Welcome
Papakura Normal School is a full primary school situated in Papakura, approximately 30 km south of Auckland City. We cater for ākonga/learners from Year 1 to Year 8 (children aged 5 - 12).
We have a current roll of approximately 700 ākonga/learners. Our school community draws from a wide range of cultural backgrounds including Māori, European, Polynesian, Asian, Indian and other ethnicities.
The school originally opened in 1953 as Papakura North School, situated on the boundary of the Papakura Military Camp.
In 1958, we became affiliated to Ardmore Teachers College and our name was officially changed to "Papakura Normal School".
The word 'Normal' represented the French word 'normale' which means teaching school. At that time, a model country school was set up on the premises and operated as an independent "school within a school". This was to provide opportunities for student teachers to experience teaching in a small rural environment.
Our Vision
Hoe tahi ana ki te whakanuia i te mana me te angitu mo tatou katoa.
Paddling together to build mana and success for all.
Our School Motto
He waka eke noa.
We are in this together.
Our School Values
Others
Achieve
Respect
Our Special Character
A Normal School working in partnership with the University of Auckland, Faculty of Education and Social Work.
A multicultural full primary school catering for individual differences.
A well-resourced school working with families and community to enable ākonga/learners to achieve their academic, cultural and sporting potential.
Settling in at Papakura Normal School
Talofa lava, malo e lelei, kia ora, namaste, bula vinaka, as-salām ‘alaykum, kia orana, fakaalofa lahi atu, ni hau, welcome whānau to Papakura Normal School.
In the Junior School (Rōpū Kei) we have 12 classes in Years 1 to 3 as well as a Year 3/4 Māori Enrichment Class (Waka Haumako Wha).
Suggestions to help your tamaiti/child when starting kura/school
Please name your tamaiti/child’s clothing, lunch box, drink bottle and shoes.
Please be at kura/school before 8.50 am so they have time to settle and get ready for the day.
Be prompt picking up your tamaiti/child at 3.00 pm. Please collect your tamariki/children from the classroom.
Expect your tamaiti/child to be tired at first. A hassle free, early bedtime is important to ensure your tamaiti/child has plenty of sleep.
Your tamaiti/child will receive a snack and lunch meal each day. This kai/food is provided as part of the Ka Ora, Ka Ako - Healthy School Lunches government programme that the school is enrolled in.
Please give your tamaiti/child water or juice, not fizzy drinks, and please do not send any drink to school in a glass bottle.
Please talk to the kaiako/teachers if you are concerned about anything. We are usually in the classroom before and after school.
Buy your tamaiti/child’s schoolbag before starting school so they can practise opening and closing their bag by themselves. (Avoid little bags as your tamaiti/child won’t be able to close it and their belongings will fall out!)
Please ensure your tamaiti/child has correct school uniform (coloured socks and T-shirts worn under uniform are not acceptable).
Velcro shoes are easier for 5-year olds to handle, but please no canvas shoes (they get wet and the tamariki/children have wet feet for the rest of the day). School shoes must be black.
During Term 1 and Term 4, please help our tamariki/children to be sun safe by ensuring they wear a hat and sunblock. Our ākonga have regular swimming lessons, so please clearly label and name all their clothes, togs and towel (it’s a good idea to pack a plastic bag too).
If you need to pick up your tamaiti/child during school hours please call at the office and sign them out, you will be given a "sign out slip" to give to the class kaiako/teacher.
Read with your tamaiti/child at home, they will bring a book home every afternoon and this must be returned the next morning.
Please speak with your child’s kaiako/teacher about ways that you can help in our kura/school especially during the Reading, Language and Maths time. If you have any spare time available, we would love to hear from you.
Keep an eye on the newsletter, Facebook and the free ‘Skool Loop’ app for notices of special events and assemblies. Have Class Dojo connected to your tamaiti/child's kaiako/teacher for an effective partnership between whānau and school. We look forward to you joining us in celebrating our ākonga’s achievements.
We hope your child settles into our kura/school quickly, happily and with confidence.
He Waka Eke Noa - We are in this together,
Papakura Normal School Team
