Friday 25 July

Message from Mike

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The old saying ‘start how you mean to finish’ is always relevant to a new school term, and if it holds true for Term Three, then we are in for a great time ahead. Students have quickly settled back into their routines and there is a strong sense of purpose across the campus, with the cold early morning trainings highlighting real commitment this week.

A very warm welcome to the new families that have joined us at the start of the term. I hope that the time you and your child have with Pinehurst is a rich and rewarding experience. Should you have any questions and news to about your child, please make sure you let us know, the connections of our community are a real strength.

Earlier in the week, you may have read the community events email that included a section about our community business directory. If it is something you are interested in being a part of, please reach out to Carmen Stella; it is an ideal opportunity for us to support each other.

Looking ahead we have a new family meet and greet on Monday and College parent conferences on Tuesday and Thursday evening. These conferences are an important part of the learning journey and it will be great to see you there.

Over the holidays there was a great deal of success for many of our students involved in activities across the country, and world. From robotics to science Olympiads and sports competitions (even national champions), our students performed at an elite level, and I encourage you to read the stories below.

It was lovely seeing many of you this morning for Coffee Connect. While the conversation is always enjoyable, a hot drink was very welcome for cold hands! Throughout the term there are many events for you to take part in, and I hope you take the chance to engage with our community in support of your children.

As you are aware, the traffic at afternoon pick-up can be very congested, making traffic challenging to manage. To help with this, if you are not parked in a dedicated parking place, it is important you remain with your car at all times. This will help to manage the flow of traffic, ensuring pedestrians are safe and we can all move as smoothly as possible.

I hope you all enjoy the weekend ahead.

Best wishes,
Mike Waller

Dates for your Diary

Monday 28 July

New Primary Family Meet and Greet (Dance Studio), 9am
Year 8 St Johns Training

Tuesday 29 July

Year 8 St Johns Training
College Parent Teacher Conferences, 4pm

Wednesday 30 July

Years 7-8 North Harbour Netball Zone Day

Thursday 31 July

ASLM Competition Finals
Year 12 Tough Guy/Gal Mud Run (AS P.E.)
College Parent Teacher Conferences, 4pm

Friday 1 August

APO Mentor Visit/Orchestra Session, 11am
Year 8 Spanish National Advisor Visit

Sunday 3 August

College Orchestra concert, 6pm

Monday 4 August

Year 9 IGCSE Options Information Evening, 6pm

Wednesday 13 August

Primary Solo and Duo Performance Showcase, 3.30pm

SEE MORE DATES

Follow Live Updates on Facebook and Instagram

We’re updating the format of our school newsletter, which means some of our great stories and student highlights will now be shared on our social media pages.

To stay connected and see more of the wonderful things happening at Pinehurst, from student achievements to everyday moments worth celebrating. Make sure you’re following us on Facebook and Instagram. It’s an easy way to stay in the loop with quick, feel-good updates you won’t want to miss.

It’s the best way to catch our short stories and photos as they happen — and a great way to stay connected with our school community.

Message from Dawn

Kia ora,

We have had a very positive and focused start to Term 3 in the College, with students quickly settling back into the rhythm of school life. The weeks ahead will be particularly important for Year 11–13 students as they prepare for their upcoming mock examinations, making this a busy and crucial time. Please do reach out if you have any questions or concerns throughout the term.

Next week, we are looking forward to hosting Parent Teacher Conferences on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Bookings will remain open until Monday, and we are excited to welcome families into the College to discuss student progress and collaboratively plan for continued learning success.

In addition, our Year 8 students will have the opportunity to participate in basic first aid training led by representatives from Hato Hone St John. This experience will equip students with practical emergency response skills and support the development of leadership, decision-making, and overall wellbeing

Thanks as always for your support.

Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan

College News

We joined the Spanish National Video Project!

After weeks of hard work and rehearsals, we finally recorded and submitted our entry for the Spanish National Video Project!

This fun initiative, organised by the University of Canterbury, promotes Spanish and connects students learning the language across Aotearoa New Zealand.

We were very impressed by the energy and enthusiasm shown by our students during the recording. We had so much fun with the choreography! Students came fully prepared with the red and yellow colours of the Spanish flag, sombreros, and flags to add to the fun vibe of the day.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part! We can’t wait to see the final video with all the schools dancing together.

Year 9 Sustainable Business Project

After pitching a business idea in a Shark-Tank style event, Year 9 students have hit the marketing stage of their sustainable business project in the lead up to their Market Day on 13^th August.

We will be working on producing our products in class for the next few weeks and students may be bringing these projects home to complete.

This project gives students an opportunity to apply their knowledge from Commerce classes as well as develop their own presentation and entrepreneurship skills. Students have been awarded seed funding from the school and all fund they raise will go to local charity, KidsCan.

Exploring the Poetry of Maya Angelou

AS Level English Literature students have been immersing themselves in the poetry of Maya Angelou, with a strong academic focus on analysing her use of poetic methods and the powerful effects they create.

Students have explored a range of her work, examining how Angelou’s distinctive voice, use of imagery, rhythm, and structure contribute to her exploration of themes such as identity, resilience, and social injustice. Through guided analysis and lively class discussions, students have developed a deeper understanding of how language can be used to convey personal and political messages with emotional force.

The three classes have shown great enthusiasm and maturity in their responses, often making thoughtful connections between Angelou’s historical context and today’s social landscape. As part of their preparation for upcoming assessments and final examinations, students have been honing their analytical writing skills, practising structured essay responses, and engaging in peer feedback sessions. Their engagement with Angelou’s work not only reflects a growing command of literary analysis but also a genuine appreciation for her enduring legacy.

Exceptional success for Zoe at the New Zealand Robot Olympiad (NZRO) 2025

Congratulations to Zoe S, who recently competed at the New Zealand Robot Olympiad 2025, held at the University of Auckland. Zoe achieved 1^st place in the Intermediate Division, earning the coveted Student of the Year Award along with a truly impressive collection of accolades:

Student of the Year Award (Ranked the 1st in the Intermediate Division)
Gold medal from Cube Soccer
Gold medal from Line Tracer Relay
Gold medal from Creative Idea
Gold medal from Cyber Robot
Gold medal from Robot in Movie
Design winner from Racing Sprint
Silver medal from Racing Sprint
Silver medal from Mirosot Robot Soccer
IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Special Award
IEEE Women in Engineering Award

The NZRO is the most prestigious and historic robotics competition for school students in the world. Top-performing students are selected to represent New Zealand at the International NZ Robot Olympiad 2025 which will be held in Gold Coast, Australia this December.

Toi o te Wiki – Dream Nexus Artwork

Toi o te wiki this week goes to Alice Z (Year 12). Alice has been exploring ideas based around the theme 'Dream Nexus'. This incredible surreal painting forms part of the development of her ideas for her AS Coursework folio.

Her painting has been influenced by artist Infiniteyay, who is a contemporary digital artist known for blending AI technology with traditional art methods to create surreal, worlds. Amazing work, Alice!

Girls Football Triumph

The Pinehurst Girls 1st XI wrapped up an outstanding season last term, emerging as champions of the Senior C league, and they did so in spectacular fashion, without conceding a single goal throughout the entire campaign! This remarkable defensive record is a testament to the team's discipline, teamwork, and determination on the pitch.

What makes this achievement even more impressive is the composition of the team. The squad featured players ranging from Year 8 to Year 13, many of whom were stepping onto a competitive football field for the very first time. Despite their varied experience levels, the girls quickly gelled into a cohesive unit, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and a hunger to learn and improve with every match.

Their success is not just measured in trophies, but in the growth of each player, the camaraderie built, and the pride they brought to Pinehurst School. From consistent trainings to hard-fought matches, the team showed what can be accomplished with passion and perseverance.

A massive congratulations to all the players, coaches, and supporters who contributed to this incredible season. We’re excited to build on this momentum and look forward to even greater achievements in the coming year!

National Badminton Championships

Following the North Harbour team’s clean sweep at Nationals, our Pinehurst players have continued to shine at the recent NZ U15 & U19 Individual Championships.

Jack J (Y13) defended his title and is now a two-time NZ U19 Men's Singles Champion. This was also Jack’s final junior tournament — and what a way to finish. Over the past two years, Jack has competed in six U19 tournaments and won all six — a feat no one else has achieved. He ends his junior career on a high, ranked as New Zealand’s number one U19 men’s player.

Tony Y (Y12) was runner-up in both the U19 Men’s Singles and Doubles — an outstanding result. He’s also the current NZ U17 Singles Champion.

Anna L (Y8) placed second in U15 Mixed Doubles and third in U15 Girls’ Singles.

Elsa L (Y11) placed third in U19 Women’s Doubles.

We’re incredibly proud of all our players and look forward to supporting them in future tournaments.

University of Auckland Scholarship Information Session
Register here to attend July 29^th 6.30-7.30pm

USA Applicants Brag Sheet
Due on 31^st July

Reference Request Form
Students need to fill in this form if they are applying to overseas programmes, scholarships or NZ/AUS accommodation. Form must be completed by 1^stAugust.

NZ University Accommodation
Applications open on 1^st August.

Message from Sian

Kia ora tatou,

The week has flown by, and it has been good to move so quickly back into the rhythm of life in the Primary. The sunshine has helped us to spend time outside and enjoy the beautiful park we get to learn in. My first teaching job in England was in a school next to a motorway and so I always appreciate how green and spacious our site is.

Next week we will meet with new families at our parent Meet and Greet on Monday 28^th July at 9am in the Dance Studio. This is an opportunity to get to know the Senior Leadership Team and to meet other parents for a sense of connection. After all, most of our students stay for 13 years and as parents you will probably know other Pinehurst families even when your children are adults.

On Friday 1^st of August, a select group of orchestra students will be lucky enough to be mentored by musicians from the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra. It will be a fantastic experience for them and no doubt create memories that will last a long time.

In Week 6 our Year 3 and 4 syndicate will perform Disney’s Aladdin Kids, and they are well into their rehearsals now. Everyone is looking forward to the show and we will keep you up to date with how it is progressing and when you can get your tickets.

Ngā mihi nui,
Sian Coxon

Primary News

Junior Mooting Team Reaches Grand Final

We are proud to announce that our Junior Mooting Team has progressed to the finals. Congratulations to Isabella Z, Stacy G, Cher Y, Carmen C and Emily Z on this outstanding achievement!

Our students have taken part in various rounds of mooting, where they engaged in simulated court proceedings, presenting legal arguments before panels of judges. After a strong performance in the semi-finals at Mount Albert Grammar School on Thursday 17^th July, the team will now compete in the Grand Final on Thursday 31^st July, at Meredith Connell’s prestigious mock moot court. We wish them all the best as they prepare for the final.

Cecilia Shines on the World Stage

Recently Cecilia L (Year 6) represented the New Zealand National Team at The World Cup 2025 – 20th Ballroom Dance Championships in Shenzhen, China.

Competing in sweltering heat and grueling elimination rounds that began at dawn and stretched late into the night, Cecilia showed remarkable dedication and determination. Her focus and love for dance carried her through long, demanding days with resilience and grace.

A special highlight was her role as New Zealand’s sole Ballroom Couple in the Junior Team Match, where she competed alongside top dancers from the UK, Russia, China, and Australia.

Overall Cecilia achieved remarkable results:

Tango (10 years): First Place
Waltz (10 years): First Place
Grade B Ballroom (12 years): First Place
Grade A Ballroom (12 years): Second Place
Grade B Latin (10 years): Second Place

We’re so proud of you Cecilia, such a fantastic accomplishment.

Jasper’s Robot Olympiad Success

During the July school holidays, Jasper Z (Year 3, P11) achieved outstanding success at the 2025 New Zealand Robot Olympiad, earning a Gold in Formula Racing, a Bronze in Battle Cube Pair and a Technical Award in Creative Idea.

He has the opportunity to join the national team to compete at the international event held in the Gold Coast later this year - we’re excited to follow his journey!

Bella excels at Artistic Swimming!

In mid-June, Bella S (Year 7) competed as part of a team at the NZ North Island Artistic Swimming Competition held in Auckland.

Bella demonstrated excellent dedication and teamwork throughout the event to achieve second place in the 12U team event. Congratulations on this fantastic achievement Bella!

Enter Now for the Primary Solo and Duo Performance Showcase!

We are pleased to announce Pinehurst Primary Solo and Duo Performance Showcase for Term 3 on Wednesday 13^th August at 3.30pm in the School Theatre.

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 and performances are limited to three minutes or less.

Students in Years 0 - 2 who would like to perform should register their interest by completing this form AND upload an audition video of the student performing their piece here by Friday 1^st August.

If you have any questions, please email Mrs Jaques Cynthia.jaques@pinehurst.school.nz

Community News and Events

North Shore Baseball Winter Ball*

North Shore Baseball’s Winter Ball programme is kicking off soon, with an Open Day on Sunday 27 July and weekly sessions running through the rest of Term 3. The club welcomes players of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and abilities. No experience needed.

If your family has a background in baseball or you’re simply curious to give it a go, head to nscbaseball.co.nz/winter-ball for all the details.

*Community Message on behalf of North Shore Baseball

Notices and Events

Staying Healthy This Winter:
A Reminder from the Health Clinic

With winter well underway, Term 3 often sees a rise in seasonal illnesses. To help keep our school community to stay as healthy as possible, please take a moment to review the following guidelines:

Sick Days: If your child is unwell, has a fever or any other contagious symptoms please keep them at home to recover and help prevent the spread of illness to others. For cases of vomiting or diarrhoea, children must stay home for at least 24 hours after their symptoms have completely resolved.
Feeling Unwell/Injured at School: If your child becomes ill or gets injured during the school day, they should visit our health clinic. Our school first aider will assess their condition and contact you by phone or email if necessary. Students should not be contacting home directly during the school day - all health concerns should be managed through the Health Clinic whilst at school.
Medication at School: Any medication required during school hours must be administered through the Health Clinic. Please visit the Health Clinic to complete a consent form. For safety reasons, students are not permitted to carry medication in their bags, including over-the-counter remedies.
Not Sure if They’re Well Enough?: For guidance on whether your child is fit to attend school, please refer to the Ministry of Health's advice. Knowing if a child is well enough to be at school — guidance for schools

Thank you for helping us keep our school healthy and thriving this winter.

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