"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora
The weather forecast has some rain in it for Thursday at this stage, which may affect our picnic plans. We will let you know via HERO and facebook if plans need to change.
To round off our Winter Olympics learning, we held a fun (and slightly silly!) Winter Olympics celebration on Friday. Buddy classes teamed up on the field before heading off to complete a circuit of activities. The events were loosely based on Olympic sports and included a slalom run, relays, a shoot-out, ‘ice’ hockey, “bobsled” skateboards, and even some very creative figure “skating” dances!
The weather kindly turned the sun on for us, and it was so good to see big and little buddies competing together. There were lots of moments of teamwork, encouragement, and genuine support from our older students towards their younger buddies. It was a fun way for students to connect and celebrate sport together.
A huge thank you to Caty Spencer and our incredible Sports Ambassadors for organising and running this cool event — we’re very grateful for your energy and enthusiasm!
Keep reading this newsletter for information on:
- “Different is Beautiful” – helping your child understand why acceptance of difference is important
- Digi Tech corner
- Parenting Support
Upcoming dates of importance:
- Thursday, 26 February – School Picnic 4pm-7pm (weather dependent)
- Term 1 finishes at 3pm on Thursday, 2 April
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
As the ‘boss’, I am always so proud to show new families around our beautiful school. New parents often comment on the tidy environment, the settled classrooms, the outdoor fun kids are having, the safely fenced grounds and the kids’ lovely manners.
Kids’ great manners start at home – so thank you for helping our PBS kids show such RESPECT!
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/
Different is Beautiful
I love the work of Elise Gravel; her images and messages can help children understand social and cultural concepts. Many of her images are free to download and share, so your whānau may want to check out her website https://elisegravel.com/en/
The image below is one that I have in my office window. It reminds kids how wonderfully diverse people can be — in culture, language, abilities, interests, personalities and appearance.
As parents and teachers, we know that sometimes children use words without fully understanding their impact. Comments about how someone looks, speaks, learns or where they come from can be hurtful — even when harm wasn’t intended.
At school and at home, we need to continue talking with kids about:
• Why difference is something to value
• How to speak with respect
• And how to be curious without being unkind
We appreciate your support at home in reinforcing the message that difference is not something to fear or tease — it is something to celebrate and be proud of.
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 this pātai (question) a try this week.
Kei te pēhea koe? – How are you?
Kei te pai ahau – I’m good
Kei te harikoa – I’m happy
Kei te āmaimai – I’m nervous
Kei te manahau – I’m excited
Digi Tech Corner
Here’s some great sites for parents to help keep your child/ren safe online.
Netsafe is New Zealand’s independent, non-profit online safety organisation that helps people navigate digital challenges safely. It provides free support for parents with great advice, and education regarding cyberbullying, scams, and harmful content.
Internet Matters has information about safety settings for your child’s devices and apps, along with guidance to tackle online issues they may face.
Google Safety Center offers Family Link. This is a tool that enables parents to manage their children’s accounts and ChromeOS, Android, and iOS devices as they explore online through parental controls. Parents can manage apps, keep an eye on screen time, and help set digital ground rules for their whānau.
Parenting Support
Real Parents is an organisation that works alongside schools and whānau across Aotearoa supporting parents with practical ways to help things run more smoothly at home and support tamariki to thrive at school. They provide practical parenting information and tips that reflect the time of year, support school values, and respond to common challenges families experience across each term. All information shared is grounded in evidence-informed parenting and wellbeing research. If you’d like to know more check out their website: https://realparents.org/
Lost Property - Let’s get on top of this!
Our lost property is already filling up… and we’re only just getting started!
Every term we end up with boxes of unnamed clothing – polar fleeces, jackets, shoes, hats and even brand-new sweatshirts. If it’s named, we can return it. If it’s not named, it goes to lost property — and at the end of term, unclaimed items are donated.
Therefore, we would love it if all parents could do a thorough double-check and ensure all clothing is clearly named. Thank you!
Let’s work together to reduce waste, save families money, and keep our lost property pile under control.
Year 6 & 7s Camp 2027 - Fundraising Reminders
Hot Cross Buns
Year 6 and 7 students are selling hot cross buns as a fundraiser for their (Year 7-8)camp in 2027. If you are keen to buy some hot cross buns, feel free to get in contact with any Year 6 or 7 student and their family and order some for $8 a packet. The students make a $2 profit per packet, and you get yummy hot cross buns. Hot cross buns come in traditional or chocolate flavours.
The person you order from will deliver them to you personally on the delivery day.
If you are selling – please remember to collect your orders and the money, and then get the orders into KINDO by Tuesday, 10 March.
Easter Raffle
Easter raffle donations can be dropped off in Room 28 for treats, chocolate, soaps, smellies, toys, vouchers etc.
Tickets will be distributed to all students at the end of next week.
A huge thank you to A1 Homes who have generously donated family mini golf passes to Golf for Good Mini Golf for our Easter raffle.
Sausage Sizzle
Come and support our sausage sizzle at the school picnic this Thursday. You will find us under the Property Brokers Pergola. Sausages and drinks are $2 each.
Thank you so much to Rebecca Noble from Property Brokers for providing the sausages and bread and shelter for the cooks!
School Memories Photos
School Memories will be visiting our school on 17 & 18 March to take class and individual photos. You do not order/pay for your child’s portrait or class photo until AFTER PHOTODAY.
You will receive your order form AFTER photoday.
Moving March
Moving March starts next week. Students can walk, wheel or bus to school, and participate in class challenges. If your child usually travels by car, maybe you can drop them off a little further from school so that they can join in.
Moving March will end with Wheels Day on Wednesday, 1 April. Start thinking about your costumes now!
Netball
To register for netball this season, you will need to access your HERO app. The form was sent by community feed on 20 February to the parents whose children had put their names down to play this season.
Also, please consider if you would like to either coach or umpire a team this year. Parent/ whānau help is always welcome.
Vicki Wilson
Support PBS PTA Toilet Paper Fundraiser!
Join the PBS Team at the Waitārere Forest Run!
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
Holi Festival of Colours
