School Newsletter
Term 2 - 2 July 2026

Kia ora e te whānau | Greetings all

And that's a wrap on Term 2, well almost. This term has been packed with action and discovery, bringing our term's concept of Responsibility and Contribution to life. From creating learner-led clubs and exploring marine life through virtual reality, to studying New Zealand's history and democratic systems, our learners have discovered how each of them can actively contribute to creating a positive impact in our society. Here's a brief wrap-up of what's been happening in each village...

Year 0-2

We have shown determination and responsibility this term learning about Turangawaewae 'our shared space'. We continue to develop our collaborative play skills each morning as we welcome new learners to our school, and we have enjoyed learning with our Year 5-8 learners who have shared their breakthrough projects with us.

Year 3-4

Term 2 has been all about 'Community' in our village, exploring how active contribution makes a community thrive. A major highlight was our student-led clubs, where learners used their unique strengths to brainstorm and tackle everyday challenges they noticed right here at school. We also put our collaboration skills to the test during an exciting trip to MOTAT, working together to build epic marble runs and explore the museum.

Year 5–6 

In Literacy, learners have been exploring New Zealand’s democracy and judicial system, learning about Parliament's 120 seats and how the voting system works. In Maths, they have been developing strategies for multiplication, division, and fractions, while also building essential money-management and budgeting skills through the ASB Get Wise programme.

Our science learning took an exciting turn with Blake VR, where learners used virtual reality headsets to dive into marine reserves, comparing ecosystems and exploring ocean conservation. Finally, in Break Through, learners put their energy into making a positive social impact through community projects like acts of service, a junior art club, and creating games for younger learners and the elderly.

Year 7-8

Learning about history has shown us how communities come together to overcome tragedies, both overseas and here in NZ. Seeing the power of collective action has inspired our learners to develop their own collaboration skills. By exploring these powerful stories, they are building the determination and empathy needed to make a positive impact and actively contribute to our own shared spaces.

Term 3

Next Term we look forward to our focus on communicating through the Arts as we prepare for the School Show at the end of Term 3. We've also got another exciting construction project kicking off next week! More about that below.

Thanks for a fantastic term! Have a wonderful break with your whānau and we look forward to welcoming you all back on Monday 20 July.  

Te Whare Mīharo Opening and Matariki Hikoi

Yesterday our day started before the sun with our annual Matariki Hikoi up the maunga and what a stunning morning it was! What was even more special this year was to combine this with the opening of Te Whare Mīharo. The day started at 6am with Tautoko leading a blessing to cleanse the space and transition it from a construction site to a space ready for children to explore. We then led a Hikoi up the maunga to celebrate the beginning of Matariki, then back to Te Whare Mīharo as the sun began to rise for the opening ceremony. The morning ended with some hot soup made by several whānau with produce from the school gardens, as children explored the new space. What an incredible way to celebrate both Matariki and the newest addition to our school grounds! 

Special thank you to Russell Dunn and his team from Tamaki College Trade Academy for creating the building for us, to Jeremy from WilesRead Landscapes for designing this space, and to Nathan and Scott from Grandscapes for their mahi to bring it all to life. This space helps to restore the mauri (life spirit) to our whenua that had been extracted when this area was a quarry. 

It's all happening here - Stonefields is getting a Fale! 

Things never stop here at Stonefields School; on Monday we'll be kicking off our next new and super exciting construction project to create a Fale. A Fale has always been on the wish list for our property masterplan and thanks to a learner-led initiative and strong community voice, the School Board is making this happen. 

A fale is an important part of many Pacific cultures and represents family, community, wellbeing, and cultural identity. Year 8 learner, Atu, put together a compelling presentation on how a Fale could create a welcoming space for learning, celebrations, meetings, and cultural events. A Fale would help our Pasifika kids feel connected to their culture while also teaching others about the values, traditions, and diversity of Pacific peoples. The Fale will also provide more shade from the sun, another strong voice we have heard from the community. We can't wait to see this new space created.  

The Fale will be built in the garden between the Basketball courts and the senior playground. If you are on-site over the school holidays, please be mindful of the construction.  

Term 3 Staffing Changes

We’re excited to be welcoming a new member to our teaching team from next term. As we continue to welcome more new entrant learners and their whānau to our school, we welcome Muditha Nandaratna as a new guardian teacher for Year 0-1. Muditha brings with her valuable experience in Structured Literacy and has a real strength in developing relationships. Muditha will be joining Hub 2, taking over the teaching groups currently taught by Manesha Patel and Laura Choat. 

In Term 3, Manesha Patel will be moving to Hub 10 to open our New Entrant roll-growth guardian group. The Hub 10 team is looking forward to being a three-teacher hub again, which will bring fantastic leadership opportunities for our Year 2s as they welcome our newest learners. Laura Choat will transition into focusing more on her leadership responsibilities as Associate Principal for Year 0-2. 

Within our Intermediate team, you will be sad to hear that Wendy Varadhan has accepted a teaching role at a school closer to her home. While we are sad to see her go, we completely understand and support her decision to prioritise her family at this time. We are thrilled to welcome back Devon Mather-Fabrello, who previously taught in the Intermediate team at Stonefields School and has recently returned from 2 years in the UK. Devon has been with us in a relieving capacity for the last two weeks, and next term will take Wendy’s position in Hub 16.  

I’d like to thank Wendy for her contribution to our school during her time with us and wish her all the very best with her new School. 

We are also excited to welcome back Hope Griffin, who will be returning part-time from maternity leave. She will return to her Associate Principal role, overseeing the Year 5-6 village. 

We are incredibly fortunate as a school to be able to work to our strengths and enjoy the collaborative opportunities our spaces provide.

Year 5 Bike Skills Programme

During the first week of Term 3, Bigfoot Adventures from Auckland Transport will be providing a fully funded 'Bike Skills' programme for our Year 5 learners. Parent permission forms have been sent to all Year 5 parents to please complete. 

Staff Only Day - Friday 31 July

A reminder that there is a Staff Only Day on Friday 31 July. School will be closed for learners this day. Kelly Club will be open if you require child care, please register on their website. 

Sports Highlights of the Week

What a fantastic day our students had at the Tāmaki Ki-o-Rahi event at Pt England Reserve yesterday! We were blown away by your positive attitude, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship throughout the day. Our cluster schools brought some great - and often tough - competition, and you represented our school with pride.

Ka mau te wehi! Congratulations on a fantastic effort!

We'll kick off Term 3 sport with our two Intermediate Netball teams competing at Eastern Zones Netball on Monday, 27 July. We'll be looking for parent helpers and umpires to support the day. If your child is in a Winter Intermediate team, please keep an eye out for an email later this week with more information.

Term 3: Interschool Sport Sign-Ups (Tāmaki & Eastern Zones Clusters)

Our Term 3 interschool sport sign-ups are live! Please encourage (and remind) your learners to sign up for any sports they're interested in participating in next term. We're looking forward to another fantastic turnout across our Tāmaki and Eastern Zones events next term.

Sign Up here: Stonefields.school.nz/sports 

Interschool Sport Line-Up:

• EZ Netball Y7-8 | Monday 27 July

• Tamaki Basketball Y5-8 | Wednesday 5 August 

• EZ Basketball Y7-8 Girls| Monday 17 August

• EZ Basketball Y7-8 Boys | Tuesday 18 August

• Tamaki Rippa Rugby Y5-8 | Wednesday 19 August

• EZ Cross Country Y7-8 | Monday 24 August

• AIMS Games Y7-8 | Saturday 5 - Friday 11 September

• Tamaki Netball Y3-8 | Tuesday 15 September

For more information about all sports opportunities, please visit: stonefields.school.nz/sport 

• Last day of Term 2 | Friday 3 July

• Term 3 begins | Monday 20 July 

• Pōwhiri | Monday 20 July | 9.15am

• Junior School (Year 0-4) Assembly | Monday 27 July | 2pm, Hall

• Eastern Zones Netball (Year 7-8) | Monday 27 July 

• Staff Only Day | Friday 31 July | School closed

• Senior School (Year 5-8) Assembly | Monday 3 August | 2pm, Hall

• School Board Meeting | Tuesday 4 August | 5.30pm Te Pātaka Ako 

• Tamaki Basketball | Wednesday 5 August 

• FOSS Parents' Night | Thursday 6 August 

View our School Calendar to keep up to date with all events

Community Activities

There are plenty of sports, art, and cultural activities available in our community including school holiday programmes. Check out our Community Noticeboard for more details.