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Welcome to the 2026 School Year

Tēnā koutou katoa! Kia orana, Noa’ia, Talofa lava, Mauri, Mālō e lelei, Tālofa, Ni Sa Bula Vinaka, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Mālō ni and warm Pacific greetings to you all. On behalf of Tawa College, I am delighted to welcome you all to the 2026 school year. Nau mai, haere mai!

We are looking forward to welcoming all of our students back to the new school year and are excited to celebrate their successes and experiences from the holiday break. Congratulations to all those students who reached their goals in relation to NCEA and embraced the learning opportunities this has offered. We are proud of your achievements and commitment. We know that there will be plenty of stories and things to celebrate when you return to school and we are looking forward to being together soon.

I would also like to extend a warm welcome to the staff joining or returning to us this year. We are excited to have them in our community and look forward to the unique perspectives they bring. Please join me in welcoming:

  • Shōmi Yoon (HoD Languages) – returning from leave

  • Liva Hancock (Trainee Counsellor)

  • Rebecca Neil (Masters student in Social Sciences learning area)

  • Mike Alley (Ko Taku Reo teacher)

  • Sara Enoka (Pacific Pastoral Lead)

  • Jo Keats (In-School Attendance Support)

  • Phill Smit (Technology) – returning to cover leave

Key Reminders for Week One

To ensure a smooth transition back into the school routine, please be aware of the following:

  • Returning Students Years 10 to 13

    Pōhiri, Wednesday, 28 January, 8:40 am

    A reminder that school starts tomorrow with pōhiri, on the forecourt.  Please gather outside the Library by 8:35 am.  The waiata to support your speaker will be Whāia te Tika, the school haka.

    New Students

    Pōhiri, Wednesday, 28 January, 10:00 am

    This pōhiri is to welcome students new to Te Kāreti o Tawa I Tawa College.  As mana whenua in this area, we follow the kawa of Ngāti Toa Rangatira.  The process is detailed below:

    • 9:50 am Gather outside the Library for a short briefing.  This is also the time for manuhiri to decide who will call and speak for the group (up to two speakers).

    • Once the pōhiri begins, te reo Māori is the only language spoken.  A speaker from tangata whenua will indicate when the pōhiri is finished, and English and other languages can be used.

    • 10:00 am Tangata whenua begin the pōhiri with karanga.  Manuhiri are welcome to respond.

    • Haka pōhiri begins, manuhiri slowly process towards their seats.  The front row is male only and reserved for whoever is speaking for manuhiri.  Haka pōhiri finishes once everyone is standing in front of a seat.

    • The final karanga occurs, and everyone is seated.

    • Tangata whenua start the whaikōrero, followed by a waiata.

    • The manuhiri speaker responds, followed by a waiata.

    • The second tangata whenua speaker delivers whaikōrero, followed by a waiata.

    • If the manuhiri side has one speaker only, the second tangata whenua speaker will finish by asking the manuhiri to come across for hongi / harirū, after which the manuhiri return to their seats. *

    • Tangata whenua will perform the final karakia, then handover to the Tumuaki, who will address the gathering.  English is spoken from this point onwards.

    • The pōhiri concludes with shared kai, after which, new students will go to Te Whare Āhuru I School Hall, and allocated to their new class.

    * If there is a second speaker on the manuhiri side, the process repeats.

    We look forward to starting our new school year tomorrow, catching up with returning students, and welcoming everyone who is new to Te Kāreti o Tawa.  Mauri ora ki a tātau.

    Glossary

    • haka pōhiri – ceremonial welcome haka

    • harirū / hongi – shaking of hands / pressing of noses

    • karakia – incantation

    • karanga – ceremonial call of acknowledgement / welcome

    • manuhiri – visitors

    • pōhiri – welcoming ceremony

    • tangata whenua – hosts

    • tumuaki – principal

    • waiata – song, chant, haka

    • whaikōrero – ceremonial speech

  • Uniform: We take pride in our school identity. Please ensure students are in full, correct uniform.

  • Timetables: Students will receive printed timetables on Wednesday 28th January. Digital timetables will be available on SchoolBridge from 9 February 2026.

  • Upcoming Events: Keep an eye on the school calendar for future events including:

    • Thursday 5th February – Teacher Only Day – No Students

    • Friday 6th February – Waitangi Day – Public Holiday

    • Tuesday 10th February – Year 9 Whānau Evening 5pm to 6.30pm