At Onehunga Primary, we believe that education is a journey we take together. While our teachers provide the spark for learning, our Friends of the School (FOTS) community provides the extra magic—the resources, the environment, and the events that turn a school into a second home.

Why your involvement matters

Every child’s experience at OPS is improved by the strength of our parent community. When we come together, we do more than just raise funds; we model the values of service and community for our tamariki. Whether it’s through a "working bee" in our gardens or a busy night at the school disco, your presence sends a powerful message: this school, and your learning, are worth our time.

Our impact & kaupapa

FOTS works hand-in-hand with the Board of Trustees and School Leadership to ensure our efforts align with the school’s strategic goals and our Enviroschool kaupapa. We focus on:

• Enriching the experience: Bringing the "fun" through community events like the Arts & Cultural Festival and our legendary school discos.

• Sustainable growth: Supporting our school’s environment through gardening, working bees, and sustainable initiatives like our mini fairs and secondhand clothing sales.

• Tangible resources: From library books and sports gear to shaded play areas and grant applications, FOTS helps provide the "extras" that government funding doesn't always cover.

• Operational support: Helping the school run smoothly, whether it’s volunteering in the resource room, the library, or the Walking School Bus.

No contribution is too small

We know that everyone’s "village" looks different. You don’t need to be a professional event planner or have hours of free time to make a difference.

• Have a specific skill? (Grant writing, carpentry, marketing, or baking?)

• Have an hour to spare? (Slicing fruit for a sports day or sorting clothing donations?)

• Just want to connect? (Come along to a meeting to hear what’s happening and meet other whānau.)

Join us

FOTS is an open, welcoming group of whānau and staff. There is no "entry fee" and no long-term commitment required—just a shared desire to see our kids thrive. Being part of FOTS is the fastest way to feel connected to the Onehunga community and to make lifelong friends along the way.

Ready to get involved?

• Check the current Sign-Up Sheet

• Follow us on social media

• Fill out our Expression of Interest form

Together, we make Onehunga Primary School a place where every child has the best possible start.

Upcoming events

How FOTS makes a difference

Our work at Onehunga Primary School falls into four key areas. Whether we are raising funds or simply raising spirits, everything we do is about enhancing the school experience for our tamariki.

1. Building community (Whanaungatanga)

We believe a strong school is built on strong relationships. We lead events where the primary goal isn't profit, but connection:

• Celebrating culture: Supporting Language Weeks and our biennial Arts & Cultural Festival.

• Creating memories: Organising school discos, the OPS float for the Santa Parade, and Grandparents’ Day.

• Whānau welcomes: Hosting community picnics and "Meet the Teacher" dinners to help new families feel at home.

2. Hands-on school support

FOTS volunteers are the "extra hands" that help our school run smoothly and allow teachers to focus on teaching:

• In the classroom: Helping with the Resource room, library support, and reading programmes.

• On the move: Coordinating the Walking School Bus and lunchtime sports.

• Friday fun: Running "Ice Block Fridays" and the much-loved sausage sizzles.

3. Sustainability & the environment

Aligned with our Enviroschool kaupapa, we focus on projects that care for our land and teach our children about kaitiakitanga (guardianship):

• Living classrooms: Organising weekly gardening groups and school-wide working bees.

• Smart choices: Running initiatives like the mini fairs and secondhand clothing sale to promote a circular economy and reduce waste.

4. Strategic fundraising & grants

We work to bridge the gap between government funding and the "extras" that make OPS special:

• Purposeful events: From "Beats by Bingo" and Fun Runs to Book Fairs and Calendar Art.

• Expertise in action: Our team identifies and applies for community grants to fund major projects (like playground upgrades or new equipment) identified by the Board of Trustees.

Our commitment: How we work

To ensure our efforts are effective and respectful of everyone’s time, FOTS operates under a clear set of guiding principles in partnership with the school:

• Values first: Every event must align with our school values—such as sustainability and healthy living.

• Strategic alignment: We don’t just raise money for the sake of it; our fundraising targets are set in collaboration with the Board of Trustees to meet actual school priorities.

• Protecting learning time: We carefully schedule events to ensure they don't disrupt classroom learning or overwhelm our busy school calendar.

• Supporting our kaiako: Our goal is to reduce the load on teachers. We aim for "low-effort, high-impact" initiatives that can be run almost entirely by our volunteer community.

• A cohesive approach: All community outreach and sponsorship requests are coordinated through the school to maintain professional and respectful relationships with our local Onehunga businesses.

Previous Projects

Disco - Term 3

Calendar Art

Term 3 Mini Fair