What's happening during Week 6, Term 2 at Pinehurst School?
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Sunday 1 June
Message from Mike
Hello everyone, I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend and can enjoy an extra day of leisure with the King’s Birthday public holiday tomorrow.
We are now over half-way through the Term, with another busy week last week. The weather turned a corner just in time for our annual Cross Country event in the Primary on Tuesday and the interactive exhibits of the Science Roadshow were a hit with Y6s – 9s on Friday.
This week ahead is a short one, with no school on Monday. It’s Primary STEM Day on Tuesday for Years 0-4, and our senior Primary children are in for a treat with the MOTAT STEAM Cell experience on site here at school on Tuesday and Wednesday. These experiences are a great way to encourage our students to embrace complex thinking and problem solving across the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, the arts and maths.
Year 11-13 students continue their mid-year examinations this week and we encourage parents and families to keep a close eye on their child’s total wellbeing. Regular breaks, good nutrition and plenty of fresh air and exercise will all go a long way in helping our students handle exam pressures well.
I’m looking forward to reconnecting with and meeting many of our Primary Grandparents on Friday as we host our annual Grandparents Day. Events like this are a wonderful way to cement the warm feeling of community we have here at Pinehurst.
Best wishes to everyone for the week ahead,
Mike Waller
Executive Principal
Dates for your Diary
Monday 2 June
- King's Birthday Public Holiday: NO SCHOOL
Tuesday 3 June
- Year 0-4 STEM Day (at school)
- Year 5 STEAM MOTAT Experience (at school)
- Year 7-8 North Harbour Boys 3x3 Basketball
Wednesday 4 June
- Year 6 STEAM MOTAT Experience (at school)
- Years 3-4 Primary Solo and Duo Music Concert
- AKSS Cross Country Championships
Thursday 5 June
- AKSS Snowboard Championships
- ASLM Competition, Round 3
- North Harbour Netball SS Tournament
- North Harbour Waterpolo Zone Day
Friday 6 June
- Grandparents Day, Primary School
Saturday 7 June
- AKSS Swimming Individual Championships
- AKSS Swimming Champs of Champs
Sunday 8June
- AKSS Rogaine Orienteering Championships
Message from Sian
Kia ora,
I hope you are enjoying the long weekend. We had a glorious day for our cross-country competitions last week and there was a fantastic sense of team spirit from all parts of the Primary. This was especially noticeable from our New to 2 syndicates who were cheering the loudest for their House, even when no one was running!
On Tuesday 3 June we will return to school for STEM day which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Our STEM teacher Anna Speir has organised a fantastic variety of activities to engage our brains differently to solve problems and create innovative solutions. Year 5 and 6 will have a visit from MOTAT who are bringing a mobile classroom for their STEAM sessions, very exciting!
On Wednesday 4 June it is the turn of Years 3-4 for their Solo and Duo music performance at 3:30pm in the Theatre and we can’t wait to hear them. The performances are always memorable.
On Friday 6 June it is our annual Grandparents afternoon where we are hosting our lovely grandparents for lunch and recognising the part they play in our students’ lives. Grandparents will spend some time visiting their grandchild’s class to share some special activities with them and see what school is like in 2025.
Ngā mihi,
Sian Coxon
Primary News
Lost Property Reminder
Has your child misplaced part of their school uniform or P.E. gear?
Lost items often find their way to the black bin located in the foyer of the Uniform Shop. You're welcome to check the bin before and after school and during the uniform shop’s regular hours.
If your child’s items are clearly labelled with their name, our wonderful Primary student head councillors will return them directly to your child’s classroom.
To help reunite lost items with their owners, please remember to clearly re-label all uniform / P.E. gear at the end of each term, for example, Sam Green.
Year 5 and 6 MOTAT STEAM Cell Experience:
Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 June
We're looking forward to welcoming the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) STEAM Cell Experience to Pinehurst this week. A MOTAT Educator together with a range of specialised equipment, teaching resources and collection items will work with our Year 5 and 6 students to 'Invent-a-Machine'.
Using creativity, collaboration, engineering and problem-solving, our students will need to design a machine that carries a marble from one side of the room to the other. We can't wait to see the designs they create and come up with!
STEM Day for Years 0-4: Tuesday 3 June
STEM day is coming up on Tuesday 3rd June for students in Years 0-4. This year our big focus is Wonders of the World!
Here the students will be looking at feats of construction, engineering and design. A series of practical activities will give them a chance to recreate or redesign wonders of their own using a wide range of mediums, from lego to paper!
Year 3 - 4 Solo and Duo Concert Performance:
Wednesday 4 June from 3:30pm in the Theatre
Our Term 2 Solo and Duo Performance Showcase is this Wednesday 4 June at 3:30pm in the Pinehurst School Theatre. The one hour concert will feature our Year 3 & 4 students with performances on the piano, harp, cello, violin, flute, clarinet, electric guitar and vocal performances. Our concert will be guided by two Year 6 students as our MCs for the afternoon.
We look forward to celebrating our music students as they perform in front of a supportive audience of parents and students. Students not performing in the concert are also welcome to attend with their family. For more information, please email Cynthia.Jaques@pinehurst.school.nz
Grandparents Day: Friday 6 June
Our annual Grandparents Day is a special opportunity for grandparents to spend time with their grandchildren at school. This Friday we welcome a large number of grandparents, many joining us for a hot lunch and an opportunity to mix and mingle with one another. Then after the lunch bell, our senior students will accompany them to their grandchild’s classroom where they will have the opportunity to experience some classroom fun!
Thank you to all the grandparents who has RSVP’ed for this event – we are so excited to be welcoming you back to school this Friday!
Primary Cross Country Results!
Congratulations to ALL of our Primary students who participated in Cross Country last week, everyone gave it their all and we loved seeing so many happy faces out on the course and as the children crossed the finish line!
We are excited to share the first, second and third place getters for each Year group below - well done to our place-getters for an impressive performance!
Primary Badminton Success
On Wednesday 28 May, Pinehurst entered two teams in the North Harbour Primary Badminton competition.
The Girls team won their first qualifying game and were placed in Division 1. Some tactical shots were made by each team member and their collective effort resulted in them being placed in the middle of the table. There are some excellent players in the team, and we are looking forward to them joining the Junior College Badminton Development Squad next year.
The Boys lost one game in the qualifying round, allowing the other school to proceed, and placed us in Division 2. This loss only made them more determined, and they did not lose another game during the entire competition, resulting in them winning 30 games in a row against schools such as Murrays Bay, Northcote and Milford. The North Harbour organizers were so impressed by the boys’ determination and perseverance, they made a special mention that the Boys not only won against all the schools they played in Division 2, but the fact that they won all 30 games in a row to win overall first place and take home the gold medal. Attitude is everything!
These teams reflect our school values: Respect for self, Respect for others, Excellence in all we do. Well done to our Primary Badminton teams!
Message from Dawn
Tēnā koutou katoa
The Science Roadshow provided an exciting and interactive opportunity for our Year 7–9 students to conclude Week 5. The hands-on exhibits offered valuable learning experiences that helped expand students’ understanding of various scientific concepts. A special thank you to our student explainers, who did an excellent job supporting the roadshow team throughout the event.
During Thursday’s assembly, a representative from World Vision shared inspiring insights with our students about how they can make a meaningful impact by supporting those in need. One key initiative encouraged by the organisation is to go forty hours offline over the weekend of 13–15 June. I would very much support this challenge for all students, and maybe even their families!
Midyear examinations will continue into Week 6 for our Year 11–13 students. By now, students should be well into the rhythm of study and assessment. Examinations conclude this Friday, after which we return to a regular school schedule for Week 7.
Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan
College News
Lost Property Reminder
Has your child misplaced part of their school uniform or P.E. gear?
Lost items often find their way into the storage area inside the PURPLE seat located in The Street, at the Junior College. You or your child are welcome to check inside the seat before and after school.
To help reunite lost items with their owners, please remember to clearly check all uniform / P.E. gear is visibly named each term, for example: John Brown.
College Netball Winter 2025 Update
Our College Netball season is well underway for 2025! Both our Junior College and College Netball teams have completed their grading games and are now preparing to head into their competition games.
College Team 1 have made a strong start, winning all four grading games under the coaching of Debbie Stanaway (Head of Netball).
We extend a warm welcome to Ethan Agi who will join our Pinehurst College Coaching team from mid-June. Ethan has played Men’s Netball at representative level and is a Netball North Harbour development coach and selector.
This year we’re proud to field multiple teams in College Netball, highlighting the depth and enthusiasm for netball coming up through the school as a whole. It's exciting times as the future of Pinehurst Netball looks strong!
Year 8 Social Science 'Aotearoa History' Topic Test
With the Year 8 topic test approaching in week 7, students have been working hard on understanding the causes and consequences of the Aotearoa Land Wars. They have been showing their learning in various ways through presentations, news report videos, and even re-creating areas of battles with playdough!
8LC particularly enjoyed working in teams to create Ruapekapeka and showcase the features of the pā which protected Māori during this battle.
We wish all our Year 8s the best with their upcoming topic tests!
Wizard of Oz T-Shirts for Cast, Crew and Orchestra!
We have organized a Show T-shirt for our Wizard of Oz production as a keepsake for all students involved in the show. Please make your order by Monday 2 June, here.
The T-shirts are high quality Arctic Blue AS Colour Staple Tees with the Wizard of Oz logo and Pinehurst 2025 printed on the back. The cost will be around $35 - $40, dependent on order numbers, and charged to students' accounts.
You can find the size guide for the T-shirts here (click on 'view size guide'). If you have any questions, please email Cynthia.Jaques@pinehurst.school.nz
North Harbour Girls Football Zone Day
Pinehurst had a great day out at the North Harbour Girls Football Zone Day last week - with some tough opposition! The team, made up of mostly Year 7 students, held their own and performed admirably against their Year 8 opponents. Improving their play throughout the day, the girls showed great team spirit, sportsmanship, leadership and determination. Well done on your performance girls - keep it up!
Chinese Bridge Speech Competition
Seven students from Year 7 to Year 9 proudly represented our school in the Chinese Bridge Speech Competition, held at the University of Auckland on Saturday 24 May 2025.
This annual event provided a valuable platform for over 150 students from schools across Auckland to demonstrate their Chinese language proficiency and showcase their talents. It aimed to foster students' interest in learning Chinese and to build a strong foundation for their continued enthusiasm in studying a foreign language. Our students performed exceptionally well, showcasing their hard work and dedication.
Congratulations to Year 7 students Devon R and Chase J, who achieved outstanding results - winning 3rd place in their category! We are incredibly proud of all our students for their effort and commitment, and it was a joy to see them shine on stage.
- There are several UCAT preparation courses being offered for students in Year 11-13 who think they might be interested in studying Medicine or Dentistry in Australia. More details can be found here.
- Applications are now OPEN for GirlBoss Edge: Tech for Good, a life-changing 10 Day Online Career Accelerator for young women aged 15 - 21, in the upcoming July school holidays. It is fully funded for 400 young women across New Zealand. For more information please click here.
Our Students in the Community
Daniel S ranked 1st in NZ Field Archery
Year 10 student Daniel S was recently ranked 1st in the Junior Male Bowhunter Unlimited category by the NZ Field Archery Association (NZFAA). This is an incredible achievement and a result of Daniel's hard work and determination in archery.
He now gets to compete in the NZFAA Indoor Nationals 2025 later this month on the Kapiti Coast. We wish Daniel all the best for the Nationals and look forward to hearing how he goes.
Oscar Z achieves acclaim at 2025 VEX IQ World Championships in Dallas, USA
We’re proud to celebrate Year 9 student Oscar Z's achievements at the 2025 VEX IQ World Championships in the USA recently. Oscar represented NZ with distinction, competing together with three students from other schools. Their team performed exceptionally well against a global field of over 400 teams.
They ranked in the Top 20 of their division, qualifying for the division finals, where they secured an impressive 10th place out of more than 80 teams. This result comes after months of hard work, strong teamwork and pure dedication.
Congratulations Oscar - what an amazing achievement! (Oscar, 2nd from the right, is pictured below with his teammates.)
North Harbour Netball Player Development Programme Selection
We would like to congratulate two players from Pinehurst that have been selected for the Netball North Harbour Player Development Squads for 2025. April W has been selected for the Year 7 Girls squad and Elizabeth D has been selected for the Year 8 Girls squad. The squads will now train together before participating in a netball festival next month. An amazing accomplishment for both girls, we know they will make the most of this well-deserved opportunity!
Bolina J wins 1st place in Barefoot Ballet
Huge congratulations to Year 4 student Bolina J who won first place in the Barefoot Ballet Solo Section Competition last weekend. We know Bolina puts a lot of effort and determination in to her dancing. Well done Bolina!
Oskar and Luca take their marble run on tour!
Year 7 students Oskar X and Luca W shared their Science Fair project with the community at the Albany Library over the Easter school holidays. Presenting their methodologies to local children, explaining the science behind their ideas and teaching others how to build their own marble runs, the boys even attracted the attention of local media!
Receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from the Council for their efforts, the boys enjoyed contributing to the community. We congratulate them both for their efforts and for proactively sharing their love of science. Well done boys!
Upcoming Events
Book Week: Monday 9 - 13 June
PJ Project Collection in Library for two more weeks!
Hi everyone! My name is Elizabeth and I’m in Year 8, and I’m helping with a project called the PJ Project, which is all about collecting as many pairs of pyjamas as possible for kids in need this winter. It’s still going to be running for two more weeks, with a box at the Library where you can drop off new pyjamas. Long sleeve & flannelette winter pyjamas work the best. It would be awesome if you could get involved—every pair of pyjamas can help keep a kid warm and cozy this winter! Thank you :)
Cultural Market: Tuesday 24 June (students only)
If you have any news or submissions you’d like considered for our newsletter, please contact news@pinehurst.school.nz
