February 2026 Edition

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Rotorua Intermediate Newsletter

25 February 2026

BURIED VILLAGE OF TE WAIROA & LAKE TARAWERA SCHOOL TRIP

An overarching theme / topic for the year is the 140th Anniversary of the Tarawera Eruption. As an introduction to this learning every Whānau we will have been, or be going on an Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) trip to the Buried Village of Te Wairoa and Lake Tarawera (Stoney Point).

Purpose: The tragic 1886 eruption can be explored in depth by visiting the Buried Village. This is an opportunity to experience the devastation and chaos with remnants, artifacts and remains of Te Wairoa Village. We are exploring a piece of our history.
We will also spend half the day at Lake Tarawera building Whanaungatanga through team bonding, games and swimming.

Tuesday 3rd March-----------------------------------------Vision Screening
Wednesday 4 March ---------------------------------------Top School Event
Monday 9th March-----------------------Teacher ONLY Day (TOD) - No Students
Friday 13th March--------------------------------School Swimming Sports Day
Friday 13th March--------------------------------Super 11 Tennis - Whakatane
Tuesday 17th March-------------------------------------Progress Discussions
Tuesday 17th March-----------------------------------------RATS Duathlon
Friday 20th March---------------------------------------Super 11 Swimming
Wednesday 25th March-------------------------------Photolife School Photos
Friday 27th March------------------------------------------Super 11 Touch
Wednesday 1st April-----------------------------------CBOP Swimming Comp
Thursday 2nd April------------------------------------------Colour Fun Run

Future Girls Fluro Golf Day

A bright and colourful start to the week for our 23 kōtiro that attended the Futures Girls golf fun day at Springfield golf course this morning.
Everyone had a chance to practice their drive and chipping before heading off for a game of rotation golf. Then it was back to the clubhouse for prizes for the best dressed and spot prizes for the rest of the teams.
A big thanks to our parent helpers for supervising a team today and Springfield golf course for hosting

Transitioning to and from school

Manaakitanga Awards Week 1 Term 1

Dreamakaya McLean (Pukaki Whānau)
What an amazing start you have made to the 2026 school year, Dreamakaya. You have welcomed and supported new students into our class, showing manaakitanga from the very first day. Keep being the best you can be, Dream — you have huge potential.

Cassie Haswell (Tunohopu Whānau)
Cassie you've had an incredible first week! You’ve helped create an awesome classroom culture by leading by example and showing your 3rs constantly. Your leadership skills and work ethic is awesome to see and I can't wait for an amazing year ahead! Keep it up!

Cohen Morgan (Te Rangiiwaho Whānau)

Cohen, you have had a great start to Intermediate School. You are a kind and conscientious student with a great sense of humour. You are already showing us your fabulous leadership skills by using your 3R’s throughout the school day. Keep up the awesome mahi! Mauri Ora!

Harley Metekingi (Hurungaterangi Whanau)

Wowsers, Harley!!! What an incredible start to the year. Already you are stepping up and leading in your akomanga and within our whanau hui. You are sharing ideas with your peers and supporting them when you can. Keep up your incredible positive attitude.

Mere Kirkland (Te Roro o Te Rangi Whānau)

Kua hoki tau mai koe ki te whare i tēnei tau. ka mihi atu ki a koe. Kua taki koe i ngā waiata o te pōwhiri. Māuruuru e hine.

Aurora King (Mauri Ora)

Wow Aurora what a great start to yr 8. Your positivity and approach to a new class makes us so proud of how far you have come. Keep up the great work and remember to reach for those stars!

Manaakitanga Awards Week 2 Term 1

Kobee Fiaola (Pukaki Whānau)
Kobee, you have had a great start to Year 8. You have come back ready to get stuck in and do the hard yards. You have set a great example for your peers. Continue to grow and keep your positive attitude.

Eli Liddell (Tunohopu Whānau)
Well done Eli! What a great start you have had to Rotorua Intermediate School. You have demonstrated the RIS values each and everyday and have been an inclusive and supportive member of Tunohopu two since day 1, ensuring all of your peers feel welcome. Keep up the good mahi!

Kiara Powell (Te Rangiiwaho Whānau)
What a great start to your time here at Rotorua Intermediate, Kiara. You’ve already shown yourself to be such a kind and helpful student and it’s awesome to know I can rely on you to help out with printing or putting out the chairs in the morning. Keep it up!

Giavanna Zammit (Hurungaterangi Whānau)
Wow, Giavanna!!! What an incredible start to your haerenga here at Rotorua Intermediate. We can see how supportive you are with your peers and kaiako which is fabulous. You encourage others to step up and you are already leading by example. Ka mau te wehi!

Kaia Chrisohoou (Te Roro o Te Rangi Whānau)
Tēnā koe e kōtiro, you have come back to kura bright eyed and bushy-tailed! Great to see you standing out, confident and respectful, leading the way for our Whānau - Te Roro o Te Rangi. Koia kei ā koe e Kaia!

Imogen Kerr (Taeotu Whānau / Pathways)
For your first session in Robotic Engineering, you have really shown exceptional coding ability to get your robot around your map. You have shown you are adaptive and innovative when faced with challenges. I can’t wait to see what else you can achieve!!

Roxanne Hohepa (Mauri Ora)
You have shown real resilience Roxanne since the term started. Your awesome “go to attitude” and the way you keep trying is great to see. Keep up the good work and positive vibes.

Manaakitanga Awards Week 3 Term 1

Featuring Matua Mark

Logan Harford (Pukaki Whānau)
Logan has made an awesome start at RIS, your friendly and bubbly personality has made you an asset to our classroom culture. You are willing to give things a go and make all of the games and competitions in Pukaki 3 a little bit more fun. Shot Logan!

Hawea Daniel-Newton (Tunohopu Whānau)
Hawea, what a great start you have made at RIS. You are a cheerful and friendly student and you are so focused on your learning. I am impressed by your interest in Aotearoa/New Zealand history and the knowledge that you are keen to share. I have also been impressed by your mahi in mathematics and writing. An amazing effort, Hawea. Well done!

Rory Bennett (Te Rangiiwaho Whānau)
Rory, great start to your new journey of being an intermediate student. Keep up your dedication to completing your tasks, giving everything a go, and always having kindness for others. Looking forward to seeing you thrive at RIS.

Riley Tauroa (Hurungaterangi Whānau)
Riley, what an awesome start you have made to the year. You have settled into our classroom so smoothly, and it has been great to see your self managing skills growing stronger every single day! You are proving you can take responsibility for your learning and make positive choices consistently. Thank you for being such an awesome, reliable member of our class. Riley. We are so lucky to have you!

Faila Akaoula (Te Roro o Te Rangi Whānau)
Tēnā koe e kōtiro, you have had an amazing start to kura. You are always prepared for learning in our akomanga, always focused on your mahi and demonstrate our 3R values i ngā wā katoa. Kia kaha tonu!

Eli Cyca (Taeotu Whānau / Pathways)
What a fantastic first 2 lessons in Culinary Arts. Eli, you demonstrate our school values, you are extremely organised and supportive towards your peers which is much appreciated. Continue to strive and cook up a storm!

Dreamakaya McLean (Mauri Ora)
What an impressive start to your year, Dreamakaya. You always come to school willing to take on new things and you always show kindness towards others. Keep up the great mahi!

UNIFORM EXPECTATIONS

New Zealand Traveller Declaration

Are you going overseas for the school holidays?

When you return, you can now complete a digital New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before you fly back into New Zealand – replacing the need to fill out a paper declaration card on the plane.

Everyone coming into New Zealand needs to complete an NZTD. You’ll answer questions about your trip and what’s in your bags. You can complete it at a time that suits you, on the NZTD website or by downloading the NZTD app, and submit it 24 hours before your trip back to New Zealand.

Download the NZTD app today! QR Code below

travellerdeclaration.govt.nz