Kia ora koutou,

As the year draws to a close, I would like to take a moment to reflect on what has been a truly memorable and successful year at Dargaville Primary School. Our journey together has been one of growth, learning, and connection, and I am so grateful for the incredible support of our school community.

Thank you to all our students, parents, whānau, and staff for your dedication and contributions throughout the year. Each of you has played a vital role in making our school the vibrant and caring place it is.

At this time, we also acknowledge some of our staff who are moving on to new adventures:

Merilyn Stevens – Wishing you all the best for your well-deserved year of leave.
Lucy Harris – Congratulations on the upcoming arrival of your baby boy; we wish you all the joy in the world as you begin this new chapter.
Natasha Smith – Best wishes for your new role at Saint Joseph's School; they are so fortunate to have you.
Nikola Franecivich – We wish you continued success as you progress in your teaching career.
Eileen McIlroy – As you move back to Tauranga, we thank you for your contributions to our school and wish you all the best in your next journey.
While it is always hard to say goodbye, we are thrilled to welcome some amazing new (and returning) teachers to our team in 2025:

Jaime-Lee Marinkovich
Jackie McGlasson
Marty Lucich
Siobhan Harrison
Sarah Lucich
We are so blessed to have such passionate and talented educators joining our whānau, and we look forward to the exciting contributions they will bring to our kura.

Looking ahead to 2025, I am excited to share that I will be on sabbatical for Term 1. During this time, I will be visiting schools across New Zealand to explore a range of innovative initiatives and ideas that could help support our tamariki here at Dargaville Primary School.

In my absence, Karah Pickering will step into the role of Acting Principal. She will be supported by Anne Heappey and Jaime-Lee Marinkovich as Deputy Principals. I have every confidence in their leadership and know they will continue to guide our school community with care and commitment.

A big thank you to our incredible staff who have worked tirelessly this year. From our dedicated teachers and teacher aides who have guided our tamariki through their learning journeys, to our amazing admin team, who are the welcoming face of our school and ensure our community is well served and informed, we are deeply grateful.

To our wonderful librarian, Anita, thank you for creating such a rich and engaging library space for our students. And to Mr. T, thank you for keeping our school grounds looking fantastic and for your kind support of our students every day.

As we head into the holiday season, I wish everyone a safe, relaxing, and joyful Christmas and New Year. Take this time to recharge, connect with loved ones, and create beautiful memories.

Thank you all for making Dargaville Primary School the special place it is. I look forward to reconnecting with you in Term 2 and hearing about the wonderful achievements and growth that I know will continue in my absence.

Ngā manaakitanga,
Curtis Gaylor
Principal
Dargaville Primary School

  Prizegiving Livestream Links today

Junior Year 0-1  9:15-9:45

Junior Year 2-3 10:00-10:30

Middles Year 3-4 10:45-11:15

Senior Year 5 -6  11:30-12:30