Te Kauwhata primary school has its sights set firmly on the future, with the 115-year-old school surpassing the 400-pupil mark and on target to 500 in the next few years.
But the growth isn’t without challenges, according to principal Brian Martin, who says the current uncertainty about the school’s future location is a constant issue.
“As housing has grown, particularly in Lakeside, we have seen a jump in families coming into the area. And when I arrived at the school 12 years ago, we had 270 students- mainly NZ European or Māori – we now have over 15 ethnicities represented, making the school a rich and interesting space.
“The Ministry of Education has said it will review the decision on the school’s location in 2028, so until this time we will continue to get short-term solutions for our growth. This means modular or prefabricated buildings delivered onsite. I do urge parents and locals to speak to or email our MP (Andrew Bayly) with their thoughts on the school and the proposed move and timeline, though” he says.
“It’s a challenge, but a very exciting one. This is a huge adventure, but one that the team and I feel we are ready for. We will make mistakes as we are human, but we will be here every day to support all our learners the best we can.”
Another challenge facing this, and many other schools, is acquiring teaching staff. “We can fill any other role from within our community, except for teachers. They are in short supply all over, so if people in our community do know teachers who are looking to do day-to-day relieving, let us know.”
He also raises a plea to join the newly-restarted PTA. “Our community is amazing, so please join us or if you can only spare a little time, get behind the PTA to help raise funds for new projects around the school. We’d love a new playground.”
Celebrating 2025 highlights
During 2025 the school celebrated a number of highlights, from Matariki with schools around the region performing at Te Kauwhata, to a variety of sporting events including swimming, cross country, athletics and school-wide Ag Day (as befits a country -style school) .
A special win was receiving the Attendance Contract for the region. “As a Board we are the fund-holding school for the North Waikato Attendance Services, and we look after chronic attendance and students who aren’t enrolled in a school from Tuakau all the way down to Ngaaruawaahia and across to Raglan. We are the only school in the Waikato that has a contract with the MOE for Attendance,” says Mr Martin.
The school is also focussing on bilingual learning and ‘additive learning’ , using its new exterior learning space for Ngaa Maramara o Ngaa Muka. Brian Martin explains: “ We offer a high quality Maori immersion programme (rumaki) growing children’s abilities under the shelter of the Māori language. Children are surrounded by Māori language the entire day, from mathematics and science to arts, haka and physical education.
“With a bilingual approach, children are adding another language, rather than replacing. Research shows additive approaches are very effective educationally and result in students becoming bilingual as well as biliterate (able to read, write and converse in two languages). We also know students who are biliterate are more likely to succeed academically.:
And it’s not just learning in the classroom for this innovative school. Students are also keen learners in the Community Garden in the domain opposite the school. It’s an activity, according to Brian Martin, which will grow not only food for the community, but also enable students to realise that life is about supporting and giving to others.
Brian Martin brings a varied background to his role. He previously taught in Otara for 10 years and was born in Northern Ireland, emigrating as a relative youngster in the 80s. “I grew up in Mangere Bridge and went to school in Onehunga. I moved to Pukekohe in 2013 and started to look for work locally and that led me to apply to be the Deputy Principal at TKP. I won the position in 2014, and then became Principal in 2018.
“I love my job, I love working with the amazing staff at TKP, and I love seeing children learn and be empowered to achieve their goals. My aspirations for this coming year are to see all our students thrive in our local school, have opportunities to be empowered to lead, and grow their cultural awareness. Yes, we want to make progress in the 3 Rs but also be good people who support their community.”
Brian Martin hopes the school will continue to be a centre for the community where parents know their children are receiving a quality education – whilst making lifelong friends …and just being kids.
By Claire Simpson
