Message from the Executive Principal

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요  

Best wishes,

Mike Waller 

Term 4

Message from the Principal of College

Senior College Sports Prizegiving 2024: Celebrating Excellence

Last Thursday, we gathered for the much-anticipated Senior College Sports Prizegiving, where we celebrated the incredible successes of our teams and athletes in 2024. It was an afternoon filled with pride and excitement as we honored the hard work, dedication, and outstanding achievements of our sports stars across a wide range of disciplines.

A special thank you to our student guest speaker, Jack P, who shared his inspiring journey as a top-level swimmer representing New Zealand on the world stage. His words of perseverance, commitment, and passion for sport resonated with all in attendance, encouraging our students to strive for excellence both on and off the field.

We congratulate all the students who received awards and recognition for their efforts and successes this year. Their dedication to their respective sports has been nothing short of remarkable, and we look forward to seeing them continue to shine in the future.
Well done to all and thank you for making 2024 a year to remember in Pinehurst sport!

Please see the Supreme Award Winners below:

Supreme Award Recipients:
Sportsperson of the Year - Jack Potier
All Round Sportswoman - Lilly Stanborough
All Round Sportsman – Alex Hardy
Team of the Year- Table Tennis NZSS Team
Sporting Excellence – Hannah Li 
Services to Sport - Katherine Geertshuis

Inter House Shield Swimming - Kauri
Inter House Shield Athletics - Matai
Inter House Shield Cross Country - Matai 
Inter House Sport Shield - Kauri
Shield Staff vs Students Sport Challenge – Staff

Junior Maths Competition

Congratulations to all students who took part in the Otago University Junior Maths Competition for Years 8 to 11! We had 28 students score so well that they placed in the top 15% for the year level (with Year 8 students taking part in the Year 9 competition). Special congratulations to the five students who placed in the top 30 of their year level: 

• Year 11: Cindy Cao and Jack Chen
• Year 10: Jiaxin (Linda) Chen, Yicheng Wang and Cesar Xu 

Toi o Te Wiki

Toi o te wiki this week showcases the mahi our Year 9 students have been doing as they complete the process of making a collaborative mural. These cell designs have been inspired by the Year 12 AS Biology examination that Mrs Rakete invigilated last year where students had to complete drawings of the cells they examined using a microscope. A discussion with Mrs Perkins, and the sharing of Biology resources has helped create the unit. Many thanks, Mrs Perkins! Our Year 9's looked at the different types of cells and structures and, after viewing the extraordinary work of Artist/Professor of Molecular Biology, David Goodsell, students then began creating their own cells. 

Students have completed their initial designs and have begun refining these using colour. By the end of 2024, almost 100 cell designs will be painted and ready to hang as a collaborative mural outside the Science block............... WATCH THIS SPACE!

Cells designed by:

Claire Zheng, Daniel Boddy, Ella Ahn, Millie Wang, Seven Chen, Mindy Huang, Jenny Ren, Harini Nellipudi and Felisha Zhao.

Pinehurst Students Shine at Massey University's Chinese X Competition

On Wednesday night, 57 students from Year 7 to Year 11 represented Pinehurst School at the Chinese X Competition held at Massey University, coinciding with Chinese Language Week. The evening was filled with engaging activities, including a Chinese language quiz, and popular traditional Chinese games. Our students participated enthusiastically and demonstrated both their cultural understanding and competitive spirit.

Year 7-8 teams performed exceptionally well. They won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in their division, the Year 11 teams earning 2nd and 3rd places. Congratulations to all participants for their outstanding achievements and for being wonderful ambassadors of our school!

Shawn L Selected for U14 Boys North Harbour Waterpolo Team

We are thrilled to announce that Shawn L, from Year 8, has been selected for the U14 Boys North Harbour Waterpolo team. This is a testament to Shawn’s dedication and hard work in the sport, which has earned him a spot in the team competing in the Auckland League and the National Championships later this year. Congratulations, Shawn, on this outstanding achievement! We look forward to watching your continued success in the pool.

Year 7-8 North Harbour Volleyball Zone Day

On Wednesday, our Year 7-8 Girls Volleyball team represented Pinehurst at the North Harbour Volleyball Zone Day. The girls gave it their all, displaying great effort, teamwork, and enthusiasm throughout the competition. It was a fun and valuable experience for the team, who relished the opportunity to test their skills against other schools.

The team is now focused on continuing their training as they look ahead to the Beach Volleyball Zone Day in Term 4. We are excited to see their hard work pay off as they prepare for the next challenge!

Northshore Science Fair

A group of Year 7 and Year 8 students participated in 2024NIWA North Harbour Science & Technology Fair last Friday.  It's an exceptional way for students to engage in active learning and develop sufficient science literacy including investigation skills and problem-solving skills. Students have gained confidence and crucial presentation skills during interview and the interaction with other schools ‘peers. We have 5 award winners: Abby C, Jinseok Y, Nina H, Xavier W, Ethan K. Congratulations for their great achievement.

Year 9 Market Raises $1900 for KidsCan Charity

At the start of Term 3, my team and I began preparing for the LAB Market Day. Our first task was deciding which products to sell. We chose Shell Mirrors and Shell Candles, as the market day coincided with the start of the spring/summer season. We thought beach-themed accessories would be perfect for this time of year when people often head to the beach.

Next, we needed to fill out the idea approval form. To ensure our products were sustainable, we decided to use biodegradable wax and sustainably sourced shells. At this point, we named our business "La Mer Collection," with "La Mer" meaning "the sea" in French, as we were selling a collection of beach-inspired products. After our teacher approved the idea, we moved on to writing the business plan.

In my opinion, the business plan was the hardest part of the paperwork. Our team spent over three weeks detailing everything about our products, our sustainability efforts, organizational structure, and marketing and financial plans. After that, we presented our business pitch, which included our target audience and the identity of our business. Once we finished the pitch, we moved on to production.

We spent one weekend collecting shells and another making the candles and mirrors. Soon, it was market day! Our team took turns selling our products, and I was on the second shift. It was amazing to see people buying the items we had worked so hard to create, and it was fascinating to see what other teams had made as well.

In conclusion, while learning how to run a business was valuable, the memories we made along the way—working together to craft candles and mirrors, and selling our products—are what will stay with me forever."

By Jade Lyles, Jessica Drescher, and Olivia Pang

Student Council's Rainbow Royale Quiz Night

On Monday evening, staff, students, teachers and parents teamed up in an array of colorful costumes at the Student Council's Rainbow Royale Quiz Night.

The Student Council would like to thank everyone who attended, your enthusiasm made the event a huge success. Congratulations to our overall winning team The Red Poet's Society, and the other spot prize winners. More photos from the night on our Instagram - @pinehurststudentcouncil

We appreciate your support on our final event of the year, and hope you had as much fun as we did.

2024 Student Council

Student Shakespeare Performance

The cast and crew of the student-led Shakespeare production delivered an incredible performance this week, showcasing their hard work and dedication. The students brought the show to life with passion and skill. Their commitment to the project truly paid off, making it a memorable event for everyone who attended.

• Exciting new scholarship opportunities for students interested in studying Food Technology. Fonterra has generously provided up to 10 scholarships to be given to new Food Technology students entering study at Massey University. This includes $5,000 per year plus two $11,000 internships with Fonterra. This is open to any new to Massey student enrolling in Food Technology. The scholarships close 1^st November. https://www.massey.ac.nz/study/scholarships-and-awards/fonterra-food-technology-undergraduate-scholarship/
• IMPORTANT DEADLINES LOOMING: Oxbridge and all UK Medicine and Vet Science programmes are due mid-October; however, student sections of UCAS need to be completed by the end of Term 3 at the latest (earlier preferred) as Career Counselor still needs to check your application before the final submission due date. This will be happening during holiday time. Please make sure that I can contact you if necessary. Conservatoires deadlines are even earlier – if you are applying for a Conservatoire, your UCAS application should be complete and submitted to Career Counsellor.
• Parents – want to know more about UK application procedures? Read the UCAS Guides:  Advice for parents, guardians and carers | Undergraduate, Conservatoires, Apprenticeships, 16-18 Choices | 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. Please make sure that I can contact you if necessary during the holidays.
• Parents – want to know more about Common App? Create a practice student account and explore how it all works: Create Account | Common App
•  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

Bending light - refraction producing an optical illusion

Ever reached down into the bathtub water to grab a toy and found that it was not in the position it appeared to be? What you are experiencing is the effect called refraction. When light enters the water (or any transparent material) it slows down slightly. If the light enters the water at an angle, then this change in speed causes the light beam to bend away from its original path. This is called refraction.

Year 6 students took some fun Halloween selfies to demonstrate the effect of refraction.

Year 4 Students Illuminate Their Understanding of Light

This week, Year 4 students have been diving into the fascinating world of light. As part of their science curriculum, they are exploring key concepts, including how light travels in straight lines and the principles of reflection.

In class, students created ray diagrams to visually represent how light moves from sources to objects. Students shared these comments in their exit pass. "It’s amazing to see how we can draw arrows to show the path of light. It helps us understand why we see things the way we do."

The students also conducted experiments to observe how light reflects off different surfaces. Using light boxes, mirrors, and a variety of shiny objects, they discovered that the angle at which light hits a surface affects how it bounces back. "We learned that when light hits a mirror, it reflects in a predictable way.”

The hands-on approach has not only made learning engaging but also sparked curiosity about the science of light. Keep shining, Year 4!

In P2 Global Perspectives

This term in Global Perspectives we have been talking about where fruits come from, how they get to our shops, how to keep them fresh, and changes you can make to fruits.

We began the topic by looking at different fruits and where they are grown and how far they must travel to get to our supermarkets. Students also researched this themselves by visiting local supermarkets and sharing the origins of popular fruits like mangoes, apples, and grapefruits.

One of our favourite tasks during the topic was tasting a variety of fruits and describing whether the fruits are sweet or sour. Some of the fruits included juicy oranges, sweet pineapple and tangy lemons.

Throughout the tasting, students learned about the importance of eating a variety of flavours for a balanced diet and recorded their findings describing the colour, flavour and texture.

See if you can spot the photos where the students were tasting the sour lemon!

Flippaball

Our Primary Flippaball teams had an amazing season. Our Year 5-6 Tigersharks Team went through the term undefeated and winning the final against Hauraki 7-2. Our Year 5-6 Makos Team had a much closer final, edging ahead of Campbells Bay to win their final 5-4

Celebrating Creativity and Craftsmanship in Design and Technology

P6 designers have been hard at work creating vibrant and personalised bunting to adorn our class and celebrate their creativity!

The Joy of Bunting
From selecting fabrics to stitching, P6s have immersed themselves in the art of bunting making. Each piece reflects their unique personalities and interests. The classroom has been buzzing with enthusiasm as they carefully cut, sewed, and assembled their flags.

Skills Developed
The bunting project has provided an excellent opportunity for our students to hone various design and technology skills.

Design Thinking
Students brainstormed ideas, sketched their designs, and considered colour combinations of yarns.

• Measurement and Geometry: Accurate measurements were crucial for creating uniform flags. Students learned about symmetry and shape.
• Hand-Eye Coordination: Sewing requires precision, and our young crafters have improved their fine motor skills.
• Problem-solving: When faced with challenges, such as tangled threads or uneven stitches, students persevered and found solutions.

In P23

This term P23 have moved into the Design and Technology part of the Art curriculum. The children have been investigating traditional fairy tales, combining their story telling with different types of mechanisms for movement to make their story come alive.  The Moving traditional tale pictures unit gives children opportunities to develop their understanding of mechanisms. The children have listened to and watched versions of the tales, and role played different traditional tales. They then learned how sections of the stories could be made into a moving picture.

We began by looking at and making pop-up mechanisms. The children carefully followed instructions on how to make different types of mechanisms, such as levers, wheels and sliders. We had so much fun gaining experience and information to draw on when developing their own story ideas.

They videoed themselves re-telling the Three Billy Goats Gruff story with finger puppets they made.

Finally, they sketched a design based on their ideas and then created their moving picture centred on the story of ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff.’  The children all evaluated their finished product. The design had to be purposeful, functional and should appeal to themselves and their peers.

Robotics Term 3

It has been another busy term of robotics in the primary. New students got the opportunity to join the programme and quickly discovered the joys of coding.

The Year 3 students used block configuration coding to make their snails glow, their fans turn and their spy robots alert a crowd. The Year 5 students meanwhile explored and coded various sensors and built their driving bases. Once built, they used scratch coding to guide their driving base to complete a series of tasks. In Year 6, students have been working on the unit “Life Hacks” with Spike and have used scratch coding to move their break dancer in time with a beat and programmed their personal trainer to count their repetitions in a training session.

All students have embraced the new challenges presented that can sometimes be out of their experience especially if they are new to the world of coding, but all have embraced the various challenges with enthusiasm and resilience. They persevered when the builds were complex, and the codes were challenging. The Robotic programmes are designed to make the students use higher order thinking to find solutions to complex challenges with open ended solutions.

The Power of Persuasion

The 2024 Primary Year 4-6 speech competition saw 5 finalists from each year group setting out to engage, inform and persuade the audience to believe in their carefully crafted arguments. 

Our finalists confidently spoke in front of a large audience and judging panel. We were impressed with their ability to effectively deliver their speeches using pausing, pace, tone and pitch to build levels of excitement, humour and persuasion at every turn. An interesting choice of topics were chosen this year. We heard about hibernating, artificial intelligence, badminton and a range of other interesting topics.

A highlight of the speech competition was the attention-grabbing opening statements that caught the audience’s attention. Once our attention had been captured, they set about presenting a range of well thought out, researched ideas to convince us to agree with their opinion. Our clever speech writers constructed their arguments to appeal to our emotions, morals and sense of logic. Grace told us why we should all bring our pets to school and Eliam explained why weekends should be four days long! Serena elaborated on key points to convince us why Pinehurst should be an all girls school!

Mr Waller and Ms Coxon were faced with the difficult task of choosing the winning speech in each year group. It was a tightly contested competition with few points separating the top contenders.  We would like to congratulate all of our competitors on their ability to deliver powerful speeches with strong introductions, well-developed arguments and of course the ability to win over an audience of their peers and parents.

The winners in each year group are as follows:
Year 4: Grace L – Why we should be allowed pets at school
Year 5: Eliam G – Why weekends should be 4 days
Year 6: Runner Up: Cynthia S – Why children should spend more time outdoors
Overall winner: Serena C – Why Pinehurst should be an all girls school

Well done to all participants on their fantastic work!

Spanish in Years 1–3

Our Year 1 students have been exploring colours in Spanish! They have been combining their knowledge of numbers and colours to play fun games and complete colouring activities. It is a great way to bring language learning to life.

In Year 2, students are learning how to talk about the weather. They have been practicing asking, "¿Qué tiempo hace hoy?" (What is the weather like today?) and learning how to describe sunny, rainy, or windy days.

Year 3 has been focused on clothing. The students had a blast designing their own fashion posters and labelling different items of clothing in Spanish, such as "camisa" (shirt) and "pantalones" (pants). It has been a fun and creative way to build their vocabulary!

In P2 Science

This term in science, we embarked on an exciting imaginary trip to the International Space Station (ISS)! To prepare for our adventure, we first explored the basic needs and wants essential for survival in space. Understanding what astronauts need to thrive far from Earth was an interesting starting point.

We investigated various materials suitable for constructing a spacesuit. Through this exploration, we learned that all materials have different properties, which are crucial when creating protective gear for space travel. After researching, we designed and built our own spacesuits.

After creating our spacesuits, we engaged in astronaut training, which introduced us to the concepts of push and pull forces. This hands-on experience helped us understand how these forces impact movement in space and on Earth.

We also deepened our knowledge of our home planet, Earth, discovering that it consists of both water and land. We learned that the land is primarily made up of soil and rocks, and this week we explored the different types of rocks that form our landscapes. From igneous to sedimentary and metamorphic, each type has its unique characteristics and formation process.

This adventure has filled us with curiosity and excitement for the universe around us.

Chess Winners in the Auckland Chess Championship

The Major division winners from the Auckland Chess Championships held two weeks ago were the members of the Major Pinehurst 1 team: Jeremy Y, Sheldon C, Leslie Y, and Eddie W. 

Leslie Y stood out as the top player on board 3 for the Major team.

A huge congratulations to these players - their hard work and dedication make us incredibly proud.

Rugby Tournament Team Win

Hadleigh T, a Year 5 student, proudly represented the Northcote Rugby Club in the under 10-year-old team at the New Zealand Junior Rugby Festival held in Taupo from September 19 to 22. The team's outstanding performance led them to win the prestigious Under 10 Team of the Tournament trophy, showcasing values such as sportsmanship, team culture, and environmental sustainability. Well done on this remarkable achievement!

Tickets available now at www.eventbrite.co.nz. Head to www.aucklug.co.nz for competition details and to submit your entry.

If you would like to register for "Have a Go Day" please click on the link below.