"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou,
Please scroll down for an important update on reporting to parents. Hopefully my explanation of everything you need to know is clear and in line with government changes.
On another note, this Friday is Support Staff day! We will be celebrating our incredible team of Teacher Aides, our office and accounts staff, and Property Manager and cleaning team. Please join our teachers and students in saying thank you to any of our support staff you come across in the coming days; their mahi adds to the overall success of PBS!
Keep reading this newsletter for information on:
- IMPORTANT: Government changes to Reporting and Assessment
- Board Elections
- Student Update forms
- BINGO night fundraiser
- Interschool Swimming Team results
Before, I sign off I want to thank all those parents who showed an interest in learning more about AI. I wanted to let you know that I will definitely be planning some workshops for you, but I’m currently supporting an unwell family member – so I just need to re-look at my calendar. Don’t worry though I won’t forget you 🙂
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
Recently our amazing SENCO, Carrie Reid, was nominated for and awarded the Kapiti Kindness Trust’s April award! If you know Carrie you will understand how amazingly hardworking and giving she is – helping students, staff and community members alike. On behalf of PBS, thank you Carrie for being a great example of our CREST values in action – you inspire us all!
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/
Government Changes to Reporting
Last week, the Minister of Education directed all schools to begin reporting against the refreshed English and Maths curriculum documents this year. This announcement presents some challenges for schools across the country — including ours, which I’ve outlined below for your awareness.
Firstly, as the Minister has acknowledged, teachers have had limited time to engage with and be trained in the new curriculum content. This makes it difficult to confidently assess students against the new learning outcomes we are still becoming familiar with. This is particularly true for Years 7–8 and secondary teachers, as the refreshed English curriculum for these year levels was only released in draft form a couple of weeks ago.
At PBS our teachers will do their best to provide clear and thoughtful updates on your child’s progress in reading, writing, and maths this term. These progress statements will be shared with parents on the HERO app and rather than being published all at once at the end of the term, these statements will appear throughout the coming weeks — based on when your child’s teacher has had time to assess and make a well-considered judgement e.g. you might receive an update on your child’s maths progress in May, followed by reading and writing updates in June.
It is also very important for parents to know that the refreshed curriculums introduce new learning outcomes that don’t always align directly with the previous curriculum. As a result, it may appear that your child’s progress has shifted or dropped, when in fact it’s the curriculum framework that has changed.
Lastly, in 2026 all schools will be required to report student progress and achievement using grading labels like the four descriptors below. The Minister has suggested that schools can trial using this wording this year, which we will endeavour to do. Therefore you may see reference to these descriptors in updates for your child.
Four Descriptors | Details |
Needs support | Students;
|
Progressing Towards | Students;
|
Proficient | Students;
|
Exceeding | Students;
|
Board Elections - September 2025
Along with the majority of NZ schools, election time is nearly upon us! Why not sit in on an upcoming meeting to see if this is something you’d like to pursue further?
Elections for the PBS Board will be held in Term 3 (September). Several of our current members are stepping down due to kids moving on to College and relocations out of the area, which presents a great opportunity for you to join our wonderful board!
The board is responsible for PBS’s governance, ensuring it meets all legislative require-ments while delivering the best possible outcomes for our children.
Members are elected to a three-year term, so you would be the perfect candidate if you currently have kids in year 5 or below.
Board meetings are open to all PBS whānau. They are held in the staff room, and our meeting dates are listed below.
We would love to have you along if you’re interested in seeing what it’s all about.
Questions? – Feel free to e-mail: boardchair@pbs.school.nz
Our 2025 pre-election 2025 board meetings are:
- Tuesday, 10 June – 6.30 pm
- Tuesday, 15 July – 6.30 pm
- Tuesday, 19 August – 6.30 pm
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)
Ngā Marama (Months of the Year)
You will hear or read both kupu mino phonetic translations of the days as seen below:
Hāuere – January
Pēpuere – February
Māehe – March
Āperira – April
Mei – May
Hune – June
Hūare – July
Ākuhata – August
Hepetema – September
Oketopa – October
Noema – November
Tihema – December
and traditional Māori names based on maramataka where each new month begins and ends with a full moon.
Kohitātea – January
Huitanguru – February
Poutūterangi – March
Paengawhāwhā – April
Haratua – May
Pipiri – June
Hōngongoi – July
Hereturikōkā – August
Mahuru – September
Whiringa-ā-nuku – October
Whiringa-ā-rangi – November
Hakihea – December
School Memories Photo Ordering
Everyone should have received their photo order forms by now. Please order your photos online as per the order form. The close off date is 25 May.
Student Update Information Forms
Recently every student was given forms with their student update information on to be completed and checked; and any changes made (if applicable).
Please return these forms to the office asap so we have your correct information on file in case of emergency.
Thank you.
From the Student Council
We had lots of fun at the World Vision Junior Youth Conference yesterday in Lower Hutt. There were schools from all over the Wellington region, plus a couple from Whanganui and Waikato. We learned a lot of awesome new things.
We were told powerful stories about people from all over the world, and their struggles with climate change. We also met some wonderful people who travel all over the world to help others. The people who ran the conference made sure we all believed we could be leaders today and shared their advice on how to be a leader (and I think we all felt like one at the end of the day). We can use these ideas this year with our different projects.
All in all, I think that it was a fun, new experience for all of the Student Councillors to attend.
By Emily Kaye
PTA Beats Bingo Night
🎶 Calling All Beats Bingo Backers! 🎁
The PTA is gearing up for a fun-filled Beats Bingo Night on July 26, and needs your help! Check out next week’s newsletter for more information!!
We’re collecting prize donations for spot prizes and auctions to help raise funds for the school – think gift cards, treats, or anything fun & family-friendly!
🎯 Can you please drop off at the school office by 13 June
Let’s make this night a hit! 🙌 #BeatsBingo #SchoolFun #PrizeDonations.
Thanks in advance.
Netball
The netball season is off to a great start! It’s great to hear the players excited about sport on a Saturday.
Just a reminder that all netball fees had to be paid by Thursday, 24 April. If your fees are outstanding you would have received a KINDO statement. If there is any reason why you have not been able to pay these as of yet, please do not hesitate to either ring or email Debbie, our Accounts Manager, and let her know.
Vicki
Tough Guy & Gal Challenge - Palmerston North (23-24 June)
This exciting, mud-filled event is a fantastic opportunity for children to challenge themselves, have fun and get active outdoors!
Unfortunately, due to other commitments and the short term, our school will not be taking a team to this year’s Tough Guy & Gal Challenge. However, families are still welcome to register their child(ren) individually.
To find out more and register online, click the link below:
https://eventpromotions.co.nz/junior-tough-guy-and-gal-challenge/
It’s a great chance for kids to test their limits, have fun and get muddy!
Hot Chocolates - Te Moana Camp Fundraiser
Kapiti Interschool Swimming Festival
This year, our Years 5–8 team made a fantastic impression at the Interschool Swimming Festival! A huge congratulations to all who took part—your sportsmanship and the way you represented our school were outstanding. We’re so proud of you! Special recognition goes to our swimmers who achieved top placings:
Year 6 Boys
Nico Van Reenen – 1st in 25m backstroke, freestyle and breaststroke
Year 7 Girls
Lucie Thomson – 2nd in 25m freestyle
Year 7 Boys
Ashton Chester – 3rd in 50m freestyle
Year 8 Girls
Savannah Wyatt – 2nd in 25m freestyle, 3rd in 50m breaststroke
A big thank you to our parents who supported our swimmers by helping with transport and team management—your support is truly appreciated!
Hāngi Available to Order
Delicious and authentic hāngi available for order on Kindo by 13 June. Pick-up will be at the Hall on Thursday, 19 June from 4.30pm – 6.00pm.
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
Inclusive Whānau Network
