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Tēnā koutou katoa,
It is a privilege to lead Taita Central School, Te Kura o Nga Hau e Wha and to work with a committed team of staff, tamariki and whānau/aiga.
At Taita Central School we believe strong partnerships between whānau and staff help us work together to encourage, inspire and create independent life-long learners which is vital for improving educational outcomes for all. Where our tamariki are valued, empowered as active participants in learning, and are at the centre of everything we do. Our Staff are committed to providing a rich and creative classroom teaching and learning programme and they genuinely care for the children they teach. They show this by meeting the needs of our tamariki and providing an environment where children’s learning and development in academic, cultural, physical, social and emotional areas are supported.
We aim to ensure all our tamariki experience success; not just in an academic sense but also culturally, physically and socially.
The future for which we are preparing our tamariki is ever changing. Our teachers are here to teach our tamariki and empower them with the skills, attitude and values they will need to prepare for the challenges and stresses of an ever-changing world.
At Taita Central School we have strong values that we live by, which encourage our tamariki to give it a go and keep trying, especially when it gets hard, to always be the best that you can be and come together as one as we work towards achieving our vision ‘Developing independent life-long learners.’
POWER values: Perseverance, Outstanding Excellence, Whakawhanaungatanga, Empathy and Respect.
We value the input of parents, whānau and aiga and recognise the whole family as an important partner in our school community. We welcome and act upon feedback quickly to ensure all tamariki are happy and safe at school. Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions or feedback.
I hope this website provides you with useful information to get a better understanding about our school. If you would like to know more or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me to arrange a visit and we will happily show you around.
'We want our kura to be a place where children feel safe and happy, where they are engaged, curious, excited and eager to learn.'
Ngā mihi maioha
Michelle Picard
Principal
'We want our kura to be a place where children feel safe and happy, where they are engaged, curious, excited and eager to learn.'
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| 2023 Massey University Wānanga Nohinohi Te Kunenga/Children's University Graduates | |||
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| Whanau Fun Night in February – Whakawhanaungatanga | |||
Ahi / Fire
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Ao / Earth
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Hau Takiwa / Air
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Wai / Water
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25 Nov 2025
28 Nov 2025
Kia ora e te whānau o Taitā Central School
I am pleased to share this latest update with you regarding the discovery of a recalled brand of coloured sand in Kowhai Block last Monday.
We have followed the guidelines from the Ministry of Education and WorkSafe to have the coloured sand removed for testing and our classrooms tested for the presence of asbestos contamination.
This situation is as follows.
1. Kowhai Block will open for instruction on Monday 24th November and all ākonga/students and staff will return to their normal classrooms.
2. We have received the results of the testing carried out by Fibresafe NZ, both samples of the coloured sand returned a negative result for asbestos.
3. Visual inspections indicated no visible sand in either classroom and cleaning with the appropriate materials has been completed.
4. Air monitoring was undertaken in all classrooms (Ako 1, Ako 3 & Ako 4). All air samples collected returned a result that is below the limit of detection.
After communicating with the Ministry of Education and WorkSafe regarding our school’s test results we have been assured that the actions we have taken following the “Guidelines regarding the Updated information on coloured sand recall” have resulted in us being given the “greenlight” to open our Junior (Kowhai) Block as it is now safe to occupy.
The following information is available for parents, caregivers, whānau and aiga
Health information
Health New Zealand Chief Medical Officer, Dr Joe Bourne, has an important message for all parents and careers who have been expressing concerns about the impact of asbestos in coloured sand to their children’s health.
Asbestos in sand – Health advice for households – Ministry of Health – YouTube
Thank you for your support and patience as we navigated this challenging situation.
If you have any questions, email me on principal@taitacentral.school.nz
Ngā mihi
Michelle Picard
Tumuaki/Principal | Taitā Central School
Kia ora e te whānau o Taitā Central School
Yesterday the asbestos assessors came in to conduct the visual assessment, the air quality monitoring and the deep clean of the classrooms affected in Kowhai Block. At this point in time we have not received the results of the testing due to the huge demand for testing that is occurring because of this incident and the number of schools and Early Childcare Centers which have been affected.
Following the Ministry of Education Special Bulletin sent out on Tuesday 18th November 2025 “Guidelines regarding the Updated information on coloured sand recall” we cannot open Kowhai Block until we have received the results of the testing, and the Ministry of Education has approved the actions we have taken to ensure that this area is safe to occupy.
1. Kowhai Block will remain closed on Thursday 20th and Friday 21st November.
2. We are still waiting for the results of the testing.
3. If the testing is negative and proves that Kowhai Block is safe to occupy, we will reopen Kowhai Block.
4. If the testing is positive, then I will provide another update about the next steps.
We will update you all soon as we receive any new information, including testing results or guidance from the Ministry of Education.
School will be open for Kowhai Block on Monday regardless of whether we are allowed in the block or have to work somewhere else onsite.
I understand that this situation has caused inconvenience and concern for our parents, caregivers and whānau, however we are taking a high level of precaution regarding this product to ensure the safety of our tamariki and staff.
Thank you for your support as we navigate this challenging situation. We look forward to welcoming our Year 0 to 3 ākonga/students back to school on Monday 24th November.
If you have any questions, email me on principal@taitacentral.school.nz
Ngā mihi
Michelle Picard
Tumuaki/Principal | Taitā Central School
Tuesday 18 th November 2025
Kia ora e te whānau o Taitā Central School
I am writing with an important update regarding the coloured sand products that may contain
asbestos.
The Ministry of Education and MBIE updated us over the weekend with an expanded list of
products that may be affected. As part of our ongoing checks following the notification we
received last week. Yesterday morning prior to school starting we identified that we had 2
containers of the Kmart product in our Kowhai (Junior) Block.
1. We closed Kowhai Block and removed ākonga/students and staff from this area.
2. We isolated the product and followed the advice of WorkSafe NZ to contain the material
and arranged to have it collected and removed from our school.
3. Three of our six classes have been affected.
4. These three classes have been isolated and locked until we the testing has been
completed.
5. We are waiting for an asbestos specialist to test the coloured sand found on site.
6. Today an asbestos specialist will come to school to do a risk assessment which involves
an air quality check and a deep clean of the classroom spaces where the sand was
used.
7. If the testing is negative and proves that Kowhai Block is safe to occupy, we will reopen
Kowhai Block.
8. If the testing is positive, then I will provide another update about the next steps.
9. We will update you all soon as we receive any new information, including testing results
or guidance from the Ministry of Education.
We still ask parents to keep children home today & tomorrow (Wednesday 19 November) from
Kowhai (Junior) Block. We will notify you tomorrow as soon as we know if we can open Kowhai
Block for instruction on Thursday.
I understand that this situation has caused inconvenience and concern for our parents,
caregivers and whānau. We are taking a high level of precaution regarding this product to
ensure the safety of our tamariki and staff. Many thanks for the quick response yesterday from
our Kowhai Block parents, caregivers and whānau.
If you have any questions, email me on principal@taitacentral.school.nz
Ngā mihi
Michelle Picard
Tumuaki/Principal | Taitā Central School
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