While our learning environments now sit across two sites, Horoeka Haemata remains one kura – united by shared values, consistent expectations, and a collective commitment to our young people. The opening days are about building relationships, establishing routines, and ensuring learnerss feel confident, connected, and supported.
The first day of high school is a milestone – not just for our year 9 learners, but for their whānau as well. It marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunity, challenge, and growth.
We know that starting high school can feel overwhelming at times. New spaces, new expectations, and new relationships all take time to settle. Our message to learners and whānau is simple: this is a journey, not a race. Belonging, confidence, and success are built day by day, through care, consistency, and strong relationships.
At Horoeka Haemata, we see each learner as a taonga. Our role is to nurture them, challenge them, and support them to flourish – just as the horoeka grows stronger and more resilient over time.
Waitangi Day tomorrow offers us a moment to pause and reflect on Te Tiriti o Waitangi – its intent, its history, and its ongoing significance in our lives and in our kura.
At Horoeka Haemata, our commitment is not symbolic – it is lived through relationships, through equitable opportunities for our learners, and through the way we work alongside whānau, mana whenua, and each other. We are grateful for the guidance of Te Taumutu Rūnanga and for the shared responsibility we carry as kaitiaki of learning on this whenua. As a school community, we will keep learning, keep listening, and keep moving forward together.
He waka eke noa – We are all in this waka together.
We are aware that transport has been a source of frustration and uncertainty for some families, and I want to acknowledge this openly.
The contract for school bus services sits with the Ministry of Education. Since September/October 2025, we have provided the Ministry with all required information, including Te Kura Tuarua start and finish times. The Ministry determines eligibility for Ministry-funded transport, based on learners living 4.8km or more from their local school.
At present, three school buses are servicing Te Kura Tuarua, operating on existing routes. We share the frustration of families that there has been uncertainty around transport provision for learners who meet eligibility criteria, particularly as the metro bus service does not align with school finish times.
The Ministry is now urgently reviewing routes and transport provision, and we are advocating strongly for this to be resolved as soon as possible during term one. Prior to this, the school also explored options with Environment Canterbury regarding bus timing changes; unfortunately, these were not able to be accommodated.
In the interim, all year 12 and 13 learners who we believe are eligible will receive a bus pass, allowing travel between the two campuses in both the morning and afternoon.
Please be assured that we will continue to work closely with the Ministry until a long-term solution is in place. Our priority remains ensuring learners can access their education safely, reliably, and with as little disruption as possible.
Thank you for your patience, understanding, and support as we navigate these early weeks together.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini — our strength lies in working together.
Good luck to all of our learners auditioning for the school show and those participating in Polyfest practices and the start of school sports. It’s all go!
Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou katoa,
Rachel Skelton
Tumuaki/Principal
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