"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora PBS Whānau
This is our second to last newsletter for 2025; wow, where did those four school terms go?
The children and staff of the Ngaru Syndicate made a truly meaningful impact last week. After weeks of preparation, they proudly sold a wonderful range of handmade products at their very own Christmas Market, from sweet treats and jewellery to bookmarks and festive decorations. The event had a cheerful, inviting Christmas vibe, and our Year 0–4 tamariki loved both attending and “shopping”.
The following day, a group of Ngaru student representatives visited me to present their market takings — an incredible $781, all generously donated to the PBS AROHA Fund, where we know it will go directly towards supporting whānau in need.
What an outstanding act of kindness, teamwork, and citizenship. Ka mau te wehi, Ngaru!
If you want to help us further you can either go onto KINDO and donate $5, $10 or $20 to the PBS AROHA fund or put a Christmas present under our school tree.
If you’d like to contribute to the Xmas tree, 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.
Please keep reading this newsletter for information on:
- Reminder about End of Year Reporting
- Regional Athletics Champs
- A message from our Student Council
Upcoming dates of importance:
- Wednesday, 10 December – Whole school End of Year assembly 9.15am – All Welcome
- Tuesday, 16 December – Last day of the school year. School closes at 12.30pm
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
Our School Road Patrollers continue to exemplify our CREST values in everything they do from showing up on time and reading driver behaviour, to working together and taking responsibility for the safety of others. They really are everyday leaders at PBS.
Yesterday, our team proudly represented our school at the annual Road Patrol Parade and celebration, complete with our colourful PBS banner (created by Olive, Maylei, Frankie and Lani). A huge congratulations to Aidan Robertson and Ruby Shaw, who were recognised as our school’s 2025 Best Road Patrollers at the event. We’re incredibly proud of them, and of the whole team, for their commitment and service.
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/
End of Year Reporting - Reminder About Grading
As we enter the last few weeks of the school year, parents will start receiving end of year reporting comments for their child/children via the HERO app. With this in mind, I feel it is timely to remind parents not to compare grading comments from previous years to 2025’s ones, as these will not directly align with the new curriculum content.
As this year’s refreshed curriculums introduce new learning outcomes, it may appear that your child’s progress has shifted or dropped. Please be mindful that this is more likely to be a reflection of different or more difficult curriculum expectations .
The grading descriptors being used for 2025 are as follows;
Four Descriptors | Details |
Needs Support | Students;
|
Progressing Towards | Students;
|
Proficient | Students;
|
Exceeding | Students;
|
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 kīwaha (idioms) a try this week
Nā whai ano – We’ll that explains it
Nā ehai tāu? – Says who?
Kāore e kore – Without a doubt
From the Student Council
Thank you everyone for supporting all of the events we have held this year. We have really enjoyed our role as Student Councillors. Seeing how popular the pickleball court has been, the money raised for Gumboot Friday, the talent on show in “PBS Has Got Talent” and the cool outfits kids wore on Whānau Fun day have been just a few highlights from 2025.
Have an amazing summer holiday.
Ngā mihi nui koutou!
New Entrant Parent Information Presentation – Tātahi Syndicate
A New Entrant Information Presentation will be held for all parents of new children this Friday, 5 December 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
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.
End-of-Year Road Patrol Celebration 2025
Well done to Olive, Frankie, Maylei and Lani from Room 16, our amazing road patrollers who designed and created this year’s banner for the End-of-Year Road Patrol Celebration 2025. Their message is clear and powerful: “Keeping people safe is how we save lives!”
Every day, our road patrollers are out on duty, helping to slow traffic, creating a safe crossing point, and reminding drivers that every person on the road matters. Their banner proudly represents their commitment to safety – if we all pay attention, follow the rules and show respect on the road, we don’t just prevent accidents, we save lives.
A huge thank you to all our awesome road patrollers who have volunteered their time to ensure our school community is safe crossing the road each day – your mahi is truly appreciated.
Regional Athletic Champs 2025
Congratulations to all our students who competed in the Regional Athletic Champion-ships in Masterton – what a fantastic day of results!
Outstanding Winners:
- Ceejay Huriwaka (Year 7 Girls) – 1st in 100m, long jump and discus
- Lucie Thomson (Year 7 Girls) – 1st in 1500m
- Devin Direen (Year 6 Boys) – 1st in quoits and 2nd in vortex
Other Top 5 Results:
- Ceejay Huriwaka (Year 7 Girls) – 4th in 200m and shot put
- Lucie Thomson (Year 7 Girls) – 5th in discus
- James Lawton (Year 7 Boys) – 4th in discus
- Aglika Angelova (Year 6 Girls) – 5th in long jump
- Jermayne Inoke (Year 7 Girls) – 5th in shot put
- Zachary Willis (Year 5 Boys) – 5th in vortex
Relay Success:
- Mila Mei-Signal – part of the Year 6 Girls Kapiti 4x100m relay team, 3rd place
- Ceejay Huriwaka – part of the Year 6 Girls Kapiti relay team, 3rd place
We are incredibly proud of the way all our students represented the school and Kapiti Region with 100% effort, determination and outstanding sportsmanship. Ka mau te wehi!
Ezlunch
Please note that the final day for ordering Ezlunch will be Friday, 12 December and the first day for ordering next year will be Monday, 9 February 2026.
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
Kāpiti Women’s Triathlon – Special Student Offer
We are pleased to share a fantastic opportunity for our students to take part in the 2026 Kāpiti Women’s Triathlon. This well known local event celebrates movement, confidence, and community.
The organisers are offering exclusive student pricing for school-aged girls in the 5km and 10km run/walk events to help make participation more accessible:
- 5km Run/Walk – $5 entry fee
- 10km Run/Walk – $10 entry fee
When registering, students can use the following codes to receive the discounted rate:
- SCHOOL5KM for the 5km event
- SCHOOL10KM for the 10km event
This is a great chance for students to set a personal goal, have fun with friends, and be part of a supportive women’s event here on the Kāpiti Coast. Whether they are experienced runners or giving something new a go, they will be welcomed and encouraged on the day.
If we have enough interest, we will create a PBS team so we can participate in the event together. Contact Hillary Houston at hhouston@pbs.school.nz if you require more information.
NZ Traveller Declaration
Going overseas for the school holidays? Everyone travelling into New Zealand must com-plete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration, including returning New Zealand passport holders. Its FREE and you can do it on the online form or on the NZTD app.
If you’re travelling as a family or group and completing multiple declarations, the NZTD app allows you to copy your travel details into another declaration, making it easier to complete multiple declarations for the same journey. The submitted declarations are
then all easy to see within the app.
The New Zealand Traveller Declaration collects travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information and aims to improve the safety and security of New Zealand. It replaces the paper card you used to fill out on the plane. To make your arrival easier, do your digital declaration before your flight back to New Zealand.
Head to travellerdeclaration.govt.nz today!
