Week 1 NEWSLETTER

from the principal

Our Vision: Together we Nurture, Explore and Create for a Better Future

Welcome back…2026 is underway!

2025 was a great year for the school

Our ‘Learning Showcase’ - the half day event we put on highlighting the incredible learning and creativity of our children
Success on the sportsfield…the number of children participating in sport is high, and we placed highly in several local competitions.
Success locally - DPS placed highly in the ePro8 engineering competition, placed 2nd in the local literacy quiz, and won a heap of categories in the photography competition
Success nationally…our two Aquabots teams (robotics) placing in the top-10 nationally
Success in our learning…once again our academic outcomes were great, students making big progress and achieving well.
Lastly (but not leastly) the Education Review Office came for their inspection at the very end of the year…and rated us as ‘Excelling’ in a number of important areas (Curriculum, School Leadership, Teaching and Learning, and Partnerships). This is an independent government body reviewing us…and they were super impressed with what they saw.

I’m sure 2026 is going to carry on in that same vein. Already we have a win:

Over the Xmas break Emma Harkness found out she has been accepted as an Apple Distinguished Educator! No small feat…while we are an Apple Distinguished School, Emma is our first ADE. Well done Emma.

A big Welcome to our new staff - Deb in Rātā, Maddie in Kahikatea, Andrea in Kōwhai and Kate in Rimu. We had some time together as a staff last week, and have produced a series of tukutuku panels for the school…each representing how our teams nurture and develop the children at school. Also a big welcome to all our new students…19 of you joined us yesterday!

It has been a super positive couple of days back so far…the nice weather has returned, and the pool is full (thanks Mr Blue)!

I hope you all had a wonderful break, and I’m looking forward to working with you all to ensure a positive and successful 2026.

Hats

DPS is a sunsmart school, and as of tomorrow our no hat-no play policy kicks in. If you don’t have a DPS bucket hat, please head to NZ Uniforms to get one for your child.

Mihi Whakatau

Our mihi whakatau to welcome new staff and students will be tomorrow. A notice has gone home to invite whānau of new students to attend. Please let us know if your are coming so we can cater for you.

Enrolments

I’m putting a call out now…have you enrolled your child for 2026? You may have a 4 year old in the house, or a friend with a 4 year old…make sure the office has been contacted so we have you in the system. We have an enrollment zone, you can read the details in this link. Make contact at office@douglaspark.school.nz

what's happening at douglas park

School Picnic - Friday 13th February

Put the date in your calendar, Friday 13th February for our School Picnic. Bring a blanket, some food, whānau and have a great time.

We will be opening the pool...fingers crossed for decent weather! The evening is always a great way to meet staff, meet other parents and a super way to start the school year together.

subway lunch available every friday - order online or at the school office

change of details

If you have recently moved house, had a change of phone number, or any other contact details of your child/children have changed, could you please let us know at the school office by calling in to see us, phoning us on (06) 370-0189, or sending an email to office@douglaspark.school.nz