Te Akonga o Whenuakite will endeavour for personal hauora and success

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Te Akonga O Whenuakite Are

 

 

INTRODUCTION FROM OUR TUMUAKI - PRINCIPAL

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

 

 

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

 

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

Students with 100% attendance term 1, 2026

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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Latest Notices

Whenuakite School Community Hall Project Update
28 Aug 2026

Exciting progress is being made on the Whenuakite School Community Hall Project.

Following a review of the original Community Court Project proposal, the Board of Trustees has agreed to pursue a new multi-purpose Hall and community building adjacent to the existing courts, rather than building over the courts. This revised concept continues to meet the objectives of the 2024 feasibility study and the requirements of our funding partners.

What happens next?
The Board is now working through updated quotes and concept designs, geotechnical investigations, and the appointment of a project manager and architect. A dedicated Hall Project subcommittee will also be established to coordinate the project and work with the Board, community and funding partners.

Further approvals will be required from relevant funding bodies as the revised proposal progresses.

We need our community behind this exciting project! Community support, fundraising and involvement will be essential to making the Hall a reality over the next few years.

Community Meeting:
📅 Wednesday 2 September
🕒 3.00 pm
📍 Whenuakite School Activity Room

Come along to learn more, ask questions and help us shape the future of this exciting project.

AIMS Games 2026 – Gear List & Logistics
28 Aug 2026

Kia ora Parents and Whānau,

Please find the gear list attached for the upcoming AIMS Games.

Please ensure your child has everything packed and clearly labelled prior to departure.

Key Logistics & Dates

Bedding Details: We are currently finalising accommodation details and will send out confirmation regarding bedding requirements once sleeping arrangements are locked in by Tuesday this coming week.


Sunday Transport & Departure:

For all students requiring transport, as well as parents who have kindly offered to help driver/chaperone, we will meet at the school at 10:15 am on Sunday, 6 September.


Friday Return Time:

We will head back on Friday, 11 September. Specific return times will be confirmed and updated via the Skoolloop app within your child's specific AIMS Games group once the sporting schedules wrap up.


If you have any questions or queries in the meantime, please feel free to get in touch.

Ngā mihi,

Chris 

Gear-Check-List-Football.pdf

Final Cultural Festival Reminder
27 Aug 2026

Dear Whanau,

For the students meeting at school tomorrow, you must be in the gate by 7.50am we will be leaving at 8.00am. 

Our school performance starts 12.20pm. 

Country Kids perfomance starts at 11.30am. 

When you arrive at Coromandel Area School - please meet the teachers from our school outside the Hall area. 

Please call Lucy 021 064 6510 or Nicola 027 617 8819 if you have any issues. 

Thank you

Miss Lucy and Whenuakite staff 

 

Senior and Middle Speech Presentations
27 Aug 2026

Whenuakite School Speech Presentations: Rooms 5 - 8

The Whenuakite School Speech Presentations will be held in the Activity Room on Wednesday 2 September starting at 10am.

Students from Rooms 5 – 8 who wish to try out for the Eastern Coromandel Speech Competition will be presenting their speeches to the whole middle and senior syndicates.

Parents are welcome to attend.

We will start at 10am and finish when all the speeches have been presented (approx. 10:50am, maybe earlier).

Please email your child's classroom teacher if you have any questions. 

 

Whenuakite School Teachers Rooms 5-8

Reminder - Students at School on Friday
26 Aug 2026

Dear Whanau,

This Friday is the Cultural Festival.  For the students who have opted to do activities other than kapa haka we have multi-level activities available on Friday. 

Rooms 1-4 students will be in Room 2 with Mrs Collins and Susan, and Rooms 5-8 students will be in Room 6 with Leigh and Karin. Shona will be at school and available to support both classes. 

Could you please email nicola@whenuakite.school.nz by Thursday, 9am, if you are expecting your child to be away from school on Friday.  

Students who are not performing at the Cultural Festival or attending school on Friday will be marked as explained but not justified, (Unless they are sick or have a family reason).

Please communicate absence with us as normal on Friday - unless you have already contacted Nicola. 

Thank you. 

Whenuakite Staff 

Supporters and Sponsors

Parents, please support our local businesses

Richardsons Real Estate Limited MREINZ Kip McGrath Whitianga Monrad Excavation Hahei General Store Donovan & Son Contractors Ltd OfficeMax KIDOGO Coromandel Ocean Adventures
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