Welcome

Mānawatia a Matariki! We welcome the Te Ao Māori new year. This year we have taken a low-key approach as a school, with classes doing their own matariki learning. Friday is a public holiday so that we can all celebrate with our families. Matariki is a time to be with whānau, remembering those who have passed, celebrating and giving thanks for the present, and planning ahead to the future. This Friday's holiday is an ideal time for you and your whānau to do this together. We remember and pray for all of those who are dear to you who are no longer with us. Special prayers for those who have died over the past 12 months - and there are many from our community. 

Board meeting Monday 23 June

A reminder to consider whether you would like to be nomiated for the Board in the september elections. 

You are warmly invited to attend any Board meetings throughout the year, which take place twice each term. Our next hui is on Monday 23rd June - how about joining us? We start at 6.30pm, and the meeting takes place in the admin area (usually the principal's office). If you would like a copy of the agenda, please email principal@sfds.school.nz and this will be sent you you. 

2026 School Terms

We can now confirm the term dates for 2026, as follows. Please make sure that your family holidays avoid the dates below, during school terms. Thank you. 

• Term One: Monday 9 February - Holy Thursday, 2 April  (39 days) 

• Term Two: Monday 20 April - Friday 3 July (52 days)

  • Closed: Anzac Day observed on Monday 27 April

  • Closed: Teacher Only Day Friday 29 May, and King’s Birthday Monday 1 June.

• Term Three: Monday 20 July - Friday 25 September (48 days)

  • Closed: One Teacher Only Day (date yet to be determined)

• Term Four: Monday 12 October - Thursday 17 December (48 days)

Due to booking our two 2026 Ministry of Education Curriculum Days in the holidays before school starts, we are only required to be open for instruction for 278 half days in total. 

Talent Show

Last week, our senior students held a talent show for the school. This was organised BY the students FOR the students! Many students performed and it was such a lot of fun to celebrate the children's talents. 

It is a scary thing to perform to such a large group of students from across the school. each of the contestants looked so comfortable in the space!

It takes a lot of preparation to bring a performance together. We are very proud of the children - they practised, practised, practised to get it right!

Our winning musical group of Year 8 students presented a very pollished performance, including well-rehearsed ukuklele, singing, audience-engagement and sign language! Ka pai tā koutou mahi, tamariki mā. 

Learning Updates

Garden to table Matariki in the Garden – Pumpkin Soup and Whanaungatanga 

As part of our Matariki celebrations, our Garden to Table students have been busy harvesting pumpkins from our māra and turning them into a delicious homemade soup. This activity has been more than just cooking — it’s been about connection, reflection, and care.

Matariki is a time to honour the past, celebrate the present, and prepare for the future. Our tamariki demonstrated this beautifully by working together to gather ingredients from the school garden, prepare the soup from scratch, and share kai with each other. The smells from the kitchen were incredible, and it was heartwarming to see the pride they took in creating something nourishing from what they had grown themselves.

We’ve included the recipe below so you can try it at home. Maybe you’d like to make it together as a whānau during the school break — a perfect way to reflect, connect, and enjoy some warmth this winter.

Ngā mihi o Matariki, te tau hou Māori 

Easy Roast Pumpkin Soup Adapted from Chelsea Winter – Eat

From the garden: Pumpkin, onion, garlic, parsley, lemon  

Equipment: Chopping board, knife, stick blender, roasting tray, large pot, mixing bowl, foil, ladle, measuring spoons, and bowls.

Ingredients:

• 1.5–3 kg pumpkin

• 50g butter

• 1 onion

• 1 Tbsp olive oil

• 4 cups vegetable stock

• 2/3 cup cream (or coconut cream, or just use more stock)

• ¼ tsp ground black pepper

• ¼ tsp ground white pepper

• Squeeze of lemon juice (optional)

• Handful of fresh parsley

How to make it:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.

2. Cut pumpkin in half and scoop out seeds (microwave briefly to soften if needed).

3. Roast pumpkin face-down in a dish with water, covered with foil.

4. Peel and halve onion and garlic, drizzle with oil, and roast.

5. When soft, scoop pumpkin flesh and add it to a pot with butter over medium heat.

6. Add onion and garlic.

7. Pour in stock and simmer for 10–15 mins.

8. Add cream (if using) and seasonings.

9. Blend until smooth, reheat, and stir in chopped parsley.

Dates to Add to Your Diary

Please also check our SFDS Events Calendar 

Thursday 19 June 2025

• Suzanne Aubert’s birthday

• Tangaroa (Year 0-3) Pe Day- wear PE Gear

• Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear

•  5pm PSL disco - save the date!

Friday 20 June 2025

• Matariki Public Holiday School Closed

Monday 23 June 2025

• Tangaroa (Year 0-3) Pe Day- wear PE Gear

• 1:30pm Rms 5 & 6 Paekawakawa Reserve trip

• 1:45pm Rm 2 Island Bay library trip

• 6:30pm SFDS Board Hui

Tuesday 24 June 2025

• Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE day (Wear PE Gear)

• Wheke(rm 7) and Parareka(Rm 8) PE Day (Wear PE Gear)

Wednesday 25 June 2025

• Pohutukawa (Rm 10) PE day (Wear PE Gear)

• Ranginui (Year 7 & 8) PE Day- Wear PE Gear

Thursday 26 June 2025

• Tangaroa (Year 0-3) Pe Day- wear PE Gear

• Tarawera (Rm 2) Pe Day - Wear PE Gear

Friday 27 June 2025

• 7:50am Flames Netball Practice

• Ranginui (Year 7 & 8) PE Day- Wear PE Gear

• Wheke(rm 7) and Parareka(Rm 8) PE Day (Wear PE Gear)

• 3pm Year 5/6 Netball Practice

• 4:30pm Year 7/8 Comets Netball Practice

• LAST DAY OF TERM 2