"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora PBS whānau,
Would you like to win a $200 Warehouse gift card? I bet the answer is, yes.
Well here’s your chance, simply complete our Board survey and enter the prize draw at the end.
Our Board would love to hear your thoughts on our school’s strategic goals and direction for 2026–2028. This short survey only takes 5-10 minutes to complete and your responses will be completely anonymous. The survey will only be open for two weeks, so make sure you have your say by Saturday, 28 June to go in the draw to win!
Please keep reading this newsletter as there is information on:
- Board Elections News
- Matariki – what’s on at PBS?
- Gumboot Friday – last day of Term 2
Upcoming dates of importance:
- TONIGHT Wednesday, 18 June 6pm – 7pm parent session on Artificial Intelligence in the school staffroom
- Friday, 20 June – Public Holiday for Matariki (school closed)
- Wednesday, 25 June – Whole School Assembly 9.15am, which will include the Whānau Group chant-off, wear your whānau colours! Please feel free to join us.
- Term 2 ends Friday, 27 June and PBS Gumboot Friday!
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
GREAT TEAMWORK IN ACTION: Last year the Student Council applied for some funding for a pickleball court and to complete our fitness trail. These were completed over the weekend and are ready to be used and enjoyed!
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 Election News
School Boards are required to hold elections every three years, and this will be happening this year. Our current Board has made the decision to appoint Schooled Election Pilot as the Returning Officer for our election, which will have an online voting system. Schooled Election Pilot is a Ministry of Education accredited provider for Board elections.
Nomination and voting forms will be sent to all eligible voters by email directly from Election Pilot, so if the school doesn’t have an up-to-date email for you – please contact the school office and let us know. If you do not have an email address, these forms will be posted to you.
School Board Elections must be held in accordance with the provisions of the Education and Training Act 2020 and the Education Regulations 2022. Your name and contact details have been provided to Schooled Election Pilot to enable the provision of these election services for Paraparaumu Beach School as required by legislation. They will use your contact details for the provision of election services for PBS only and your details will be deleted 60 days after the election date as required by legislation.
If you have any questions about the election process, please contact the Returning Officer directly on 0800VOTENZ or election@electionpilot.nz
- Friday, 18 July – call for Nominations
- Wednesday, 6 August – Nominations close
- If 6 or more nominations are received we will proceed to voting (Wednesday, 10 September – Election day)
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)
What is Puanga
For the iwi on the west coast of the North Island and parts of the South Island, especially Taranaki and Whanganui iwi, the star Puanga (also known as Rigel in the Orion constellation) is the traditional marker for the Māori New Year, rather than Matariki. This is because Puanga is more visible from these regions than the Matariki cluster.
What is Matariki?
Matariki is the Māori name for a cluster of stars, also known as the Pleiades, that reappears in New Zealand’s midwinter sky. Its rising signals the start of the Māori New Year.
Why is Puanga and Matariki important
Its a time to celebrate with family, sharing food, telling stories and remembering loved ones who have passed away.
It’s about nature. Matariki is connected to the stars, the seasons, and the harvest.
It’s a time for new beginnings. Just like the new year, it’s a time to think about what you want to do in the coming year.
A time for learning. It is a time to learn about the stars, sharing stories and understanding the importance of the natural world.
Why do we celebrate at a different time each year?
Unlike fixed-date celebrations, Matariki follows the lunar calendar. The holiday is observed on the first new moon after Matariki appears on the horizon, meaning the date shifts slightly each year. It usually falls between late June and early July.
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 held a special Matariki Shared Breakfast. Our students and staff enjoyed a morning of art and craft, waiata, stories and shared kai.
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 performed at Coastal Villas Retirement Village today. 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!
New Entrant Parent Information Presentation – Tātahi Syndicate
A New Entrant Information Presentation will be held for all parents of new children on Friday, 29 June 2025, from 10.00-10.30am in the staffroom.
This session will :
· provide an overview of the ‘Transition to School’
· provide an overview of the New Entrant Programme in reading, writing and mathematics
· highlight how you can help at home with learning
In Tātahi Syndicate, we believe that successful partnerships between home and school are established when both parties have a shared expectation and knowledge of their child’s learning. We would love to see you there.
Student Council 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.
You can donate through KINDO or gold coins on the day ☺️
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).
Parking Around the School
Please be respectful to our neighbours and do not park either partially or fully over residential driveways or yellow lines.
If you need to make a complaint about parking or have any parking related concerns, please contact either KCDC or the police directly.
Lost Property
Lost property will be out on display over the last two weeks of term mostly on the fine days by the netball courts. Please check if your child has lost anything, as there is a large range of hoodies and tops. Anything un-named or unclaimed will be sent to the Koha Shed.
Kapiti Cross-Country Success - Our Top 10 Qualifiers
Last Tuesday, we took a team of 102 students to compete in the Kapiti Interschool Cross-Country Championships. We are very proud of the sportsmanship, team spirit and effort that all of our students put into this event. The excellent weather, combined with their determination, made it a fantastic day out at Queen Elizabeth Park. Thank you so much to everyone who came along to support our team.
Congratulations to the following students who achieved outstanding results, placing in the top 10 in Kapiti and qualifying for the Regional Cross-Country Championships on 24 June at Harcourt Park in Upper Hutt. We are extremely proud of their hard work and the dedication they have shown in reaching this achievement.
Year 4 Girls: 2nd Aurora Van Reenen
Year 4 Boys: 5th Kohen Cooper, 6th Jack Thomson
Year 5 Boys: 4th Jackson Ferris
Year 6 Girls: 5th Hayley Kirton, 10th Indie Bennett
Year 6 Boys: 8th Jax Coles
Year 7 Girls: 1st Lucie Thomson, 10th Sophie Tee
Year 7 Boys: 6th Isaac Ransfield
Year 8 Girls: 8th Peyton McGarry-Paku
Year 8 Boys: 1st Kade Gardiner
Year 8 Boys (AWD): 1st Angus Wilson
Upcoming 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 soon, you will be notified via the Hero app and here in the newsletter.
Hāngi Orders Pick-up
Pick-up for hangi orders will be from the Hall on Thursday, 19 June from 4.30pm – 6.00pm.
Hot Chocolates - Te Moana Camp Fundraiser
Beats by Bingo PTA Fundraiser
Please note that this is an R18 event 
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
