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GRANDPARENTS’ DAY – 31 October

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Bright young student dressed as a gnome for school event at Bell Block School, with playground in the background.

GRANDPARENTS’ DAY – 31 October

Colourful children holding hands during Bell Block School Grandparents' Day.

Please join us for Grandparents’ Day on Friday 31 October. We invite all Kuia, Koro, Grandmas, Grandads and extended whānau to come to school and have morning tea with their tamariki, spend time in classes and browse our Book Fair. All whānau are welcome to attend and we would love to see you there!

Grandparents’ Day is held in conjunction with our Book Fair. Students are encouraged to dress up as their FAVOURITE BOOK CHARACTER on Friday 31 October. Prizes for best dressed will be awarded after the parades.

Our PTA will have tea, coffee, lemonade and baking available for sale, as well as raffle tickets to purchase. The programme for the day is as follows:

9:45am: Whānau may assemble in the hall for the Book Character Parades.

10:00am: Year 0-3 Book Character Parade (Rooms 1-8)

10:30am: Year 4-8 Book Character Parade (Rooms 9-20)

11:00am: Morning Tea: Whānau are welcome to join their child’s class to eat morning tea or may accompany their tamariki to the library to browse the Book Fair.

11:30am: Return to Class: The bell will ring to signal the end of morning tea and students will return to their class. Whānau are invited to join their tamariki in class. Your child/ren may wish to share some work in their classroom or accompany you to browse the Book Fair in the library. We encourage you to spend some time in classrooms, check out our wonderful class displays and have your tamariki talk you through their learning. It is a great time to touch base with what is going on in our classrooms and we would love to see you in our spaces.

12:15pm: The bell will ring and normal class time will resume. Please note there is an expectation that students remain at school for the remainder of the school day.

Vibrant school grounds at Bell Block School, with sports fields and recreational facilities, under a colourful sky.

2026 OUT OF ZONE ENROLMENTS

The Board invites applications from parents who wish to enrol their children at Bell Block School for next year.Enrolment at the school is governed by an enrolment scheme, details of which are available from the school office.

To apply for a place for your child please download an enrolment form from the Enrolments page of our website and provide your child’s birth certificate and immunisation record to the school office.  Enrolment packs are also available from the school office.

Applications for out of zone enrolments for 2026 must be received by 3:30pm on Friday 10 October 2025 (please see the timeline below for further information).  Parents of students who live within the home zone should also apply by this date to assist the school to plan appropriately for next year.  Please note that children with siblings currently enrolled who live outside of the school zone must apply as an out of zone student.

The exact number of places available will depend on the number of applications received from students who live within the school’s home zone.

If the number of out of zone applications exceeds the number of places available, students will be selected by ballot. If a ballot is required it will be held on Wednesday 15 October 2025.  Parents will be informed of the outcome of the ballot within three school days of the ballot being held.

Should you have any questions regarding enrolments or should you like to make an appointment for a school tour, please contact Kim Thomas in the office on 06 755 0838 or email office@bellblock.school.nz.

Out of Zone Enrolment Timeline for 2026:

Bell Block School intermediate technology showcase.

TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE – 28 August

Join us on Thursday 28 August from 6pm–7pm in the school hall for our Year 7-8 Technology Showcase. Our students will share the learning and creations from their second Technology rotation with displays from Design, Textiles, Manufacturing and The Arts. Guests will also enjoy performances from our Music students and sample tasty kai prepared by our Hospitality students. We warmly invite all whānau from the school community to come along and celebrate our students’ creativity and achievements as part of their Technology programme.

Bell Block School intermediate technology showcase.

TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE – 28 August

Join us on Thursday 28 August from 6pm–7pm in the school hall for our Year 7-8 Technology Showcase. Our students will share the learning and creations from their second Technology rotation with displays from Design, Textiles, Manufacturing and The Arts. Guests will also enjoy performances from our Music students and sample tasty kai prepared by our Hospitality students. We warmly invite all whānau from the school community to come along and celebrate our students’ creativity and achievements as part of their Technology programme.

Children outdoors engaging in a race at Bell Block School, NZ, during a school sports event.

CROSS COUNTRY 25 & 28 AUGUST

The Year 0-3 Team cross country event will be held on Monday 25 August at 1.30pm on the school field.  The Year 4-8 Team cross country event will be held on Thursday 28 August at the Mangati Walkway. Please check the schedule below for the date and time of your child’s race.

Postponement date is Monday 1 September for both events.

The events for Years 4-8 are held around the Mangati Walkway, starting at the top bridge (near the entry to the walkway from Antonio Place). The Year 0-3 Team run on the school field.

We would love for parents/caregivers to come along and support the students!

Monday 25 August
Years 0-3 – School field
First race starts 1.30pm   
*8 year old boys (in Year 3)    4 laps
*8 year old girls (in Year 3)     4 laps
7 year old boys                           3 laps
7 year old girls                           3 laps
6 year old boys                           3 laps
6 year old girls                           3 laps
5 year old boys                           2 laps
5 year old girls                           2 laps

Thursday 28 August
Years 4-8 – Mangati Walkway
First race starts 9:15am
*8 year old boys (in Year 4)    2 laps (2.4km)
*8 year old girls (in Year 4)     2 laps (2.4km)
9 year old boys                           2 laps (2.4km)
9 year old girls                           2 laps (2.4km)
10 year old boys                         3 laps (3.6km)
10 year old girls                          3 laps (3.6km)
First race starts 1pm
11 year old boys                          3 laps (3.6km)
11 year old girls                          3 laps (3.6km)
12 year old boys                         3 laps (3.6km)
12 year old girls                         3 laps (3.6km)
13 year old boys                         3 laps (3.6km)
13 year old girls                         3 laps (3.6km)

 

Bell block school New Zealand map with walking trail and surrounding streets.

Brightly colored alphabet blocks spelling "structured literacy" on a wooden surface.

LITERACY INFORMATION EVENING – 5 August

We warmly invite all whānau to join us for our Literacy Information Evening in the school hall on Tuesday 5 August at 5:30pm. This is a fantastic opportunity to see, hear, and experience the teaching and learning happening through Structured Literacy at Bell Block School.

We’re excited to welcome Esmee Elias-Tito, our Learning Matters consultant, who will present the research behind this evidence-based approach and explain the key components that shape how we currently teach reading and spelling.

After the presentation, you’ll have the chance to explore examples of teacher and student resources showcasing our scope and sequence, classroom activities that reinforce spelling concepts, the texts we use to support reading development, and more. Teachers will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

He waka eke noa – we’re all in this together. Come along and learn how you can support your child’s literacy journey!

Modern Bell Block School with sports fields, playgrounds, and scenic volcanic backdrop in New Zealand.

OPEN AFTERNOON – 22 May

On Thursday 22 May we have our next Open Afternoon for the year. This is an opportunity to come into school and have a look at what your child has been doing during the first few weeks of the year. As with past Open Afternoons, your child will have a list of things to show you to help guide your visit. You are welcome to begin your visit at 1:00pm if you would like to have lunch with your child and see them or join in with their break time play. The end of lunch is at 1:40pm and that will be the time your children can show you their learning, classroom and around the school. Your child should return back to their usual classroom at 2:45pm for the end of day pack up routines. All our families are welcome and the students have always been excited to share their work and their school spaces with those closest to them. Please come along if you are able.

  • 1:00pm Visitors welcome to arrive for lunch time
  • 1:40pm Students return to class to share their learning and tour their visitors
  • 2:45pm All students return to their classes for end of day routines

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06 755 0838
office@bellblock.school.nz
31 Bell Block Court, Bell Block, New Plymouth, 4312
Bank account # 15 3956 0057371 02

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© 2026 – Bell Block School | Privacy Policy | Photography: Mark Harris | Website Design: About Image.

Bright modern school building at Bell Block School in New Zealand, supporting quality education.
NEGATIVE - white surround
06 - 755 0838
office@bellblock.school.nz
31 Bell Block Court, Bell Block, New Plymouth, 4312

© 2026 – Bell Block School | Privacy Policy | Photography: Mark Harris | Website Design: About Image.

Bright modern school building at Bell Block School in New Zealand, supporting quality education.