"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Hello Everyone
Fortunately, we do not have any cases of measles at PBS, however, all schools MUST be prepared for this circumstance. There have been cases of measles in Wellington, so it is very important to stay informed and be on the lookout for symptoms.
Please read the information below from the Ministry of Education. I will keep our school community updated if a measles case does arise. NB: Public Health is the lead agency for schools, so I would take direction from them if a case was discovered at our school.
What is measles?
Measles is a very contagious viral illness that spreads easily between people and makes most people feel very unwell. Measles can cause serious health problems and about 1 in 3 people with measles will need hospital level care. Complications are more common for tamariki under five, pregnant people and people with weakened immune systems.
Vaccination and immunity
Measles spreads very easily and can affect anyone who is not immune. Being immune to measles means you are protected from getting infected and spreading the disease to other people. You are considered immune to measles if either of these things apply:
- You had two doses of a measles vaccine after 12 months of age
- You have had measles before.
- Most people born in New Zealand before 1 January 1969 are considered immune because before that time, almost everyone had measles as a child.
Things Parents and Caregiver can do now
- Keep reading school newsletters and communications.
- Be on the look out for symptoms; fever, cough, runny nose, sore eyes, and a blotchy rash.
- Keep unwell children at home and don’t visit the school site if you are feeling sick yourself.
- Anyone with measles symptoms should seek urgent advice by ringing their doctor or Healthline on 0800 611 116.
- Anyone who is closely exposed to a measles case must stay at home. Heath New Zealand will provide individuals with advice on a case-by-case basis (including when they can leave quarantine at home).
- Keep an eye on the location of interest page which is being updated https://info.health.nz/conditions-treatments/infectious-diseases/about-measles/measles-immunity?decisionpathway=231%2C229%2C227%2C225%2C223
Please keep reading this newsletter for information on:
- Board Outstanding Achiever’s Award – nominations now open
- FREE Parent Education Event: Raising Resilient Children with Kathryn Berkett
- PBS Christmas Giving Tree – please help us
- Odd Sock Day – next Monday!
- Our E-Pro8 champions
- Be in to Win our Grocery Grab!
- Supporting your child with autism
Upcoming dates of importance:
- Monday, 10 November – Odd Sock Day
- Friday, 14 November – Local Kapa Haka festival
- Friday, 21 November – Whānau Fun event
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
Last week Te Motu Syndicate made great use of the weather by getting outside and practising athletics skills. The skills of these young athletes are awesome! Ka Rawe!
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/
Outstanding Achiever Award
Paraparaumu Beach School Board is now seeking nominations for this year’s Outstanding Achiever Award.
The purpose of this award is to acknowledge students who have achieved at a very high level, and to promote these students as role models throughout our school community in a manner that reflects and incorporates our school CREST values. We encourage nominations for Years 4-8 students.
The nomination forms are available on Hero, our website and, paper copies are available at the school office. Nominations close at 3pm on Friday, 21 November.
FREE Parent Education Event: Raising Resilient Children with Kathryn Berkett
(Date: Tuesday, 18 November 6.15pm; Venue: Paraparaumu College)
Our Kāhui Ako of five schools is funding this parent education evening because we consider it highly relevant and important for all families.
We use the word resilience all the time, we want it for ourselves and for our children. But what does it actually look like? And how do we develop it?
Register here for this unique, local opportunity to hear what might be the most useful information of your life! https://forms.gle/7r1BRbftB8q4GEYS7
NB: See the poster at the end of the newsletter for more information and please get yourself registered.
PBS Christmas Giving Tree
We are giving Santa a helping hand again this year as his finances are stretched!
To do this, we will be setting up a Christmas Giving Tree in the school office. If you’d like to contribute, simply wrap a small gift, attach a note with the age and type of child who might enjoy it, and pop it into the office. Our PBS elves will make sure it finds its way to a child who could use a little extra Christmas magic this year.
Calendar Art Update
Sorry but due to the time of year and busyness in the office, calendar art may not be sorted and distributed now until next week. Please be assured that it will be sent out as soon as we can.
Student Council
Odd Sock Day
We’re holding Odd Sock Day on Monday, 10 November to celebrate our differences, encourage including others and promote being kind. This is our anti-bullying campaign! Dress up and wear your odd socks to show your support for this kaupapa.
Design a Mascot Competition
This is the second to last week to get creative and design a mascot for our school. Make sure it links somehow to us, give it a name. Entries can be placed in the tray at the office.
Whānau Fun
On Friday, 21 November we’re holding a whole school Whānau Fun session. Come dressed in your Whānau Colours for an afternoon of cool activities!
Digitech Corner
Linewize, who provide some of our online cyber safety tools, have created a parent hub for our parent community. This is an excellent space to learn more about how you can best support your child and keep them safe when online. Please take some time to check it out. There’s great advice around a variety of things such as parental controls, social media, gaming and online bullying.
BYOD- Chromebook offer
If your child is in Years 5-8, they use a chromebook to access parts of their learning. Affordable refurbished chromebooks are available through Insite Technology. Click the link below and enter the promo code PBS10 when purchasing to get 10% off. https://insite.co.nz/pages/paraparaumu-beach-school-byod-pbs?_pos=1&_sid=7c64dc3d3&_ss=r
Touch Rugby
Congratulations to the following PBS students who will be representing Kapiti-Horowhenua for touch rugby over summer:
- Under 12 Mixed – Aglika Angelova, Campbell Stratford, Mila Mei-Signal, Sophie Tee, Ty Gardiner
- Under 14 Girls – Eden Kavakura, Kaya O’Brien
- Under 14 Boys – Issac Ransfield, Kade Bennett, Jackson Grant
Year 5 & 6 EPRO8 Interschool Champions
A huge congratulations to Cayden Turner, Benny Ransfield, Nico Van Reenen and Maxwell Willis, who took out 1st place at the Interschool EPRO8 Challenge alongside Kenakena School! Competing against 11 other teams, they showcased incredible teamwork, problem-solving and engineering skills to earn the top spot.
We’d also like to celebrate Aglika Angelova, Matilda Cowper, Jax Coles and Eli Chisolm, who placed an impressive 5th overall — an amazing effort!
Our winning team has now qualified for the Wellington Regional EPRO8 Competition next month. Ka mau te wehi — what an outstanding achievement!
Ice Blocks for Sale
Iceblocks will be for sale on Wednesday lunchtimes for $1 each outside Room 1. This is fundraising for the Year 5 and 6 Camps.
PTA Grocery Grab Fundraiser – Win the Ultimate Supermarket Dash!
Lost Property at the Office
A large amount of lost property has been handed into the office over time. If you or your child have lost something, please check at the office if we have it. Amongst other things handed in is this pram cover, glasses, headphones and watches!
Recent Student Achievements
Cheerleading: Over the weekend, Dakota Bell travelled to Auckland to compete at Super Nationals Cheerleading. Dakota is in two teams this season and both of her teams performed incredibly well on the national stage. Her Youth Level 1 team placed 3rd overall, and her Junior Level 2 team placed 2nd – both in very large, highly competitive divisions.
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
Supporting your Child with Autism
We’re pleased to welcome Sean Fitzgerald to our next meeting. Sean has over 25 years of experience helping children with autism and their families, both internationally and here in New Zealand.
📅 Date: Tuesday, 11 November
⏰ Time: 9:15 – 10:30 AM
📍 Venue: Paraparaumu Beach School – Staffroom
Join us as Sean shares practical strategies for providing behavioural support for your child—whether you’re exploring if your child may have autism or navigating life after a diagnosis.
Sean is always informative and engaging. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn strategies that can support both you and your child!
Kāpiti Half Marathon – This Weekend
Our PBS Team is going from strength to strength and is now the largest participating team with 75 members! 🎉 There’s still time to register and join the fun — use the link to secure your spot. (link to register)
📣 Important message for registered participants:
Team Captains will not be able to collect bibs and tags on the day. To avoid long queues, please collect your race bib at the Saturday Expo:
📅 Saturday, 8th November 2025
📍 Pacific Health Plus
⏰ 10:00am – 3:00pm
Get your bib early, plan your route and be ready to enjoy a fantastic day on the Kāpiti Coast!
Let’s make PBS proud and show everyone the strength of the largest team at the event!
