FAQs
Transitioning to intermediate school is an exciting milestone, and we want to ensure you have all the information you need about life at Heretaunga Intermediate. If you have additional questions, our office team is always happy to help.
Enrolment & Transitions
How does Heretaunga Intermediate support new students joining from primary school?
Transition is a journey, not a single event. We maintain close relationships with our local contributing primary schools, including Camberley, Ebbett Park, Frimley, Mahora, and Raureka. We organise Year 6 visits so incoming students can experience intermediate life firsthand. Before the school year begins, we host Whakawhanaungatanga Day, where families visit the classroom, meet their child’s kaiako, and get connected to our systems. For students requiring additional learning, social, or emotional support, our pastoral and learning support teams work alongside primary staff to build custom transition plans.
How do you prepare Year 8 students for the transition to high school?
We have a dedicated staff member who works directly with local secondary schools to coordinate transition opportunities. Our Year 8 ākonga attend open days, orientation visits, and secondary transition programmes throughout the year. Our leadership and pastoral teams share insights with receiving high schools to ensure every student’s strengths, aspirations, and needs are understood so they start secondary school with confidence.
Learning & Classroom Life
How are classrooms organised at Heretaunga Intermediate?
We operate a composite class model where each classroom contains a mix of Year 7 and Year 8 students. Students remain with the same classroom teacher for both years, which minimises unnecessary disruptions, deepens relationships, and maximises learning continuity. Classrooms are grouped into three vibrant teams: Tukituki, Huia, and Rongokako. We also host two Kōwhai Special School satellite classes on site.
What is Te Ao Mārama?
Te Ao Mārama is our state-of-the-art specialist learning facility dedicated to technology, science, and the arts. Students spend dedicated blocks of time here each term participating in specialised, hands-on learning across Food Technology, Fabric Technology, Materials Technology, Science, Art, and Performing Arts.
What support is available for students with extra learning or wellbeing needs?
Every student deserves the opportunity to belong and succeed. Our Learning Support Coordinator (LSC) and Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) work closely with classroom teachers, whānau, and external agencies to coordinate personalised learning plans. For student wellbeing, we have a dedicated team that includes two full-time Whānau Mentors, an on-site social worker, and the Rongo Mauri team providing counselling support.
School Support & Student Wellbeing
How does the school support student health and nutrition?
We provide several funded initiatives to ensure our rangatahi are well-nourished and ready to learn every day.
Breakfast Club: Open every school day from 8:00 am to 8:30 am in the Food Technology room, serving cereals, toast, Milo, and warm options.
Lunches in Schools: Healthy, nutritious lunches are provided daily to every student at no cost, with dietary requirements catered for upon request.
Fruit in Schools: Fresh, seasonal Hawke’s Bay fruit is delivered weekly and placed directly in every classroom for students to access throughout the day.
Kids Can Partnership: We provide free school jackets to Year 7 students, as well as daily classroom snacks, black school shoes, sanitary items, and head lice products.
Uniforms & Equipment
What are the school uniform requirements and where can I buy them?
Our compulsory everyday uniform consists of a navy blue polo shirt with a pale blue collar and mangopare design, paired with navy drill shorts, a navy skirt, or a navy skort. Black covered shoes with black or navy socks (or plain black/brown sandals without socks) are required. Plain black covered shoes are strongly encouraged for safety during technology and science classes. The standard uniform is available exclusively through NZ Uniforms, while school jackets and caps are purchased directly through our main school office.
What are the rules regarding jewellery and personal grooming?
For safety reasons, especially in technology spaces, jewellery is restricted to a wristwatch and one pair of plain stud earrings. Rings, dangling earrings, and other body piercings are prohibited. Students must not wear makeup or nail polish, or dye their hair, and long hair must be tied back during technology sessions.
Communication & School Life
How does the school communicate learning progress and daily updates with whānau?
We use HERO as our main online platform for communication, reporting, and learning updates. Through the HERO app, whānau receive real-time notices, regular newsletters, mid-year and end-of-year written reports, and rich examples of student work from specialist classes. HERO is also used for managing trip permissions and submitting daily absence reports.
How does the school celebrate student achievement?
We celebrate success through several key programmes. Our Heretaunga Ararau badge system rewards points across sports, culture, community, and academic pathways toward bronze, silver, and gold badges. Daily positive choices are rewarded with Manaaki Cards recognising our values of Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga, and Rangatiratanga. At the end of each term, we host an Excellence Assembly to celebrate student growth alongside whānau.