"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora PBS whānau,
Interschools cross country is on as I type today’s newsletter! It was great to see how excited all our runners were this morning. I know they will give their best efforts, show determination and do us proud.
Please keep reading this newsletter as there is information on:
- Matariki – How are we celebrating the Māori New Year at PBS?
- Gumboot Friday news
- Parent AI workshops – it’s not too late to register your attendance
- Inclusive Whānau Network update
Upcoming dates of importance:
- TONIGHT – Tuesday, 10 June – Board Meeting 6.30pm in the staffroom. Why not come along and see what it’s all about 🙂
- TOMORROW – Wednesday, 11 June 2pm- 3pm parent session on Artificial Intelligence (Repeat session: Wednesday, 18 June 6pm – 7pm)
- Friday, 20 June – Public Holiday for Matariki (school closed)
- Wednesday, 25 June – Whole School Assembly 9.15am – Please feel free to join us!
- Term 2 ends Friday, 27 June and PBS Gumboot Friday!
- Term 3 starts Monday 14 July
- Wednesday 23 July – Learning conferences throughout the day (school closed for instruction)
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 junior students love to follow in the footsteps of our seniors, especially when it comes to sports. Lately, we’ve seen a surge of enthusiasm as they practise their basketball skills—some even taking shots at the high hoops just like the big kids!
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/
Matariki- What’s Happening This Year at PBS?
If your whānau has been at PBS for 4+ years now, you’ll know that every ‘even’ year we’ve held an evening celebration for Matariki, and every ‘odd’ year we have run events through the school day/week of Matariki.
This year our syndicates are celebrating Matariki in the following ways:
Tātahi: Years 0-2
To celebrate Matariki, Tātahi will be holding a special Matariki Shared Breakfast event on Wednesday, 18 June. This will be held in the hall from 8.30am – 9.15am.
There will be art and craft, waiata, stories and food to share. We invite Tātahi families to come along for a relaxed morning of shared kai. You will also be able to admire some beautiful Matariki inspired artwork.
Ngaru: Years 3-4
In the lead up to Aotearoa’s Matariki Public Holiday, Ngaru classes will be celebrating in a range of different ways. We are looking forward to creating art, listening to stories, and sharing kai to reflect on the year that has been, and to set goals for the Māori New Year.
Te Moana: Years 5-6
On Tuesday, 24 June, to celebrate Matariki, each class in the Te Moana Syndicate will be preparing and sharing some kai together. As part of this special occasion, students will contribute to the preparation or assembly of shared dishes.
Please ensure your child brings the following:
- A bowl or mug and a spoon (for soup)
- Their lunchbox, which can be used as a plate for other foods
Students are also welcome to bring their own kai from home if they wish. We’re looking forward to celebrating Matariki together with warmth, food, and whānaungatanga!
NB: Te Moana are also running the Hangi fundraiser (see details later in the newsletter)
Te Motu: Years 7-8
To celebrate Matariki, Te Motu are holding several exciting events, including hosting a Matariki-themed whole School Assembly (Wednesday, 25 June) with several activities during the assembly for everyone to celebrate Matariki. We are also holding an interclass Ki o Rahi Tournament for our syndicate, with an emphasis on the connection of the legend of Rahi and Matariki.
In the wider community, our Kapa Haka and Pasifika groups will be performing at Coastal Villas Retirement Village on 18 June. Room 14 has invited their penpals from Our Lady of Kapiti to join them in celebrating Matariki, where they’ll share kai, play traditional Māori games, and enjoy time together. Te Motu has a great Matariki Celebration lined up!
Student Council Charity Fundraiser
We’re supporting Gumboot Friday this year! 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. You can donate through KINDO or gold coins on the day 🙂
Ngā mihi from your fabulous Student Council team.
Aims Games Football Team Hotdog Fundraiser
The PBS football team heading to the AIMS Games are selling hotdogs for the last day of term on Friday, 27 June. Hotdogs can be purchased on KINDO for $4 (close off 25 June).
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
Learning Conferences - 23 July
Learning Conferences will be held on Wednesday, 23 July and school will be closed for instruction on this day.
Once bookings are open later this term, you will be notified via the Hero app and here in the newsletter.
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)
Te wā moe – Bedtime
Whakamaua ō kahu moe – Put your pyjamas on
Me āka niho koe – Brush your teeth
Kuhuna te moenga – Get into bed
Me pānui pukapuka tāua – Let’s (you and me) read a book
Kia au tō moe – Have a peaceful sleep
E moe – Go to sleep
Te Motu Cross Country Results
Hāngi Available to Order - Final Orders This Week!
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.
Beats by Bingo PTA Fundraiser
Please note that this is an R18 event 
Hot Chocolates - Te Moana Camp Fundraiser
Recent Student Achievements
Parkour: Congratulations to Sam Olsen who, in his first competition, came third in the parkour speed competition on the weekend for Kapiti Gymnastics Club.
Recent Student Achievements
Gymnastics: On Saturday Aurora completed at her second ever gymnastics competition. She improved on her floor routine and achieved excellence for this apparatus, very good for vault, bar and beam. She was awarded 3rd equal for bar, first equal for floor and 3rd overall, which is a huge accomplishment in her first year of competitive gymnastics. Well done!
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
