Term Dates

COURAGE TO BE YOURSELF

Daily Bus Messages -

Please Call the School and Leave a Bus Message by 2.30pm.

Principal's Welcome

Kia Ora, Talofa Lava, Malo e lelei, Kia Orana, Greetings,

Te Mata School is a full primary school situated in a stunning rural location at the heart of the Te Mata community. Our personalised learning programs and teaching strategies are especially tailored to cater for the academic, social and physical development needs of each unique student at our school.

“Courage to be Yourself”.

We have a whanau style approach where our whole learning community supports the academic, physical and emotional development of everyone at Te Mata School. The vibrant and committed teachers provide a range of programs and activities to support this approach.

We have our “Fish Philosophy” that underpins the values of Te Mata School and weaves it way through all aspects of our children’s day.

Like parents, the staff and Board of Trustees at Te Mata School want the best for all our students. This is achieved in an atmosphere of friendly co-operation which involves the school, the students and their families.

If you would like more information about Te Mata School or to arrange a visit, please feel free to contact the office to make an appointment, it would be our pleasure to show you around.

Fiona Gott, Principal

OUR MISSION

Fish Philosophy

In 2006, Te Mata School explored many educational and business models when trying to define Te Mata School’s Culture. We decided that we would adopt John Yokoyama’s business model of his ‘World Famous Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle’.

Our school mission is learning together to achieve. We embrace the FISH philosophy from Seattle:

Play
Make their Day
Be Present
Choose your Attitude

	ABOUT TE MATA What makes us unique?
	Te Mata School is a full primary, co-educational facility located at the base of Mt Karioi between the Raglan and Aotea Harbours on the West Coast of the North Island. The school is 135 years old and has a rich history.
	Te Mata consists of six permanent classrooms, an adventure playground and extensive, park – like grounds which feature large mature trees and spacious areas for students to play and to enjoy the peace and shade. The school is proud of its large swimming pool and tennis courts.
	It is our people that make Te Mata School unique, our students, parents, staff, Board of Trustees & our wider community. Our people are committed to making Te Mata School the best learning environment. We care about past experiences & care about creating new learning opportunities.
	Our weekly Whanau Newsletter promotes our caring culture & fosters a strong communication link for our families. When developing policies and practices for our school every endeavor is made to reflect New Zealand’s cultural diversity & the unique position of Maori culture.

What's happening at Te Mata School (Raglan)?

Upcoming Events in August

Mon 31

ERO Visit

31 Aug 2026 - 2 Sep 2026

Latest Notices

Parent permission to use photos

28 Aug 2026

Kia ora Whaanau,

The Te Mata Tennis Club are publishing an article in the Chronicle and want to use photos of our senior students on the court. These photos are taken from the rooftop of the neighbouring house, and the students are all in their playing together (or posing together in the middle of the courts).

The students in the photos are from Taketonga and Mangō only.

If you for any reason you do not want the image used, please email me.

Ngā mihi nui

Trina

Keeping Te Mata healthy this winter - a quick guide

25 Aug 2026

Kia ora koutou,

As you will know, communities across New Zealand are experiencing high rates of winter illnesses. We understand that some parents have been finding it tricky to know when their child is well enough to attend school and when an unwell child should be at home. The Ministry of Education have put together some helpful information provided by Health New Zealand.

Noho ora mai, stay well,

The Te Mata Team

Should-I-keep-my-child-home-from-school-or-childcare-leaflet.pdf

Week 6 Newsletter

24 Aug 2026

Teacher Only Day - Tomorrow

16 Aug 2026

Happy Sunday everyone,

Just a reminder that our staff have a Teacher Only Day tomorrow based at Waitetuna School.

See you all at school on Tuesday.

The Te Mata team

Kapa haka team announcement

7 Aug 2026

Kia ora whānau,

This week, Mark and Vicki have been working hard behind the scenes conducting kapa haka trials for our students. We had a huge response and so many fantastic tamariki step forward—far more than we are allowed to select. For the upcoming Interschool festival, our team is strictly capped at 40 students.

The final team will be announced today.

With so much interest and limited spots, we know there will inevitably be some disappointed children, and parents, when the list comes out. Please know that making these choices is never easy for our team.

If your child was absent this week, please rest assured that teachers still included them in the decision-making process. Trials are just one part of the picture, and teachers consider many different factors when forming the final team.

We are so proud of every student who had the courage to give it a go and put their heart into trialling this week!

Ngaa mihi nui

The Te Mata Team