Tawhai School, Stokes Valley (Lower Hutt)

Key facts

About Tawhai School

Tawhai School is a New Zealand primary school whose stated vision is empowering children to flourish in an ever-changing world. The school describes learning as a cooperative partnership between students, parents, and staff, with shared responsibility for achieving curriculum objectives across knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

The school incorporates Te Reo and Tikanga Māori throughout the curriculum for all students, and acknowledges the requirements of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the New Zealand Curriculum, and the National Education and Learning Priorities (NELPs). Its annual goals align with the national focus on improving literacy and numeracy.

The school is organised into hubs, including Kōpara Hub and Ngahere Hub, and operates programmes in areas such as KiVa, Enviroschool, and learning support. It is not designated as a faith-based or Māori-medium school.

Co-curricular Activities and Sports

Tawhai School offers a range of named sporting and physical activities across the year.

• Touch rugby — teams at Year 1&2, Year 3&4, and Year 5&6 levels, played at Fraser Park in Terms 1 and 4
• Tiniball (basketball) — Year 1&2, played on Friday afternoons at Walter Nash Stadium, Taita, in Terms 2 and 3
• Miniball (basketball) — Year 3&4 on Monday afternoons/early evenings, Year 5&6 on Thursday afternoons/early evenings, at Walter Nash Stadium, Taita, in Terms 2 and 3
• Netball — Year 3&4 and Year 5&6, played on Saturday mornings at Heretaunga College netball courts in Terms 2 and 3
• Waterpolo — one team of Year 5&6 students, played on Wednesday nights at Stokes Valley Pool in Terms 2 and 3
• Floorball (indoor hockey) — mixed Year 1–6 teams, played on Wednesday nights at Walter Nash Stadium, Taita, in Terms 1 and 4
• Girls' Futsal Tournament — girls only, held once a year at Walter Nash Stadium
• Swimming — lessons and events held at Stokes Valley Pool
• Cross country — school event with top finishers progressing to Northern Zone, Interzone, and Regional competitions
• Traditional Māori Games — held as part of the Upper Valley Primary Schools Sports Association programme
• Junior basketball sessions — run weekly on Thursdays with Aimee Ah Wong
• Lunchtime activities (pickleball, crazy catch challenges, school bikes) — run by Student Leaders
• Bowls — coaching sessions delivered by Bowls Lower Hutt
• AFL (Australian Rules Football) — introductory coaching sessions delivered by AFL New Zealand
• Annual walkathon — circuits around Glen Road, Maru Street, and Hoereka Street

Facilities

Tawhai School has a range of named on-site facilities across learning, sport, and community use.

• Library – holds a collection of books used for both pleasure and research; each class is timetabled to visit at least once a week
• Hall – used for assemblies, Jump Jam, learning workshops, art classes, cultural group practices, and community events; equipped with digital audio and visual equipment
• Reading Recovery Room – located next to Room 11, used for learning support
• Room 12 – used for small-group learning support or extension work
• Parent Tutor Reading Room – a space where trained volunteers support students with reading
• Board Room – located next to the school office; contains a large table with eight chairs and French doors opening onto a courtyard; used for meetings, learning support, and as a teacher workspace
• Junior adventure playground – located at the end of the junior courtyard next to Room 11; designed for Year 1–3 students
• Senior adventure playground – located on the top terrace behind Room 5; designed for Year 4–6 students
• Sports fields – two large grass fields
• Hard courts – two areas marked for netball, basketball, hopscotch, and four square