"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora PBS whānau,
A big thank you to all our families for making alternative childcare arrangements yesterday, allowing our teachers and teacher aides to attend the local Kāhui Ako conference. Our staff joined colleagues from Kenakena, Waikanae, Kapakapanui Schools and Paraparaumu College for a valuable day of shared professional learning.
We were privileged to begin the day with keynote speaker Professor Meihana Durie, who offered thought-provoking insights that set the tone for rich conversations and learning. Staff then participated in a wide range of workshops focused on curriculum developments, inclusive practices, and strategies to enhance student wellbeing and achievement.
Once again, we appreciate your support in making this important professional development opportunity possible for our team.
Keep reading this newsletter for information on:
- AI Workshop for parents – register below
- Beats by Bingo – PTA fundraiser
- Netball thanks
- Gumboot Friday charity fundraiser
Upcoming dates of importance:
- Tuesday, 10 June – Board Meeting 6.30pm in the staffroom. Why not come along and see what it’s all about 🙂
- Wednesday, 11 June 2pm- 3pm parent session on Artificial Intelligence
- Wednesday, 18 June 6pm – 7pm (repeat) parent session on Artificial Intelligence
- Friday, 20 June – Public Holiday for Matariki (school closed)
- 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
Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen the results of all the hard work our PBS kids have put into cross country training. They truly brought their ‘A’ game to our school events—showing determination, perseverance, and a strong commitment to giving it their all.
Each year, there are two things I especially love seeing. Firstly, those competitive students who set personal goals and push themselves to achieve top placings. And just as inspiring are the students who may not be aiming for the podium, but who give it a go, show resilience, and feel proud of crossing the finish line. Both types of effort are worth celebrating!
(Below are some pictures of our Year 1-4 races).
NB: There’s more Cross-country news later in this newsletter
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/
Parent Workshops - Exploring the Power of AI
Following strong 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
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)
Kīwaha (idiom)
A super simple saying that you can use in your everyday conversations.
Mā te wā – See you later
From the Student Council
Last Thursday the PBS Student Council attended the National Young Leaders Day Conference. This was a great opportunity to hear speakers from different backgrounds share their experiences and leadership advice. It was also a really fun day out meeting like minded students from other schools and catching the train into Wellington.
Charity Fundraiser
We’re supporting Gumboot Friday!
This charity provides free counselling services that tamariki and their whānau can access. We think this is a valuable resource for our PBS community and a worthy cause for the Student Council to support in 2025.
So check out the poster below for our fundraiser and how you can help us to help others ☺️
PBS Netball
We are well into our netball season and have teams at all levels enjoying their games. We would like to thank our volunteers who give up their time to coach, umpire and score for our teams.
So a huge shout out to:
Coaches: Lusia Duseigneur-Alaiasa, Poppy Lou, Grace Beissel, Stefanie Meaclem, Bridie Wall, Pip Dorn, Claire Coleman, Garth Wieser, Adele Bowman, Daphne Thomson, Hillary Houston, Courtney Thomson, Ngahuia Scanlan Wiki and Silla Mulitalo
Managers: Chantel Lynch, Sarah Montagu and Justine Jacobs
Umpires: Isla Kirton, Hope Martin, Ayla Cudby and Dakodah Reid
Scorers: Jasmyn Direen, James Willis, Saara Fourie, Gina van Rennen, Brad Coleman, Jaydee May, Sarah Vivians, Kelly Paku, Karen O’Halloran, Staci Black and Rozanna Steel
Without this help we would not be able to have as many students play netball as we do. Thank you
Te Moana Cross-Country Championship
Last week, our Te Moana tamariki rose to the challenge at our annual Cross Country Championships. The 1.7km course, featuring a demanding hill, tested their stamina, but our students displayed outstanding effort and determination throughout.
We’d like to thank Caty Spencer and our Sports Ambassadors for setting up the course and marshalling, and a special thanks to the parents who helped supervise the students at the event.
Congratulations to the following students who achieved podium finishes!
- Year 5 Boys: 1st Jackson Ferris, 2nd Axel Christensen, 3rd Zachary Willis
- Year 5 Girls: 1st Charlotte Dorn, 2nd Olive Jarvis, 3rd Esmee Baker
- Year 6 Boys: 1st Eli Chisholm, 2nd Jax Coles, 3rd Benjamin Ransfield
- Year 6 Girls: 1st Hayley Kirton, 2nd Indie Bennett, 3rd Ava Nagel
We’d also like to extend a special congratulations to all the following students who qualified for the Kapiti Interschool Event on June 10th!
- Year 5 Boys: Cayden Foliaki, Austin Wilson, Ryan Ge, Gsingh Singh, Lennox McLiver-Grant, Lucious-Reign Phillips, Andreas Torrie
- Year 5 Girls: Arielle Potgieter, Ella Mackie, Bailey Paton, Norah Edwards, Beibei Zhuang, Brooklyn Pritchard-Leef, Harper Peck
- Year 6 Boys: Theo Tucker-Nathan, Fabian Patterson-Murdie, Finn Little, Noah Chisholm, Nico van Reenen, Joey Olsen, Devin Direen
- Year 6 Girls: Aglika Angelova, Mila Mei-Signal, Lara Thomson, May Newlove, Bella Noble, Bella Watt, Riley Wood
For our students who chose not to take part in the competitive Cross Country event, we’ll be holding a fun Cross Country Relay on June 5th at 2:00 p.m. It’s a great opportunity for all our tamariki to get involved, stay active and enjoy the spirit of the event with their friends.
Te Motu Cross-Country
Results will be announched in next week’s newsletter.
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
Cheerleading: Alyssa has just returned from the Global Cheerleading Games in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her team Big Air Glamorous, made up of 16 girls from across the Wellington region, won the Gold medal. A fantastic achievement!
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
