Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to send my tamariki to Kura?

At our Kura, we have no school fees! However, there are some costs for things like school trips, class celebrations, fundraising and activities depedning on the kaupapa for the term.

Do you give free lunches? 

Waatea School is signed up through the Ministry program of providing free lunches to all of our tamariki. We are teamed up with Getfed, and they provide a range of kai even hot lunches most weeks. We ask that whanau support this important kaupapa. A healthy eating policy is given to whanau to fill and complete prior to tamariki starting at Waatea School. 

What time does Kura start?

Monday to Friday, 8:50am-3:00pm.

Do you only teach in Māori?

Kāore, we are an English-based kura, where all teaching is implemented in English with te ao Māori being the focus. As your child progresses through each year level, a more focused te reo Māori programme is adapted. 

What is kaupapa Māori?

Our Kura is built on the principles of kaupapa Māori and we embed this within our tamariki through a range of practices (tikanga) and knowledge.

What’s different about Waatea School?

We are a marae-based Kura. We incorporate Tuakana/Teina relationships into our daily teachings. We offer a unique learning environment where the New Zealand Curriculum is interwoven into Kaupapa Māori models of discovery and learning, based on a child’s development.