"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora PBS whānau,
From time to time, some PBS families face extra challenges. This year, we know a number who are doing it tough. Last year our amazing school community donated oodles of quality used clothes, which enabled us to stock the wardrobes of 18 PBS kids and we still have great supplies to keep us going. Such generosity enables kids to be on a level-playing field which is what we all want.
At the moment, we have a number of families who cannot make ends meet, so the PBS way of helping out is to make lunches for their children. Currently, our PBS AROHA funds are running very low, so I’m reaching out to ask for a little more help. Did you know that through KINDO you can donate $5, $10 or $20 for kids in need? Your donation, no matter the size, really helps.
Thank you for being part of what makes PBS such a special place.
Keep reading this newsletter for information on:
- Attendance notifications – Why isn’t your child at school today?
- AI Workshop for parents
- Strategic planning – get ready to provide your feedback
- Hangi fundraiser – orders closing 13 June
- Beats by Bingo – Term 3 fundraiser!
Upcoming dates of importance:
- Monday, 2 June – School closed for King’s Birthday
- Tuesday, 3 June – School closed for conference between local schools
- Tuesday, 10 June – Board Meeting 6.30pm in the staffroom. Why not come along and see what it’s all about 🙂
- Term 2 ends Friday, 27 June
Ngā mihi nui
Jess Ward
Principal – Tumuaki
P.S. Got a suggestion? Let us know through our online suggestion box.
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
Our Year 1-4 students enjoyed a riveting performance from Strike Percussion NZ this morning. Our kids showed lots of curiosity and interest in the range of instruments and drumming styles. Sparking curiosity in this way may lead to multiple PBS drummers of the future (sorry parents)!
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
Charlie and Nia – Rm 21
Serah – 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/
Why Isn't Your Child at School Today?
We are noticing an increasing number of student absences where no contact has been made with the school. This creates significant challenges for our office team, who spend valuable time each morning following up to ensure all students are safe and accounted for.
With student wellbeing as our top priority, we simply must be able to account for every child every school day, whether at school or at home sick. Therefore, we remind all parents and caregivers that it is your responsibility to notify the school if your child is going to be absent.
Please contact us before 9am via:
- Phone: 298-5775 (answerphone available after hours)
- Text: 027-755-7915
- Hero app: submit absences directly
- PBS website: absent child box
Parent Workshops - Exploring the Power of AI
Following interest from PBS parents, I will be running a couple of information sessions on the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence). These sessions will provide an overview of the advantages and issues related to AI, demonstrate some tools, and explore ways you could use AI to support learning at home.
I will also endeavour to answer any questions you might have on this topic.
Dates and times (NB: Both sessions will be the same content):
- Wednesday, 11 June 2pm – 3pm
- Wednesday, 18 June 6pm – 7pm
To help with planning please use this form to register your intended attendance – thanks in advance https://forms.gle/E7McQRiC5eHWrrs77
Jess Ward
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)
Whānau (Family) Koroua – grandfather
Kuia – grandmother
Matua – father
Whaea – mother
Tama – son
Kōtiro – daughter
Mokopuna – grandchild
Thank You to Mills Albert Saints Basketball Team
Last week PBS were given a couple of bags of brand new basketballs from the Mills Albert Saints basketball team. These are much appreciated and will be well used by our basketball teams later this year.
Ngā mihi Wellington Saints!
Strategic Planning
Next term we will be collecting parent, staff and student feedback to update our school’s Strategic Plan. 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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Student Update Information Forms - FINAL NOTICE
A huge thank you to all those families who have returned their student update forms to date.
Please URGENTLY 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.
PBS Hockey
Our season is off to a great start, with players at all levels enjoying their games. We are so lucky to have a fantastic group of coaches and managers supporting our teams at every level: Noah Hunt, Regan Tidy, Zavier Marshall, Steph Caldwell, Viv Mordaunt, Corey Whitfield, Sam Willis, Vienna McDowell, Clare Pringle, Michelle Patterson and Paul Tessier. Huge thanks to all of you!
Reminder that there will be no Year 3-8 practice this Friday, and no Year 1-4 Hockey this Sunday, as it is King’s Birthday weekend.
Here are our two Year 3/4 teams after their first games on Sunday.
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.
Recent Student Achievements
Jiu Jitsu: Congratulations to Teina Walker, who in just his second Brazilian Jiu Jitsu competition has won a gold medal in the Gi section and a silver medal in the No-Gi section at the Wellington Regionals on Sunday. Well done, Teina!
Recent Student Achievements
Swimming: Toby Rosson in Room 14 swam 1 mile (48 lengths of the Waikanae Pool) in the weekend as part of his swimming club. Participants could choose to participate in various lengths from half a mile to 5 miles!
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
