Message from the Executive Principal

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요  

Best wishes,

Mike Waller 

如需阅读校长的中文留言和重要事件日期，请点击

Message from the Principal of Primary

Primary PrEP Market Day

Ms Coxon officially opened the 2023 PrEP (Primary Enterprise Programme) market, ready for trading, to eagerly awaiting groups of shopkeepers and buyers.

The school market event was a delightful showcase of creativity and entrepreneurship. The New Entrant to Year 6 classes transformed the gymnasium into a vibrant marketplace. Our theme for our PrEP unit this year was sustainability. Each class displayed an array of handcrafted products, each a testament to their imagination and ability to use recycled goods. The tables were adorned with an eclectic mix of items, ranging from colourful handmade Xmas decorations to hand sewn pillows using old t shirts.

The event not only provided a platform for the students to showcase their talents but considered the economic principles such as profit and loss, market appeal, salary, and price adjustment. In keeping with our theme of sustainability even our currency is recyclable, as we use coloured stones to represent different values.

We had many satisfied shoppers and stallholders on the day as classes made their back to their rooms to count the days takings. Hopefully once salaries had been paid stallholders could show a profit. We look forward to doing it all again in 2024.

P14, Dear Diary

Monday 27 November 2023, 

Dear Diary,

I want to tell you about a day in the life of a Year 4 student at Pinehurst School. I will tell you about our day and what some of my friends said.

P14’s penultimate week in Year 4- was just like any other busy school week.  Our Monday began as usual with a Mandarin lesson with Ms Vien before switching rooms for cross-group maths where we worked on division.

We went to morning tea and had time to quickly catch-up with our friends about the exciting things we got up to at the weekend. The bell rang, then very quickly, we went back to our room.

Our mission in writing this term has been to develop ideas for the characters, settings, and plot for an adventure film. After morning tea, we worked on our plot planning grid to help us create a story opening which we will add to as the week progresses to help us craft our Big Write on Friday.

Hannah said, “I am happy with my plan, I have used lots of really good wow words to put in my Big Write.”

“I have the details in my plan but haven’t got the wow words yet,” said Jasper.

Next, we walked to the library and listened to a fabulous rhyming “Kiwi Christmas” story before choosing books to read ourselves and bring home.

We are so skilled at checking our own books out using our library cards.

“I like coming to the library because I love to read. Reading is one of my favorite subjects and I come here almost every single lunchtime.”  Said Felix

Thea said, {she} “loves to borrow books from the library, it saves lots of money not buying them.”

We ate our lunch in the classroom and listened to Christmas music instead of our usual calming “restaurant music”. After that, we put our hats on and went out to play! Sorry, no photo’s we were so spread around our area!

We all got so hot and tired at lunch time… we were so glad we could come back inside the lovely cool classroom.

This afternoon, we did a fishbone analysis about the myth of Icarus who flew too close to the sun and died.

Then for reading, we were learning how to express our personal response to a text.

Then we got into groups of 3 or 4 and spoke about how we made connections between them. Then we put a photo of our ideas on Seesaw to show our parents our ideas and personal responses.

After that we had to re-read the story and write down the things the story reminded us about. Then we made a chart listing the characters, settings and events.

Our exit pass was to write down one part of the story that made a connection to us.

Finally, at the end of the day, we got our bags and put them on our tables ready to share our reflections on the day and come home!

Our friend Thea brought everyone a candy cane as it was her birthday on Saturday… we love being in Year 4!

P6 Road Safety Walk

What an adventure P6 had with Constable Louise. She sat with P6 and discussed a little of what her job was, how she works with a lot of schools and how she does talks about keeping ourselves safe, road safety and what the police do in the community.  Then Constable Louise mentioned that she had issued some tickets and P6 had to guess what the reasons for the tickets might be.  Felix asked “was it talking on a cell phone?”, Emerson suggested “a speeding ticket” of which she said, “yes”, also she added “she had also given some parking tickets around a school that she had been visiting”. After the discussion Constable Louise then took P6 on a walk around the neighbourhood where they learnt were the safest place to walk on the footpath was, how to cross a road using a pedestrian crossing and what to look for before crossing, how to cross a road with an island in the middle of it, what a sneaky driveway was and how to check there is no vehicle coming and lastly what the lights on a car represent for example brake lights and reversing lights.  When P6 got back to class they had a discussion of what they had learnt.

Linxi “The car lights give us a clue on what it’s going to do.”

Hannah B “Look and check that cars have stopped or slowing down before you cross the zebra crossing.”

Hannah Y “If something is blocking the footpath ask someone to move it or walk around it on the grass side.”

Vasco “When there is no footpath you walk on the grass.”

Mikel “Make sure the cars stop at the pedestrian crossing.”

Caleb “Road patrol get the cars to stop.”

P6 really learned a lot from Constable Louise about how to cross a road safely and they will be able to use their newfound knowledge every time they are out enjoying a walk.

Year 0-2 Social – Magic Loft 

This week one hundred and forty of the school’s youngest children in Year 0-2 celebrated the end of the school year with an energetic social at Magic Loft – an indoor soft-play centre. 

The children arrived with lots of enthusiasm, quickly got their special safety socks on and were eager to get started. The venue provided many exciting activities for them to enjoy, including bouncing on trampolines, navigating through colourful obstacle and rope courses, diving into the ball pit and swinging on high tyres and climbing walls. 

The children played together brilliantly, with many using their wonderful imaginations and creativity to create ‘ice-cream’ stalls using the balls and lava floors on the trampolines. Lots of laughter was had and new friendships were forged. 

Many children ended the hot and fun afternoon with a refreshing ice-cream as they headed home! Well done Year 0-2 for a fabulous, memorable celebration together and a successful year in the junior part of Pinehurst School. 

Music Year 1-3

Year 1 students at Pinehurst have embarked on a musical exploration through the unit "Musical Journeys." Their skills in synchronised starts, stops, and transport-inspired rhythms were showcased in performance of "Yabba Dabba Do" on classroom instruments. This performance highlighted their understanding of rhythm and melody, using the technique of call and response effectively. 

Year 2's journey involved exploring the emotional aspects of music in the "Light and Dark" unit. There were some great discussions and differing opinions when we studied the piece "Moonlight Sonata" by Mozart. Many students found it difficult to classify the piece as "Light" or "Dark" and most thought it was both. This discussion centred around major and minor chords and showcased their ability to respond to music's emotional impact and understand the elements of music. 

Year 3 students have focussed on developing their aural skills this term by translating what they can sing onto instruments. Their exploration of melody and rhythm was evident in their video performance of the "Blue Danube" on mallet instruments. It was a culmination of the year's learning, showing their proficiency in timing, tuning, and group dynamics.

P13

P13 have thoroughly enjoyed the variety of Art that they have experienced in Year 4 this year. Their final piece was a mixed media piece. Each student chose a native New Zealand bird and drew it using coloured pencils. The background was a collage of different textured paper. The Maori name for the bird made up the horizon. Each student researched the name and the bird which they chose.

Spring Netball 2023

Saturday saw a wonderful array of Xmas themed Pinehurst netball teams take to the courts. A lovely way to finish our six-week Spring league which saw nearly all our Winter players come back to play. In Year 1 we had a huge number of new players join us and we were able to enter six Year 1 teams into the league.

We are extremely grateful to our very supportive parents on the side lines, coaches and managers who support our teams. We saw many of these teams on the podium this year at the netball prize giving and it is with great pride that we see Pinehurst Primary netball grow from strength to strength.

We look forward to seeing everyone back in 2024.

Health in Year 3

As we continue our focus on ‘Keeping Ourselves Safe’, this week the Year 3 students enjoyed a visit from Whaia Moengaroa, an Educator with the St John’s Ambulance Service.

Moengaroa facilitated the students’ revision of how we can help ourselves be safe – especially from falls, and how to access emergency assistance by calling 111.

The students were surprised by some statistics that were shared regarding childhood hospitalisations each week in NZ. 12 children are hospitalised through non traffic transport injuries (caused by riding with wheels eg. scooters), 5 due to accidental poisoning, 7 due to sharp objects , 4 due to hot objects and 70 children each week are hospitalised due to falls.

Moengaroa demonstrated how to fall safely (ask your child to show you the motor bike pose), discussed safety equipment that we should always wear (helmets, wristguards etc) and also demonstrated basic First Aid. The students had the opportunity to practise their first aid skills to deal with grazes, bruises and sprains, and bleeding. Bandaging was an especially popular activity.

Message from the Principal of College

Year 7 Social Science

The Year 7s have been learning about different biomes in Social Science. Miss McRae’s class have made their own shoebox biome dioramas. They have done so well and as you can see, their biomes look incredible

Toi o te wiki

Student Voices - our book reviews

Our Year 8 students have been writing book reviews for the blog this month. Read their views and the star ratings of 13 books they have read this term, covering a variety of genres.

Click here to read the reviews.

Year 8 Mathematics – Pythagorean Spiral

Our Year 8 students used their knowledge of the Pythagorean Theorem to find the lengths of the sides of the triangles that make up the spiral. They used 16 to 17 triangles to complete one revolution in the spiral. They then decorated their spiral in a unique and creative way!

Year 12 Barrier Sailing Camp

The Year 12 Sailing expedition to Great Barrier Island was truly an unforgettable experience. Throughout this journey, I was fortunate enough to see a diverse range of marine wildlife and most significantly, spot three whales in a single day! Through the guidance of the Lion crew and activities such as a beach clean up, I further developed my understanding on the ethereal nature of our oceans and the huge impact the act of one person can have on reducing pollution. The experience drove me to push beyond my comfort zone, ultimately teaching me that there are no limits to my capability. I would love to thank all the teachers who made this surreal trip possible, as it was a once in a lifetime experience. – Maya Ambler 

Embarking on a thrilling five-day sailing odyssey aboard the Lion through the Great Barrier Islands, our Year 12 camp was a daily adventure, starting with invigorating leaps into icy waters. The journey deepened my awareness of marine issues and revealed the mesmerizing beauty of marine life. My favourite moments involved taking the helm, steering through the stunning islands, pretending I'm Captain Jack Sparrow. Unveiling the mainsail proved the most challenging yet rewarding, offering a good workout. Sailing alongside dolphins and glimpsing whales and orcas added a magical touch. The smooth sailing trip was elevated to next level by the exceptional teamwork and enjoyable camaraderie shared among peers, teachers, and the crew. Truly amazing, this trip pushed me beyond my comfort zone, creating lasting memories and broadening my understanding of the maritime world. - Dilan Singh 

Year 8 Science

Year 8 Science students have bene learning about COP28 and why it matters to us. In small groups, they have chosen a challenge to work on and developed an idea to help with that challenge. During class this week, students have been presenting prototypes of their ideas and receiving feedback from their peers. Ideas have included an interactive game to help people understand the impact of driving electric versus non-electric cars, a solar powered charging bank and a biopolymer wrap to support the fruit growing industry. 

Students Vs Wild

Celebrating the fruits of two years' work, our Year 8 students recently embarked on an unforgettable journey – a captivating overnight tramp through New Zealand's renowned Pinnacle's walk. This picturesque trip took students through lush native bush, culminating in a breath-taking summit that unveiled panoramic views of the Coromandel Peninsula - check out some of the pictures here.

Throughout this adventure, our students had the chance to showcase their resilience and determination, embracing the challenges with enthusiasm. Reflecting on their experiences for the Gold Award, one insightful student captured the essence of the journey beautifully: "By venturing beyond my comfort zone, I not only discovered the true beauty of nature but also relished the joy of encountering something entirely new." It's heartening to witness our students grow through such enriching experiences. Well done to everyone who helped make the trip a success!

Year 7 Orientation Day

Yesterday, our new Year 7's for 2024 got their first real glimpse of College life. Students got the chance to be a Year 7 student for the morning and left the day full of excitement. Welcome to the College!

Ethics Olympiad Competition 

Last Wednesday, ten innovative thinkers in Year 9 and 10 participated in a national competition known as the Ethics Olympiad. This Olympiad consisted of eight cases and eight ethical dilemmas challenging students all across Aotearoa. Similar to what things are generally like in society, these dilemmas were definitely not black and white. Our two teams trained vigorously with Mr. Johansen and even voluntarily hosted private sessions training independently counting down the days leading up to the competition. For me, the day was filled with fruitful debates and a lot of respect for self, others, and achieving excellence. On top of that, connecting on Zoom allowed a school such as Pinehurst to meet another from all the way down in Wairarapa, opening our eyes to a different global perspective. I think that this experience was definitely one of a kind and I recommend it to all students coming into Year 10 next year!

- Diana S and Annie H, Year 9

Musical Production 2024

Pinehurst is delighted to announce that the school’s Musical production for 2024 will be “Seussical.” This outstanding musical has been entertaining audiences for years and we are very happy to have Pinehurst able to present this production in our theatre in 2024. College students from Year 7 to 13 are welcome to be part of this show which brings to life many Dr Seuss characters into a story based around Horton the Elephant as he looks after an egg left by Mayzie la bird.

Auditions for this musical will be held in Week 1 and 2 of Term 1 next year. We hope to audition as many students as possible and have a large involvement of students in this production.

Thank you Christmas Hamper Helpers!

A huge thank you to our volunteers who spent the day wrapping Christmas Hampers for our annual donations to our chosen organisation.

This year we are donating to the elderly in our community who are living in Care Centres. We will be inviting 3 of our chosen centres to receive these hampers at the College Christmas Concert.

A special mention to our lovely parents from the following classes:

• Emma Boddy - Year 8
• Carrie Wu- Year 7 
• Sunny Zhang - P11
• Connie Jiang - P11
• Ariel Du- P11
• Eddies Mum - P10
• Ella Wang -  P10
• Jiiyu Du - P9

Thank you so much for your amazing efforts, wrapping skills and time. We really couldn't have done this without you. You've managed to wrap 52 gorgeous hampers that we can proudly donate next week.

The World We Live in

– By Bob Dobson, Pinehurst's Security Systems Technician. 

In today's rapidly evolving world, it has become evident that we can never be too complacent when it comes to our personal safety. Unfortunately, the era where we could confidently assert that our security at school was satisfactory has come to an end. The school environment, once seen as a sanctuary for learning and growth, has become increasingly vulnerable to the actions of criminals who prey on the young. It is crucial that we acknowledge that our well-being is of primary importance, as this empowers us with the ability to protect and assist others when the need arises.

The Vulnerability of the School Environment: As criminals become more adept at exploiting vulnerabilities, the once-safe school environment is now under threat. The allure of easy targets, coupled with the lack of preparedness and security measures, has created a perilous climate for students, teachers, and staff alike.

Security as we know it is divided into two factors namely:

Physical and Electronic detection: Physical access control refers to the implementation of security measures designed to regulate and control access to a particular area or facility. The door is depicted as metaphorical gateway to access control, functioning as a physical barrier that restricts unauthorized entry. Electronic detection, on the other hand, is explained as an electronic lock equipped with detection sensors and readers that enable authorized individuals to gain entry through an electronic controlled door.

In the typical access-controlled door found at Pinehurst school, several working parts work together to safeguard both property and individuals. These components play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of the premises.

One of the important features of an access-controlled door is the presence of sensors that monitor the status of the door. These sensors can detect if the door is open or closed, sending a signal to the access control system. This functionality aids in maintaining control over the entry and exit points of the school.

In addition to door status detection, the access-controlled door at Pinehurst school is equipped with sensors that can alert the system if the door has been forced open by an unauthorized individual. This feature acts as a deterrent to potential intruders, as it raises an alarm and alerts security personnel to any potential security breaches.

Furthermore, the access-controlled door has sensors that determine if the door is currently in a secure or free to open mode. This functionality is facilitated by the presence of an LED indicator on the card reader. If the LED is red, indicating that the door is secure and requires an authorised card to enter, it indicates that the access is restricted, and importantly the door should be fully CLOSED in this mode to prevent unnecessary investigation on why the door is left open that may result in a call out by security personal which in turn has a financial cost involved. Remember – the access-controlled door has many sensors that are always reporting their condition to a monitoring station 24/7. However, if the LED is green, indicating that the door is in free access mode, it means that no card is required, and anyone can freely enter the premises.

In addition to door and sensor functionality, the access-controlled door is also equipped with an emergency exit mechanism for easy egress in emergency situations. This emergency exit is designed to handle situations such as fire evacuations. It allows authorized individuals to quickly exit the building in times of emergency, ensuring that they can evacuate promptly and safely.

The access-controlled door at Pinehurst school incorporates various working parts to ensure the safety and security of the premises. These components work together to detect if the door is open or closed, if it has been forced open, if the door is in a secured or free to open mode, and if there is an object blocking the door entry. Additionally, the door is equipped with an emergency exit mechanism for easy egress in emergency situations, such as fire evacuations.

In conclusion, as you have read, the access-controlled door/s has a multitude of functions that are constantly monitored and logged within the system. From troubled conditions to alarm activation 24/7, the system is always alert and ready to respond. Additionally, it maintains a record of everyone who has entered a building, providing an accurate audit of all individuals within the security system. As a security system user, please be aware of this fact when using the Pinehurst Schools electronically controlled doors. The door as we know it, is not merely a door but rather a smart technology tool designed to keep you safe and needs to be respected. Remember, the access-controlled door is not just a barrier but a valuable tool in maintaining a secure environment for everyone.

Please keep safe!

'SchoolApp' being replaced by 'SchoolBridge' app!

Some parents may have noticed we have been sending out permission forms that look a little different.  This has been part of a new App that we have been trialing. Everything has been going well, and from next year we will be changing over to the new system.

Your current 'School App' will now be replaced next year, with a new system called "SchoolBridge' 

SchoolBridge gives you everything our SchoolApp has - but with more features and provides access to more information that you may need, and  all from one place. 

For parents who have already downloaded and signed in, you will notice SchoolBridge has a useful link which gives you a quick glance at which consent forms you have actioned already and what is still pending a decision. 

1. Download the SchoolBridge app and tap to sign up as a parent. 
2. You will need to sign up with the email address you have registered with the school.

Registration is now open for our co-curricular music groups for 2024

We offer a wide range of co-curricular music groups that students have the opportunity to take part in, including Choir and Orchestra for both Primary and College students.

Our music groups are run by Pinehurst teaching staff or by instrumental specialists, all with an impressive range of experience and knowledge, who work to ensure our students get the most out of these musical opportunities. Our groups meet at various times, such as lunchtime and after school, during the school term. 

Please go to the Music page on our website for a list of our music groups and to register.

If you have any news or submissions you’d like considered for our newsletter, please contact news@pinehurst.school.nz