Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou,
My fourteen weeks away from
school has gone so fast, but it’s great to see all these bubbly, smiling kids again!
A Principal’s sabbatical is not a given; it is a rare privilege. For me, the experience was made richer because I had the opportunity to truly step away, with the peace of mind that PBS was in highly competent hands. Particular thanks to Sarah Chambers, Vicki Wilson, Rachel McDowell and Sandy Saunders, who took on additional leadership responsibilities in my absence. I think you will agree that they all did an incredible job; strangely, however, I couldn’t convince Sarah to keep acting as Principal for Term 4 🙂
I used my sabbatical to continue my Psychology studies, attend the NZ Principals’ Conference in Queenstown and take some time out visiting family in the UK. I had lots of time to reflect on education, child development and leadership. What I can say is that children thrive when communities thrive; PBS is definitely in a thriving community, built on good relationships, aroha and support. Parents care deeply about giving their kids the best start in life and seek support when they need it. Alone, we may struggle to solve issues, but when we put our heads together and try to work as a team we can make a real difference.
We all deal with some tough stuff at times, that’s the nature of human existence, but I encourage you never to struggle alone. Reach out for help. Whilst school staff may not always have the answers, we can most likely put you in touch with people who do.
Kia kaha PBS whānau.
Today’s newsletter is packed with useful information for our whānau, with a few highlights being:
- Parent Voice Focus Group: read more below
- Scholastic Book Fair – Week 3
- PTA Grocery Grab – be in to win!
- Health and PE consultation
- Cohort Entry consultation
PARENT VOICE FOCUS GROUP
The PBS Board is seeking parent voice in a couple of areas to help inform our procedures and ensure that our systems are meeting the needs of all stakeholders. The first topic relates to school communication and what sources you use or prefer. The second topic is around the use and functionality of the @school parent app.
The Board will be holding a Focus Group session on Wednesday, 1 November (week 4) in the staffroom from 3:30-5:30pm. If you would like to provide insight from your perspective, it would be greatly appreciated. Please email Sarah Chambers to register your attendance: schambers@pbs.school.nz Afternoon tea will be provided.
PRINCIPAL’S GREAT NEWS CORNER:
Sharing good news spreads positivity, changes attitudes and ultimately leads to more people feeling encouraged and happy
In Term 4 the weather usually starts to even out and get warmer, which encourages us all to get outdoors. Yesterday, whilst sitting in my office, the sounds of music filled the air. I popped outside to investigate and was delighted to see the students of Room 13 undertaking a PE and music focused challenge. Their skill and energy levels definitely made me feel like joining in! We will try and get a video of this for our facebook page soon.
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
Mia, Kyzer, Raven, Nikau, Layna, Bailey and Harmony – Rm 20; and Austin and Carter – Rm 11
Have You Checked Out Our Community Notices Directory?
Do you need to advertise your business, an upcoming event, need child care, or looking for a gift or new club to join? Check out the PBS Community Directory on our website https://kapiti.pbs.school.nz/
Reminder of New Office Open Hours
Please note the new office opening days and times (during term time):
- Monday-Thursday 8.20am-3.30pm
- Friday – 8.20am – 3pm
Out of Zone Applications First Half of 2024 - Applications Open
If you have any children due to start school soon that you have not let us know about, or if you have friends or neighbours who don’t currently have a child at PBS, but may be hoping to enrol a Year 0/1 student here in Terms 1 or 2 2024, please ask them to contact our school office asap. Thank you.
“Out of Zone” applications for Terms 1 and 2 Yr 0/1 students were advertised in the Kapiti Observer on 5 October.
Applications close at 4pm on Monday, 16 October.
The Book Fair is Coming
In week 3 the Hihi Room (beside Room 5) we will have displays of fabulous books available for you to purchase. Perhaps a great idea for Christmas presents.
PTA Grocery Grab Raffle
Digitech Corner
During the school holidays we were informed that there is an unpleasant TikTok page circulating and making references to students at PBS. This type of behaviour is unacceptable, highly disappointing and straight up unkind. Unfortunately the person or persons creating the content has hidden their identity making it very difficult for us to follow up. Please monitor your child’s internet activity. Talk to them about how to keep themselves safe online. If you are a user of a social media platform and encounter content that you know needs reporting, then report it through the platform’s appropriate channels. Refer to the following from Netsafe NZ:
Options for dealing with online bullying
Each situation is different, and we can help you to understand the best options available to you. There are also some actions that you’re able to take yourself that can help.
Social media
Teach your child how to use the features available on most social networking sites including blocking and unfriending people and reporting content. You should also show them how to update privacy settings on social media – if you’re not sure how, visit the safety centres of the social media platforms they use.
Social media safety centres
Facebook • Snapchat • Instagram •YouTube • Twitter
There is also the ability to disable comments on posts and videos on Instagram and YouTube.
Check out more options and advice from social media platforms, including filtering comments on Instagram using certain keywords, in our Staying Safe Online Guide.
Mobile
You may want to block phone numbers that are sending bullying or abusive messages.
You can find instructions for blocking numbers on your phone by searching online. Use the words “how to block phone numbers” + the model of your phone. For example, search “how to block phone numbers Samsung Galaxy S7”. You can also contact your service provider for help, or use these instructions for how to block numbers on Apple devices.
For further information, head to this link https://netsafe.org.nz/parents-bullying/
Community Consultation- Health and Physical Education
Thank you to the parents/caregivers who have responded to the Health and Physical Education survey that was emailed out to whānau on 29 September.
Health and Physical Education is one of 8 learning areas of the New Zealand Curriculum. Health and Physical Education is guided by 4 Strands, and 7 Key Learning areas and all schools in New Zealand are required to consult with their school community every two years about their Health and Physical Education programmes. We value your feedback as it informs our planning moving forward.
The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and will close on Friday, 20 October. Thank you for your time.
Cohort Entry Consultation
We value your feedback! Further to previous newsletter information, please click on the link Cohort Letter to read more about the proposed cohort entry for new entrants at PBS in 2024.
There is a link within the PDF to send in your feedback. Thank you.
Using Māori Language at Home
Learning another language provides many benefits including greater academic achievement, greater cognitive development, and more positive attitudes towards other languages and cultures. So, let’s give it a go and help to revitalise this unique language to Aotearoa for our tamariki. Each week our newsletter will include words or phrases that you might like to try out at your kāinga/home.
Māori phrases to use during play
Me tākaro ki waho – Let’s play outside
Me tākaro ki roto – Let’s play inside
Kei a koe – It’s your turn
Kei a au – It’s my turn
Ka wani kē koe! – You are so clever!
Ko koe te toa! – You are the winner
Ko au te toa! – I am the winner
For more kupu go to https://www.facebook.com/takaivillage
Aroha Fund
One thing our school community is rich in is KINDNESS. It’s something we work hard to promote amongst our students. When we know someone is in need we try to give some additional support because not everyone’s circumstances are the same. We do our best as a school to ensure every child has equal opportunities regardless of finance or personal circumstance. Our PBS AROHA fund was set up to enable our whole community to offer support to such families.
The PBS AROHA fund enables anyone in our school community, including businesses, to donate money to help those in our school community who find it hard to make ends meet. It also means that we can provide lunches when kids don’t have any.
If you would like to contribute to this fund you can find it in KINDO labelled PBS AROHA. You can contribute $5, $10 or $20 at any time during the year. If a local business wants to make a contribution they can contact Libby on lrichardson@pbs.school.nz
Please talk to the office, Sarah Chambers or Jess Ward if you would like to know more about our PBS AROHA fund. All discussions will be confidential.
Giving a little means a lot!
Bucket Hats
This term is a bucket hat term. Please ensure that your child/ren has a named bucket hat to wear during break times to protect them from the sun’s harmful rays.
Class Requests for 2024
The process of putting class lists together for a new year is an extremely complex and time consuming task. There are many variables to consider, for example; equal class sizes, the gender balance in each class, the distribution of students with social/behaviour and learning needs, medical needs, splitting cousins/siblings, and so on.
In a small school there may only be one class at each level and therefore no opportunity to group students in different ways. In a school our size, whilst we do have the advantage of flexibility, the process takes time and consideration. I can assure you that we act professionally and thoughtfully when placing students in classes.
We ask that parents are understanding and supportive of the complexities involved.
At PBS we prefer that parents do not submit requests unless there are exceptional circumstances. If parents want us to consider any exceptional circumstances that their child may have in regards to class placement for next year, then the formal process below must be followed:
*Requests must specifically describe the exceptional circumstances around the child’s needs
*It is preferable that parents do not request a specific teacher by name
*Requests must be from the child’s parent/legal guardian
*Requests must be in writing to the Principal jward@pbs.school.nz
*Requests must be received no later than Friday, 27 October
Whilst we allow parents to submit such requests, we do ask in return, that the final decision on class placement (whether or not a request has been met) is both respected and promoted positively by parents to their child.
Thank you.
School Memories Photo Orders - Closing 18 October
Photo order forms for Yrs 0-2 students, Rm 16 students and sports/teams have been sent to classrooms.
Portrait and class photos can be previewed online before ordering; and team/group photos (where applicable) can be previewed online before ordering and also have a proof on the order form. Orders close on 18 October.
If you have lost your order code, please contact the office.
Netball Uniforms
Please ensure all netball tops and netball uniforms are back by this Friday.
I am aware there are some players who still require their uniforms – please return them as soon as possible after your game. Thank you.
Last Call for Yummy Stickers!
Please send any last yummy stickers or collection sheets to Ginny Hawke in Rm 4 by Thursday of this week.
Many thanks to everyone who has collected stickers for us already.
Recent Student Achievements
WOW: For the past 6-8 weeks PBS student Keeva Strawbridge has been involved with the WOW show in Wellington. Check out this Kea Kids interview that provides some insight into her very cool opportunity.
Future Student Achievements
If your child has an achievement you would like us to share in our newsletter, then please send details (and a picture if you would like) to mbarfoote@pbs.school.nz
Kindo - Online EFTPOS now available
You can now enjoy using online EFTPOS with the following banks when placing your lunch orders: – ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Co-operative Bank and Westpac. If you are not with one of these banks you can still use one of our other payment methods – POLi, bank transfer and card payments. Check out our support page for more information.
If you don’t bank with one of the above banks
The Online EFTPOS team are currently working to bring on other banks.
