20 Jul 2026

These are the learning dispositions we will be focusing on this term: 

• Creative
• Problem Solver
• Ownership

We love it when we can increase the partnership between home and school. 

Please take the time to discuss what being creative, being a problem solver and taking ownership may look like at both home and school and really emphasise building and developing these skills. 

Ngā mihi nui.

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20 Jul 2026

20 Jul 2026

School Lunches
Week 1, Term 3

Mon 20th - BBQ Beef Burger
Tue 21st - Savoury Beef Pasta Bake
Wed 22nd - Mixed Lunch Pack
Thu 23rd - Sweet Chicken Curry with Rice & Naan
Fri 24th - Bento Box 

8 Jul 2026

Kia ora DPS Whānau,

We'd like to take a moment to say a huge thank you to our amazing students, whānau and staff for the part you've all played in improving attendance at Dargaville Primary School.

The Ministry of Education's provisional Term 2 Attendance Report has been released, and we're proud to share that our attendance is heading in the right direction.

This term:

• 63% of our students achieved Regular Attendance, up from 59% this time last year.
• Our overall attendance reached 90%, the highest it's been in years.
• 95% of our students are arriving at school on time.
• We also recorded our lowest number of unjustified absences on record.

These results show what we can achieve when we work together.

We know that life happens. Children get sick, appointments come up, and sometimes unexpected events mean your child can't be at school. When this happens, we simply ask that you let us know as soon as possible. Keeping us informed means we can record absences correctly and, most importantly, ensure every child is safe and accounted for.

You may also receive communication from us about your child's attendance throughout the year. We understand these messages are not always easy to receive, but please know they are sent with one purpose: to support our tamariki to be at school, learning and thriving. They are not about blame or judgement. They are about working together to give every child the best opportunity to succeed.

At Dargaville Primary School, we want school to be a priority. Every day in class matters. Regular attendance helps children build confidence, strengthen friendships, stay connected with their learning, and develop positive habits that will benefit them well beyond primary school.

Thank you for your continued support, your partnership, and for making education a priority for your child. Together, we can keep building on these fantastic results and ensure every child has the best opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.

Every day matters, and every day counts.

Ngā mihi,

The Dargaville Primary School Team

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1 Jul 2026

Kia ora whānau,

Over the past few weeks, we have seen a significant increase in issues at school that have stemmed from students using social media outside of school hours. These issues are often carried into the classroom, taking valuable time away from teaching and learning as we work to support students, resolve conflicts, and repair relationships.

Many social media platforms have a minimum age requirement of 13 years, and primary-aged children are generally not developmentally ready to navigate the challenges that can come with online communication. Unfortunately, we are seeing more situations involving group chats, Snapchat, TikTok, and other platforms that are causing distress for our tamariki.

We ask that whānau regularly check what apps your child is using, monitor their online activity, and consider whether they need access to social media at this stage. Having open conversations about respectful online behaviour and digital safety can make a real difference.

We appreciate your support with this. 

Ngā mihi,
Dargaville Primary School