"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora PBS whānau and new members of our school community.
I’ve really enjoyed meeting so many of our new families and students over the past few weeks, and I know you will all enjoy being part of our school community. In just four weeks’ time, we will be holding our annual on-site summer picnic—a wonderful opportunity to meet new families, connect with others, and see your child enjoying time with their new friends. We hope you can join us.
Although our summer has been inconsistent in terms of sunny weather, I hope you were still able to spend quality time with family and friends. I certainly spotted many of our families out and about—riding bikes, enjoying ice creams at the beach, visiting the skatepark, and playing in the school grounds.
Kids have already shared snapshots of their holiday time with me, including stories of camping (in the backyard or further afield), boogie boarding in the sea, making tree forts, going to Staglands, road trips in the South Island, trying fishing for the first time, and family games nights with ‘old-school’ board games.
What has really struck me—and what I find so heartwarming—is that many of these experiences were simple, low-cost, or free. Well done, whānau.
Above, you’ll see a photo of our teachers and leadership team proudly displaying the tukutuku-inspired artworks we created as part of a whanaungatanga activity to reconnect before launching into the new school year. These pieces are now displayed throughout the school—in offices, classrooms, and the hall. Our sincere thanks to Moira from Tuitui Designs for guiding us through this meaningful mahi.
Lastly, I wanted to mention one of the key requests I have of parents and whānau this year: please take the time to read and stay up-to-date with school communications, including this weekly newsletter. Building this into your weekly routine truly makes a difference for your child when you are informed about what’s happening at school. Thank you in advance for your support.
Keep reading this newsletter for information on:
- Sun Safety and Bucket Hat term
- Attendance and Punctuality
- Dress Code reminder
- CREST Values
- Electric Scooters
Upcoming dates of importance:
- Wednesday, 4 February – Back to School Assembly 9.15am
- This Friday – school closed for Waitangi Day (public holiday)
- Thursday, 26 February – School Picnic 4pm-7pm (more details coming soon)
Ngā mihi nui
Jess Ward
Principal – Tumuaki
P.S. Got a suggestion? Let us know through our online suggestion box.
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
McKenzie Rm 1; Michael and Zaria Rm 3; Caleb Rm 4; Eilidh and Makaea Rm 5; Havi Rm 6; Lincoln Rm 8; Nina Rm 10; Gemma, Jamie and Briella Rm 12; Kahlo and Ryder – Rm 19; Madison, McKenna, Olivia and Sasha Rm 25; Aria, Sophie, James, Layla, Acacia and Erza in Rm 26.
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/
Sun Safety and Bucket Hat Term!
While we provide many resources, our budget doesn’t stretch to sunscreen for every student. We kindly ask that parents apply sunscreen to their children before they arrive at school each day and provide a small tube or roll-on sunscreen to their bag for reapplication throughout the day. Roll-ons are especially handy, as they’re easier for children to use on their own without wasting extra sunscreen.
Wide brimmed hats are also a requirement for school this term. If your child doesn’t have a hat they are stuck playing under a veranda at break times, which isn’t much fun.
Let’s work together to keep everyone safe in the sun!
PS: If you have any second-hand wide brimmed hats you no longer need at home, feel free to donate them to school. Thank you
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)
Give these phrases a try this week:
Kia whakaritea ō taputapu mō āpōpō – Let’s get your things ready for tomorrow
Kia pai mai te rā i te kura – Have a great day at school
Kua rite rānei koe mō te kura? – Are you ready for school?
Attendance: Every Day Matters - Let’s Set Our Tamariki Up for Success
We love seeing your children’s smiling faces at the gate every morning! We know that life can get busy, and genuine illness happens (please do keep them home if they are unwell!), but we wanted to take a moment to highlight just how important regular attendance is for your child’s happiness and learning.
Why Being Here Counts
When children attend school regularly and on time, they gain huge benefits:
- Building Stronger Friendships: Playground games and social circles evolve daily. Being here every day helps children feel connected to their friends and secure in their social groups.
- Keeping the Learning Flow: Learning concepts build upon one another like Lego blocks. Regular attendance means they don’t have to work extra hard to “catch up” on missing blocks, reducing their stress and boosting confidence.
- Settling In: Arriving on time allows your child to connect with their teacher, organise their belongings, and start the day calmly, rather than feeling rushed or anxious.
- A Sense of Belonging: Being part of daily classroom routines makes children feel like valued members of our school community.
We Are on Your Team
We understand that getting everyone out the door in the morning can sometimes be a challenge! We are here to support you.
If you are having trouble with morning routines, or if there are barriers making it hard to get your child to school, please pop in for a chat or give the office a ring. We can work together to help get your child back into a positive rhythm.
Absences - How to Contact Us
If your child will be absent from school there are a number of ways you can let us know. It is important that you make contact and include an explanation as to why your child is away from school. Firstly, for safety and wellbeing purposes and secondly, as we are required to code absenteeism for the Ministry of Education. If you choose to email your child’s teacher, please copy the office in on the email so that everyone is kept in the loop and the correct code can be applied.
If your child is going to be absent during term time, for a family event or trip, parents/ caregivers need to complete a ‘Student Leave form’. Forms are available on our website under the Information tab https://www.pbs.school.nz/student-leave-form/
List of contact information for PBS:
- To ring the school office: (04) 298 5775
- To text the school cell phone: 027 7557915
- Email: office@pbs.school.nz
- Message via the HERO app
Dress Code Reminder
At Paraparaumu Beach School we ask students to adhere to our school dress code. Our dress code is designed to reinforce pride in appearance, self respect, personal safety and so students can focus on learning.
This dress code also reinforces that primary students are kids who dress for comfort and activity. As our students grow into pre-teens and teens, we also want to reinforce that they do not need makeup to enhance beauty, they are beautiful as they are.
Guidelines and Procedures
At Paraparaumu Beach School:
CLOTHING:
- Students are expected to dress in a clean, tidy and comfortable manner.
- Clothing may express the wearer’s individuality, but must not be offensive or revealing e.g. no crop tops, short shorts or items with shoestring straps.
SUN SAFETY:
- A Wide brimmed hat must be worn outside during Terms 1&4
- Clothing that protects skin from the sun damage is encouraged during Terms 1&4
HAIR:
- Hair should be kept clean and tidy.
- Any hair dye must be within the natural (human hair) colour spectrum.
JEWELLERY:
- For safety reasons, only stud earrings are acceptable. Only ears may be pierced.
- Other jewellery, other than taonga, is discouraged and/or must be removed or made safe for physical activity.
FOOTWEAR:
- Sensible footwear is required. No shoes with heels or wheels.
- Socks are not to be worn on their own as outdoor footwear.
- For safety reasons, Year 7/8 students need to wear shoes with closed-toes to the Technology Centre.
MAKE-UP:
- Face make-up is not to be worn.
- No fake lashes or fake nails.
- Teachers may allow face paint or make-up for special occasions or performance purposes.
If the dress or appearance of a student does not adhere to the dress code guidelines, then the parent/caregiver may be contacted.
New School Fence
Thanks to Phil Campbell Building Ltd and the Ministry of Education, we have been able to replace the long storm-damage fence down our school driveway. Phil, who is a school parent, did a fantastic job; we were delighted with his efficiency and workmanship. Thank you Phil!
Check out the BEFORE and AFTER photos below.
Crest Values for Everyone
As we prepare for upcoming school trips, sports teams and other events for the year, we want to emphasise the importance of our school values, encapsulated in the acronym CREST: Curiosity, Respect, Excellence, Self Management, and Teamwork.
When you join us in supporting activities, whether as a parent helper in the classroom, trip chaperone, volunteer coach or spectator on the sidelines, we kindly request that you model these values in all interactions with our students. Here’s why this matters:
Curiosity (Pātaitai): Encouraging a spirit of inquiry and exploration among our students, fosters their natural curiosity.
Respect (Manaakitanga): Demonstrating respect for everyone involved—students, staff, and fellow parents—creates a positive and inclusive environment.
Excellence (Hiranga): Striving for excellence in everything you do, sets a positive example for our students to follow.
Self Management (Rangatiratanga): Showing self-management skills by being organised, punctual, and reliable in your responsibilities.
Teamwork (Mahi Tahi): Collaborating effectively with others, supports our school’s collective efforts to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
By embodying these values, you contribute significantly to our school community and help reinforce the lessons we teach in the classroom. Thank you for your partnership in nurturing a supportive and enriching environment for our tamariki.
Free Piano
We have a piano at school that is surplus to requirements. If you would like it and want to view/test it out, please pop into the school office to enquire.
Road Safety Around the School
So far, most drivers who are dropping off children at school have remembered that we have clear ways and drop-and-go zones around our school, which have been in place since 2016.
Unfortunately, we have had phone calls from neighbours saying it seems drivers have forgotten that there is a clearway in operation on the north side of Beachwater Grove. This is sign posted and is in operation between 8.30am – 9.30am, and 2.30pm and 3.30pm.
Electric Scooters
Due to a number of issues last year, our strong preference is that e-scooters are left at home.
We understand that for a small number of students, e-scooters may be used as a means of travelling to and from school. In these cases, please note that e-scooters cannot be stored inside school buildings (regardless of weather conditions), and students will not be able to charge them at school.
Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us keep our school environment safe and manageable for everyone.
Moving March
Next month is Moving March and our Sports Ambassadors will be promoting different activities in the coming weeks.
One of our amazing teachers, Caty Spencer, along with the Single Track Collective are holding a family friendly fun run event in March. Caty’s running in the London marathon in April raising money for a dementia charity (she’s also qualified to compete in the Boston marathon!). So mark the date in your calendars if you’re keen to be active and join in the fun.
Keep an eye out for further information next week.
Fundraising Ventures for Yr 7/8 Camp in March 2027
A reminder to Parents of current Year 6 and 7 Students that on Wednesday, 18 February in Room 14 at 3.15 pm we will be holding our first meeting for parents/caregivers who are able to help with fundraising ventures for Camp in March 2027.
If you are unable to make it but you are interested in helping out or you are able to offer an item or a service to raffle or help towards fundraising, please email Julia Nelson –
jnelson@pbs.school.nz with your details.
Ezlunch
Ezlunch orders are available again every Monday, Wednesday and Friday as part of the Kindo platform, for all online lunch orders.
Ezlunch offers a simple, mobile-friendly way for families to order fresh, tasty lunches from the same local providers you already know and love. The ordering process is quick, payments are secure, and delivery to school is reliable and easy.
Parents can order using the Kindo app (iPhone and Android) and choose from a range of convenient payment options including card, bank transfer, Google Pay, Apple Pay and more. The system also includes helpful allergen alerts and automated reminders, so no one misses out on lunch day.
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
Hurricanes Players Visiting Coastlands
Some of your favourite Hurricanes players will be visiting Coastlands on 12 February from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.
Bring the whānau along — and don’t forget your rugby balls or jerseys if you’d like to get them signed. Giveaways on the day.
Spaces are limited, so make sure you’re here early.
Touch Rugby
Enjoy the rest of the season!
