School Hours / Dates
Monday to Friday 8.55am - 2.53pm

2023

Term 1: 31 January to 6 April
Term 2: 24 April to 30 June
Term 3: 17 July to 22 September 
Term 4: 9 October to 15/18 December 

Address
Clayton Road Rotorua 3015
Phone: 07 3488459
Email: Click here
Mr Griffin

Board of Trustees

Congratulations to our new Board of Trustees. 

Lucy Epapara, Booke Ellis, Canaan Tuhura,Troy Harbottle & Amy Scott (Chairperson)

Declaration of Parent Election Results &  Declaration of Staff Election Results 2022


Tena koutou katoa nga whanau o Te Kura o Whakaahu.

Ko Lucy Epapara taku ingoa.

I have had the privilege to serve on the Board of Trustees since 2009. The with the last 12 years as Board Chairperson.

My three youngest tamariki are past pupils of our amazing kura.

The school has grown immensely during those years, and I have witnessed and been a part of its growth.

I believe we have built a strong foundation, with a solid school culture where our tamariki feel safe and accepted.

I have had the pleasure of working alongside some great people, both on the board and staff, and within our wider school whanau.

We have collaborated well to ensure our tamariki are provided the best opportunities to enhance their education, talents and most importantly, their hauora.

Our tamariki are now living in precarious times and it is up to all of us to assist them to navigate their pathway forward.

I aim to keep supporting, providing and ensuring they are given the necessary tools and resources to solidify a brighter future for themselves and their whanau.

Nga mihi

Lucy Epapara

Tēnā koutou e ngā whānau o Whakaahu,

As the current chairperson of the board of trustees, I am continuing to learn about what it takes to run a school like Te Kura o Whakaahu, especially given the recent upheavals with Covid-19 and the rising cost of living.  It’s hard isn’t it whānau!  However, the staffing team at WHPS are committed to your child’s learning journey; all facets of it. 

It is a very special school that promotes excellence and success for all with a core business of making the best decisions for our tamariki, so that they can grow to make the best decisions for themselves. 

All 3 of my tamariki have been recipients of the best that this kura has to offer, and it excites me to know that I can give back to our community by serving the school as a board member.  I look forward to working with Brent and his team to build lifelong learners with a passion for life, engaging in positive outcomes that will contribute to making society a great place to live and learn in the future.                    

Nei rā te mihi maioha, Amy 😊

Kia Ora Western Heights Primary School Whanau,

My name is Brooke Ellis,

I have been a part of Western Heights Primary School for many years, I am a current Board of Trustee member and I am looking for your support to continue to being part of this amazing school by being re-elected to the Board.

Both of my children have attended WHPS and I currently have two whangai (foster) children attending WHPS.

I have had the privilege of helping with the school’s rugby teams and also coaching the schools Netball, Basketball and Touch sports teams for a number of years, and have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this.

I am extremely proud of the approach our school has towards education and the way this is delivered to our children. I love the way our children are made to feel safe and free to express themselves, I love the way we nurture and help them to develop skills and hidden talents.

I feel I still have a lot to offer our children, community and school whanau and I would love the opportunity to continue to be a part of the decisions that will affect our children both now and in the future. 

Tēnā koutou ngā whānau ō Te Kura o Whakaahu, my name is Canaan Tuhura and I have been a Board of Trustee member for the past 2 and a half years.

During my time on the BOT, I have had the privilege of supporting our community through leadership and the governance of our kura. I initially joined the BOT because both of my children attend Western Heights Primary chool and I wanted to be involved in the decisions that will affect my childrens’ learning and therefore my whanau.

I look forward to furthering my involvement in our kura and supporting our Board, ensuring that our tamariki have opportunities to thrive in our community.

Kia ora rawa atu, nā Canaan

 

Tena koutou katoa, 

 

My name is Troy Harbottle. I am a papa to 5 beautiful tamariki, 3 of whom attend Western Heights primary. I am a self-employed carver and run my own company from home with my wife Brooke. We are blessed to be able to have a work life balance where we can be involved in our community. 

I enjoy spending time with all the tamariki at whps and love helping on all the school trips I am able to attend. 

I believe I would be a great new voice on the board of trustees and would love give more of my time to our kura. 

 

'Poipoia te Kakano kia puawai' 

(Nuture the seed and it will blossom) 

 

Nga mihi 

 

Kia Ora

My name is Nicky Grimes (Whaea Nicky) and I am fortunate enough to be the staff representative on the Board of Trustees.  I have been working at the best school in Rotorua, Western Heights Primary, for the past 10 years. I have taught in all year groups during this time.

Being part of the board over the past 4 years has been a great experience. It has given me the chance to see the hard work that happens behind the scenes of our school, as well as having the opportunity to share staff input, parent feedback and other ideas with the board members.

Tē tōia, tē haumatia 

Nothing can be achieved without a plan, workforce and a way of doing things

Te Kura o Whakaahu - E Tu Hei Maunga