Dear Parents/Guardians, 

Welcome back to what promises to be a fantastic term. We hit the ground running on Tuesday morning, and I was very impressed by how quickly we settled back into learning and the school routine. The new term and cooler weather mean it is time for a change in uniform, and I want to thank you for your support in making sure our students feel proud to be at Pinehurst; it has been the smoothest transition I have seen. 

To all the families who joined Pinehurst this term, it is great to have you as part of our community, and it was lovely to meet many of you at our pōwhiri on Wednesday morning. The Pinehurst triangle is our commitment to working together for the very best for all students, and I hope you and your children enjoy the experience.  

Despite the rain, it was lovely to see many of you at Coffee Connect this morning. These events are an ideal chance to come together and build relationships with other parents. It is amazing how conversation reveals how much we have in common and how we can support each other on the parenting journey. Throughout the term, we have many events, and I look forward to sharing our plans for the years ahead at a series of breakfast meetings. 

2026 marks the 35th anniversary of Pinehurst School, and we will be holding a formal dinner to celebrate the occasion. There are more details below, but I encourage you to buy your tickets quickly. Markovina is a beautiful venue, tickets are limited, and, most importantly, it’s a chance for us to celebrate our past, current, and future successes. 

Our Primary students have enjoyed the Tread Lightly programme this week (and will continue next week). It is a chance for them to grow awareness of their environmental impact and what they can do as individuals and groups to make a difference. These messages are important for young people and I am sure they have been sharing lots of ideas with you. 

The first of the Silver Duke of Edinburgh expeditions took place this week, with another group of 30 due out next week. These trips are a genuine challenge for the students and I enjoy hearing the stories and seeing how they have grown from the experience. While the change in seasons means there are fewer camps, there are still plenty of learning opportunities outside the classroom, and I have enjoyed seeing rehearsals for the Primary and College shows as well as lots of sports practices as we prepare for the winter sports season.  

I hope that over the weekend, you all take the chance to pause and reflect on ANZAC Day and what it means for us and our identity. If you are planning to attend a memorial service, please be aware that our College Head Students are speaking and laying wreaths at the Coatesville Community Hall at 7am and the Albany Hall at 11am. 

Take care, and I will see you on Tuesday next week. 

Regards, 
Mike Waller

🗓️ Dates for your Diary

Monday 27 April

• Anzac Day (Observed), Public Holiday: School Closed

Tuesday 28 April

• Year 1-6 Tread Lightly (Monday through Thursday)

Wednesday 29 April

• Year 5-6 Girls Basketball Trials, Arena

Thursday 30 April

• AKSS Orienteering Relay Champs
• Primary House Sport Competition

Friday 1 May

• Year 2 Butterfly Creek Visit

College News

Tēnā koutou katoa 

Term 2 has begun on a very positive note, with students returning to school refreshed, focused, and ready to learn. Classrooms have quickly come back to life, setting the tone for a productive term ahead. 

Tomorrow marks the 111th commemoration of ANZAC Day. Pinehurst students will honour the occasion by participating in both the Coatesville and Albany ANZAC services, paying tribute to the Australians and New Zealanders who served and gave their lives in conflicts and peacekeeping missions. I encourage our students to attend a commemoration on Saturday and to spend some time on Monday remembering the reason for a day away from school. Lest we Forget.   

Next week our second group of students working towards the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award will head out for the adventurous journey part of the award. This will be our last adventurous journey before the summer season starts in Term 4.  

Rehearsals are in full swing for our College production of Anastasia, and the show is coming together beautifully. Students and staff have been working hard to bring this much-loved story to life, and the results are very promising. We are excitedly counting down to opening night at the end of this term. 

Have a lovely weekend. 

Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan

Primary News

Kia ora tatou,

It has been a pleasure to welcome 18 new entrants and their families to Pinehurst this week. We loved meeting our newest learners on Tuesday morning, and it was wonderful to include them in our pōwhiri on Wednesday as we officially welcomed them to become manuhiri. We look forward to watching these children grow in confidence and enjoyment as they begin their Pinehurst journey.

On Monday, our staff spent the day together exploring lesson structures that maximise student attention, using AI to support effective teaching practice, and unpacking this term’s value of Aspiring. It was an uplifting and purposeful way to begin the new term, with thoughtful discussion and a shared commitment to continual improvement for our learners.

We have also welcomed the Tread Lightly caravan and staff onsite for two weeks. It has been wonderful to see our parent volunteers supporting classes as students engage in hands-on sustainability education. These experiences help our learners develop a deeper understanding of caring for our environment and making responsible choices.

A reminder to families that ANZAC Day falls on Monday, 27 April, and school will resume on Tuesday, 28 April.

Dates for Week Two:
Monday 27 April: ANZAC Day (School Closed)
Tuesday 28 April to Thursday 30 April: Tread Lightly
Thursday 30 April: House Sport Competition at Lunchtime
Friday 1 May: Year 2 Trip to Butterfly Creek

Ngā mihi nui,
Sian Coxon

🎓 Primary Upcoming Events

Tread Lightly Caravan Visiting Primary

This week, our Primary students will have the opportunity to visit the Tread Lightly Caravan - an award-winning mobile environmental classroom designed to inspire young learners to care for the planet.

Through fun, interactive exhibits and hands-on activities, students will explore how small lifestyle changes can help reduce their environmental footprint. The programme introduces important concepts around energy use, environmental protection, and restoration in an engaging and age-appropriate way.

Students will also be encouraged to make personal pledges and consider ways they can involve their families in making positive environmental choices at home.

Year 2 Visit to Butterfly Creek on Friday

The Year 2 students are looking forward to their visit to Butterfly Creek on Friday as part of their science unit. During this visit, they will be exploring animal life cycles, habitats, and the characteristics of living things.

When: Friday 1 May
Leaving school: 9.00am – 2.30pm
Students will need: Raincoat, packed lunch, water bottle, school bag.

Solo Duo Performance Showcase

Thursday 28 May, 3.30pm in the School Theatre

We are looking forward to celebrating our Year 3 & 4 musicians with our Term 2 concert on Thursday 28 May at 3:30pm in the School Theatre.

Year 3 and 4 students who would like to perform this term should register their interest by Friday 8 May by completing this form AND uploading an audition video here showing them performing their intended piece.

We welcome students of all ability levels and encourage a variety of instruments and music genres, including voice, to provide a balanced and entertaining programme.

Please note that places are limited to 16 students for this one-hour concert and performances should be three minutes or less. If you have any questions, please email Mrs Jaques: cynthia.jaques@pinehurst.school.nz

We look forward to seeing you and your children at our upcoming performance showcase.

Community News

35th Anniversary Dinner

One of the highlights of Term 2 will be our 35th Anniversary Formal Dinner,
a special evening to celebrate Pinehurst and bring our community together.

Friday 15 May, from 6pm onwards
At Markovina Vineyard Estate, Kumeu
Dress: Cocktail

Held in a beautiful vineyard setting, the evening will begin with drinks and canapés, followed by a plated dinner and a dessert table. Your ticket includes wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages throughout the evening.

At $150 per person, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect with fellow members of the Pinehurst community, past and present, and celebrate this important milestone together.

Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to secure your tickets early.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Updated Uniform Shop Hours

Please note the Uniform Shop opening hours have changed.

Term Time Opening Hours

Monday
8.00am – 10.00am
12.30pm – 4.00pm

Tuesday
8.00am – 10.00am (morning only)

Wednesday
8.00am – 10.00am
2.30pm – 4.00pm

Thursday
8.00am – 10.00am
2.30pm – 4.00pm

Holiday opening hours will differ and will be advised separately.