Our School
Enrolment
Out-of-Zone Enrolments – Term 3, 2026
The Te Aroha Primary School Board of Trustees is pleased to advise that a limited number of out-of-zone places have become available for students wishing to enrol at Te Aroha Primary School for the start of Term 3, 2026.
Enrolment at Te Aroha Primary School is governed by an approved Enrolment Scheme. Full details are available from the school office or on our website.
Available Out-of-Zone Places
The Board has determined that the following places are available:
- 2 places in Year 4
- 2 places in Year 5
- 2 places in Year 6
- 2 places in Year 7
Unfortunately, we do not have capacity to offer out-of-zone places in Years 0–3 or Year 8 at this time.
How to Apply
Families wishing to apply for an out-of-zone place should submit an Expression of Interest for Out-of-Zone Enrolment by emailing:
📧 accounts@tearohaprimary.school.nz
Subject Line: Expression of Interest for Out-of-Zone Enrolment
Once your Expression of Interest has been received, the school will provide further information regarding the application process.
Important Dates
Applications close: Midday, Tuesday 30 June 2026
If the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, students will be selected by ballot in accordance with Ministry of Education guidelines.
Ballot date: Thursday 2 July 2026
Parents and caregivers will be notified of the outcome on the same day. Successful applicants will receive confirmation of enrolment, while unsuccessful applicants will be advised accordingly.
In-Zone Enrolments
This process does not apply to students who live within the Te Aroha Primary School home zone. In-zone students are guaranteed enrolment and can contact the school office at any time to begin the enrolment process.
Further Information
If you have any questions regarding enrolment or would like further information, please contact:
📧 principal@tearohaprimary.school.nz
📧 accounts@tearohaprimary.school.nz
We look forward to welcoming new students and families to the Te Aroha Primary School community.
Pre Enrolment
Welcome to Te Aroha Primary School
As you plan your child’s start to school we know this can be an overwhelming time with many decisions which need to be made. We hope to be able to assist you in making the right choice for you and your family. At Te Aroha Primary School we encourage an inclusive and caring culture where children can establish the solid foundations they need to make their way through life.
We look forward to having your child start their learning journey with us!
Enrolment Next Steps…
If your child will shortly be turning 5 we can help you with your next step.
- Make an appointment at the school office and the principal will be happy to show you around the school.
- When you have made the decision to enrol your child, pop into the school office where our secretary will give you the enrolment information and walk through the process ahead. Alternatively you can complete our online enrolment form and then drop in with your child’s birth certificate or passport and immunization information to the office.
- Prior to your child starting they will be invited to three pre-school visits, we ask that you or a family member comes with them to their visit. The visits are normally for one block on the first visit , two on the second and then the full day on the third. This will give your child a sense of what a day might run like.
- Te Aroha primary runs a special transition to school programme called Ready Set Go. When your child is four and a half years old they are welcome to attend this programme once a fortnight.
- Te Aroha Primary offers a very special start to school in our New Entrant class. Students are moved from the new entrant classes in small groups as they become ready to transition through to a bigger classroom. This more personalized approach we have found makes the sometimes daunting transition a lot easier for children and parents.
Zone information
View: Te Aroha Primary Zone Map
Te Aroha Primary School Enrolment Zone
The Board of Trustees has now approved and ratified Te Aroha Primary School’s enrolment zone. Below is key information for families as we begin implementing this scheme.
Home Zone
Students who live within our designated home zone have an automatic right to enrol at Te Aroha Primary School.
Address verification will be carried out by Deirdre Hearmon and Cam Melrose.
For any questions, please contact:
Deirdre Hearmon – principal@tearohaprimary.school.nz Cam Melrose – accounts@tearohaprimary.school.nz
Out-of-Zone Enrolments
If spaces are available, a ballot will be held for out-of-zone enrolments. Details and dates for any ballot will be shared in advance.
Transitional Arrangements
Students who already have a sibling enrolled at Te Aroha Primary School may still be eligible to enrol under grandparenting provisions.
Enrolment Documentation
All enrolment applications must include proof of address. Where an address appears temporary or unclear, the school may contact families for further verification.
Please see the map attached below for details of our enrolment zone boundaries.
Uniform
Children at Te Aroha Primary School are required to wear the appropriate school uniform to school each day.
Summer uniform is worn in Term 1 and 4 and winter uniform is worn in Term 2 and 3.
Summer Uniform consists of:
● School sun hat (compulsory)
● Green polo shirt with school logo
● Navy Polo shirt with school logo
● School Jacket
● School navy blue shorts
● School navy blue skorts
● School navy blue track bottom (optional in summer) (no track pants material)
● Sensible shoes
Winter uniform consists of:
● School Beanie (optional)
● Green polo shirt with school logo
● Navy Polo shirt with school logo
● School Jacket
● School navy blue shorts
● School navy blue skorts
● School navy blue track bottom (no track pants material)
● Tights – black, dark or navy blue (optional) NO COMPRESSION CLOTHING
● Sensible shoes
● Navy blue or black long sleeve tops/thermals may be worn under the polo shirt (optional). No other colours are permitted.
● A wrist watch is permitted.
● Shorts/ skorts must be worn on the fields or in the sandpit.
● A reminder, Heelys,Ugg boots or high heeled boots are not sensible shoes for children to wear to school. Slippers are for wearing inside only.
● 1 pair of stud earrings is permitted. No sleepers or hoop/ dangle earrings.
● If you have a nose piercing then a clear retainer must be worn.
● No other jewellery is permitted except 1 necklace of cultural or religious significance which cannot be seen.
● Long Hair tied back please
We want our students to be neat and tidy and a good example of what our school stands for when they are at school and out in the community.
ERO Report
For more information about Te Aroha Primary please click here to our latest ERO report. Click here to view
School Polices / School Docs
We use School Docs for our School Policies.
https://tearohaprimary.schooldocs.co.nz/
tearohaprimary
password: school
HERO 2026
LEARNING SPACE/SPOTLIGHT STUDENT LEARNING is connected to the eTAP @school that parents can log into.
Spotlight
We’re excited to share that this year, we’ve introduced Spotlight as a new tool for tracking and reporting on your child’s learning progress and achievements. Spotlight is now integrated into our eTAP student management system, streamlining all assessment and learning information into one convenient location.
To access Spotlight, simply log in to the @school parent portal on your computer or use the @school parent app on your phone. If you’re already using the portal or app, keep an eye out for a new “Spotlight” button that will be added in the coming days. Clicking on this button will grant you access to your child’s digital portfolio showcasing their progress and achievements.
We understand that transitioning to Spotlight may seem daunting, but it offers many features and benefits that our previous system, Seesaw, couldn’t provide. Our teachers have dedicated time this term to familiarize themselves with Spotlight and have already begun posting evidence of your children’s learning and achievements. However, we acknowledge that we’re still in the learning phase ourselves and may not yet be experts in utilizing all of its features.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to explore and learn how to maximize the potential of Spotlight. Rest assured, we’re committed to providing you with the best tools and resources to support your child’s educational journey.
SPOTLIGHT enables students to:
● Access their own learning pathway (anytime, anywhere and on any device);
● See their own progress towards meeting their learning targets;
● Set a timeframe to complete their most important learning goal;
● Access digital learning content for each assigned set;
● Upload evidence of their learning against each goal so the teacher can sign that goal as achieved.
● Access their learning timetable each week, seeing when they will be working with the teacher and any follow-up exercises.
● Access the class timetable and challenge themselves to attend another learning group if they wish (we are working towards this end goal)
● Get up-to-date feedback and comments from teachers about their learning progress.
● Get feedback and comments from their parents about their learning progress.
Annual Implementation Plan
2026 Annual Plan
View the 2026 Annual Plan by clicking on this link
2025 Annual Plan
View the 2025 Annual Plan by clicking on this link
Annual Report
2022 Annual Report
View the 2022 Annual Report by clicking on this link
2023 Annual Report
View the 2023 Annual Report by clicking on this link
2024 Annual Report
View the 2024 Annual Report by clicking on this link
Annual Financial Report
2021 Annual Financial Report
View the 2021 Annual Financial Report by clicking on this link
2022 Annual Financial Report
View the 2022 Annual Financial Report by clicking on this link
2023 Annual Financial Report
View the 2023 Annual Financial Report by clicking on this link
2024 Annual Financial Report
View the 2024 Annual Financial Report by clicking on this link
Attendance Management Plan
Attendance at Te Aroha Primary School
At Te Aroha Primary School, we know that regular attendance plays an important role in your child’s learning, wellbeing, and sense of belonging. Being at school each day helps our tamariki build strong relationships with their peers and teachers, while taking part in consistent, high-quality learning opportunities.
Every day matters. In line with Ministry of Education expectations, students are required to attend school every day it is open, and regular attendance is defined as being present for more than 90% of the term. When students attend regularly, they are better able to keep up with their learning and feel confident and connected in the classroom.
We actively monitor attendance and follow up when concerns arise. Our aim is to work in partnership with whānau to build positive attendance habits and support any challenges that may be getting in the way of regular attendance.
By working together, we can ensure every child has the best opportunity to thrive and succeed.
Please see the Te Aroha Primary School Attendance Plan below for further information.
Stepped Attendance Response - STAR
Travel to and from School
Most of our students walk, cycle, or scooter to school, while others are dropped off by car.
Some areas within the school zone — such as Mangaiti and Rāwhiti Road — may be covered by a Ministry of Education bus route. Please check with the Ministry of Education, the bus company, or contact our school office if you are unsure whether your address is eligible for school bus transport.
A Ministry of Education bus is available for children living in rural areas, and this can be arranged through the school office.
If you are uncertain whether your child is eligible for a bus route, please contact the Ministry of Education or the bus company directly — or get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to assist.
Absences
If your child will be absent from school for any reason, please notify the school office.
We are currently in the transition phase to HERO, our new school management platform. Once HERO is fully launched for parents, you’ll be able to log absences directly through the HERO app or website. This will make reporting absences fast, simple, and accessible from your phone or any device.
Until the parent side of HERO is officially launched at Te Aroha Primary, please report absences using one of the following methods:
Email: admin@tearohaprimary.school.nz (preferred method)
Phone: (07) 884 8803 — leave a message on the school answerphone
We appreciate your patience as we complete this transition to HERO. We’ll notify whānau once HERO is live for parents and ready to use for absence reporting.
School Reports and Learning Discussions
At Te Aroha Primary School, we believe in keeping whānau well informed and involved in their child’s learning journey.
In 2025, we continued to report twice yearly — mid-year and end-of-year — through the eTAP app, with hard copies available on request.
We hold a minimum of two Learning Discussions per year, typically in Term 1 (Meet the Teacher) and Term 3, where teachers, parents, and students meet to discuss progress, goals, and next steps in learning. Teachers are also available for additional meetings throughout the year — please reach out via Seesaw or contact the school office to arrange a suitable time.
Looking ahead to 2026, Te Aroha Primary School will make the transition to HERO reporting. This will allow parents to access reports, progress updates, and teacher comments online in real time, rather than waiting for mid-year and end-of-year reports. More information and guidance will be shared with parents as we move through this transition.
Coming Soon – HERO Learning Reports
Parents will be able to view student progress, teacher feedback, and school reports directly through the HERO app and website from 2026.
Payments at TAPS
We accept bank transfers, cash, or EFTPOS transactions at the school office.
Bank Account Details:
Please email accounts@tearohaprimary.school.nz if you would like Te Aroha Primary School’s bank account details and the correct reference information, which will depend on the type of payment.
Concerns and Complaints Process
