2026 Start of Year Info

Putting you in the know for the start of the 2026 year.

Key Dates

Class Placements

2026 class placement information (what child your class is in and who their teacher is) is communicated through our school app Hero. Need to connect to HERO? Find out how here.

N.B. If you are a new student/family to RSS, you are not able to access Hero until your child has started school. This information will be emailed to you.

Pōwhiri for all new Children and Parents

We always start the new school year with a full school pōwhiri to welcome all of our new kaimahi (staff), ākonga (learners), and whānau (families) to our school. This will take place shortly after 9am on Monday 2nd of February. Everyone is welcome.

New Parent & Whānau Induction Meeting

Immediately after our Pōwhiri we invite all parents and whānau to the staffroom for some kai (food) and a cup of tea. When we have finished out kai we run an information session for new families and answer any question you have about our school.

Kōrero Mai

Kōrero Mai is our start-of-year drop-in where whānau, tamariki and kaiako connect kanohi ki te kanohi before school starts.

Thursday 29 January 2026, 12–3pm and 4–6pm (drop-in, no bookings)

Come along to:

• Meet your child’s kaiako and see their new classroom

• Enjoy a free sausage sizzle and a relaxed, community vibe

• Get help with Hero, Kindo, Seesaw and stationery

• Check out Supporters’ Club, Epic Music and Kelly Club stalls

To help us with planning, please complete the Simple Survey (link in Hero app) to indicate which session you’re most likely to attend, or if you can’t make it. We can’t wait to welcome you back for 2026

School Stationery

We have once again teamed up with Warehouse Stationery for our 2026 stationery requirements, helping make stationery ordering a breeze by seamlessly integrating with the Hero Parent App!

You will see the ‘Order Stationery’ icon appear on the landing page of your Hero App. This will direct you straight to your child’s school stationery list for 2026.

Stationery list orders can be made at any time, however to get the best deals, Warehouse Stationery’s Back-to-School pricing will go live on 1st January 2026, with both delivery and click and collect options available.

Not connected to Hero yet? Just head to the Warehouse Stationery website, search for Russell Street School and your child’s class.

Remember, while we are partnering with Warehouse Stationery, you can purchase the items from any retailer. Remember too, only buy what you need and don’t already have e.g. if your child has a reading folder, or pens and pencils etc there is no need to buy more!

School Apps

Hero: School wide notices, events calendar, student absences, permission slips etc will be part of the Hero app. HERO is also your go to app for reporting progress on learning, booking conferences and class placements. Need to connect to Hero? Find out how here.

Seesaw: Day to day learning posts and reminders will continue to be communicated through the Seesaw Family app. Your child’s teacher will provide you with a QR Code login to your child’s Seesaw account, or send an email invitation.

myKindo: You will also need to have the myKindo app on your phone, or access your myKindo account via the web. Kindo is the platform you use for all student related finances and payments from sausage sizzles, sports teams and  to school donations. Find out more here.

Hats

School hats are compulsory in Term 1 & Term 4. Any bucket hat is acceptable. There are no other uniform requirements.

School Lunches

You can buy lunch for your child through the Ezlunch service (part of myKindo). Need myKindo? Get sorted here. Lunch can be purchased for Wednesday and Friday each week.

• Wednesday – Subway
• Friday – Pita Pit

Swimming

Your child’s class will have at least 2 swimming sessions each week. Your child’s teacher will share their weekly swimming timetable with you.

If you have any questions or need some help just get in touch with your child’s teacher. Email is the best way to connect with them. Email addresses are on the Staff page on our website.