"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Hello everyone!
The end of Term 3 is rapidly closing in and voting for our Board Elections closes tomorrow, so please don’t forget to vote.
This week I am attending the New Zealand Principals’ Federation Conference in Wellington. Just like our students – teachers and principals never stop learning! Courses, conferences, webinars and professional reading enable us to keep up with advances in areas that affect the growth and development of children.
I’m especially excited to hear from two inspiring speakers;
- Gihan Perera, a business futurist and AI researcher, will be talking about how school leaders can stay confident in times of change and disruption, as well as be effective in a fast-changing world.
- Barbara Coloroso, an international bestselling author and expert in school culture and restorative practices, will be sharing her wisdom on building strong, caring communities for our young people. Her book, “Kids are worth it! Giving your child the Gift of Inner Discipline” has been widely praised as a practical and respectful approach to parenting. Teachers have found her insights to be highly effective in classroom settings as well.
I look forward to sharing their insights in future newsletters with you.
Please keep reading this newsletter for information on:
- Board Elections – Voting closes this week!
- Teacher Aide Position Vacancy
- Out of Zone Applications Opening
Upcoming dates of importance:
- Wednesday, 10 September – Voting in the Board Elections closes tomorrow
- Monday, 15 September – End of Term School Assembly 9.15am – All Welcome
- Friday, 19 September – last day of Term 3
Before I sign off, here’s a photo of the place getters from our Year 5-8 PBS has Got Talent competition that missed last week’s newsletter. Congratulations again to Emily Kaye (1st), Bailey Paton (2nd) and Devon Direen (3rd). Tu Meke!
Warm regards
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
What happens when you mix art and math? You get Room 12’s amazing block art project! Students had to make a plan, measure, and calculate the perimeter and area of their designs. It was a lot of fun and a great challenge for everyone. The final artwork is a testament to their hard work!
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
Voting Closing Tomorrow
All eligible voters will receive voting instructions as well as candidate profiles and photos from those that have provided them.
If you have any questions about the election process, please contact the Returning Officer directly on 0800 VOTENZ (0800 868 369) or election@electionpilot.nz.
Mills Albert Ltd
Thanks to the wonderful team at Mills Albert Ltd we’ve been able to procure some boulders for a landscape project. As these were delivered after school hours, some students were left wondering if they had fallen from the sky!
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.
Give these phrases a try this week:
Me haere – come quickly
Titiro! – Look!
Whakarongo! – Listen!
Teacher Aide Position
Want to join a fabulous team? Paraparaumu Beach School is looking for an experienced part-time Teacher Aide. This position is temporary for Term 4, based on 25 hours per week and is term time only. This role involves supporting teachers with curriculum delivery, working 1:1 and in small groups. Previous experience working with neurodiverse children is preferred.
We are seeking an enthusiastic, flexible and patient person who is capable of working well as part of a team.
Please apply with a cover letter and CV to Sarah Chambers, Deputy Principal at schambers@pbs.school.nz
The closing date for applications is this Friday, 12 September 2025.
New Entrant Parent Information Presentation – Tātahi Syndicate
A New Entrant Information Presentation will be held for all parents of new children on Friday, 12 September from 10am – 10.30am in the school 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, and explain the purpose of the
Home Learning Books
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.
Out of Zone Applications
Twice a year we will call for applications for five year old new entrants who haven’t started school yet and are living out of the school zone. The next round of applications will open on 19 September and will close at 4pm on 13 October. This will be for five year old new entrant children due to start school during the first half of 2026.
If you have a five year old new entrant due to start school during this time, then please contact the office on 298 5775. Thank you if you have already been in touch with your details. We will email the documents out to you around 19 September.
Student Council
Congratulations to all of the participants in last week’s PBS has got Talent Years 1-4 final.
The winners were as follows:
- 1st place: Dance group – Makena & Daisy Rm 12, Jade & Isla Rm 10 & Frankie Rm 26
- 2nd place: Taekwondo – Jackson Rm 6 & Lucas Rm 4
- 3rd place: Comedy routine – Mitchell Rm 12
Photo to come next week.
Netball Tops & Shorts
Can you please keep these coming into school. There are still a lot outstanding. They need to be washed and dried and handed into the Office.
Thank you.
AIMS Games 2025 – Congratulations to Our Athletes!
We are incredibly proud of all our athletes who represented our school at the AIMS Games, the largest intermediate sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere, with over 14,000 competitors and teams travelling from Fiji, Rarotonga and Australia.
A huge congratulations to Lucie Thomson, who placed 1st in the Year 7 Girls 3km Cross-Country event – an outstanding achievement!
In the Mountain Bike competition, Ryan Carter and Mason Gestro tackled a gruelling track, finishing 19th and 71st out of 104 riders. Both boys described the event as “awesome” and are already keen for next year.
Our teams also had an unforgettable experience, thriving in the supportive atmosphere, being challenged against top-level competition and strengthening their teamwork. The Netball Team, coached by Silla Mulitalo (Lead Coach) and assisted by Ngahuia Wiki-Scanlan and Litara Huriwaka, finished an impressive 36th out of 122 teams (4th in the B Grade) – an excellent achievement for their dedication and hard work all season.
The Football Team, coached by Ray Tidy and Matiu Grant, placed 46th out of 70 teams – a pleasing result following strong preparation through local tournaments and games. Players described the event as epic, saying they were challenged and pushed to their limits. They returned as a stronger team, having built new friendships and developed valuable skills.
A huge thank you to our dedicated managers – Courtney Thomson, Andrea Carter, Emma Hall, Brooke de Wit, Kelly Paku, Clare Pringle and Natasha Denison – and to all our coaches for your commitment and support. Without you, this amazing opportunity for our tamariki would not be possible.
Ka rawe team – you have done us proud!
AIMS Games & Sports Gear
Lost Property
Lost Property will be on display by the tennis/netball courts each fine day before end of term. Anything unnamed or unclaimed will be donated to the Koha Shed.
TE MOANA FUNDRAISING
Midweek Munchies
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
