Message from the Executive Principal

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요  

Best wishes,
Mike Waller

Message from the Principal of College

Binary bracelets in Digital Technology

In their Digital Technology class, our Year 7 students have been diving into the world of binary! This week, they put their knowledge to the test by creating personalised binary bracelets or charms, encoding their initials or date of birth in binary. Some even crafted an extra one as a thoughtful gift for family members. It was a fun and hands-on way to learn about how computers store information using just ones and zeros!

Calculating the energy in food

This week our Year 8 students burned various chips to measure their energy content. They recorded the temperature change in water caused by the burning food to calculate the energy in Joules. They compared their values to the food labels, including the fat content of the chips and encouraged critical thinking about everyday nutrition. This experiment  also highlighted the importance of accurate measurements and careful observations in scientific experiments. 

Accounting and Business learning in Tip Top shape

Year 11 Accounting and Business students visited the Tip Top factory this week. Students were able to apply their knowledge of Operations and various methods of production to a manufacturing setting. They were able to learn about the extensive production process ice cream goes through whilst observing flow production in action! 

There was plenty to take away from this trip including some fun facts:
~ New Zealanders consume the most ice cream per capita in the world.
~ On average 200 Trumpet ice creams are made in the factory per minute.
~ Tip Top have been making ice creams since 1936.
~ Ice cream consists of 30% air to make it so soft, creamy, and deliciously smooth!

The trip was made extra sweet with students enjoying a delicious Tip Top ice cream of their choice!

Putting together the puzzle pieces of History

This week in Year 11 History our IG students have been considering the impacts of the Treaty of Versailles on both the people and the political climate of Germany at the time. In small groups we categorised the different articles of the Treaty and then put them back together as puzzle pieces. This then led to learning about how different people reacted to the impacts in different ways such as attempting rebellions and forming new political groups.

Tāngyuán ( 汤圆) & the Lantern Festival（元宵节）

The Lantern Festival, celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month, marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. It's a time for families to come together, enjoy festive activities, and admire beautiful lantern displays. One of the most cherished traditions during this festival is the making and eating of tangyuan.

Tangyuan are glutinous rice balls that can be filled with a variety of sweet or savory fillings, such as black sesame paste, red bean paste, or peanut butter. The round shape of tangyuan symbolizes family unity and togetherness. The act of eating tangyuan during the Lantern Festival is believed to bring harmony and happiness to families.

Making tangyuan is a fun and engaging activity, especially for students. It involves mixing glutinous rice flour with water to form a dough, shaping the dough into small balls, and then filling them with the desired filling. The tangyuan are then boiled until they float to the surface, indicating they are ready to be enjoyed.

As our students make tangyuan, they are not only participating in a cultural tradition but also learning about the importance of family and community in Chinese culture. The Lantern Festival and the making of tangyuan provide a meaningful way to celebrate and appreciate these values.

College Chess Club up and running for 2025!

The Pinehurst College Chess Club is back up and running for 2025. Held in Room 512 on Thursdays during lunchtimes, the students receive a tutorial from our tutor, Alex who helps to develop the students. The students then play each other. Some come for fun, and others are preparing to play in the trials. Those who do make it through the trials play other schools in local and national competitions. If you love chess or you're curious about chess, come join us!

Pinehurst Career Education encourages multiple definitions of ‘success’. We utilise a strengths and kindness-based approach and offer impartial support to our students, regardless of which future pathway interests them. The 2024 Graduate Destinations Survey was recently completed and our graduates all have exciting futures ahead of them. While some have chosen to take a gap year and travel, others have chosen to enter the world of work. The majority of our students are university-bound to NZ, Australian and overseas universities, including to some of the Top 50 Global Universities in the world as determined by QS World University Rankings and Times Higher Education.

Please make a note of these upcoming Events which are always listed on the Pinehurst Career Education website:

February 28: Applications close for the Elaine P. Snowden Astronomy programme. Apply here. More information is available here.

March 4: UCAT Registrations Open.

March 11: Massey University Introductory Talk at 12:45pm in the Library.

March 13: Victoria University of Wellington Introductory Talk at 1pm in the Library.

March 14: University of Canterbury Introductory Talk at 12:45pm in 303.

March 18: University of Auckland Introductory Talk at 12:45pm in the Theatre.

May 4-5: University of Otago Open Day in Dunedin (if you want to book your flights now!)

Message from the Principal of Primary

Writing and Garden Adventures in P1

In P1, we have set out on our first Big Writing Adventure, where our mission is to help our friends Cat and Tiger find their way out of the Garden! Equipped with magic watches that shrink them to micro-size, the duo encountered a mishap and couldn't return to their normal size. It’s up to our P1 students to come to their rescue!

As part of this adventure, we’ve been learning how to give clear instructions on planting a seed. We even had the chance to plant our own, eagerly awaiting them to sprout into beautiful flowers. While we wait, we’ve let our creativity bloom by painting oversized flowers instead.

Working in groups, we’ve imagined what life would be like if we were micro-sized and how everyday objects might seem enormous or take on new uses. A banana could become a seesaw, and a spider would be quite terrifying if we were tiny. We’re also having lots of fun using our phonics knowledge to sound out words and write them down. Excitement fills the air as we look forward to the next chapter of our Garden Adventure!

A great start to the year in P2

During the past three weeks, we have all enjoyed getting to know each other, our teachers and our school. P2 have already had lots of fun learning lots of new things during the first three weeks of school. In Phonics, we have started to learn the initial sounds. The children have all been so proud of themselves for what they can do already as you can see from all the happy, smiley faces in the photographs. I have been so impressed to see the children already beginning to say the sounds and blend them together to make words – how fantastic!

The photographs show the children developing their fine motor skills through phonic based activities. Some of the children are also using the magnetic boards to make their own words. I have been so amazed by the work so far. Super effort, P2.

In Science, we have started learning about our bodies and the five senses. This week we have focused on our sense of sight and smell. The students used their sense of sight to order colour charts, draw and write using the book ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you See?’ and play eye spy. Later in the week we used our sense of smell to guess the smells in the pots. We made predictions and then discovered if we were correct. Well done Scientists!

Working hard in Maths and Science in P8

In P8 this past week we have been working hard in Maths - looking at 2-D shapes and identifying their properties. The students were able to name these shapes and include words such as vertices and edges when identifying their properties.

In Science the students have been learning to describe and compare different types of rocks by using their appearance and then placing them into three different groups - Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic. A fun start to Maths and Science - lots of learning, good questions and smiling faces all round.

Exploring Conjunctions in Year 4

This week in P12's reading lessons, we have been exploring how different types of sentences and connectives shape the way stories are told. Our focus was on identifying and using simple, compound, and complex sentences, as well as understanding the role of coordinating and subordinating conjunctions in connecting ideas.

To bring our learning to life, we read The Great Fish of Maui and examined how the author used conjunctions to build the story. The students worked together to identify different sentence structures within the text, discussing how connectives enhance meaning and flow.

Taking our learning beyond the classroom, we then embarked on an exciting Conjunction Scavenger Hunt! Outdoors, the students searched for hidden examples of coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, collecting and sorting them on the ground. This hands-on activity helped reinforce their understanding in a fun and active way.

It has been wonderful to see the students so engaged in their reading, and we look forward to applying these skills as we continue exploring more stories!

Understanding our emotions in Primary

Students in the primary have been learning about emotions and feelings, developing skills to recognise and understand them in themselves and others. They have identified verbal and non-verbal cues that signal different emotions and discussed how feelings can change depending on the situation. Through class discussions, students shared experiences of when they have felt a range of emotions and explored strategies to monitor and self-regulate their feelings, including ways to shift from an unhappy mood to a more positive one.

Most importantly, students recognised that all emotions—whether happy, sad, excited, or frustrated—play an important role in overall well-being. By understanding and managing their emotions effectively, students can develop resilience and build positive relationships with others.

Primary Solo and Duo Performance Showcase: Wednesday 12 March

Pinehurst offers one performance opportunity each Term for our Primary students to perform in front of a supportive audience of parents and students. We are beginning with our Year 5 and 6 students in Term 1, followed by students in Years 3 and 4 in Term 2, students in Year 2 and below in Term 3, and finally, in Term 4, students in all levels may apply for a performance opportunity. 

Our first concert will be on Wednesday 12 March at 3.30pm in the School Theatre. Year 5 and 6 students who would like to perform should register their interest by completing this form AND upload an audition video of the student performing their piece here by Friday 21 February. 

We welcome students of all ability levels and encourage a variety of instruments and music genres, including voice, to provide a balanced and entertaining programme. Please register as soon as possible as places are limited to 16 students for this one-hour concert. Lastly, we kindly request that performances are limited to three minutes or less. Please check with Mrs Jaques if this is an issue. If you have any questions, please email Mrs Jaques. 

We look forward to seeing parents, families and students at our upcoming performance showcases!

Bruce wins Bronze in Karate Championships

Year 11 Student Bruce Q recently competed in the 16th Asia Pacific Shitoryu Karatedo Championships in Singapore. He represented himself and New Zealand with great determination - bringing home a Bronze medal. It was a wonderful experience for Bruce and we are very proud of his hard work and perseverance - resulting in this incredible success. Congratulations Bruce!

Noah Shines on the International Diving Stage

Over the weekend, Year 10 Student Noah A once again showcased his exceptional diving talent as he competed in his second World Aquatics international diving event, representing the New Zealand team. This prestigious competition brought together top divers from across the globe, including Olympians from Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Noah’s journey to this level has been remarkable. In November, he had the privilege of competing at the Junior World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, where he achieved an impressive 24th and 19th world ranking in the 14-16-year-old 3m and 1m board events, respectively. His dedication and hard work have continued to propel him forward, and last weekend marked another significant milestone in his career as he entered his first Men's Open category event.

Competing at such an elite level was both a challenge and an invaluable experience for Noah. Amongst a field of world-class athletes, he delivered a series of outstanding dives, demonstrating his skill and composure. The highlight of the event came when he secured a silver medal in the mixed synchro team event—an incredible achievement at his debut in the Men’s Open category.

Looking ahead, Noah, alongside fellow diver Zara R (Year 10), is set to embark on another exciting chapter in his sporting journey. In April, the duo will travel to Europe to compete in three major international competitions, further solidifying their presence on the global stage.

With his sights set on even greater accomplishments, Noah continues to inspire with his passion, resilience, and commitment to excellence in diving. We look forward to following his journey and celebrating more successes in the future!

Charles and Sejong bring home medals from Korea

Y13 Student Charles S and Y12 Student Sejong P have returned from Busan in Korea as Medallists in the International Robot Olympiad 2024/25. Completing and building robots within just five hours, on their own without any help, Sejong won Gold in the Creative Robot category, while Charles won Bronze in Creative Robot and a Technical Award in Creative Movie.
Well done Sejong and Charles - we congratulate you both for your hard work, dedication and drive in robotics! Sejong is pictured below at the event.

Oscar invited to VEX Robotics World Championship

Year 9 Student Oscar Z has been invited to compete in the prestigious 2025 VEX Robotics Championship in Dallas, Texas in the USA. Having won the NZ Lego Robot Competition, Oscar has qualified for the World Championships which will see nearly 2,400 teams from over 50 countries compete this May. We wish Oscar all the very best of luck and look forward to sharing his experiences with you upon his return. Go get 'em Oscar!