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We are located in the northwest reaches of the Waikato near the rugged, yet beautiful west coast of the North Island.

Our school provides many learning opportunities for children from 5 to 13 years of age, from year 1 to 8.

Established in 1924 with a roll of 16 students, Waikaretu School has a long and successful history steeped in strong community spirit. Our rural environment provides tourism and farming-related opportunities for the community. Waikaretu School is strongly connected to our local community and is supported by two local marae: Pukerewa Marae and Weraroa Marae.

Our curriculum empowers our learning community to make connections to and from our rural context. We support our learners to develop the necessary knowledge and skills to become resilient, critical thinkers who actively achieve their goals in a connected world.

The footage on the right below is from last year's 2023 cluster cross-country hosted by Waikaretu School.

What's happening at Waikaretu School?

Upcoming Events in January

Fri 30

Teacher Only Day

30 Jan 2026

Latest Notices

Last Day of School Friday 12th of December

11 Dec 2025

Dear Parents/Caregivers

Tomorrow Friday will be no pie day!

We will be sharing food made by the Garden to Table group. Please bring morning tea and a drink bottle with water.

We're excited for our "Fun Day" on the last day! There will be water play, so please send your child with their togs and a towel.

Strep Throat

3 Dec 2025

Kia ora koutou,

A case of strep throat has been identified at the school. Please find attached a fact sheet on strep throat to help our school community to stay safe, identify the symptoms and what steps to take when your child is showing strep throat symptoms. Contact Healthline for free on 0800 611 116 if you have any more questions.

Please keep your child at home if they are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Ngaa mihi nui,

Waikaretu School

strep-throat-els-factsheet-1.pdf

Important PhotoLife notice

2 Dec 2025

Important PhotoLife notice

Kia ora koutou,

Please find here an important message from PhotoLife regarding ordering students’ portraits and school photos:

You would have received an email with a unique key code - please check your JUNK / SPAM or Promotion folders!
Order your photos on the PhotoLife website here: https://photolifeonline.co.nz/ordering/access
Free delivery is available for all orders placed BEFORE midnight on Sunday 7th December.
If you haven’t received a key code by tomorrow, please email the office.

A hardcopy of this notice is going home tomorrow as well.

Ngaa mihi nui,