Dear Parents and Guardians, 

I hope your child has enjoyed a great week. Despite the cold mornings, there have been plenty of smiles on arrival, and the conversations in the afternoon reveal lots of great learning, both in and out of the classroom. 

Earlier in the week, I had the chance to take a fellow Principal on a tour of the school, and as always, I was very proud of everything that we saw. What impressed me most was the character of our students, as they warmly greeted our guest. I particularly enjoyed giving them a sneak peak of both the Primary and College productions as we dropped in on rehearsals. 

Next week, our Year 5 and 6 students will have the chance to have bike safety sessions, and there are a range of sports fixtures set to take place. Our senior students begin their mid-year exams on Thursday, and the results will provide an ideal opportunity to identify areas for improvement and to plan for development over the remainder of the year. Coffee Connect is planned for Friday morning, and it is an ideal chance for us to come together and enjoy each other's company. 

You will have seen that there is a Bites and Insights planned for next Friday morning, and it will be great to see many of you there. The purpose of the presentation is to share details of our new strategic plan, so that you have a clear understanding of the direction of the school, the changes that have already taken place, and what the future developments will look like. If you are unable to make it next week, there will be further opportunities later in the term, so please keep an eye out for the dates. 

Many of our students place very high expectations on themselves, both in the classroom and in their co-curricular pursuits. The pressure that comes with this can be difficult to manage and it is important that strategies are put in place to ensure they remain well-balanced. If your child needs any support, please reach out and we will make sure they are well looked after. 

I hope you all enjoy the weekend ahead. 

Regards, 
Mike Waller

🗓️ Dates for your Diary

Monday 25 May

• Primary Bike Ready Week: P16 (9.00-11.45am), P15 (12.00-2.30pm)
• Senior Ethics Olympiad

Tuesday 26 May

• Primary Bike Ready Week: P17 (9.00-11.45am)
• AKSS Cross Country Championships
• EMEX Trade Show Exhibition
• Year 5-6 Basketball Cluster
• Year 6 Chelsea Sugar Factory: P19 and P21 (Group 1)

Wednesday 27 May

• Year 6 Chelsea Sugar Factory: P20 and P21 (Group 2)

Thursday 28 May

• Primary Bike Ready Week: P19 (9.00-11.45am), P20 (12.00-2.30pm)
• Blues Leadership Programme
• Year 11-13 Mid Year Exams commence
• Year 3-4 Solo & Duo Performance Showcase (School Theatre), 3.30pm

Friday 29 May

• Primary Bike Ready Week: P21 (9.00-11.45am)
• Coffee Connect (School Reception), 8.15-9.15am
• Bites & Insights with Mike (School Theatre), 9.00-10.30am

College News

Tēnā koutou katoa 

As we move into the middle of the term, the major focus for our Year 11-13 students is the midyear examinations. These begin on Wednesday for Year 11 students and on Thursday for Years 12 and 13. Examinations will continue throughout the whole of Week 6 and provide an important opportunity for students to assess their progress, consolidate their learning, and identify areas for improvement as they prepare for the remainder of the year. 

Students in Years 11–13 will be on study leave from Thursday 28 May until Friday 5 June. During this time, students are only required to attend school when they have a scheduled examination. Those who choose to study on site are very welcome to do so. However, all normal school rules and expectations will continue to apply while they are at school including wearing the correct school uniform and no phones when at school.  

At this coming Thursday’s assembly, we are pleased to welcome a guest speaker from World Vision. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn more about the positive impact they can make both locally and globally through service and support initiatives. We encourage students to get involved and take inspiration from the important work World Vision does around the world. 

Have a lovely weekend. 

Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan

🎓 College Upcoming Events

⚜️ AS & A2 Design & Technology Trip on Tuesday

AS and A2 Design & Technology students will be taking part in a full-day learning excursion with Mrs Berger.

Students should bring:

• A packed lunch
• Comfortable clothing and walking shoes
• A phone with the treasure hunt document downloaded from Teams and ready to complete in Word
• A printed copy of their registration QR code

We look forward to an engaging and interactive day of learning beyond the classroom.

🔎 Year 9 Immigration and Identity Inquiry Project

Next week, all Year 9 Social Science classes will begin their Immigration and Identity Inquiry Project, exploring the role and contributions of New Zealanders during World War Two (1939–1945).

Throughout the project, students will work with primary sources while developing important research, annotation, source evaluation, and analytical writing skills. The inquiry will contribute towards students’ end-of-year assessment and will lead into an end-of-term topic test. Each student will receive a project booklet, which will remain at school and be used to record research, annotations, and evaluations throughout the term.

To support success in the project, students should:

• Keep their booklet work up to date
• Bring a fully charged device to class
• Make the most of scheduled library research sessions

We look forward to seeing students engage with this important area of historical inquiry.

Primary News

Kia ora tatou,

There was much excitement in Year 2 on Monday as students welcomed a visit from the Fire Service as part of their Firewise unit. This hands-on experience brought important learning to life and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Our New Entrants also had a wonderful trip to Howick Historic Village on Tuesday, followed by Senior Year 1 on Friday. Students stepped back in time, learning about life in early New Zealand, and engaging in traditional activities that sparked their curiosity.

Rehearsals for Mary Poppins JR are well underway, and Mrs Berry and I were treated to a beautiful snapshot of the performance, including songs from Grace, Evie, and Jessica, it was such a treat!

Looking ahead to next week:

Monday 25 - Friday 29 May:
Bike Ready Cycle Skills Programme (Y6)

Tuesday 26 May:
Supercluster Basketball (Selected Y5–6)
Snowsport Competition at SnowPlanet

Tuesday 26 & Wednesday 27 May:
Chelsea Sugar Factory (Y6)

Thursday 28 May:
Primary Music Showcase (Y3–4) 3.30pm, School Theatre

Ngā mihi nui,
Sian Coxon

🎓 Primary Upcoming Events

🚴‍♀️ Year 5 & 6 Bike Skills and Safety Programme

Next week, our Year 5 and 6 students will take part in a Bike Skills and Safety Programme run by Harbour Sport. The programme will be held at school on the Library Courts and is designed to help students build confidence and develop safe cycling skills in a practical environment. Please note the day and time for your child's class:

Monday 25 May

• P16: 9.00am – 11.45am
• P15: 12.00pm – 2.30pm

Tuesday 26 May

• P17: 9.00am – 11.45am

Thursday 28 May

• P19: 9.00am – 11.45am
• P20: 12.00pm – 2.30pm

Friday 29 May

• P21: 9.00am – 11.45am

Students bringing their own bikes may leave them under the shelter beside the Gym wall on the library courts. 

🏀 Year 5 & 6 Basketball Super Cluster on Tuesday

Our Year 5 and 6 basketball teams will be competing in the Basketball Super Cluster next Tuesday at Eventfinda Stadium. Both the boys’ and girls’ teams have been training hard in preparation for the event, and we wish them all the very best for the day. Students will travel to and from the venue by school van and should meet outside the Dance Studio at 7.45am.

Students should bring:

• PE uniform (girls)
• Basketball singlet (boys)
• Packed lunch
• Water bottle

🍭 Year 6 Chelsea Sugar Factory Trip

Year 6 students will soon be taking part in an Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) trip to the Chelsea Bay Sugar Factory. Students will depart Pinehurst at 9.00am and return at approximately 1.45pm each day. 

Due to student numbers, classes will attend across two days:

Tuesday 26 May

• P19 and Group 1 of P21

Wednesday 27 May

• P20 and Group 2 of P21
• Students participating in the Basketball Super Cluster

Students will need to bring:

• Morning tea, a packed lunch, and water bottle (no lunch orders available)
• A long-sleeve top, long trousers, and closed-toe shoes for safety
• Students may wear their own clothes for the trip day
• No hair accessories or jewellery permitted

We look forward to an exciting and educational experience for our Year 6 students.

Community News

☕️ Coffee Connect on Friday 29 May

Parents and caregivers are warmly invited to join us for Coffee Connect next Friday from 8.15am onwards, outside School Reception. This is an informal opportunity to meet, connect, and enjoy a coffee with other members of the Pinehurst family - whether you are new to school or have been part of the community for years - we would love to see you there.

We welcome you to follow on with Bites & Insights with Mike, from 9.00am in the School Theatre - RSVP details below.

🥐 Bites & Insights with Mike: Pinehurst Strategic Plan

We invite parents and caregivers to our first Bites & Insights with Mike session for the year, on Friday 29 May at 9.00am in the School Theatre.

Bites & Insights is a relaxed parent session where families can enjoy a light breakfast while hearing directly from Mike about important topics relating to the school, future direction, and the wider educational landscape. There will also be an opportunity for parents to ask questions and be part of the discussion.

This session will focus on Pinehurst’s new Strategic Plan - the bigger picture of where the school is heading, what this means for our community, and some of the developments parents can expect to see over time. Mike will also share how a number of the initiatives and changes already underway fit into this longer term vision for the school.

This session is open to both Primary and College parents.

Please RSVP by Friday 22 May if you would like to attend.

'Bites & Insights' with Mike - 29 May 2026 – Fill out form

Please note there will also be a second Bites & Insights session held in mid June for parents who are unable to attend this one. Further details will be shared closer to the time.

👕 College Grooming and Uniform

Kia ora Parents and Caregivers

We would like to take the opportunity to thank you for the support you have shown to uphold the uniform and grooming expectations we hold for our College students. 

From time to time, a collective effort is needed to remind students of what these expectations are. At school, students have had the standards for grooming and uniform communicated clearly to them. Some common areas of confusion have been addressed and we would like to share with you the messaging that has been given to students:

Grooming:

• Hair must be ONE natural colour and above the collar or tied back from the face
• Boys must be clean shaven

Uniform:

• If ears are pierced, one small silver or gold stud on each ear
• Tights should be navy, or girls may wear navy knee high socks in winter
• Skirts should senior style and reach the knee 
• Blazers to be worn to and from school every day and for assemblies each Thursday fortnightly
• Boys should wear a long sleeved shirt, tucked in
• Boys socks should be pulled up and should reach the knee

General:

• Ear buds and ear phones can only be used on permission from a staff member - wearing during break time and between classes is not permitted

Please follo the uniform policy link https://www.pinehurst.school.nz/parent-information/uniforms/ for further clarification. We value your support in ensuring that our students wear their uniform showing pride in our school. 

Nga Mihi, 
Kate Cousins (Matai House Dean)
Nicole Rakete (Rimu House Dean)
Oliver Boden (Totara House Dean)
John Foden (Kauri House Dean)