Duvauchelle Primary School
Duvauchelle Primary School
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Duvauchelle Primary School is a small, rural, contributing State Primary School catering for students from Year 0-Year 6.
Our school was established in 1860. It was initially part of a Church School built in the Bay in the 1850s. The old school bell is preserved and still used daily. The original classroom still stands on site and is currently in use as the school Library and a teaching/learning space. Additions over the years include: another classroom, an old dental clinic that was the library for a while, and is now a much needed storage area, a new administration block, a new library that was converted to a classroom in 2016, and lastly a new tennis court.
There are networked laptops, i-pads & desktops in the classrooms. Every senior student is supplied with a laptop, and all juniors have i-pads to use as tools in their daily learning. The school’s pool has recently been upgraded and we are looking forward to many more years of swimming lessons and long hot summers.
The current student roll is culturally diverse with New Zealand European children forming the majority. We are fortunate enough to have students of Maori, French, British, Kenyan, Tongan, Swiss-German, Spanish, Czech Republic and Japanese descent. We value our bi-cultural heritage, and the cultures of ourselves and others. Our students come from a large geographical area & a number of the students travel to school each day, from the surrounding bays, on our own school bus.
Our community wants the best of both worlds. Living here on the Peninsula is a lifestyle choice and one that connects everyone of us to the land, sea and other permanent residents. Living here does not mean though that anyone should have to compromise on the educational opportunities for their children. We aim to provide a high quality, localised curriculum which makes the most of our amazing surroundings, local resources and talents. This curriculum and the way our school days are structured means that our tamariki find many many opportunities to grow, be passionate about their learning and keep on their journey to awesomeness.
We have an open, positive and supportive learning partnership between students, parents, staff and our community.
We have a long tradition of being a focal point in the local community and enjoy an increasing level of community involvement and support.
TERM DATES FOR 2026
Term 1
Start Monday 2 February 2026
End Thursday 2 April 2026
Closed: Friday 6 February - Waitangi Day
Term 2
Start Monday 20 April 2026
End Friday 3 July 2026
Closed: Monday 27 April - ANZAC Day Monday 1 June - Kings Birthday
Term 3
Start Monday 20 July 2026
End Friday 25 September 2026
Closed: Friday 21 August - Mid-Term Break Monday 24 August - Mid-Term Break
Term 4
Start Monday 12 October 2026
End Friday 18 December 2026
Closed: Monday 26 October - Labour Day Friday 13 November - Show Day
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Nga mihi nui
Deb Richardson
Tumuaki / Principal
DUVAUCHELLE SCHOOL
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow." Melody Beattie
Kia Ora, Bonjour and Hello
This is it. The last school week for 2025, with all the changes that the end of a year can bring, including saying au revoir to our fabulous Year 6 students, Stella, Max, George, Angus and Manu, along with two of our awesome staff: Mrs Leadley and Alyssa.
We will miss them all, but it is not goodbye, it is most definitely au revoir!
I had the absolute privilege of attending the Year 8 Leavers Dinner at Hereworth last week. Five of the boys graduating were Year Ones in my 2018 class and they and their parents wanted me there to help celebrate the end of their primary and intermediate school journey, Grateful thanks to the Board, the team and Mr Kingston for making it possible for me to attend such a special occasion.
We are off on our Big Day Out on Tuesday. The bus taking us on our adventure will be leaving school very shortly after 9am, so please have your child/ren at school prior to 9am. They will need to wear school uniform and bring morning tea, lunch and a drink bottle with them. We will be back at school by 3pm.
Our Prize Giving Assembly will start at 11am on Friday. We look forward to seeing you all there to celebrate the achievements of all tamariki, not just those who get recognised at that assembly. It should be over by midday. After the assembly, there will be shared kai and then hopefully, weather permitting, a parent / tamariki Cricket game. Whatever happens, children are free to leave school with their families, once the assembly and kai are done. Please just let me or Karen know when you are leaving.
Reflection Books will be coming home on Friday. These do not need to come back to school in 2026. End of Year reports will be emailed to you either Friday afternoon or on Saturday.
CAMP 2026
Current Year 3, 4 and 5 parents can expect an email prior to the end of the school year with heaps of Camp Hanmer Springs 2026 information.
Skool Loop and our website have the school calendar available for you to check upcoming events.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak with Karen or me.
PS: Remember to send/bring along a plate for sharing on Friday.
Kia pai tō rā
Deb Richardson
Tumuaki/Principal
It is with great pride and excitement that I let you know that Mrs Leadley has been offered, and accepted, the position of Assistant Principal - Teaching and Learning at Akaroa Area School.
Whilst we are very sad to see Mrs Leadley leave Duvauchelle School at the end of this year, this is a great opportunity for her to progress her leadership capabilities and skills, and the Area School is very lucky to have someone of her calibre join their team.
The staff were advised earlier this morning and we will let the children know at our morning assembly at 9am.
I know you will all join me in congratulating Karen on this positive career move, and we look forward to officially farewelling her at our Prizegiving on the 19th of December. Until then though, it is awesome business as usual at Duvauchelle School.
Nga mihi nui
Deb Richardson
Tumuaki / Principal
DUVAUCHELLE SCHOOL
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