Dear Parents/Guardians, 

It nearly felt like winter this week, with windy days and dark clouds, but as always, the enthusiasm of our students shone through both inside and outside the classroom. 

Primary students, staff, and senior student leaders had a fantastic time with bubbles at lunchtime yesterday, serving as a great reminder to enjoy simple pleasures with friends. This was followed by Buddy Classes in the afternoon, bringing a lively energy to the campus. Our senior students did an outstanding job of preparing activities for their younger buddies, and the strength of community was clearly evident. 

As you know, traffic during afternoon pick-up is very busy, and it is important that we show patience to ensure everyone’s safety. If you park outside the designated parking bays, please stay with your vehicle so we can manage the traffic flow. As a reminder, Afterschool Care is available free of charge until 4pm each day, and collecting your child at this time helps you avoid the afternoon rush. 

Next week is busy for sports in the College with a tennis zone day, orienteering sprints, and athletics championships. Alongside this, there are trials for many winter teams, so there might be a few tired faces throughout the day. Earlier this week, four student leaders presented very impressive ideas for raising the profile of sport across the school, and I look forward to seeing them come to fruition. 

Primary students have ‘Hut Week’ and Pirate Day to look forward to on Friday. Getting outside and thinking creatively is so important for holistic development, and I am looking forward to seeing how students in different year groups go about problem-solving to build their huts 

Parent conferences are scheduled across the school next week, and I am confident they will offer valuable insights. Before the conferences, I recommend you talk with your child about how they are going in their various subject areas, as this can help guide discussions with the teachers. As always, the greatest benefit occurs when students utilise the feedback to adapt their approach to learning, and I encourage you to check in with them throughout the remainder of the term to see if they are applying those ideas. 

It is this time of term when some of our older students may start feeling academic pressure as they realise how much of the year has already passed. If your child is struggling in any way to manage stress or anxiety about school, please reach out and we will ensure they receive the support they need. 

I hope you enjoy the weekend ahead. 

Regards,
Mike Waller

🗓️ Dates for your Diary

Monday 16 March

• Year 5-6 Hut Week Day
• Year 7-8 Netball Trials
• Year 7-8 Boys North Harbour Tennis Zone Day
• Senior Football Team Trials
• College Parent Teacher Conferences

Tuesday 17 March

• Year 3-4 Hut Week Day
• Year 6 Netball Trials
• Year 7-8 Netball Trials
• Year 7-8 Girls North Harbour Tennis Zone Day
• AKSS Athletics Championships Day
• Snow Sports 365 Challenge Cup
• College (Year 7-13) Principal Tour
• Primary Parent Teacher Conferences

Wednesday 18 March

• Year 2 Hut Week Day
• Year 5 Netball Trials
• Primary Parent Teacher Conferences

Thursday 19 March

• New Entrant (Year 0-1) Principal Tour
• Year 4 Netball Trials
• AKSS Athletics Championships Day
• AKSS Orienteering Sprint Series
• House Sport Competition
• PAWS Leading Us
• College Parent Teacher Conferences

Friday 20 March

• Non-Uniform Day
• New Entrant Visits
• Year 1 Hut Week
• Primary Pirate Day - New Playground Opening

Primary News

Kia ora,

What a wonderful Thursday we had in Primary this week! We had bubbles and buddies, The wind delivered perfect conditions with no blowing required, as the breeze did all the hard work for us. In the afternoon, our College buddies hosted a fantastic session where we got to spend time with the “big kids,” enjoying treasure hunts, exercise challenges, drawing with chalk and on balloons, and lots of creative activities.

We ended the day on a high note with the Year 5 and 6 Music Concert, showcasing the exceptional talent of our oldest Primary students. A huge congratulations as well to our Tennis stars who won the Mid Bays Supercluster competition, an outstanding achievement!

Dates for next week:

• Hut Week: 16–20 March
• Y6 Puberty Parent Meeting (online): 16 March
• Parent Conferences: 17–18 March
• Netball Trials: 17–20 March
• Y6 Positive Puberty: 18 March
• Open Day: 19 March
• House Sport Competition: 19 March
• Pirate Day & Non‑Uniform Day: 20 March

Have a great weekend.

Ngā mihi nui,
Sian Coxon

🎓 Primary Upcoming Events

⛺️ Hut Building Week

Next week, we are giving our students the opportunity to build huts under the trees on the bank — an activity we know they absolutely love. To support their creations, we ask that students spend some time over the weekend gathering suitable building materials to bring to school on the day. Please see below for the allocated day for each year group:

Monday 16: Year 5 and 6
Tuesday 17: Year 3 and 4
Wednesday 18: Year 2
Thursday 19 : New Entrants & Senior Year 1

Suitable hut building equipment includes:

• Old sheets or blankets
• Tarpaulin
• Pegs/Bungy cords/Tent poles
• Soft toy
• Small cushions

Students can take these to their class in a named bag.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Dress Up Day

When: Friday 20 March

We will be holding a school wide non-uniform day on Friday, the 20^th of March to support Youthline’s nationwide initiative, One Act Pact.

One Act Pact encourages young people across Aotearoa to look after one another by showing one act of kindness. All funds raised will go directly to Youthline to help ensure young people have someone to talk to when they need support.

We will also be christening our new ‘Pirate Ship’ playground and would like our Primary students to come to school dressed as pirates, (no swords or hooks please.)

 We would appreciate a gold coin donation to support this worthy cause.

🚚 Tread Lightly Caravan

All Primary classes will be taking part in a Tread Lightly Caravan EOTC insight visit during Term 2, Weeks 1 and 2.

The Tread Lightly Caravan is a mobile environmental classroom that brings hands‑on, interactive sustainability learning directly to schools. Students will take part in a range of engaging activities exploring recycling, waste reduction, energy use, and how small everyday actions can make a big difference to the environment.

This experience supports our ongoing focus on environmental awareness and gives students the chance to develop practical ways to “tread lightly” both at school and at home. It promises to be an exciting and meaningful learning opportunity for all of our Primary learners.

College News

Tēnā koutou katoa,

As we move into the second half of the term, it is important for students to keep their effort and focus strong. We encourage everyone to continue demonstrating our school values of respect for self, respect for others, and excellence.  

Next week we will be holding Parent–Teacher Conferences on Monday and Thursday. These meetings are a valuable opportunity for families to connect with teachers and gain a fuller picture of their child’s learning and progress.  

On Tuesday and Thursday next week, a group of our students will be competing at the Auckland Secondary Schools Athletics Championships. Well done to the students on their selection, I am confident they will be excellent ambassadors. 

On Thursday, we will also be welcoming a visit from Paws Leading Us, a charity that supports Blind Low Vision NZ. This visit will provide students with an opportunity to learn more about the important work the organisation does in supporting people with vision loss as well as spending some time with some cute guide dogs.  

On Friday, we will be holding a non-uniform day. Donations collected will go towards supporting World Teen Wellness Day, helping raise awareness of the importance of wellbeing for young people. 

Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan

🎓 College Upcoming Events

🔬 Commerce Department Update

Young Enterprise Scheme (YES)

Many students have signed up for the Young Enterprise Scheme and are now working together to develop innovative business ideas and identify gaps in the market. They will attend the Spark Tank event on 25 March, where they’ll pitch early concepts to industry experts — and hopefully secure some investment as a bonus! YES gives students a chance to put their enterprise learning into action by creating and running their own business.

Senior Wellington Trip – Years 12 & 13

Senior Commerce students will soon travel to Wellington, where they will apply their Business, Accounting, and Economics knowledge in an authentic setting. They will visit Parliament, MBIE, CreativeHQ, and possibly Trade Me, gaining insight into government, entrepreneurship, innovation, and business operations.

Year 9 ‘Like A Boss’ Project

Our Year 9 Commerce students are about to start their Like A Boss project, where they’ll begin using the accounting and business skills, they’ve been learning to create their own sustainable product or service in small groups. They’ll get to experience the full journey of running a business; from brainstorming the first ideas right through to selling their final product or service.

All students will get the opportunity to showcase their product or service at the Year 9 Market Day, with all profits made from the businesses being donated to KidsCan.

📣 Finding Their Voice: Year 8 and 9 Begin Preparing for the Annual Speech Competition

This term marks the exciting beginning of speech writing for our Year 8 and 9 students as they embark on the journey toward our annual Speech Competition. Over the coming weeks, students will be introduced to the foundations of persuasive speaking and the essential techniques that help transform ideas into powerful oral presentations.

In English classes, students will be learning the art of oratory: how to speak with clarity, confidence, and purpose. Teachers will guide them through the key features of a persuasive speech, including how to craft a clear contention, build logical arguments, and use examples to strengthen their points. Students will also explore how structure enhances impact, from opening with a strong hook to finishing with a memorable closing statement. Alongside this, they will begin practising delivery skills such as vocal expression, eye contact, and effective body language, developing an awareness of how a speaker engages an audience.

As they progress, students will choose topics that reflect their interests, concerns, and values. Some may explore social issues or current events, while others may focus on personal passions or thought-provoking questions about the world around them. This stage of the process is a valuable opportunity for students to develop their critical thinking as well as their confidence in sharing their ideas publicly.

The Year 8 Final will take place at the end of this term, giving students time to develop and refine their speeches as they learn the fundamentals. The Year 9 Final will be held in the first week of Term 2, offering a motivating start to the new term.

We look forward to hearing the creativity, insight, and emerging persuasive skills of our young speakers as they begin this rewarding learning experience.

💼 Careers Events Coming Up...

• Otago University Overview Presentation on Monday March 16 lunchtime in 511
• University of Sydney ‘Discover your future in Biomedicine and Health’ webinar on Wed. March 18^th 6pm. Register here
• If you are interested in attending the University of Otago Open Day on May 3+4, please be sure to book your flights now
• If you want your teen to be a safe driver and boost their employability, a Defensive Driving Course is being offered. More info, cost, dates and registration at this link. Register today!
• When you attend Parent Teacher Conferences next week, be sure to check out our poster display in 401 which highlights 64 in-demand jobs that pay over 100K and are all aligned with the United Nations Sustainability Goals

Community News

🐾 Student Council Fundraiser: Supporting Blind Low Vision NZ

Who: Year 7–13 students
When: Thursday, 19 March (lunchtime)
Where: Dance Studio and Lower Field

We’re excited to share that the Student Council will be hosting a special awareness and fundraising event in collaboration with Blind Low Vision NZ.

Students are invited to join us for a fun and meaningful lunchtime, featuring games, friendly dogs, and fundraising treats and merchandise. All proceeds will help raise awareness and support for people who are blind or have low vision.

Treats available on the day include:

• Dubai chocolate chewy cookies – $5
• Matcha white chocolate cookies – $5
• Ice blocks – $2

This event is for Year 7–13 students only, and everyone is encouraged to come along, learn more about the important work being done, and enjoy the activities with friends. There will also be an opportunity to meet some of the friendly guide dogs who serve our community.

If you would like to purchase treats or merchandise, please bring cash or EFTPOS. We look forward to seeing everyone there and working together to support this important cause.

💜 Non-School Uniform Day: Supporting World Teen Wellness Day

Who: Whole School
When: Friday 20 March
What: Non-school uniform with a gold coin donation

On Friday 20 March, students are invited to wear non-school uniform and bring a gold coin donation in support of Youthline.

This day aligns with World Teen Wellness Day, a nationwide movement encouraging students to complete one simple act of kindness. Schools across New Zealand take part by promoting small actions that help support youth wellbeing.

A kind act could include helping a friend who is having a tough day, inviting someone new to join a game, writing a supportive message, or lending a hand to a teacher or family member.

Small actions can make a big difference, and together our community can help support youth wellbeing while raising funds for Youthline.

🛍️ Uniform Shop – Holiday Opening Hours

If you need to purchase or replace uniform items during the upcoming school holidays, the Pinehurst Uniform Shop will be open at the following times:

Monday 13 - Friday 17 April

• 9:00am – 12:30pm
• 1:00pm – 4:00pm

The shop will reopen for Term 2 on 20 April. Please plan ahead if your child requires any uniform items before the new term begins.