Sunday 8 June

Message from Mike

Last week may have only been four days long, but we still managed to fit in a lot across the campus. Grandparents Day on Friday was a highlight for so many of our Primary students who had the opportunity to show off their classrooms, classmates and schoolwork to the elders they treasure most in their lives.

Well done to our Year 11-13 students who completed their mid-year examinations last week, an important part of the academic year. I'm hoping that they, together with Year 7-10 students will enjoy their Cross Country run this week on Thursday. Having a go, no matter your skill-level is a key marker of resilience and sportsmanship and we're looking forward to what's traditionally a muddy but fun event for our College kids.

This week is Book Week in Primary, with the much-anticipated Book Parade on Tuesday afternoon. The Scholastic Book Fair will be open both before and after school in the Pinehurst Library for all children to browse and buy some reading material to take home.

With the holidays already quickly approaching, please remember that students are expected to be in school until the last day of term, and students who leave early will be formally noted as ‘unauthorised absence’ on attendance records.

Best wishes everyone for what's looking like another busy week ahead!

Mike Waller
Executive Principal

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Dates for your Diary

Mon 9 June

Primary Book Week ALL WEEK
Years 9-13 Dental Van ALL WEEK
Primary Scholastic Book Fair ALL WEEK
Year 7 Refugee Talk
Harbour Sport Empowering Your Youth Workshop, 6pm

Tues 10 June

Primary Book Parade
Years 7-8 North Harbour Girls Basketball 3x3

Weds 11 June

AKSS Orienteering Eden Park Sprints

Thurs 12 June

College Cross Country
Years 11-13 Foodstuffs Supplier Workshop
Years 7-8 NZ Waterpolo Winter Festival
Super Cluster Cross Country
AKSS Gymsports Championships
Australian Universities Expo Evening

Fri 13 June

Years 7-8 NZ Waterpolo Winter Festival

SEE MORE DATES

Message from Sian

Kia ora tatou,

It was a busy week last week, maybe because we crammed so much into four days. I loved seeing the levels of thinking and creativity on STEM Day and hearing the talents of our musicians at the Year 3-4 concert on Wednesday. It was heartwarming to see the smiles of young and old at our Grandparents afternoon as so many family members came together to share activities.

This week is our annual Book Week with author visits, the Book Fair, competitions, a visit from a famous presenter and of course the parade on Tuesday where we get to dress up as book characters who wear hats!

On Thursday 12 June it is the Cross-Country Supercluster event for selected students, and we also have an open morning for new families thinking about coming to Pinehurst.

Your child’s report will be available from Friday 13 June and there will be an opportunity to book a conference with your child’s teacher on Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 June. We have made a few changes to the reporting process which I will let you know about on Seesaw.

Thanks as always for your support.

Ngā mihi,
Sian Coxon

Primary News

This week is Book Week: Hats off to Reading!

Book Week is such a wonderful week every year in our Primary. Loads of book themed learning along with the Scholastic Book Fair in the Library before and after school really encourage our kids to enjoy reading and try a new book or two.

Everyone is eagerly anticipating the Book Week Character Parade on Tuesday afternoon, following this year's theme of 'Hats off to Reading'. There are lots of different book characters that wear hats, and we can't wait to see what our children come up with this year!

Students should come to school in their uniform and bring their costume with them to change into later in the day. During the second half of lunchtime, students can change into their costumes – parents of Years 0-2 may come in from 1:15pm and help their children to get changed.

At 1:30pm, all parents will leave the students and form a walkway like the “Red Carpet” for students to walk through to the gym. There, we will be treated to a visit from Suzy Cato, a famous New Zealand author and television presenter.

Authors visiting Pinehurst during Book Week

We are thrilled to be hosting some incredible authors this week for Book Week! Our Year 5 and 6 students will have the opportunity to listen to Graci Kim, the award-winning New York Times bestselling author of The Last Fallen Star, The Last Fallen Moon, and The Last Fallen Realm, aka the Gifted Clans series.

Peter Millett will entertain our Year 3 - 6 students, well known for his laugh-out-loud books including Johnny Danger DIY Spy and Boy Zero. Our younger Primary students will also hear from Juliette MacIver, the award winning picture book author of Duck Goes Meow and The Grizzled Grist Does Not Exist.

Celebrity author and broadcaster Suzy Cato will be making an appearance at our Book Week Assembly this week! Suzy was made an Officer of the NZ Order of Merit recently and has been a central figure in children’s education and music for more than 35 years with several published titles of her own including The Kauri Family, Christmas in Summer and I Can Do It!

A wonderful Grandparents Day last Friday

Thank you to all the Grandparents who came along to our Primary Grandparents Day last Friday! It was a fabulous turn out and we loved seeing so many of our children happily sharing their classrooms with their elders! Annual events like these are a real highlight for both our students and our community, we look forward to doing it all again next year.

Message from Dawn

Tēnā koutou katoa,

Our midyear examinations have now concluded and students conducted themselves very well. All students are expected to return to school next week, ready to resume their normal timetable and work through the feedback and advice they receive from teachers.

We will host a College Open Day on Tuesday morning, where we look forward to welcoming prospective families and showcasing the vibrant learning environment we offer.

On June 11, the University of Sydney is offering Pinehurst students an online information evening geared towards Year 12 students and their parents. Registration details are in College News below.

The major highlight of the week will be the House Cross Country event on Thursday. Year 7 and 8 students will race in the morning, while the afternoon will feature races for Years 9 and 10, as well as registered students from Years 11–13. It promises to be a fantastic display of House spirit, teamwork, and perseverance.

Thank you for your continued support.

Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan

College News

Lumino Dental Unit at School for Years 9-13

This week the Lumino Dental Unit will arrive at College on Monday 9 June, remaining here until Thursday 19 June. As part of their Ministry of Health funded School Smiles programme, a free dental examination, oral education, x-rays and professional dental clean is available to all students in Years 9 - 13 (or up until their 18th birthday). Treatment including white fillings, sealants and extractions of baby teeth are also provided on the school grounds if required.

Parents please ensure you complete the online enrolment form here to ensure your child is seen while we have the Lumino Dental Unit on site at Pinehurst.

Cross Country: Thursday 12 June

College parents and caregivers should have received an email regarding this Thursday's Cross Country event. We would like to encourage our students to show their house spirt by dressing up in their house colour and enjoy a fun day out with their peers (although please remember no face paint)!

Year 7-8 students may arrive at school in their PE gear. If you are wanting to add house accessories to your outfit, please put these on once you get to school. We ask that Year 9-13 students travel to school in their school uniform and get changed into their PE gear during the morning tea break.

A reminder that students need to have suitable running shoes and warm layers if the weather is poor. Please remind your child to ensure they bring a full water bottle and plenty of lunch/snacks to replenish their energy after their race!

College Sport Co-ordinator Melanie Reid will send an email to parents/caregivers and students by 7.30am on Thursday morning if the weather is too wet or unsuitable to proceed. If you don't receive an email, please assume the event is going ahead. Best of luck to all our students - give it your all and enjoy yourselves!

Wizard of Oz College Cast & Orchestra Rehearsals

We are excited to be heading into the final weeks of rehearsals for The Wizard of Oz College Production! Tickets are on sale now - so be sure to get yours!

Attention All Cast, Orchestra and Crew: It is really important for you to be at all rehearsals for which you are required from now on - please make this a top priority! Cast can keep up to date with the videos on the Teams page and please keep practicing the choreography and the lines. We will be off-book this week with all lines learnt. Please see below this week's rehearsal schedule:

Basketball hoops in Year 10 Design and Technology

Last week we had the first basketball hoop completed in Year 10 Design and Technology, in a mainly metal based project. If your child has chosen Technology, you can expect a basketball hoop to come home in the coming weeks. Well done Eddy on completing the first one pictured below!

Pinehurst Runners Shine at AKSS Cross Country

Last Wednesday three Pinehurst College students – Wen Yao Z, Nicholas X, and Zion F – competed in the 2025 AKSS Cross Country Championships in Flat Bush. Despite wet and muddy conditions, all three runners delivered impressive performances against strong competition from across Auckland.

Wen Yao placed in the Top 50 for his age group, while both Nicholas and Zion finished in the Top 100, achieving excellent times over challenging 4km and 5km courses. Their determination and perseverance in tough weather were commendable and showed true Pinehurst spirit. Congratulations to Wen Yao, Nicholas and Zion on your fantastic efforts!

Please have a look at the following event dates. Parents, you are welcome to attend the Pinehurst Theatre events, please sign in at Reception first before making your way to the Theatre. A reminder that all upcoming events are listed on the Pinehurst Career Education website.

Bond University Overview Presentation
Monday 9 June: lunchtime
Pinehurst Theatre
Victoria University Information Evening
Monday 9 June: 5.30pm
Aotea Centre: Register here
University of British Columbia (Vancouver) Overview Talk
Tuesday 10 June: lunchtime
Pinehurst Theatre
University of Sydney Webinar
Wednesday 11 June: lunchtime
Pinehurst Theatre
University of Melbourne Overview Talk
Thursday 12 June: lunchtime
Pinehurst Theatre
Australian Universities Expo
Thursday 12 June: 5.30pm - 8.45pm
Kings College. Thank you to the 100+ people who registered. Next year, we are aiming to secure a bigger venue capable of hosting thousands of people. Parents - if you have venue contacts, please get in touch so we can share ideas with other the Independent Schools Career Practitioners.

Our students in the community

Support our students in The Cloud Children's Choir

Pinehurst is proud to have five students involved in The Cloud Children's Choir, New Zealand's leading and largest children's choir. Mikel P and Denis X in Year 4, Stella Z and Aubree C in Year 3, together with Doris X in Year 9 are all performing in the upcoming The Echoes of Culture concert on Saturday 12 July at the Auckland Town Hall.

The concert serves as a bridge between China and New Zealand, fostering deep artistic connections through high-level choral performances. This year's concert will feature four distinguished New Zealand and Chinese choirs including The Cloud Children‘s Choir, The Cloud Chamber Singers, The Graduate Choir NZ and The Hong Kong Children’s Choir.

We encourage all Pinehurst families to get along to this event to experience some exceptional choral music and support our students in The Cloud Children's Choir. You can purchase tickets to The Echoes of Culture here.

Upcoming events

Wizard of Oz Tickets NOW ON SALE!

Follow the adventures of Dorothy, Toto, the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man as they journey along the Yellow Brick Road to see the mysterious and all-powerful Wizard in Emerald City. The 2025 Pinehurst School College Production of The Wizard of Oz promises to entertain young and old!

Shows will run for approximately 2.5 hours with a 20-minute intermission. Tickets are available to purchase on the following days and times:

Wednesday 25 June at 7pm
Thursday 26 June at 7pm
Friday 27 June at 7pm
Saturday 28 June at 7pm

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased here. Get in quick to reserve your seat!

AUT Media Bootcamp: Wednesday 9 July

Spend a day with experts at the AUT Auckland city campus newsroom, screen studios or audio studios learning real world media skills.

This is a free workshop day open to high school students as a part of the Communications Faculty at AUT. Register your interest by emailing your name, school, preference (audio, screen or news) and contact details to smb@aut.ac.nz by Friday 27 June. For more information or assistance contact Laura Curwood.

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