Message from the Executive Principal

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요  

Best wishes,

Mike Waller 

Message from the Principal of College

Senior Boys Badminton 5^th in New Zealand

In only our second year of qualifying for the elite Division 1 competition (consisting of mostly Regional and National Rep. Players) at the New Zealand Secondary School National Badminton tournament in Porirua, Wellington, the Pinehurst Boys Badminton team finished 5^th in New Zealand.

Because some days started with matches beginning at 9am in the morning and finishing after 9pm at night, the boys had to not only beat their opponents on the court, but also overcome both physical and mental fatigue. On several days starting at 9am, the boys played three schools, with each match lasting 3 hours, and the last match ending after 9:30pm, resulting in a 12-hour ‘competition’ day. They then had to drive back to the accommodation, have dinner, sleep and be up the next morning at 7am to start all over again. It is not only skill that is required at this elite level, but also the mental concentration and stamina to get through the long days.

The shared experiences both on and off the court develop the special bonds that help a team work together. Returning late on Tuesday evening to the accommodation at 10:30pm after a 14-hour day, and yet have the energy to celebrate a fellow team members birthday away from his family, demonstrates the Pinehurst character of ‘Respect for self, Respect for others, Excellence in all we do’.

Illness, sore joints and muscles had to be ignored on the last day as they played-off for 4^th and 5^th position against Westlake Boys. Jack Z was asked to play a game even though he had been unwell for two days, and he did not hesitate to support his team. Robert’s knee injury was supported by a brace, while Peter, our Year 9 rookie, played with all the energy he had left in him. Both our most experienced players, Tony Y, having just won the Counties-Manukau U17 competition, and Jack J, current NZ U19 Champion, just kept on playing until the very end, winning both their Single games.

Pinehurst, one of the smallest ‘city secondary schools’ in NZ, won against colleges that were more than 4-times our size. ‘Proud of who we are and what we can achieve’.

Toi o te wiki

Toi o te wiki this week goes to Year 13 student, Katie Zhang.

Katie's astonishing, conceptual work has been selected as a finalist in the 2024 Arts House Trust Secondary School Awards.

"The Interpreted Reality" intricately layers Freud’s room to explore the discrepancy and consistency relationship between perceived reality and space. The model uses VR scans and tracing papers to represent Freud’s Id, Ego, and Superego, highlighting primal essence, external influences, and societal morals. The final tracing paper forms the model’s base. The mesh symbolizes the Id, reflecting the foundational structure of a person and house. Paper windows and wooden furniture represent the Ego, crucial for functionality. The projector casts shadows of varying densities, illustrating the Superego’s moral influence. Together, these elements capture how internal and external factors shape and perceive an individual.

AS PE Students Excel in First Weightlifting Competition

On Sunday, 4 of our AS PE students took part in their first ever weightlifting competition as a part of their formal practical assessment. After weeks of coaching at Base Strength and Conditioning the students applied their knowledge and skills to show off their progress. It was a learning curve for all of the students who outlifted their expectations.

In AS Physical Education, the practical component makes up 50% of the course. Our students generally have one preferred sport and so this year we chose OWL to compliment the students’ other existing activities of swimming, volleyball and climbing.

If there are any other students who might be eager to try Olympic Weightlifting, speak to Miss Murray about opportunities.

Year 9 Design Technology

In Design and Technology Year 9 students have learned how to safely work with wood, metal, and plastics by making USB powered Bluetooth speaker amplifiers. Students had to follow instructions and demonstrations to accurately mark out plywood, cut and sand to size. They had to solder cables to their speakers and cut the subwoofer pipe to length, sand, polish, and attach it to the frame. They explored fabricating a sheet metal bracket by marking out on aluminium sheet using a technical drawing, a template, ruler and scriber, centerpunching, drilling and bending it, so it would align with the circuit board. Lastly, the circuit board was attached to the bracket and fixed to the wooden frame.

Then students explored how to bend thermoplastics, specifically acrylic, using the line bender to go over their wooden speaker frame and attached it using woodscrews.

The most exhilarating moments were testing the speakers and finding out that the soldering was done correctly, and the speaker worked. A selection of students managed to work on the extension task by solving the problem of portability and coming up with a solution for that. Here you can see four proud owners with their speakers in house colours, engraved with school logo and names.

Tools explored were marking out equipment, bench hook and tenon saw, belt sander, hack saw, soldering iron, bench polisher and line bender.

In Term 4 we will learn how to use Illustrator and design a vinyl-cut sticker to go on the speaker.

Student-Lead Shakespeare Production

The senior double bill production of "Macbeth" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" is nearly ready for performance! This week the cast directed by year 12 student Zoe Atkinson, have been focusing on the big battle at the end of "Macbeth", practicing their sword fighting skills. They are performing over two nights in week nine, Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25. Entry is a gold coin donation, so come along, sit back, and enjoy these students' hard work!

AS Drama Performances

Last week half of the AS drama class completed their final performance for their coursework, performing selected scenes from the Greek Tragedy "Medea". These students have spent weeks not only practicing, but learning about tradition Ancient Greek performances, the historical context surrounding the origins of drama, and designing their own lighting and stage plans. Their hard work has paid off and are now looking forward to cheering on the other half of the class at their assessment performance next week. 

Pinehurst Piano Competition

On Tuesday evening, as part of Pinehurst’s Arts' Week programme, the school held its inaugural Piano Competition in the Theatre. Twelve competitors performed pieces in a variety of styles and from a range of composers and one student performed his own original composition. It was a wonderful evening listening to such talented students and included a special guest performance by Yuzhang Wu. Yuzhang has recently finished her schooling at Pinehurst and is preparing to begin her bachelor's degree in Piano Performance in Hannover, Germany.

Our adjudicator for the evening was Juan Kim, an independent piano teacher, accompanist and musical director, who was given the difficult task of deciding on our winners. Congratulations to Kathleen F who was awarded 1st place with her performance of Haydn's Sonata in C major, David Z who gained 2nd place and to Anthony H who came 3rd. Prizes of KBB Music vouchers were awarded to our winners and were kindly sponsored by musical instrument specialists KBB.

Well done to all twelve competitors - we are thrilled to see how much musical talent our students possess!

University Course Planning sessions at Pinehurst - Victoria University of Wellington on 17 September / Massey University 18 September / Otago University on 19 September. All sessions are at lunchtime in library. These sessions help students with the enrolment process and offer advice about which papers to enroll in for first year study.

Keen to go to Queenstown during the holidays and learn about international tourism? Check out: QRC Open Day | Experience QRC | School Holidays

The New Zealand College of Chiropractic Open Day on Saturday 28 September. Students will have the chance to listen to expert speakers, meet current students and staff, and tour the campus. Register here:  https://chiropractic.ac.nz/openday

Architecture Open Days on 21 September. Get a behind the scenes view of an architecture office, find out what architects do and how they do it. Open Studios are great for students considering a career in architecture, and all those interested in understanding the creative process of architecture and getting a building built. More info here: https://nzia.co.nz/festival/tamaki-makaurau-te-tai-tokerau/. Dates and locations vary - please refer to the website. Generally, between 10am and 2pm. It is free and no registration is required.

Maritime Mahi Expo on 24 September. It is for all students interested in the maritime industry, engineering, trades, or students who want to broaden their understanding of the world of work. Register here.

UK applicants - If you are applying to the UK, you should have registered on UCAS by now – please aim to have all sections of UCAS complete by the end of Term 3. If you are still crafting your Personal Statement, there will be a TikTok Live Q&A: How to write your UCAS personal statement - 25 September 16.30 (UK time) – register here: Personal statement week: 23 – 29 September 2024 | Undergraduate, Conservatoires | UCAS

USA applicants - If you are applying to the USA and are wanting an Early Decision, please aim to have all sections of Common App complete by end of Term 3.

Australia applicants – reminder to apply for accommodation if you have not already. All accommodation reference requests to be sent to lila.pulsford@pinehurst.school.nz

Online Work Experience Days coming up. Learn more about Computer Science, Performing Arts, Psychology and more. Dates and registration links here: Apply Now — CareerDays.co.uk
 

Passionate about aviation and want to become a pilot? The AIPA Open Day is being held at North Shore Aero Club on Saturday, 12 October, from 12 to 4 pm. This is a perfect opportunity for students to learn more about the aviation industry and find out which steps they need to take to become an airline pilot.

Message from the Principal of Primary

Chess Team Competition Results

We're thrilled to share the outstanding results of our students in their latest Chess competition, where Pinehurst was represented by 20 dedicated participants.

Our "A Team," consisting of William J, George W, Quinn S, and Eddie H, achieved an impressive second place in the Champion Group. Their excellent teamwork and strategic skills were on full display.

In the Major Group, Jeremy Y, Sheldon C, Leslie Y, and Eddie W took top honours with a first-place win, showcasing their commitment and skill. Whilst Leslie Y also received the Best Player award for his group.

Thank you to everyone who has cheered on our teams. Your support makes a big difference, and we're excited to see what our students will achieve next!

P15’s Creative Journey: Building Marbelous Structures

P15 has embarked on an engaging Art and Design project focused on creating “Marbelous Structures.” The students have been exploring the principles of design and engineering by constructing their own marble runs using recyclable materials.

The project began with hands-on activities where students built free-standing structures, learning about stability and creativity. Now, they’re applying these skills to design and build their own marble runs, testing how marbles travel through their creations.

This unit is a wonderful opportunity for students to develop important skills such as problem-solving and teamwork. Working together, they are learning to share ideas, communicate effectively, and support one another. It’s been exciting to see their creativity and collaboration in action.

We look forward to seeing the final marble runs and celebrating the students’ hard work and ingenuity!

P15 Would Like to Shout Out to Our Year 5 Marimba Stars!

A huge shout out to our Year 5 students who showcased their musical talents at the Marimba Festival on Saturday! After an incredibly busy week with the Primary Production, they stepped up with enthusiasm and skill, performing alongside seven other schools. We’re incredibly proud of their dedication and energy. Well done, everyone!

Movie Magic in Primary STEM!

This term in STEM we’ve gone behind the scenes, looking at some feature film tricks and tried to recreate them in the classroom. Early in the term we observed how static electricity can cause objects to move without being touched. We used balloons to move cans across tables and make spooky ghosts float by themselves! Then we moved on to using greenscreens to create on screen illusions. Each group created a short puppet show to demonstrate how a green screen will work.

We are now in the throws of creating mini stop motion movies using Lego minifigures! But we haven’t stopped there. What good are all of these filming skills without sound effects? Foley artists are responsible for bringing movies to life with sound, sometimes using bizarre techniques and materials – like nails, wood and fake grass for a scratching post - but the results are awesome!

Next time you’re watching a movie listen carefully to all of those sounds and see if you can guess how they were made!

P5 Learners

Well, the time is flying by in P5 for all of us …We are keeping so busy, our school days are full of new learning and fun!

Maths in our room has been one of our learning highlights with a focus on numbers, joining sets, subtracting from a total and more recently doubling numbers. The learning has lots of variety, applying numicon, dice games and robot cards to subitise to 12, ‘driving’ toy cars in a classroom car park to find the sum of a number, using teddy bears to make sets and to practice subtraction! Last week we acted out a number story to help us understand how to solve addition and subtraction problems.  We are learning to think mathematically!

Our phonics knowledge is increasing daily and is really helping us to expand our vocabulary in both Reading and Writing lessons! In amongst all of this we still continue to explore the properties of materials during science, how to keep our bodies healthy during our Health sessions and a special highlight…  turning our lunch box design concepts into reality during Design Technology.  Wow, we’re so smart!

As the end of term approaches, we are pleased to say we are feeling very pleased with ourselves and the way we are tracking, feeling well equipped for all the new learning adventures set for Term 4!  We will look forward to sharing more with all of you then!

Year 2-3 Choir

The Year 2-3 choir, consisting of 50 enthusiastic members, is a vibrant blend of young voices that come together to explore music and develop their vocal skills.

We rehearse on Wednesdays during Period 6, practicing each year group on alternate weeks. The students engage in fun activities like singing songs from popular movies, harmonizing simple melodies, and learning the basics of rhythm and pitch.

They will be performing 3 songs on November 6, showcasing their hard work and talent. (More details to follow) This choir not only nurtures the students’ musical ability but also fosters fun and a sense of community, making it a cherished experience for both the children and conductor.

Year 3 Art

This term the students have been focusing on 3D construction. Their skills, confidence and independence in this area have been developing through their exploration of various materials, tools and processes. Students have experimented with different methods of creating 3D works, incorporating a variety of techniques such as layering, feathering, concertina, curling, twisting, folding, cutting, glueing and attaching.

We have discussed shapes, textures, depth, movement, stability, strength and design as we created our structures – animals, flowers and parrots.

The students’ ability to persevere and problem solve has improved throughout the term and it’s been exciting to see individuals find opportunities to share their expertise with others and provide constructive peer feedback. 

Here are some comments the students have made relating to their work:

• It was tricky to stick things together
• I found it hard to attach the layers of petals
• I’m really proud of my flower / animal crocodile
• I had to try hard to remember the steps
• Making the concertina spring, so that it narrowed, was pretty tricky. I love how it moves
• There is always so much tidying up to do! 

Enjoy these photos of our work so far.

Learning Mandarin in Primary

This term we have been focusing on learning strategies for recognising, memorising, recalling, and writing Chinese characters. We have tried and used a wide array of strategies to help us 'hack' the Chinese characters so we can remember them easier.

In the junior area of the school, we used body shapes and movements to remember the strokes. In middle school we used the shape of the characters to help us conjure up images and stories to help us link the characters to their meaning. In the senior school we have investigated the structure of the characters and the different components within the characters to help us memorise and recall them.

We will pause on this project in the next couple of weeks and we will focus on the upcoming Mid-Autumn festival also known as the Moon festival. We will look at how this special occasion is celebrated. Our Year 5 and 6 students are working on their script for plays they will perform to our junior students’ next term.

ONZA Marimba Festival

Last Saturday, we participated in the ONZA Marimba Festival, an extraordinary event that brought together over 500 students from across the region to perform in two vibrant concerts at ASB Stadium in Kohimarama.

Our students had the opportunity to showcase their hard work and musical talents alongside others, creating a memorable day of rhythm and collaboration. We are incredibly proud of our students for their dedication to this event, which celebrates the joy of music-making in a way that unites schools and communities.

Physical Education Year 0-3

Physical Education plays a crucial role in the development of our young learners. At this early stage, it’s all about introducing the joy of movement, building confidence, and laying the foundation for lifelong physical activity. Our program is designed to be inclusive, fun, and educational, helping each child develop their motor skills, coordination, and spatial awareness.
This term we have focused on two key areas of learning: Athletics and gymnastics.

Athletics: Building the Basics
In our athletics sessions, we emphasize the fundamental movement skills that form the building blocks of more advanced activities. This includes:

• Running: Simple running games and activities help children improve their speed, balance, and endurance in a fun and playful way.
• Jumping: We focus on different types of jumping activities, from hopping to skipping, which enhance their leg strength and coordination.
• Throwing and Catching: Using soft, lightweight balls, children practice throwing and catching, improving hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness.

These activities are designed to be both challenging and enjoyable, encouraging each child to experiment with their abilities and develop confidence in their physical skills.

Gymnastics: Encouraging Flexibility and Strength
Our gymnastics program introduces young learners to basic movements and exercises that promote flexibility, balance, and strength. Key activities include:

• Balancing: Simple balance exercises on mats or low beams help children develop core strength and stability.
• Rolling: Forward and backward rolls are fun ways to improve coordination and body awareness.
• Climbing and Crawling: These activities not only build physical strength but also enhance problem-solving skills as children navigate different obstacles.

We ensure that all activities are carried out in a safe and supportive environment, with plenty of encouragement and guidance from our dedicated PE staff.

Join Us in Supporting Physical Activity
We encourage parents to support their child’s physical development at home. Simple activities like playing tag, having dance parties, or setting up mini obstacle courses can reinforce the skills learned in PE classes and keep the excitement of physical activity alive.

We’re looking forward to a fantastic year full of energy, enthusiasm, and achievement. Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s physical education journey. Together, we’re laying the groundwork for a healthy, active, and joyful future!

Exploring the States of Matter

This term, P9 students have begun an exciting exploration into the states of matter. Through hands-on experiments with materials like pebbles, water, sand, magnets, and salt, they’ve began to develop a deeper understanding of how matter can change between different states and how mixtures can be separated based on their physical properties.  The lessons have introduced students to the concept that mixtures generally retain their properties, even when combined. This understanding has been reinforced through activities that encourage observation and scientific inquiry, sparking curiosity and fostering critical thinking about the physical world.

RoboCup Jr. Competition

Our students excelled at the RoboCup Jr. Robotics competition with remarkable achievements:

• Riley Rescue: 2nd Place - Year 5 Jennifer Y (Pinehurst)
• Junior Rescue: 2nd Place - Year 7 Kevin Z (Pinehurst) and William X (NX)

Their outstanding performance demonstrated exceptional teamwork and problem-solving skills. Congratulations to all participants!

Year 3 Student Dancing Success

Pinehurst Social Soirée 

Join us for an unforgettable evening of fun, laughter, and connection!

Date: Friday 25 October
Time: 6:00pm - 10:00pm 
Location: Pinehurst Theatre
Ticket Price: $80 per person (adult only)

Enjoy a whisky and chocolate tasting bar, live music, delicious canapés, and a variety of beverages. On-site childcare is available for $20 per child (ages 5-15). Tickets are selling fast—get yours HERE before Thursday, 17 October.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Pinehurst Students Present Macbeth & Midsummer Night's Dream 

Tuesday 24 & Wednesday 25 September - 7:00-9:00pm

No tickets needed - just a gold coin donation on the night. 

A great introduction to seeing Shakespeare performed, each play is just the best bits in a fast pace, as two acts.