Dear Parents and Guardians, 

It’s always great to be back! People make schools, and when staff came back on Monday, followed by students on Tuesday, the campus was quickly back to life. 

The construction of the canopy over the Primary courts was completed over the break, and it represents a brilliant new addition to our facilities as we step forward with our site master plan. The space will now be available for use all round for PE lessons and sports training, and if you haven’t had a chance to look, I suggest you check it out. Over the summer, when there is more time and better weather, we will resurface the courts to improve the playing area. 

On Wednesday, we held a powhiri to welcome the new students, staff, and families, and it is always a highlight to see how quickly they become part of our community. I love seeing the smiles of our New Entrants and the excitement they bring to the school. Equally, I enjoy seeing our students join us, as they often bring clear goals that they believe can be supported within our environment.  

As we would expect, the term ahead will be very busy with just nine weeks to fit everything in. Mary Poppins in week five will no doubt be a great show with Year 5 and 6 already well into their rehearsals. In the College, AIMS and tournament week will be a feature along with music festivals, and of course exam focus for our senior students. For Year 13, this is their final term of school, and we look forward to celebrating them and their journey through Pinehurst. 

Yesterday afternoon, I had the chance to watch the first session of the New Zealand School Swim Champs. With the focus on relays, our team did exceptionally well, securing several top 10 places and a bronze medal in the Boys 4x100 freestyle. Also in the pool during the holidays, Zara collected two gold, a silver and a bronze at the New Zealand Diving Champs. Our netball team was very impressive, securing fourth at the zone day this week, preparing them well for AIMS later in the term. 

Next week sees Parent Conferences in College, along with a range of sporting fixtures. The Primary and College choirs are performing at VoCO in the Town Hall tomorrow, and The NED Show is visiting Primary later in the week.  

During drop-off, I have noticed that an increasing number of children are not wearing seatbelts as they drive through the school. Please remember that not only are seatbelts required by law, but they are also the best way to keep passengers safe until the car is stopped. 

The safeguarding of children is of paramount importance to the school and is a responsibility we all share. If you are concerned about the wellbeing of any child, it is important that you let us know so that we can ensure appropriate measures are taken to look after them. 

 I hope you all have a great weekend. 

Regards, 

Mike Waller

🗓️ Dates for your Diary

Monday 3 August

• Year 5-6, Hockey Super Cluster

Tuesday 4 August

• Year 1-8, Snow Sports Championships 
• College Parent Teacher Conferences

Wednesday 5 August

• North Harbour Cross Country Zone Day

Thursday 6 August

• College Parent Teacher Conferences

Friday 7 August

• Primary NED Show

College News

Tēnā koutou katao 

Term 3 has begun with a strong sense of purpose across the College, and it has been wonderful to see students return refreshed, engaged, and ready to continue their learning. As we move through the coming weeks, senior students will be preparing for their internal examinations. These assessments provide an important opportunity to consolidate learning, identify areas for growth, and build confidence. As always, please do not hesitate to get in touch if there is anything we can do to support your child throughout the term. 

Winter sports continue into Term 3, with many students competing for Pinehurst each week. We are proud of the way our students embody our school values through their determination, respect for others, and excellent sportsmanship.  

We are looking forward to welcoming families to our Parent Teacher Conferences next Tuesday and Thursday evenings. These meetings provide a valuable opportunity to celebrate progress, discuss next steps, and strengthen the partnership between home and school in supporting each student's learning. Bookings remain open until Sunday, and we encourage all families to take advantage of this opportunity to meet with teachers. 

Have a lovely weekend. 

Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan

🎓 College Upcoming Events

👥 College Parent Teacher Conferences Reminder

A reminder that College Parent Teacher Conferences will be held on the following dates:

Tuesday 4 August – 3.30pm to 7.30pm
Thursday 6 August – 3.30pm to 7.30pm

Appointments can be booked through the Veracross Parent Portal, where parents can also view their conference schedule. 

Students are encouraged to attend alongside their parents and caregivers. Please note that school uniform is not required.

Mrs Lila Pulsford, our Careers Counsellor, will also be available across both evenings and appointments can be booked through the online system.

Bookings close at 6.00pm on Sunday 2 August.

If you require any assistance, please contact Kalee O'Sullivan.

🎉Cheerleading Reminder

A reminder that our first cheerleading session will take place next Monday!

When: Monday 3 August, lunchtime
Where: Dance Studio
Bring: Water bottle

If you have registered for Cheerleading sessions, please arrive after you've eaten lunch at 12.50pm and dressed in your PE Gear.

Michelle Tukukino, CEO and Head Coach of Midnight Athletics, will give students the opportunity to develop new skills, build confidence, strengthen teamwork, and be part of an exciting and supportive team environment.

If you missed registrations but would still like to join, please contact laura.curwood@pinehurst.school.nz

🤗 Host Families Needed: Only 3 Nights in October

Pinehurst is excited to welcome students from IMAE Middle School (South Korea) in Week 1 of Term 4, and we are in need of host families within our school community.

When: Tuesday 13 – Friday 16 October 2026
Who: Students aged 14–15 years
Hosting Duration: Three nights

Hosting is a voluntary but incredibly rewarding experience, offering families the opportunity to build friendships, share Kiwi culture, and be part of a meaningful international exchange.

Students will attend Pinehurst during the week and experience everyday family life. There is no expectation to organise special outings - simply including students in your normal routine is more than enough.

If your family may be interested in hosting, or if you would like more information, please contact laurie.cadag@pinehurst.school.nz

We would greatly appreciate the support of our community in helping make this special experience possible. All host families will be police vetted.

Primary News

Tēnā koutou katoa,

It was wonderful to see everyone back on Tuesday morning, with lots of smiling faces across the Primary School as we dived straight into our exciting Term 3 programmes. We were delighted to welcome our newest members of the Primary and their families at the pōwhiri, and we also extend a warm welcome to Mr Andy Mills, who has joined us as the new teacher of P12.

We are excited to see the new shade cover over the courts. This fantastic addition will provide an all-weather space for our students, creating even more opportunities for sports, PE lessons, and a wide range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

This Saturday, our Year 4–6 Choir will take part in the Voco Festival at the Town Hall. This is the first time Pinehurst has participated in this event, and we are incredibly proud of the students and staff involved.

I had the opportunity to watch part of a rehearsal for Mary Poppins this week. It is shaping up to be an amazing production, and there is a real sense of excitement amongst everyone involved.

Have a great weekend.

Ngā mihi nui,
Sian Coxon

🏑 Midbays Super Cluster Hockey Reminder

Our top Year 5 and 6 hockey players will represent Pinehurst at the Midbays Super Cluster tournament on Monday. The team has trained hard and is looking forward to a fantastic day of competition.

Who: Selected Year 5 and 6 students
When: Monday 3 August
Where: North Harbour Hockey Stadium
Bring:  - Shin pads and a mouthguard (required)
             - A rain jacket, as wet weather is forecast
             - Lunch and a water bottle

Students are to meet outside the Dance Studio at 8.45am wearing their PE gear.

We wish the team all the very best for the day ahead.

⛷️ Snow Sports Championship Reminder

Who: Selected students
When: Tuesday 4 August
Where: Snowplanet

Students need to make their own way to Snowplanet. Arrive by 8.00am to collect your race bibs, and racing will commence at 8.45am.

We wish all competitors the very best and look forward to hearing about their achievements on the slopes.

Community News

📚 Meet Johanna Emeney at Albany Village Library

Who: Open to all ages, especially horse lovers
When: Saturday 8 August, 2.00pm to 3.00pm
Where: Albany Village Library
Cost: Free of charge

As part of our Volunteer Club's ongoing connection with Albany Village Library, we are pleased to share details of this upcoming community event.

Join author Johanna Emeney as she discusses the inspiration behind her book Horses & Us: True Stories of Horses and Their Humans. Through a collection of poems, stories and photographs, the book explores the special connections between horses and the people who love and care for them throughout New Zealand.

We are grateful for the many opportunities Albany Village Library provides for our students through its community initiatives, and we are delighted to help support this event.

🍱 Go Deli Promotions Available This Term

Go Deli is running a number of special promotions this term for Ezlunch orders.
Alongside their regular range of popular menu options, families can take advantage of the following offers:

🌟 Half Price Meals

A different meal will be available at 50% off each school day. Limited quantities are released at 6.00 pm on the day before service, so families are encouraged to order early to avoid missing out.

🌟 Promotional Menu Items

A range of popular menu items, including sushi favourites, will also be available at discounted prices throughout the term.

These promotions provide families with even more affordable lunch options while maintaining the quality and variety that Go Deli is known for.

Parents can view the available offers and place orders through their Ezlunch or Kindo account as usual.

🧠 Gaming and Brain Development

Ever wondered what is happening inside your child's brain while they are gaming?

This insightful video explores the science behind gaming and its impact on developing minds, including attention, learning, motivation, emotional regulation, and social interaction. It also offers practical advice to help parents better understand healthy gaming habits and how to support balance at home.

Whether your child is an occasional gamer or a dedicated enthusiast, this is a fascinating watch for parents wanting to better understand the opportunities and challenges of the digital world.

 Watch this 2-minutes video courtesy Rob Cope: 'Gaming and Brain Development'

💳 Going Cashless at the Tuck Shop & Busy Bean Cafe

From Term 3, the Tuck Shop and Busy Bean Cafe will be moving to a fully cashless system, so now is a great time to get your family set up and ready to go.

We use Monitor, a cashless payment system that makes managing school spending simple and convenient. Through the My Monitor interface, you can manage account balances, view transactions, and load credit to your child's account - all online. When it comes time to pay, students can use their ID card (Monitor payment) or a bank card.

Monitor is available to students in Years 7 to 13, and for Year 6 students from Term 4. To get started or find out more, visit our Monitor Cashless System page.

Please note that cash fundraising activities and student-run events will continue to accept cash payments. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.