Message from the Executive Principal

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요  

Best wishes,

Mike Waller 

Message from the Principal of Primary

Cross Country

On Wednesday 16 May we held our Primary Cross Country.  A stunning day made it perfect conditions for our students.  An amazing effort was made by all students to complete the race.

Congratulations to the students who finished in the top 3 spots.

In P7 this week..

In Art, as part of the Landscapes and Cityscapes unit, we have been learning about Claude Monet and now know that he enjoyed painting in the outdoors, and painted landscapes at different times of day and in all kinds of weather. One of his famous artworks is the Houses of Parliament, in London.

In writing lessons, our focus has been using bossy verbs to write commands which are used in instructions. This week we learned that verbs change when they are used in different tenses and focused on present and past tense. We discovered it is easy to change some verbs to the past tense because you can add ‘ed’ but for some it is harder because the whole word needs to change. Some children also put their verbs into sentences.

Spanish in Year 4-6

Discover Spanish Capitals in Year 4

Our Year 4 students have been learning to ask questions like "¿Dónde se habla español?" (Where is Spanish spoken?). They can now expand their conversations by inquiring about the capital cities of Spanish-speaking countries. For example, using questions such as "¿Cuál es la capital de España?" (What is the capital of Spain?) to gather more information. It has been wonderful to see their engagement as they explore various countries.

Spanish Birthday Fun in Year 5

Explore the World in Year 6 Spanish

Our Year 6 students have been busy learning about Spanish-speaking countries around the world. Each student chose a country and a topic that interested them, such as food, sports, or animals. Through their dedicated research and presentations, they have brought the world closer to our classrooms. We saw exciting projects on Bolivia's cuisine, Honduras' native animals, and Argentina’s passion for football. We are so proud of their hard work and enthusiasm!

Year 6 House Captains

The Year 6 House captains designed a tabloid sport event for our two Senior Year 1 classes. Their challenge was to plan a fun, engaging game that could be quickly demonstrated to an eager group of Year 1 students.

They designed their activity, choose equipment, and excitedly set up the activities on the top field. We then battled a few lunchtime postponements due to inclement weather. Finally, the sun shone, and we had a fantastic lunchtime event.

Well done to all the House Captains for their efforts and we thank P22 and P23 for joining in the fun with such enthusiasm.

Senior Year 1's Historical Journey to Howick Village

On Wednesday 5 May, the Senior Year 1 class went on an exciting journey to Howick Historical Village. The day was packed with educational and fun activities, providing our students with a memorable experience.

Our first activity was Rag Rugging, a relaxing and therapeutic session where students began making their own mini rag rugs on hessian. This was followed by a question-and-answer session about the reasons behind rag rug making and the origins of the resources used.

Next, we stepped back in time by entering an authentic Victorian classroom. The children participated in a school lesson typical of 1850, learning to be on their best behavior and discovering the strict rules of the time, especially about cleanliness.

Our final activity was Toy Time, linking to our science lessons about the science of toys. The children experienced playing with handmade push and pull toys from the 19th century, exploring the physics and technology involved in their operation.

The trip concluded with a wonderful self-guided tour, allowing the students to explore the village and soak in the historical atmosphere. A big thank you to the parent volunteers who made this trip possible!

P13 Capybara Craze

P13 have taken an avid interest in Capybaras.  We have been incorporating Capybaras into our learning. In writing we are learning how to write a persuasive piece. P13 decided to write an advertisement persuading others to buy a capybara. We also wrote an information report on Capybaras after taking notes from factual information. In Art, we have been learning about cubism. After creating a number of different cubist art we wanted to make a cubist capybara. Here are the beginnings of the art and we look forward to sharing our finished pieces. Next week P13 are hosting assembly and you may have guessed it… it is themed around Capybaras! 

Explore a selection of written pieces on Capybaras by clicking here!

Message from the Principal of College

Pitching our Innovative Business Ideas  

Last Friday, we completed our pitch for the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES) at WhiteCliffe College. It was definitely a nerve-wracking experience as we had spent the last term coming up with our ideas, validating it, and making products. So, it was scary pitching our business to a panel of judges who had real business experience. However, it was extremely rewarding as we had very positive reactions from the judges and they seemed to have a lot of interest in our product, even testing our prototype themselves. I would recommend students to try out YES as it allows you to talk to real-life entrepreneurs and even earn a cute YES badge along with some candy!

 - By Jamie Han

NZ Economics Olympiad 

Harbour Sport Student Coaching & Leadership Day

I’m thrilled to share the experience of nine Pinehurst students who recently attended a Coaching and Leadership Day at AUT University. The day was filled with activities as we joined coaching and leadership workshops, facilitated by experts from AUT. From working on our communication skills to developing strategies for effective team management, we delved into a wide range of topics. Additionally, we took part in a guest panel, where we gained insights from leaders from various industries. This experience upskilled and built our coaching skills.  We are all grateful for this opportunity and keen to put these new abilities to use in our team sports! 

 - Katherine (Year 13)

Girls' Football - Winning Streak

The 1^st XI Girls continued on their winning ways after beating Northcote 6-0 last week and deservedly taking home the trophy for ‘Team of the fortnight’. Goals from Lilly S (2), Bella (2), Charlotte and Lily M topped off a game in which Pinehurst had most of the possession and a lot of opportunities. Bella has now scored an amazing 11 goals in 3 games! Unfortunately the game this week against Kingsway had to be postponed due to bad weather but next week we take on Takapuna in our aim to stay at the top of the table

Year 10 Spanish

This week, our Year 10 IG Spanish cohort honed their culinary skills, exploring the vibrant world of Spanish cuisine. Each student researched and chose their own dish, and were then tasked with making their recipe at home. Armed with aprons, spatulas, and a dash of enthusiasm, students explored traditional flavours and mouthwatering textures. 

On Tuesday morning, the classroom was suddenly transformed into a banquet of authentic dishes; from bizcocho (sponge cake)  to fríjoles (bean stew), escalopes de cerdo (pork escalope) and the classic Mexican guacamole, the students presented their amazing creations and of course, had an opportunity to sample everybody else's efforts. Conversations flowed and students practised their speaking skills by describing their favourite dish and ingredients. Our appetising adventure reminded us that language isn’t confined to textbooks—it lives in the sizzle of a paella, the flip of a tortilla, and the sweetness of churros. ¡Qué delicioso!

Year 10 Business Students Make Giraffes

Year 10 Business students have been learning about topics such as motivation, teamworking and leadership this term. They were set a challenge to put their knowledge and understanding into practice by working in a team to create origami giraffes. Team members had to follow directions from their team leader with a set of rules. This activity challenged both leaders and team members to work together and motivate each other to complete their giraffes. For some groups this proved to be more difficult than others and upon completion, teams were able to reflect on the leadership skills portrayed as well as identify what motivational theories applied within their own as well as other teams in class. This proved to be a thoroughly engaging and interactive lesson for all students. *Note, no giraffes were harmed in the making.

Toi o te Wiki 

Toi o te Wiki this week goes to Year 7 student, Laura.

Students have been exploring Te Taiao (The Natural World) alongside developing their shading skills.

Laura's drawing of the flowers, leaves and berries of the Puriri tree show her dynamic ability to record details using graphite on white paper. The mastery she has shown when using black on white pencil on brown paper when completing her Kōkako is outstanding. 

Ka rāwe to māhi, Laura! Amazing work! 

The 4th Chinese Bridge Speech Competition

Last Saturday, six students from Year 7-8 represented Pinehurst at the 4th Chinese Bridge Speech Competition held at the University of Auckland. Their impressive demonstration of Chinese language proficiency was a testament to their hard work and dedication. Dressed in traditional Chinese outfits, the students showcased not only their linguistic skills but also their deep appreciation for Chinese culture. Their performances were of an exceptionally high standard. Congratulations to all participants for their dedication and excellent representation of Pinehurst!

Congratulations to both Tiffany C and Ethan K who were awarded 2nd Prize across the Auckland Reginal Speech Competition. 

Orienteering – Auckland Secondary Schools Rogaine Championship

On Wednesday, 24 brave students from Year 7-10 competed in the stormy conditions at the Auckland Secondary Schools Orienteering Rogaine Championship which was held at Totara Park in Manurewa. Just before the students began their race in a mass start, the team faced a terrible down pour and extreme winds, as well as thunder and lightning. The students were not phased by this weather and continued planning their route for the race. The students competed to the best of their ability, and it was awesome to see the students working together or helping each other along the way.

The following students achieved a top 10 finish in their category which is an awesome accomplishment:

Mystics Experience Day – Team 8/1

On Wednesday 29 May, the 8/1 Netball team were very fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in a 2-hour training session with the MG Mystics and several other schools, an event sponsored by Fuji Film.

They headed off at the start of school to Netball North Harbour with Debbie and their Coach Lindy.  After a welcome and introduction to the special Mystics guests, the girls were divided up into 4 groups and they rotated through 4 different stations incorporating a fast five game, an agility circuit and 2 different ball drills. Morning tea was provided by the sponsors , Fuji film giving the girls a chance to fuel themselves and have a short rest break in between the stations.

Debbie and Lindy were very proud of the way in which the girls conducted themselves through the morning being excellent representatives for our school. It was a very positive experience and an opportunity for some of our netballers to learn new skills and work together with other keen netballers from a variety of schools. Special thanks to Miss Puckett and Debbie Stanaway our College Netball Co-ordinator for putting our school forward to participate in this awesome experience.

North Harbour Year 7-8 Football Girls Zone Day

Earlier this week, the Year 7-8 Girls Zone Day team competed in the North Harbour Zone Day which was held at Becroft Park. The team played 3 pool games, before moving on to playoff matches in the afternoon. The team grew immensely throughout the tournament and went from strength to strength in each game. This is a credit to the awesome work that the team and super Coach Lily (Year 11) put in during trainings and throughout the tournament. It was awesome to see some of the girls giving football a go for the first time, playing in their first ever football match. We are really thankful for the hard work that our student coach, Lily, put into the team and getting them ready to compete. A huge thank you to all of the Parents that came down and supported the team.

Climbing Auckland Secondary Schools Round 2 – Bouldering

During the Auckland Secondary Schools Round 2 Bouldering competition, Xavier W in Year 8 secured the 3rd position in Junior Boys. Taine T, a Year 12 student, finished in 7th place and advanced to the finals for Senior Boys out of a field of 77 participants. Sherrie L, also in Year 12, claimed the same spot and reached the finals for Senior Girls. In the overall School results, Pinehurst School holds the 7th position.

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Discovery Concert

On Tuesday 28 May, selected students from the College Orchestra, harp ensemble and Year 10 Music attended the annual Discovery Concert at the Auckland Town Hall. Having been to almost all of these annual concerts  over the last twenty years, Pinehurst’s Head of Visual and Performing Arts, Mr Ronayne said this was one of the best Discovery Concerts that he had seen. There was great brass skills on display including The Imperial March, and New Zealand pieces especially commissioned for the concert. There was a performance of Handel’s Water Music where a harpsichord was placed on the stage for students to hear as well. Pieces by Wagner, Holst and many others rounded off a great afternoon of music for our students. We look forward to next year’s Discovery Concert which is part of our collaboration with the Auckland Philharmonia Education programme.

Get Ready for Seussical! 

We are thrilled to announce Pinehurst's upcoming College production of Seussical—a magical musical based on the works of Dr Seuss! Our students are hard at work preparing for what promises to be an unforgettable show.
 
Seussical is a wonderful string of Dr Seuss's fantastical stories set to music. Incorporating elements from at least 15 of his books, along with many of his best-loved and most familiar characters, prepare to be enchanted with this story that weaves together wondrous characters, creatures, places, and things. Many of these characters have never met one another before—but they do in this musical! In the course of the evening, some will fall in love, some will have desperate adventures, and some will save the world.
 
Join us for a night of imagination and fun with Seussical!
 
📅 Date: Wednesday 3 July - Saturday 6 July
🕒 Time: 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Pinehurst School Theatre
🎟️ Tickets: $25.00

From the Rimu House Captains

JEMYC Fundraising Concert

Last Friday evening, Alumni student Jemma Gouldner held her fundraising concert "JEMYC" to an exuberant and lively audience. Jemma is fundraising to pay for her trip to New York City, where she landed a scholarship to study Musical Theatre. The concert had a variety of performances, including both current and past students, staff members, as well as a sneak peek at the College "Seussical" production. It was a fantastic evening filled with excellent performances. Jemma successfully raised just over $2000 from ticket sales alone. Congratulations on a successful evening, Jemma, and thank you to all who attended and donated.

Olympic Qualifier - Pinehurst Badminton Coaches Are World Class

Having won the Junior Men’s Oceanic Championships in 2019, Edward Lau has gone on to win many tournaments since, and one of his most recent successes; winning this year’s Senior Men’s Oceania Champion (2024) has caught the eye of the Badminton World Federation (BWF). Edward was recently informed by the BWF that he had qualified for the Olympics Games in Paris based on his tournament wins and world ranking. Although Edward has meet the BWF Olympic qualifying criteria, the New Zealand Olympic Committee decides which sports will represent NZ.

Congratulations Edward for qualifying for the Olympic Games. I am sure our students feel privileged to be coached by a world class elite badminton player.

July Holiday Badminton Programme – Students Coaching Students

We will soon advertise our very popular July Holiday Badminton Programme coached by our very own elite players who will be attending the New Zealand Secondary Schools National Badminton Championships, from Monday 2 September in Wellington.

Each year our elite Pinehurst badminton players offer coaching to help raise funds to attend the National Tournament. This year, all 5 players who will be coaching during the July Holiday Badminton Programme are either National or Regional Representatives – Jack Ji, Tony Yu, Jack Zeng, Peter Shi, and Robert Le Lievre.

The Holiday programme will be held between 9:00am – 1:00pm on Monday and Tuesday 22 and 23 July (last week of the July holidays). It is restricted to only 16 students from Year 7-9 (four students per court with one student coach). Because of the excellent 4:1 student to coach ratio, the annual July Holiday Badminton Programme has become very popular. Don’t forget to sign up when the holiday programme is advertised in a few weeks’ time. I will be there on both days to support the student coaches and the players.

We are hoping to take both a Boys and Girls team next year and will therefore offer coaching again in Term 4 to raise funds for both the Boys and Girls teams attending the New Zealand Secondary Schools National Badminton Championships in 2025. 

 - Mr. Le Lievre

Dad's FnT is Back!

Dad's Fantail & Turtle is back for 2024, and never too soon! It's time for an event for just the Dad's to come together and eat, drink and take part in some banter!

• Thursday 20 June
• From 5.30pm to late
• The Goodside at Smales Farm – Fantail & Turtle, 72 Taharoto Rd, Takapuna
• Parking at the rear of the venue

Hosted at the Fantail & Turtle at The Goodside in Smales Farm. A casual drop-in, eat, drink and engage-in-banter after work. Based at Smales Farm, an ideal location - close to the motorway and central for many.

Our Dad - Tamuka Nyawo (Year 7) will be your host for the evening. Pizzas and food will be served on the night so if you are interested, please use the RSVP Form so catering can be arranged. 

Please contact sylvia.lum@pinehurst.school.nz if you have any questions.

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