Dear Parents and Guardians, 

The first full week of term has seen plenty of learning both in and out of the classroom. I have enjoyed being out and about across the campus, observing lessons and, in particular, the high levels of student engagement and focus. The maturity of our young people at Pinehurst continues to impress me, and seeing this in action is always a highlight. 

Earlier in the week, you will have seen that we have reshaped our 35th anniversary celebration into an event at school next Friday evening. There has already been a strong response, and I am very much looking forward to celebrating both our past and our future with you. If you have not yet RSVP’d, please do so as soon as possible to assist with catering. 

Our Primary swim team delivered an outstanding performance on Tuesday, winning the overall North Shore Primary Schools Competition. The winter season has also started strongly for our College teams, with a clear step up in performance across all grades and sports. In particular, our top teams have secured impressive victories over opponents they have found challenging in the past. These results are a credit to the students’ commitment to training and continuous improvement, and they are very well deserved. 

In Primary, our recent professional learning has focused on the start of lessons and how we capture attention and ensure that previous learning is reviewed and built upon. We refer to this as the ‘do now’, and through a consistent routine, students know exactly what to expect as they enter the classroom. The review component is a critical element of this process and aligns closely with Rosenshine’s Principles, enabling staff to respond quickly to student progress and adjust their planning accordingly. 

Looking ahead to next week, we have the Primary cross-country on Thursday and are hoping for ideal running conditions. A College Business Studies group departs for Wellington on Monday morning, and there will, as always, be a wide range of activities taking place before school, at lunchtime, and in the afternoons. Please also note that Friday is a non-uniform day in support of Pink Shirt Day, so we can expect plenty of bright colour across the school. 

A reminder that if you need to visit the campus during the school day (outside of drop-off and pick-up times), you must sign in at reception, where you will be issued with a light blue lanyard. This is an important part of our child protection procedures, as it allows us to clearly identify visitors on site. 

In the coming weeks, we have several events designed to support parents, and I encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities. In particular, the session led by Rob Cope will be highly valuable in helping families better understand and support positive online behaviours. 

I hope you all enjoy a relaxing and enjoyable weekend. 

Kind regards,
Mike Waller

🗓️ Dates for your Diary

Monday 10 May

• Primary New Families Meet & Greet, Dance Studio
• Primary P5 Phonics Meeting, Dance Studio
• College Commerce Trip to Wellington (Monday to Wednesday)
• College Australia Trip Information Evening, School Theatre

Tuesday 11 May

• North Harbour Cross Country Championships
• AKSS Orienteering Individual Long Champs

Thursday 13 May

• Primary Year 1-6 Cross Country
• Blues Leadership Programme

Friday 14 May

• Pink Shirt Day: Whole School Non Uniform Day
• Celebrating 35 years of Pinehurst School Evening, School Theatre

College News

Tēnā koutou katoa 

This week, Mr Berghuis met with all students to explain how target grades will be used across the College. These grades are generated from school data and are designed to provide students with an aspirational goal to work towards throughout the year. Target grades will also appear in midyear reports. Next Thursday at 7pm, Mr Berghuis will host an online session for parents to learn more about target grades. Later in the term, parents will also have the opportunity to hear from Mr Berghuis in person at an information evening hosted at the College. 

On Monday, a group of Year 12 and 13 Commerce students and their teachers will travel to Wellington to visit Parliament, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, Trade Me headquarters, the National Library, and Te Papa. These visits provide valuable real world insights and enhance students’ understanding of commerce subjects. 

Pink Shirt Day on Friday is an annual event which is a great reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion and inclusivity. We look forward to a day full of kindness, and lots of pink! Whilst this is one day in the school year, I see our students reflect the spirit of Pink Shirt Day in their daily lives. The Citizenship Council have put lots of work into the organisation of the day. 

On Monday evening, the College is hosting an information evening to outline the plans for a Geography and Environmental Management trip to Queensland in 2027. Please do come along if you are interested in your child attending this trip.  

Have a lovely weekend. 

Dawn Sullivan

🎓 College Upcoming Events

✈️ Information Evening 2027 Australia Trip

Who: Current Year 9–12 Students and Families
When: Monday 11 May 2026, 6.00pm
Where: School Theatre

Students with an interest in the natural world are invited to learn more about the exciting Australia Trip 2027 opportunity.

This experience offers students the chance to explore one of the world’s most fascinating ecosystems while building their understanding of culture, geography, and environmental science through hands-on learning and adventure.

Highlights include:

• Ziplining through the Daintree Rainforest and observing native wildlife
• Snorkelling on the world-famous Great Barrier Reef
• Experiencing an Aboriginal Cultural Show and learning to throw a boomerang
• Seeing Australian wildlife up close, including bats, insects, and turtles
• Taking part in ecosystem-focused workshops and activities

Families are warmly invited to attend the information evening to learn more about the trip and what students can expect. We look forward to seeing you there!

📡  Pinehurst Seismometer Now Operating LIVE! 

Physics and Geography Students will soon have the opportunity to explore live earthquake monitoring and real-world scientific data, with the Pinehurst seismometer now restored and operating once again as part of the Ru Seismometers in Schools Project, run in partnership with the University of Auckland.

The seismometer will be used in Physics lessons to demonstrate concepts such as electromagnetic induction and wave behaviour, while also helping students make meaningful links between Physics and Geography studies.

Because the instrument is highly sensitive, students will even be able to observe how everyday movement around the school creates tiny vibrations on the seismograph. As an example, last Tuesday night the seismometer captured the impressive earthquake swarm that rattled the North Island.

On Tuesday 5 May, three earthquakes hit within 30 minutes of each other and the seismic waves were recorded here at Pinehurst. The first quake (measuring magnitude 5.6) struck 135km north of Te Kaha at 8pm at a depth of 5km. The second quake (measuring 4.2) struck 110km north-west of Te Kaha at depth of 33km. Finally, the third shake (measuring 2.7) struck 5km south of Te Araroa at a depth of 5km. Read full news article here.

The system is capable of detecting seismic activity from earthquakes occurring around New Zealand, providing authentic scientific data for students to investigate and analyse.

This exciting real-world example is a powerful reminder that even while we go about our daily routines, the Earth beneath us is constantly moving. Having access to live, authentic data allows students to engage more deeply with their learning and see science in action.

🔗 Learn more about the Ru Seismometers in Schools Project:
Ru Seismometers in Schools Project

🎀 Pink Shirt Day on Friday: Non-Uniform Day

The College Citizenship Council is hosting its annual Pink Shirt Day next day on Friday the 15th of May. It is a non-uniform day, so come to school with a gold coin donation and wearing pink to show your support!

From Monday to Thursday next week, there will be a crafts station situated outside reception before school – come along to decorate your own miniature pink shirt notes which will be hung up in the college study room.

Before school on Friday the 15th, a photobooth will be available outside reception. At lunch, college students can come to the study room to take photos with friends, send compliment cards, participate in a three-legged race or a pink-themed fashion show.

There will also be a bake sale – with delicious treats under $5!

All proceeds will go directly to the Pink Shirt Day organization. We encourage everyone to get involved in support of anti-bullying!

Pinehurst Careers Centre Update

We are organising a trip to the North Shore Career Expo for Year 11 and Year 12 students during the school day on Thursday 21 May.

If your teen would like to attend, please fill in the permission form here: North Shore Career Expo Parent Permission Form – Fill out form

• Tuesday 12 May: University of Canterbury Information Evening in Auckland
• Thursday 14 May: University of Auckland Engineering and Design Info Evening
• Friday 15 May:  UCAT Bookings close
• Saturday 16 May: University of Melbourne Residential Colleges Open House

Primary News

Kia ora tatou,

We are so proud of our swimmers who competed in the North Shore Swimming Competition on Tuesday. Their outstanding efforts saw them win the overall competition for the third year in a row, with an abundance of gold, silver and bronze medals. This success reflects the many hours they spend in the pool and the grit, determination, and motivation they consistently demonstrate.

Congratulations also to Totara, our Term 1 House Competition winners, who were rewarded today for their combined efforts to do the right thing in and around the school. They enjoyed the comfy seats in our theatre and imagined they were at the cinema. Well done Totara!

It has been a focused week in our classrooms, with students building knowledge and applying it through challenges to demonstrate their learning. As teachers we have been focussed on securing attention to maximise learning and the impact around the Primary has been impressive. Attention is our currency and the more of it we have the more students will learn.

Dates for next week:

Monday 11 May: New Families Meet and Greet + Phonics Session
Tuesday 12 May: Cross Country Day
Friday 15 May: Pink Shirt Day

Ngā mihi nui,
Sian Coxon

🎓 Primary Upcoming Events

📔 P5 Phonics Information Session

Who: P5 Parents and Caregivers
When: Monday 11 May, 9.50am
Where: Dance Studio

P5 Parents and Caregivers are warmly invited to attend a Phonics Information Session with Mrs Louise Prance.

This session will provide helpful insight into how phonics is taught at Pinehurst and share practical ways families can support phonics learning at home. Please note that the session will take place immediately following the New Families Meeting.

We look forward to welcoming you as your child begins their school journey at Pinehurst with Mrs Lee.

🏃 Primary Interhouse Cross Country on Thursday

Who: Primary Students and Families
When: Thursday 14 May
Where: School fields

Next Thursday, our Primary students will take part in the Primary Interhouse Cross Country on the school fields. Event times are as follows:

• Year 5–6: 9.00am
• Year 3–4: 11.00am
• NE and Year 1–2: 1.30pm

Students should wear their PE uniform and suitable running shoes. All parents and caregivers are warmly welcome to come along and support students throughout the day.

🎀 Pink Shirt Day on Friday: Non-Uniform Day

When: Friday 15 May
What: Non-uniform Day supporting Pink Shirt Day

On Friday 15 May, Pinehurst will be holding a school-wide non-uniform day in support of Pink Shirt Day.

In Primary, our focus will be on encouraging students to be upstanders - people who stand up for what is right and look out for others with kindness, bravery, and respect. By choosing to be upstanders, students learn how their actions and words can help create a safe, supportive, and caring school community.

Students are invited to wear a pink shirt as part of their non-uniform outfit and bring a gold coin donation to support the Pink Shirt Day organisation.

We look forward to seeing our students come together to support this important message.

Community News

⭐️ Come along this afternoon - Free to attend! ⭐️

David Zhu's Farewell Piano Recital will be held in the Pinehurst School Theatre at 3.45pm

David will be performing music by Charles-Valentin Alkan and Franz Liszt. Full programme information available at the event.

As David Zhu (Year 12) prepares to leave Pinehurst at the end of Term 2 to take up his place at the Cleveland Institute of Music, he will be sharing a special farewell piano recital with our community.

While many will know David for his achievements on the oboe, this concert offers something a little different – a chance to hear him as a pianist, performing a programme of Romantic works including music by Liszt and Alkan.

The perforrmance is for about an 1 hour and refreshments will be served prior to the concert starting. This is a good opportunity for students and parents to come along, support David, and be part of this moment as he finishes his time at Pinehurst.

🥂 Celebrating 35 Years of Pinehurst School

Join us on Friday 15 May from 6.00pm in the School Theatre as we come together to celebrate 35 years of Pinehurst. Enjoy a relaxed evening with drinks, canapés, live entertainment and a short series of speeches. This is a complimentary event for our community.

On-site childcare will be available for children aged 5–15, including a light supper ($10 per child).

Click here to RSVP via Humanitix by Friday 8 May.

👨🏻‍💻 Supporting Your Child in a Digital World

Pinehurst School invites parents and caregivers to an evening with filmmaker and speaker Rob Cope (Our Kids Online), focused on supporting children and teenagers in today’s digital world. This practical session will provide insight into the online environments young people are navigating, along with simple strategies to support safe, balanced device use at home.

We strongly encourage at least one parent or caregiver from each family to attend.

• Early bird: $10 per person (available until 13 May)
• Standard: $15 per person

Complimentary childcare will be available on the night.

Click here to book tickets via Humanitix.