"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou,
Last Wednesday two of our wonderful student councillors, Emily and Pranav, helped me to host the Minister of Education – Erica Stanford, our local MP – Tim Costley and the Director of Education – Roy Sye. The Minister was incredibly impressed with the way these students represented PBS and made her and our other guests feel welcome.
The visit provided a great opportunity to showcase many of the things we’re proud of at PBS, as well as to discuss the challenges we face in meeting the diverse needs of every learner. Funding for these challenges needs to be addressed and it was appreciated to hear the Minister acknowledge this.
We also had a conversation about the refreshed curriculum documents — highlighting both the aspects our teachers find useful and those they find more challenging. As with any new educational change, PBS staff approach it with the rigour and integrity it requires to best serve our students; hence our full use of “curriculum days” to broaden our understanding of developments in the education space.
I want to start today’s newsletter with a thank you to Jason and Candice Els at our local Paper Plus for their generous rebate of $1175 from their Back-to-School stationery initiative. We appreciate the efforts they went to to offer competitive prices and provide quality items. We know that times are tough for many retailers, so we encourage the PBS community to keep supporting our local businesses. At PBS we look forward to using this rebate on new books for our school library! Thanks Jason and Candice!
Keep reading for information on:
- Board Elections
- Attendance Statistics for Term 1
Ngā mihi nui
Jess Ward
Principal – Tumuaki
P.S. Got a suggestion? Let us know through our online suggestion box.
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
There were no new students this week
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/
Board Elections - September 2025
Along with the majority of NZ schools, election time is nearly upon us! Why not sit in on an upcoming meeting to see if this is something you’d like to pursue further?
Elections for the PBS Board will be held in Term 3 (September). Several of our current members are stepping down due to kids moving on to College and relocations out of the area, which presents a great opportunity for you to join our wonderful board!
The board is responsible for PBS’s governance, ensuring it meets all legislative require-ments while delivering the best possible outcomes for our children.
Members are elected to a three-year term, so you would be the perfect candidate if you currently have kids in year 5 or below.
Board meetings are open to all PBS whānau. They are held in the staff room, and our meeting dates are listed below.
We would love to have you along if you’re interested in seeing what it’s all about.
Questions? – Feel free to e-mail: boardchair@pbs.school.nz
Our 2025 pre-election 2025 board meetings are:
- Tonight at 6.30 pm
- Tuesday, 10 June – 6.30 pm
- Tuesday, 15 July – 6.30 pm
- Tuesday, 19 August – 6.30 pm
Attendance
Regular attendance is one of the most important factors in a student’s academic progress and overall wellbeing. The Ministry of Education highlights that students who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve NCEA Level 1 and beyond — and the impact starts well before secondary school. Even missing one or two days every few weeks can add up and affect learning.
At PBS, we want every student to have the best chance of success. That means being present, engaged, and supported in their learning every day. If your child is struggling with attendance for any reason, please reach out — we’re here to help.
Here are our attendance statistics for Term 1 – let’s aim to get to at least 75% this term!
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.
Here are some essential kupu that you may hear ia ra (everyday)
Ngā Tae (Colours)
White – Mā
Red – Whero
Pink – Māwhero
Yellow – Kowhai
Blue – Kikorangi or Kahurangi
Green – Kākāriki
Light Green – Karera
Black – Pango or Mangu
Purple – Tawa or Waiporoporo
Brown – Parāone or Paraui
Grey – Kiwikiwi
Digi Corner
Digital Footprint
When our tamariki start using digital devices at school and using online learning resources, we teach them about what being a good digital citizen looks like at PBS. Digital footprints is a term that needs explaining for them and it is something that you as a parent can reinforce at home.
Every time you use the internet, you leave a digital footprint – a collection of data from your online activities. This includes everything from the websites you browse and your social media interactions to your online shopping. This digital trail can be used to follow your online movements and can impact your privacy and how others perceive you. This is why it is so important to be mindful about how we operate when online.
School Hockey
School hockey is starting this week, with some awesome skills sessions. Games will start next week for most teams. It’s not too late to get involved!
Email cspencer@pbs.school.nz if your child would like to give hockey a try.
School Memories Photo Ordering
Everyone should have received their photo order forms by now. Please order your photos online as per the order form. The close off date is 25 May.
Year 7 Immunisations
Our public health nurses are coming to school in the week starting 2 June to provide immunisation for Year 7 tamariki.
- If you have changed your mind or your child’s medical situation has changed please contact us at gw-nphsimmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz, or call us on 04 587 2949
- If you have not yet consented, but want to, please collect a consent form from the school office or contact us
- If you declined the vaccines last year but you have changed your mind and you now want your Year 8 child to receive the vaccine(s) please collect a consent form from the school office or contact us
- If your Year 8 child missed out last year and you would like them to catch up on their vaccinations please collect a consent form from the school office or contact us
- If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at gwnphsimmunisation@tewhatuora.govt.nz, or call us on 04 587 2949
Student Update Information Forms
Yesterday every student was given forms with their student update information on to be completed and checked; and any changes made (if applicable).
Please return these forms to the office asap so we have your correct information on file in case of emergency.
Thank you.
Hot Chocolates - Te Moana Camp Fundraiser
Hāngi Available to Order
Delicious and authentic hāngi available for order on Kindo by 13 June. Pick-up will be at the Hall on Thursday, 19 June from 4.30pm – 6.00pm.
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
Caring for Carers
