"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou
Fingers crossed for good weather this Friday so we can go ahead with our School Picnic! This Term 1 event is always a fantastic opportunity for families to mix n’ mingle, connect, and enjoy some informal fun together.
Join us anytime between 4:00 – 7:00 PM—whether you stay for the whole evening or just pop by for a bit. There’ll be plenty to enjoy, including an open pool, chalk drawing, a tug-of-war, a giant inflatable slide ($2 for multiple turns), sausage sizzles, coffees and iced chocolates, bubble creation station, Swiss-ball soccer, and more. We’d love to see you there because events like these create a sense of belonging and school pride.
Thanks for tuning in to read our weekly newsletter. This week you’ll find information on:
- Thankful Kids
- Zero Waste programme
- School Photo schedule – 25 & 26 March
- Join our AMAZING PTA
- Registering Interest for the AIMS games
- Inclusive Whanau Network meeting (this week)
Thankful PBS Kids – This morning I spent some time in the playground asking kids what they are thankful for at PBS. Here’s what they had to tell me…
- It’s easy to make friends here
- How nice everyone is
- We get responsibilities, like being Sports Ambassadors
- The playgrounds, especially the monkey bars and slides
- We learn heaps of new things
- The opportunities we have in Sports
- The teachers help us learn tricky maths stuff
- Nice teachers and staff
- That we have a school pool
- People show kindness
- Taking part in things like pedal ready
- I like that it has Year 7 and 8 so I don’t have to go to a separate intermediate, and I get to stay here longer!
- The big field space and football area
- Lunchtime discos
- We celebrate our culture here
- I love making artworks in class
- The CREST values, so we know how to behave
- All the books in the library. I’ve read four big chapter books already this year!
- Having nice kids here; everyone helps each other
- My teacher is fun and caring
- Fences – some schools don’t have them but we do and it makes you feel safe
- All the sports equipment
- Everyone always tries their best
- There’s lots of activities to choose from
- You don’t get embarrassed if you make a mistake. It’s a place where you can make mistakes and learn from them
- People are kind
I think that feedback from our students shows evidence of the environment we work hard to create! On that note, have a great week everyone.
Ngā mihi nui,
Jess Ward
Principal – Tumuaki
PRINCIPAL’S C.R.E.S.T CORNER:
At PBS we champion our school C.R.E.S.T values in everything we do.
Curiosity. Respect. Excellence. Self Management. Teamwork
It’s always heartwarming to see the pride on a kid’s face when they are praised for their mahi. When that praise extends to a certificate that pride spreads even further and can act as a motivating factor for others. Just check out the smiles on the faces of these Ngaru Syndicate students! Congratulations to Arya, Samantha, Alf and Lucas who received awards recently for their hard work, attitudes and amazing efforts. Ka rawe!
P.S. Got a suggestion? Let us know through our online suggestion box.
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
Penelope, Lucas, Oliver and Lenny – Rm 21
James and Otis – Rm 23
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/
Zero Waste Learning
This term, our classes are diving into the important topic of Zero Waste with educator Chris Simons as part of our school-wide Sustainability Inquiry. Chris’ engaging sessions are sparking thoughtful discussions on how we can reuse and recycle unwanted items, which is essential learning for protecting our planet and ensuring a sustainable future. Thanks Chris for supporting PBS with this important mahi!
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.
Kīwaha (idiom)
A super simple saying that you can use in your everyday conversations.
Ka pai hoki koe! – Good on you!
Out of Zone Applications
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 student here in Terms 3 or 4 2025, please ask them to contact our school office as soon as possible. Thank you.
The process for “Out-of-zone” applications for Terms 3 and 4 2025 five year old new entrant students will be advertised in upcoming newsletters and on our school website. Applications will open on Wednesday, 26 March and close on Monday, 5 May 2025.
New Entrant Parent Information Presentation – Tātahi Syndicate
A New Entrant Parent Information Presentation will be held for all parents of new children on Friday, 28 March from 10am – 10.30am in the school staffroom.
This session will:
- provide an overview of the ‘Transition to School’
- provide an overview of the New Entrant Programme in reading, writing and mathematics
- highlight how you can help at home with learning, and explain the purpose of the
Home Learning Books
In Tātahi Syndicate, we believe that successful partnerships between home and school are established when both parties have a shared expectation and knowledge of their child’s learning. We would love to see you there.
Te Moana Syndicate Fundraising
Easter Raffle
Te Moana Syndicate are selling raffle tickets for Easter – $2 a ticket and you could win one of three baskets full of Easter and holiday treats!
Hot Cross Buns for Sale
Iceblocks for Sale
School Photos - 25 & 26 March
Class photos and individual portraits will be taken on Tuesday, 25 March & Wednesday, 26 March (Week 9). Reminder: there will be no team/group photos this year due to low purchase demand. We recommend if your child is playing in a school team to please take photos during the season.
Photo Schedule | |
Tuesday, 25 March | Wednesday, 26 March |
Te Motu (Years 7 & 8) Syndicate Ngaru (Years 3 & 4) Syndicate | Tātahi (Years 1 & 2) Syndicate Te Moana (Years 5 & 6) Syndicate |
See a sample copy of the order form below for instructions on how to order. Order forms were sent to classrooms today.
Join Us for the PTA AGM – Your School Needs You!
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of our PTA will be held on 18 March at 7.30pm in the school staffroom. This is an important opportunity to learn more about the events and initiatives we support throughout the year, and to get involved in shaping the future
of our school community!
We’re looking for new members to join our PTA team. Last year, some of our valued members resigned, and we’d love to welcome fresh faces and new ideas to help us continue making a positive impact for our students and teachers. Whether you have a lot of time to dedicate, or just want to help out now and then, your involvement makes a difference.
If you have any questions or want more information, please feel free to contact Sandy Saunders: sandys@pbs.school.nz or Di Puati: dpuati@pbs.school.nz
We hope to see you there!
Zespri AIMS Games 2025 – Register Your Interest!
The Zespri AIMS Games, a highly anticipated national sporting event, will take place from August 30th – September 5th in Tauranga. This exciting competition offers a wide range of individual and team sports for Year 7-8 students.
If your child is interested in participating, please check the sports on offer via the link provided: https://www.nzaimsgames.co.nz. Please be aware that the school will not be responsible for organising this event. We will handle administration tasks, including registration, bookings for the Opening Ceremony and sharing correspondence from the AIMS Games Team. However, families are responsible for all individual arrangements and costs.
As school camps take priority, all fundraising initiatives within the school must be approved by the school. We prioritise school camp fundraisers, but we are happy to support external AIMS Games fundraisers by promoting them in our school newsletter—provided they do not conflict with ongoing camp fundraising efforts.
Registrations and fees are due by May 21st, 2025. To register or ask any questions, contact Hillary Houston at hhouston@pbs.school.nz.
Touch Rugby
There are only 2 more weeks of the Touch Rugby season left. Please talk to your child’s coach about the Schools vs Schools Tournament if they are keen to take part.
And please take a moment to thank them for giving up their time and coaching!
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
Inclusive Whānau Network
Join the PBS Whānau Rōpu
Waitārere Forest Run
