imagination, problem-solving and confidence as students explored a completely new artistic medium.

Inspired by the impact of these types of sessions, our school has invested in our own set of sand art light boxes, ensuring that students can continue to explore this engaging form of storytelling and artistic expression. We look forward to incorporating sand art into future learning experiences, providing opportunities for our tamariki to connect creativity, culture and communication in meaningful ways.

Celebrating Culture, Creativity and Inclusion

Later in the term, our school community came together to celebrate a number of important events that enriched learning and strengthened our sense of belonging.

During Rotuman Language Week, students explored the language, traditions and culture of the Rotuman community, gaining a deeper appreciation for the diversity that makes Aotearoa such a vibrant place to live and learn. We also marked Pink Shirt Day, standing together against bullying and promoting kindness, respect and inclusion. It was inspiring to see our tamariki embrace the message that everyone deserves to feel safe, valued and accepted.

Our annual STEAM Week provided students with opportunities to engage in hands-on learning through science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. Across the school, students tackled challenges, experimented with new ideas and expressed their creativity through a range of exciting activities.

The term also included Samoan Language Week, where students celebrated Samoan language, culture and identity through classroom learning, shared experiences and cultural activities. These celebrations helped foster understanding, pride and respect for the many cultures represented within our school community.

Together, these events created meaningful opportunities for our students to learn, connect and grow as confident, culturally aware and inclusive members of our kura.

Honouring ANZAC 

Term 2 began with a range of ANZAC learning experiences across the school. Students explored the significance of ANZAC Day and learned about the sacrifices and contributions made by servicemen, servicewomen and animals throughout our history. These learning experiences culminated in our Friday assembly, where we took time to reflect, remember and express our gratitude for those who have served and continue to serve our country.

Launching Our Wai Ora Inquiry

Later in the term, students had the privilege of visiting SEA LIFE Kelly Tarlton’s Aquarium to launch our school-wide inquiry theme, Wai Ora. This exciting experience provided an authentic context for learning about aquatic ecosystems, water conservation and the importance of healthy waterways. Students were captivated by the marine life on display and returned to school with their curiosity ignited, eager to ask questions, investigate new ideas and deepen their understanding of the vital role water plays in sustaining life. The visit provided a powerful foundation for the inquiry learning that continues across all syndicates.

Welcome to 2026

Nau mai, haere mai and welcome to a new year of learning at our kura. We are delighted to welcome both returning and new students and whānau to our school community. The start of a new school year is always an exciting time, filled with opportunities to build relationships, establish routines and embark on new learning journeys together.

Our year began with a special Mihi Whakatau, held during our Week 1 Thursday assembly. This important occasion provided an opportunity to formally welcome new students, whānau and staff into our school community. Through the sharing of greetings, waiata and words of welcome, we celebrated the beginning of new connections and strengthened the sense of belonging that is so important within our kura. It was a meaningful way to start the year and reflects our commitment to whanaungatanga and creating a welcoming environment for all.

Connecting with Our Pepeha and School Story

Early in the term, each syndicate took part in a special whakapapa trip to Matukutūreia and Puhinui Reserve, places that feature within our unique school pepeha. These visits provided students with the opportunity to connect with the whenua and gain a deeper understanding of the places that help shape the identity of our kura.

By standing in these significant locations and learning about their history and importance, students were able to strengthen their connection to our school story and the community we belong to. The experience brought our pepeha to life and reinforced the values we promote every day, including whanaungatanga, kaitiakitanga, rangatiratanga and manaakitanga. Through these authentic learning experiences, our tamariki developed a greater sense of belonging, responsibility and pride in our local area.