"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Hello Everyone
I hope you enjoyed the nice weather over the long weekend; it was certainly a good one for whānau to be in at the Warriors game. Lots of kids have told me this morning what a cool event it was. Ka rawe!
On a different note, we were really disappointed last week to have a member of the public enter our school grounds during class time and steal a student’s bicycle (Brand: Sunday Bikes Primer, BMX in black). Incidents like this are very rare at PBS, which makes it all the more upsetting.
The theft has been reported to the police and thanks to information from the community, we believe the person responsible has been identified, however the bike has not yet been recovered.
We understand that Kapakapanui School recently experienced a similar incident, which is equally disheartening. We work hard to ensure our school is a safe and secure place for our students, and it is frustrating when that sense of safety is undermined by a thoughtless act.
While we will continue to strengthen our vigilance, we strongly encourage students to bring bike locks. This simple step can help provide added security for both bikes and helmets.
Keep reading this newsletter for information on:
- Ministry reporting changes – what to expect in your child’s mid-year report commentary
- Teacher Only day information
Upcoming dates of importance:
- Friday, 29 May – Teacher only day at PBS – School closed for instruction
- Monday, 1 June – King’s Birthday – school closed
Kia wana te rā! Have a great day!
Ngā mihi nui
Jess Ward
Principal – Tumuaki
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
WARRIORS HAVE A GO DAY!
Last Thursday 40 lucky PBS students got to hang out with some of the Warriors NRL womens team, including former Sevens Black Fern Gayle Broughton, who has won every trophy on offer in the sevens game. Her accomplishments include six World Rugby Sevens series titles, Olympic Games gold and silver medals, Commonwealth Games gold, and winning the Rugby World Cup Sevens!
Fortunately the weather turned it on and our tamariki got to take part in a variety of activities and drills run by the Warriors Community Foundation. Lots of self management and team work was demonstrated by our tamariki.
Ngā mihi to our parent transporters and helpers on the day.
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/
2026 Reporting Changes
This year, schools are required to change from the four progress descriptors used in 2025, to the five new progress descriptors shown in the box below.
As always, our goal is to provide clear, meaningful updates about each child’s progress. We continue to align with Ministry reporting requirements, while also taking the time to carefully unpack changes and implement them in a way that maintains the quality and integrity of our reporting.
WHAT WILL PARENTS RECEIVE?
- This term, you will receive progress updates in reading, writing, and mathematics. These progress updates will be shared with parents via HERO and rather than being published all at once at the end of the term, these statements will appear throughout the term — based on when your child’s teacher has assessed them e.g. you might receive an update on your child’s maths progress in May, followed by reading and writing updates in June.
- In the last week of Term 2, parents will be notified of their child’s mid-year progress descriptor via HERO in reading, writing and maths (as detailed in the box below).
2026 Progress Descriptors | Details |
Emerging | Students require support to meet curriculum expectations for their year level and/or goals as described in their personalised learning plan. |
Developing | Students are making some progress towards curriculum expectations for their year level. |
Consolidating | Students are meeting many curriculum expectations for their year level and are steadily strengthening their understanding across learning areas. |
Proficient | Students are meeting curriculum expectations for their year level. |
Exceeding | Students are exceeding curriculum expectations for their year level. |
Notification of Term 2 Teacher Only Day
With major changes to the English and Mathematics curriculums last year teachers countrywide are still trying to develop a full understanding of all the new content. To address this the Minister of Education has given schools two additional “Curriculum days” (Teacher-only days) to use during the year for our professional learning.
At PBS we will be taking the first of these days on Friday, 29 May (attached to King’s Birthday weekend). As school will be closed for instruction on this date parents will need to make alternative arrangements for childcare.
Our teachers will be using this particular day to focus on new expectations for teaching the writing process and the associated assessments components.
Thank you in advance for your support of my team who are doing their very best to understand and deliver these significant curriculum changes.
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:
Haramai tō pukumahi. – I appreciate your hard work.
Te pai mutunga o tō mānawanawa. – I’m impressed by your patience.
E wana ake ana i tō manawanui. – I am inspired by your dedication.
From the Student Council
Pink Shirt Day is this term on Friday, 15 May. We’re celebrating this kaupapa because Kindness is Cool!
Pink Shirt Day for us is all about accepting and including others, being kind and caring. Bullying is not okay, but being an Upstander is!
We’ve got some cool things planned for the day, one of which is a poetry competition! The theme is kindness, students have 2 weeks to write (due Wednesday, 13 May). There will be a prize for each syndicate. Entries can be submitted to the tray in the office. Remember to include your name and room number.
Netball
This weekend netball starts for our Year 5 – Year 8 teams. Netball for our Year 3 and Year 4 teams will start on Monday, 4 May. To the players – have a great day on Monday or Saturday and remember to use your PBS CREST values during the game.
To our parents of PBS Express, PBS Fusion and PBS Galaxy – the teams still need an umpire. You will not be required every Saturday, but there will be the occasion that you will be required. It is important that someone takes on this role.
Hockey
For our Year 7 – Year 8 teams, the season will start with a skills session on Tuesday, 5 May. For our Year 5 – Year 6 teams, the season will start on Wednesday, 6 May. These sessions will be for all schools and will run from 4pm to 5.15/5.30pm.
Finally, for our Year 3 – Year 4 teams, the season will start at 10am on Sunday, 3 May. The first and second sessions will be skills based sessions.
To the players – have a great time on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday and remember to use your PBS CREST values during the session.
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
Ezlunch is back for Term 2
Ordering Ezlunch through Kindo is quick, easy, and one less thing to think about in the morning. You order from home (or on the go), and your child’s lunch is delivered to school, ready to eat.
Here’s how:
- Log in to the Kindo app (or set up an account at shop.kindo.co.nz)
- Pick from the menu on your school’s available days
- Your child collects their lunch at school
💰 Order & win!
Every Ezlunch order placed between 27 April – 22 May goes in the draw to win 1 of 5 x $50 Kindo credits each week.
Order here 👉 mykindo.co.nz
