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Waihola District School is a full primary school (Yr 1-8) with generous, attractive learning spaces, inside and out. Nestled among native trees, it overlooks generous grounds, the lake and gentle rolling hills.
Waihola is located on the edge of the Taieri Plains, not far from Sinclair Wetlands. The school has a long history, dating back to 1859, one of the first schools in Otago.
Recently redesigned, our learning spaces, including two classrooms, a hall, library & central learning hub, allow greater collaboration & connection across the school. Environmental Education and Education for Sustainability are important parts of our school. Our outdoor education areas include raised vegetable gardens, a shade house, tunnel house and native garden.
Our committed, capable staff are supported by an interested and active community. Well-resourced, the school supports all children to "work and learn together to be the best that they can be".
Our school resources are well-used by the local community. Waihola District School provides a meeting place where all may be inspired and supported to become life-long learners.
17 Feb 2026
19 Feb 2026
20 Feb 2026
Kia ora e te whānau,
The first week is all done! It’s been great to be back together and enjoying some (and I did say some!) warmer weather. The school has had a real buzz about it, and it’s been lovely to see everyone settling back into routines so smoothly.
Please enjoy this week’s newsletter and all the learning and events ahead.
Ngā mihi nui,
Louise Crowl
Principal
Kia ora e te whānau,
Welcome back for 2026! I hope you have all had the chance to enjoy a well-earned break over Christmas and the New Year school holidays. I’m sure there are a few little people (and probably some parents too!) who are ready to get back into the school routine.
Staff update
The Board is very pleased to announce that we have appointed a new senior teacher for our senior class. We are thrilled to welcome Megan Fuehrer to our team. Megan is a very experienced teacher and will bring a wide range of skills that complement our teaching team well. Megan will begin with us in March, as she is finishing her current position at another school.
In the meantime, Karen Dolan will be starting the year with our senior class. We are very grateful that she is available to support our students at the beginning of the year.
We are also currently in the process of appointing a new office administrator and will update you as soon as we are able.
Start of the year
We are very much looking forward to seeing you all on the first day of school, Monday 2 February.
The senior class (Years 5–8) will be located back in the main block, in Kererū Room (formerly the junior class).
The junior class (Years 0–4) will now be in Tūī Room.
There will be signs on the doors to help direct you if you are unsure. Senior students will place their bags in the low cubby holes outside their classroom, and junior students will have hooks within their learning space.
Stationery
As advised at the end of last year, the school no longer sells stationery. Our stationery lists are available on myschool.co.nz (OfficeMax). You are not required to purchase stationery through this site; however, the lists are housed there and include clear descriptions of the required exercise books.
Enjoy the last few days of the holidays. We are all looking forward to seeing everyone back at school, hearing about your holiday adventures, and sharing the (mostly!) completed classroom upgrades that we are very excited about.
Ngā mihi nui,
Louise Crowl
Principal
Kia ora e te whānau,
Thank you so much for a brilliant year. The children have worked hard — particularly this morning — helping shift the Room 2 classroom equipment back up to the MLE in preparation for next year.
As we finish up today, reports will be sent home. All books and personal belongings, if they didn’t come home yesterday, will come home today. There is a pile of lost property (mostly tops) at the office — please pop in and take a look. If you realise you’ve forgotten anything, I will be at school next week and you are welcome to drop in.
We have accepted the resignation of Fraser Reid. Fraser says he will miss his students and the school community very much. We wish him well.
Have a very merry Christmas and a restful break — let’s hope for some lovely weather!
The first day back for Term 1, 2026 is Monday 2nd February.
Reminder that stationery lists are available on Officemax MySchool. We are no longer offering stationery through the school.
Ngā mihi nui,
Louise Crowl
Principal
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