Why Choose Epuni School?
Come and be a part of our Epuni School family.
We are very proud of our school. As an established and respected school in the Hutt Valley, we offer a positive environment for all our learners.
This means excellent learning opportunities, a lot of fun, as well as the chance to learn life-skills for the future.
Our Strengths
- A smaller, community connected school.
- A team of dedicated teaching and support staff.
- Technical device learning with class iPads, and Chromebooks.
- Open communication with families. Facebook, email, newsletters and Learning Conversations twice a year.
- Learning through play
- Cultural connections
- Student Leadership programmes
- Sports
- Community involvement
- School garden
- Enviroschools
- Learning enhancements
- Enhanced play
About us
The “Epuni” suburb of Lower Hutt was named after Honiana Te Puni-kokopu (Te Ati Awa leader and Government adviser of the late 1800’s). Epuni School has been an established part of the Lower Hutt community for over one hundred and twenty years.
The school Board, the Principal Janet Evans, the dedicated teachers and support staff, are committed to building on our strengths. This means offering an excellent education and giving our students a lifetime love of learning.
Be a part of the family
We strongly encourage our families to be fully involved in our school. We encourage our parents/caregivers/ family/whanau to have input into all aspects of our school life. This ensures our families are more directly empowered to support their child’s learning alongside their partnership with the school.
Check our Home / School Partnership page for more info
Epuni School Pepeha
Ko Ruamānuka te maunga
Ko Waiwhetū rāua ko Te Awamutu ngā awa
Ko Te Puni te rangatira
Ko Epuni taku kura
Our school is named after Te Puni, the rangatira (chief). Te Puni belonged to the Ngāti Te Whiti and Ngāti Tawhirikura hapū of Te Ātiawa. He was among the first to welcome the New Zealand Company ship, Tory, when it arrived in Wellington Harbour on 20 September 1839.
Te Puni played a significant role in the Wellington region in the early to mid 19th century
On 27 September 1839, Te Puni signed a deed of settlement with the New Zealand Company that saw the purchase of much of the Wellington region by British settlers. Te Puni was also a signatory to the Treaty of Waitangi, signing Sheet 8.
Sports at Epuni
Students at Epuni School participate in a variety of sporting activities.
In the classrooms, teachers follow the SportStart programme that teaches skills in fun, non-competitive ways and encourages participation, movement and fitness for all ages and ability levels. We are inclusive with our sporting programmes in the classrooms.
Our Years 4-6 students are able to compete in the interschool and interzone competitions. These take place throughout the year and range from Athletics, to Cross Country, Football to Cricket. Students represent Epuni School as they compete against other schools in across region. These are run and managed by the Lower Hutt Primary Schools Sports Association (LHPSSA).
Across the whole school we offer block sessions from outside sporting agencies, teaching specific sporting skills. This varies from year to year, but has included football, badminton, basketball and rugby. There are also opportunities for students to be part of after school sports teams. We regularly have teams in the Total Touch tournaments in Term 1 and Term 4, as well as in Basketball at Walter Nash in Term 2 and Term 3.
Student Leadership Opportunities
At the Years 5 & 6 level all students are encouraged to take on leadership responsibilities around the school. Student Leaders are elected by their peers to lead the school’s five Whetū Groups.
Student leaders set a role model for all other students and are encouraged to grow their leadership ability. They are given opportunity to practice public speaking and participate in the National Young Leaders programme.
Learning Enhancement
We provide a variety of different opportunities to enhance our students’ school experience. Students are able to explore activities outside of core learning areas. For some students this is introducing them to new experiences and for others, this enables them to shine in areas where they have strengths.
- Kapa Haka
- School production, Dance Splash, visiting performers
- Sports teams / activities
- STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activities and robotics
Garden
Every week our students have time in the Te Mara Kotahitanga, the school’s Unity Garden, learning about soil preparation, planting, weeding, harvesting seasons, and all of the elements necessary to create and upkeep a successful garden.
This is supported by a gardener from The Remakery (Common Unity Project Aotearoa).
Learn more about our Garden
Kapa haka
All classes have weekly Kapa Haka sessions with our Kapa Haka coach. Students learn waiata, haka and develop performance skills.
Students Year 3 and above are able to be part of the Kapa Haka group that performs each year at Huttfest and for school occasions.
Find out more about Kapa Haka here.