Newsletter ~ 23 July, 2026

From the Principal

Kia ora e te whānau,

What an incredible first few days it has been. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Te Kura o Te Waipapa / Diamond Harbour School, and I wanted to say a heartfelt thank you for the warm welcome I received at the mihi whakatau on Monday. From the students, staff and parents to the wider community, everyone has been so friendly, approachable and generous with their time. It has made settling into my new role a genuine pleasure.

I'd especially like to acknowledge Jade from Year 8, who gave a wonderful speech on behalf of her fellow students. She shared that she had surveyed the students to find out what they wanted in their new principal. I loved everything they had to say, particularly that they wanted me to feel welcome and that they hoped to see me out in the playground playing games, giving high fives, and being part of everyday school life. It was a wonderful reminder of what matters most to children, and it's something I've taken to heart.

As I begin this journey with the school, my focus over these first few weeks is on listening and learning. I want to understand what makes this community so special, hear the aspirations people have for the school, and learn from the students, staff, whānau and wider community before considering where we head next together.

On Monday I visited every classroom to introduce myself and answer any questions. In one of the Pātiki classes, there were so many eager hands in the air that I eventually worked my way right around the room to make sure every child had the chance to ask a question. They certainly kept me on my toes, and I was genuinely impressed by the thoughtfulness and curiosity behind their questions.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I spent extended periods observing learning in every classroom to gain a feel for the school, which was so lovely. The positive relationships, purposeful learning and engagement I have seen give me great confidence in the exciting future ahead for our school.

One thing that has really stood out to me is the many different roles our children take on within the school. I've seen students rehearsing for BandQuest, sports monitors enthusiastically signing out (and back in!) the sports gear, and children noticing that the coffee machine needs some attention and suggesting they run a fundraiser to help fix it. This morning I also discovered that our Year 7 and 8 students run lunchtime clubs for younger children as well as providing mentoring in classrooms.

Giving children authentic opportunities to contribute to their community is, in my view, a vital part of an engaging and broad curriculum. Having spent much of my career in Montessori education, this is something I value deeply, and it has been wonderful to see so many opportunities for student responsibility and leadership already thriving here at Diamond Harbour School.

I'm looking forward to getting to know many more of you over the coming weeks. I'll be out in the playground before and after school whenever I can, and I know some families have already booked to meet with me on Monday during the parent interview times. Please come and say hello whenever you see me.

Thank you once again for making my first week such a memorable one. I already feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this wonderful community and look forward to the journey ahead together.

Ngā mihi nui,

Richard

Mihi Whakatau

Diamond Harbour School proudly welcomed our new Principal, Richard Goodyear, with a Mihi Whakatau on Monday morning.

Students, staff, whānau and members of the wider community gathered together to warmly welcome Richard into our school community. The ceremony reflected the values of manaakitanga, whanaungatanga and respect, setting the foundation for the journey ahead.

A special thank you goes to Tahu Stirling from Rāpaki Marae, Ngāti Wheke, who generously served as our mana whenua kaumātua. We are incredibly grateful for his guidance, wisdom and leadership throughout the ceremony, helping to make the occasion both meaningful and memorable.

We also want to thank the many whānau who attended to support the welcome.

We are excited to have Richard leading our kura and look forward to the future as we continue to work together to provide the very best for our ākonga.

Tilly's School Scrunchies

Tilly has been busy making school scrunchies and we'd love to support the school by donating all proceeds to the school pool fundraising.

They are $5 each, and all money raised goes directly towards the school pool.

The scrunchies are made using the school gingham fabric, and Tilly is very excited about raising money for the school.

Please let the office know if you would like to purchase a school scrunchie

Te Kōhanga Year 2 Become Young Architects

Our Te Kōhanga Year 2 learners have been putting their geometry knowledge into practice by designing their very own houses.

As part of their maths learning, students have been exploring 2D shapes, identifying their features, and discovering how different shapes can be combined to create everyday objects. They used this knowledge to carefully plan their houses, thinking about which shapes would work best for roofs, windows, and other features.

The project encouraged students to think creatively while developing their understanding of geometry.

We are so proud of the creativity and mathematical thinking our Year 2 students demonstrated.

Their finished houses are a wonderful example of learning made visible and show just how much fun maths can be

Christchurch Music Festival – School Choir Opportunity

Christchurch Music Festival – School Choir Opportunity

Students in Years 5–8 have had the opportunity to join the school choir, which will perform at the Christchurch Town Hall alongside choirs from schools across Christchurch.

Our students will perform in the Christchurch Music Festival on Wednesday, 4th November.

Tickets for family and friends will go on sale from 1st September through Ticketmaster. As tickets typically sell out quickly, we encourage families to purchase them as soon as they become available.

Further information about rehearsals, performance arrangements, and ticket information will be shared early next term