Message from the Executive Principal

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요  

Best wishes, 

Mike Waller 

Message from the Principal of College

Toi o te Wiki 

Toi o te wiki this week goes to Year 9 students Yaseen, Daniel, Isaac, Claire and Jasmine.

Our Year 9 students have delved into exploring our school environment using their understanding of 1 and 2 point perspective. These stunning photographs capture the familiarity of our school in ways you might not have seen before. 

The images of the turf were taken by Jasmine and Claire.

Yaseen, Isaac and Daniel have captured stairways and the gym in a dynamic and creative way. 

Well done Year 9! You have started the year strong - thank you for sharing your perspective of our school through photography.

Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Practice Journey

Last week, our Year 10 students embarked on their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Practice Journey. Hiking bags packed, they headed up to Tawharanui Regional Park on Thursday morning. Each group was responsible for planning their own route and set out for the day. The glorious weather made for some spectacular views and a very enjoyable hike. On Friday, alongside more hiking, the students had the opportunity to participate in a learn to surf session run by NZ Surf Academy. Some valuable lessons were learnt about how much equipment to pack for two days in the outdoors, especially when you have to carry your own accommodation for the night.

Thanks must go to all the excellent staff involved.

Fundraising for Westpac Rescue Helicopter

Year 7-8 Spanish 

In the exciting world of Spanish classes, our Year 7 students have been hard at work. They’ve been learning to say their birthdays by heart and putting their teamwork skills to the test. How? By organizing themselves in chronological order in a race against time—and all without speaking a word of English! 

Meanwhile, our Year 8 students have been diving into the topic of family. They’ve been learning how to give information about their family members and at the end of this term, they’ll be working on an exciting project all about their family tree. We can’t wait to see their creations!

Here's a home challenge for any of our Spanish students this week - set your devices to Spanish, such as changing the language of your phone or laptop. See if you can keep it for a whole week!

Science Adventures Unleashed: A Snapshot of Our Students' Epic Quests

In the bustling halls of Pinehurst, our young scientists in Years 7 and 8 are whipping up a storm of creativity as they dive headfirst into the world of science fairs. After brainstorming and researching like mad scientists, they're now concocting experiments that would make even Einstein do a double take. With variables in one hand and safety goggles in the other, they're cooking up experiments so exciting, they're positively electrifying. But wait, there's more! Our Year 9 students are blazing their own trails, delving into the mysteries of distance, speed, and acceleration. Armed with rulers and stopwatches, they're on a quest to uncover the secrets of motion, speeding through experiments faster than a rocket launch.

In the electrifying realm of IGCSE, students are getting a charge out of investigating the mighty van der Graff generator and circuit wizardry. As for our AS students, they're gearing up with bows, arrows, and parachutes, plunging enthusiastically into the dynamic realm of projectile motion. With the precision of a laser beam and the finesse of a meticulously conducted experiment, they're calculating trajectories, showcasing the elegance of scientific inquiry in action. Last but surely not least, our A2 students are venturing into the cosmic unknown, unravelling the complexities of gravity and its effects on orbiting objects. With calculations as exacting as their scientific methods, they're proving that within the realm of science, the sky is merely a starting point, not a limit!

Year 7-8 Interhouse Swimming Sports

Last Wednesday, all of the Year 7-8 students travelled up to Northern Arena to compete in the Year 7-8 Swimming Sports. All students competed in at least 2 events and represented their house to gain valuable house points. This day was filled with awesome house spirit, amazing performances in the water by our students and several records being broken.  

Overall, there were 10 records broken by our students which is an astonishing achievement. A huge congratulations to our students below that placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd overall in their division. Matai were the overall house champions, taking the lead by almost 100 points. I would like to thank all of the Staff and Parents that attended the event as a helper, we could not do it without you!

We have a very competitive team of 17 students that have qualified for the North Harbour Swimming Zone Day which will be taking place this Tuesday 12 March at AUT. We wish all of these students the best of luck and we can’t wait to see what they can achieve at the next level. 

2024 Inter House Athletics – Revised Results

There has been a slight change to our Year 9-13 Inter-House Athletic results. Please see revised results below. Congratulations to all our award winners and record breakers.

Creative Writing Club

The Boy With Dreams by Wilson Ma  

Once upon a time in the small coastal town of Harborville, there lived a young boy named Alex. He was an ordinary child with an extraordinary spirit, raised by loving parents who taught him the values of resilience, kindness, and hard work. Little did Harborville was known for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant community, but it was also susceptible to the unpredictable whims of Mother Nature. One fateful day, a monstrous hurricane named Tempestia swept through the town, leaving devastation in its wake. Alex's parents, kind-hearted souls who had devoted their lives to helping others, tragically lost their lives in the storm. 

The hurricane not only took away Alex's family but also left him orphaned and homeless. With no relatives to turn to, the young boy found himself navigating the harsh realities of life on the streets. Days turned into nights as he scrounged for food, sought shelter in alleyways, and clung to the remnants of a life that once was. 

Amidst the hardships, Alex discovered an indomitable spirit within himself. One day, while wandering the streets in search of something to eat, he stumbled upon a crumpled piece of paper. To his disbelief, it was a weathered but still intact $100 bill. The discovery sparked a flicker of hope within him, and with determination in his eyes, he decided to invest it wisely. 

Alex used that $100 bill to purchase a small batch of cheap items that he believed he could sell at a higher price. Armed with nothing but a makeshift cart, he started his own little street vending business. From selling bottled water on hot days to offering handmade trinkets, Alex tirelessly worked to turn his initial investment into a profit. The $100 grew into a few hundred dollars, then into a few thousand. With each sale, Alex reinvested his earnings, constantly seeking new opportunities to expand his business.As word spread about the resilient young entrepreneur on the streets of Harborville, people took notice. Local media covered his inspiring story, and the community rallied behind him. The support wasn't just financial; it was a testament to the human spirit's ability to rise above adversity. 

By the time Alex turned 22, he had become an entrepreneur, a symbol of triumph over tragedy. The boy who had once faced the cruel realities of life on the streets had transformed his adversity into an empire built on hard work, resilience, and the unwavering belief that even the smallest spark of hope could ignite a blazing fire of success. 

Alex didn't forget his roots. With his newfound wealth, he established charitable foundations to help those affected by natural disasters, just as he once had been. He became an advocate for homeless youth, using his story to inspire others to overcome their challenges. 

After 22 years of funding charities, getting business done and succeeding in life, the boy who had lost everything in a hurricane had gained something far greater – not just wealth and success, but a profound understanding of the human spirit's capacity for resilience and the ability to turn tragedy into triumph. Alex's journey was a testament to the idea that even in the darkest of storms, a single ray of hope could illuminate the path to a brighter future. 

With all hope restored, he powered the future generations of his family with his only wealth, and the story of how a boy, his life crumbled by a hurricane, became a LEGEND. 

IG Drama Lighting Classes

This week the Year 11 IG Drama class has been working in the theatre learning about lighting and sound effects. The class are working in groups to stage scenes from Bertolt Brecht's epic play "Mother Courage and Her Children", which they will be performing for assessment towards the end of the term in front of a live audience. It has been great for the students to work with Sam, our theatre operations coordinator, to learn more about the technologies of the performing arts.

Year 7 Social Science

Year 7's have been learning about how Māori first came to Aotearoa. They built some model Wa'a Kaulua and used them to demonstrate how early settlers to Aotearoa first navigated the rough seas to get here. 

They have learned about the skill of these early Polynesian sailors, navigating by the wind, the sun and the stars so that they always knew where they were and how to get back home. 

Markets in Action

Before we start learning about markets and the price mechanism in AS Economics class, Year 12 and 13 students got the chance to experience market forces with a lively game of "Frantic Fruit-sellers". 

Working in groups, students are allotted a type of fruit, some cash, and told to trade and make their fruit-seller the most revenue possible. As they work through the simulation, there were changes in market conditions signposted and corresponding changes in market prices for each kind of fruit. 

Some students got very invested in their negotiations as they bartered their way to victory. This activity is an excellent way to better understand how economic forces apply in a real situation.

Paws Leading Us

The Student Council have been working extremely hard to organise and raise awareness for the Blind Low Vision NZ Foundation.  The Student Council’s annual event “Paws Leading Us” which will be back on Wednesday 13 of March! 

This is a student only event for Year 7-13s and will be held on the field in front of the gym at lunchtime. The students will have great opportunities to learn about the importance and purposes of these furry friends. 

The Student Council are offering games which allows students to experience what it feels like to have low vision and prizes are offered to the winners of the games. Ice blocks and merchandise can be purchased, and there will be a photo booth set up for selfies to be taken with the dogs! 

The merchandise include the infamous guide dog plushies ($25), cookie cutter ($2) and socks ($3 for one pair, $5 for 2 pairs). (EFTPOS and cash are both available for purchases).

 All the donations received from this event will be fundraised to the Blind Low Vision NZ foundation.

We hope to see you on the fields on Wednesday– Our furry friends are super stoked to meet you!

Physical Education

Building on the pre-testing we have done with our Year 7 cohort, students have been working hard on developing the fundamental movement skills of throwing for accuracy and catching. Through the use of small sided games instead of drills, students quickly gain an appreciation for the importance of these skills making their learning more meaningful. It also prepares them well for future learning of key strategies within striking and fielding games as they make connections between the skills they learn and the tactics they are trying to execute. 

Another benefit to a small-sided team games approach is the opportunities it affords to enhance students interpersonal skills. Students are given opportunities to lead their groups, encourage their team mates, and discuss more effective ways to play the games. 

Learn an instrument and be part of a music group at school

MUSIC LESSONS

Each week we have experienced music teachers come to our school to give lessons to our students during the school day. Close to 100 students are already registered in this programme but we have spare lesson times available for the following:

• Jazz/Modern Piano
• Voice
• Clarinet
• Saxophone
• Guitar – Bass, Contemporary and Classical
• *Brass – Trumpet, Trombone and Tuba
• *Double Bass

*We have Trombones, a Trumpet, a Tuba and a Double Bass available for use when having lessons at school. Please enquire about this when you register for lessons.

MUSIC GROUPS

Various Music Groups run throughout the week. While most of our orchestras and choirs have already been auditioned and are settled, we have spaces in our Middle School Orchestra and our College Choir – both meet at lunchtime on Thursdays. We would also welcome students to our Jazz Band which meets after school on Mondays.

We particularly need drummers for our Rock Band and Seussical Orchestra.

Students who are interested in having a lesson or joining one of these groups can register by completing the form at the bottom of the Music page on our website Music at Pinehurst | Pinehurst School

Contact Cynthia Jaques cynthia.jaques@pinehurst.school.nz for more information.

Hi Pinehurst, your environmental council leaders here!

The year started off great when we received the highest number of applicants for this council ever! We’re super excited to kick off some amazing projects this year such as our school food forest which is part of our vision - to learn from nature, not just about it. Our goal is to get Pinehurst on the road to becoming a sustainable school. We’ve already implemented a recycling scheme to the college and have a calendar of exciting events such as Earth Week to celebrate this year.

Message from the Principal of Primary

Values in the Primary

We have begun the new school year focussing on our Values of Respect, Aspire, Kindness, Acceptance and Unity.

Great excitement has been shown with the arrival of our Values bench in the junior playground. This bench displays our core values and provides a lovely meeting place for friends to sit and chat. We are very grateful to our property team for making this bench for us to use.

As part of the junior school Health programme the students will discuss how to use the bench during break times if they need some help from our Year Six Peer Mediators. If a junior student needs help to find a friend to play with they can sit on the bench and a Year Six Peer Mediator will come along to help them find a friend.

Bubbles Day

A spectacle of pure joy and bubbles could be seen on the field last Friday. The students streamed outside, armed with bottles of bubble solution and wands of various shapes and sizes. The bubble blowers eagerly dipped and blew, creating a kaleidoscope of shimmering orbs that danced through the air. Laughter could be heard as bubbles swirled and floated, catching the sunlight in their iridescent hues.

Our Year Six students were given a junior buddy to take care of. They offered encouragement and dug many slippery bubble wands out of bottles. Teachers joined in the fun, alongside Ms Coxon and Mr Waller. Contagious enthusiasm from everybody made for a fun filled event.

Spanish Year 1-3

Year 1's Spanish Alphabet Adventure!
This term, our little learners have been diving into the exciting world of the Spanish alphabet. Through interactive games, catchy songs, and creative activities, they have been mastering vowels, consonants, and discovering new words. It is incredible to see how our Year 1 students are progressing in their Spanish learning.

Hola from Year 2!
This term, our Year 2 students are learning about basic Spanish greetings! From "¡Hola!" to "¿Cómo estás?", they're exploring the joy of exchanging greetings with enthusiasm. Through lively role-plays and plenty of speaking opportunities, students are improving week by week. It is exciting to see them gain confidence and enhance their skills.

Year 3's Spanish Vowel Study
In Year 3, students are delving into the fascinating domain of Spanish vowels, concentrating on pronunciation and stress marks. Through fun activities and expanding their vocabulary, they are mastering the sounds of "a" to "u" while encountering new words like "abeja" and "uña" that emphasize these fundamental elements of the language. Their eagerness for learning Spanish is really encouraging!

Mandarin

春节, Chinese New Year, traditionally is celebrated over fifteen days. Our Year 4, 5 and 6 students have taken advantage of this and have used Chinese New Year to springboard our learning this year.  

In Year 4, we learned about 年兽, the legend about Nian, who terrorised villagers and how they overcame its terrorism with red banners, red clothes, noise, and fire. Hence, we have red things in our homes and firecrackers during Chinese New Year. We wondered if there was a similar legend in Māori and there are! We will share the details of these taniwha with everyone soon. Year 5 and 6 have been learning about the dragon in the Chinese Zodiac and how much the zodiac has influenced Chinese interpret and predict events and people. Surprisingly we discovered the characteristics used to describe the people born under the Dragon do sound like the dragons we know in our lives. 

In P10

What an exciting week P10 has had this week. In Science they have been learning to describe the differences between things that are living, that were once alive and that had never lived. We have investigated a misconception that plants were not alive and came to a new conclusion that plants are alive as they breathe and eat by taking in minerals through their roots.  They got to look at the parts of a flowering plant and then label their own. This linked well with our Global perspectives as we have been learning to construct our own questions to aid understanding of a topic.  The topic that was chosen was bees. The students produced a range of questions that they then had to work out how to investigate and find the answers. Their suggestions where to look on google, use a dictionary, ask an expert, books, ask a scientist, complete experiments, do a study ourselves.

We also enjoyed a visit from our college buddy classes. They came and assisted P10 to complete their Dragon craft for Mandarin as well as participate in a range of other exciting activities such as friendship bracelets, creating bookmarks, and playing a range of games.  Thank you, college buddies, for a fun afternoon.

The Big Buddy visit in P23…

One way to build community is to have a buddy class in our school. Having buddies gives the students the opportunity to meet “older/younger” students in the school. It’s exciting when my younger ones come in from outside and say, “I saw my buddy or I said ‘hi’ to my buddy!” When the students know familiar faces outside it’s very reassuring for them.

On Thursday P23 had their long-awaited Big Buddy visit.  34 college students and 3 college teachers joined our room. Once the older college students had ‘oohed and aaahed’ about how little and how cute the Year 1 students were. They were buddied with a college student, then together they began their first activity.  Throughout the academic year, once a term the classes will be participating in a wide variety of educational, cultural and recreational activities.
Thursday’s activity was making, decorating and then of course flying paper airplanes. A huge amount of FUN was had by all.

Outstanding Achievement in the Sport of Swimming

During the Auckland Junior Championship over the weekend, April L excelled by winning a total of 11 gold medals. She also broke the female 10-year-old 50-meter breaststroke Auckland record. Congratulations  April on your remarkable accomplishment.

Climbing Success

Xavier from 8NW has continued his outstanding climbing form from the 2023 season, as he recently competed in the La Sportiva Youth, Masters and Para Lead Climbing Nationals. Xavier competed in the Youth C Boys grade which includes all boys that are born in 2011 and 2012. Xavier performed exceptionally well at this competition and was awarded 3^rd place in his grade. Xavier has excelled at a very high level in his sport of climbing, which has resulted in him being selected in the Climbing New Zealand team which will compete in the Australian Youth Nationals which is being held in Brisbane in April this year. Xavier is now in the NZ Youth Development Squad for both bouldering and lead climbing.

We wish Xavier all the best for his training and his preparation for the Australian Youth Nationals next month.

If you have any news or submissions you’d like considered for our newsletter, please contact news@pinehurst.school.nz