"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou,
Under the new school planning and reporting regulations, all schools are required to develop a new strategic plan covering the years 2026–2028. This means our current three-year plan—originally set to run through to the end of 2026—will now be revised earlier than expected.
With this in mind, our Board will soon begin a cycle of community consultation to help shape the direction of our school for the coming years. Before we reach out to gather your feedback, we’d like to take a moment to revisit our current goals (listed below). We encourage you to read through them so you can reflect on what’s still important, what’s working well, and what new priorities we may need to consider as a school community.
Your voice is valued, and your input will directly influence the priorities we set for our PBS kids in the years ahead.
GOAL 1: GROWING COMMUNITY – Everyone in our school community feels engaged and valued |
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GOAL 2: BUILDING GROWTH MINDSET Our school community embraces challenges with perseverance and growth mindset |
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GOAL 3: ACHIEVING PERSONAL EXCELLENCE- Our school community challenges, encourages and supports each other to achieve excellence across the curriculum and beyond |
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Keep reading this newsletter for information on:
- Staffing update
- Government changes to Reporting and Assessment (repeated from last week’s newsletter)
Upcoming dates of importance:
- Teacher only day – 3 June (school closed for instruction)
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/
Staffing Update for Next Term
We’re pleased to share some staffing changes for the start of Term 3.
A new New Entrants class will be opening in Room 25, and we’re delighted to announce that Sarah Smith will be moving from her current role as a release teacher to take on this new class. Sarah brings a wealth of experience teaching across Years 0–4, and we know her calm, capable approach will provide a fantastic start to school for our newest five-year-olds.
At the end of this term, we will also be farewelling Bridget Nally, teacher of Room 10, as she sets off on an exciting new adventure living in Abu Dhabi. Bridget has made a wonderful contribution to our school and will be greatly missed by students and staff alike.
While recruiting has been challenging in the current NZ teaching climate, we’re fortunate that PBS continues to attract high-quality educators. We’re excited to welcome Lizette van den Berg to the Room 10 teaching role. Lizette taught at PBS around 10 years ago, so in many ways it feels like she’s coming home. Her familiarity with our school, staff, values, and routines will ensure a smooth transition for the Room 10 students.
Governmanet Changes to Reporting (repeated from last week’s newsletter)
Last week, the Minister of Education directed all schools to begin reporting against the refreshed English and Maths curriculum documents this year. This announcement presents some challenges for schools across the country — including ours, which I’ve outlined below for your awareness.
Firstly, as the Minister has acknowledged, teachers have had limited time to engage with and be trained in the new curriculum content. This makes it difficult to confidently assess students against the new learning outcomes we are still becoming familiar with. This is particularly true for Years 7–8 and secondary teachers, as the refreshed English curriculum for these year levels was only released in draft form a couple of weeks ago.
At PBS our teachers will do their best to provide clear and thoughtful updates on your child’s progress in reading, writing, and maths this term. These progress statements will be shared with parents on the HERO app and rather than being published all at once at the end of the term, these statements will appear throughout the coming weeks — based on when your child’s teacher has had time to assess and make a well-considered judgement e.g. you might receive an update on your child’s maths progress in May, followed by reading and writing updates in June.
It is also very important for parents to know that the refreshed curriculums introduce new learning outcomes that don’t always align directly with the previous curriculum. As a result, it may appear that your child’s progress has shifted or dropped, when in fact it’s the curriculum framework that has changed.
Lastly, in 2026 all schools will be required to report student progress and achievement using grading labels like the four descriptors below. The Minister has suggested that schools can trial using this wording this year, which we will endeavour to do. Therefore you may see reference to these descriptors in updates for your child.
Four Descriptors | Details |
Needs support | Students;
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Progressing Towards | Students;
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Proficient | Students;
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Exceeding | Students;
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Road Patrol
We have seen an upsurge in people crossing incorrectly on the pedestrian crossing on Gray Ave and Martin Road when the School Road Patrol team are in control of it. Please remember to cross when you hear the words, ‘cross now’ and the patroller has lowered their arm. Until that time you are to wait.
The calls you will hear are – Signs Out , Check, Clear and Cross Now.
Thanks for your understanding.
Peak Drop Off/Pick Up Times on Martin Road
We’ve had a concern raised by one of our Martin Road neighbours, due to cars reversing out their driveway during drop off or pick up times. There have been a number of occasions where children walking along the pavement have been very close to reversing cars.
PLEASE be extra vigilant when pulling in, parking or reversing out at peak times so our tamariki are kept safe.
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)
Kaute (Count)
Tahi – One
Rua -Two
Toru – Three
Wha – Four
Rima – Five
Ono – Six
Whitu – Seven
Waru – Eight
Iwa – Nine
Tekau – Ten
Tekau ma tahi – Eleven
Tekau ma rua – Twelve
Tekau ma toru – Thirteen
Tekau ma wha – Fourteen
Tekau ma rima -Fifteen
Tekau ma ono – Sixteen
Tekau ma whitu – Seventeen
Tekau ma waru – Eighteen
Tekau ma iwa – Nineteen
Rua tekau – Twenty
Rua tekau ma tahi – Twenty One Rau – Hundred
Mano – Thousand
Miriona/Mirione – Million
Fun Run
The PTA would like to thank everyone for their support in raising funds at the Fun Run on the last day of term 1. What a great time the tamariki had, and we were pleased to have raised $7K, to go towards the outdoor canopy for school.
We would like to congratulate Room 21 for being the class that raised the most money and got to enjoy pizza for lunch on Friday. Lots of happy faces here.
Also a big congratulations to Emmy Canton, who won the $200 voucher for raising a whopping $450; Chloe Mangels, who won the $150 voucher for raising $320; Viyani Kumar, who won the $100 voucher for raising $310; and Jax Hesketh, who won $50 voucher for raising $280.
The PTA hopes that you enjoy spending your vouchers.
School Memories Photo Ordering - Last Week
Please remember to order your photos online as per the order form. The close off date is this Sunday, 25 May.
Student Update Information Forms
A huge thank you to all those families who have returned their student update forms to date.
Please don’t forget to return these forms completed and checked; and any changes made (if applicable) to the office asap. It is very important that we have your correct information on file in case of emergency and there are still a lot outstanding.
Thank you.
Beats by Bingo PTA Fundraiser
Please note that this is an R18 event 🙂
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 - This Friday
