Dear Parents and Guardians, 

With just a week left before the break, it is an ideal time to reflect on what has been a busy but incredibly successful term. In and out of the classroom, our students have embraced every opportunity put before them and should be very proud of what they have achieved. 

On Friday next week, we will say farewell to our Year 13 students with a very special parade and graduation ceremony. Life has rites of passage that mark significant milestones, and completing school is certainly one of them. I am looking forward to celebrating this important moment with our graduates and their families. On the same morning, we will also welcome our Term Four new entrants for a transition morning. It is remarkable to think that some of these students will complete their entire Pinehurst journey and graduate in 2039. 

On Wednesday, our Primary Choir, Marimba Group, and College String Quartet performed at the opening ceremony of the International Confederation of Principals conference, attended by more than 1,200 delegates. To say I was a proud principal in the audience would be an understatement. The students received a standing ovation, and their performance was a wonderful reflection of both their talent and dedication. Seeing the continued growth of our arts programme is very special, and I look forward to watching it flourish further in the years ahead. 

Last Friday, Hon. Erica Stanford, Minister of Education and MP for East Coast Bays, spent time with our senior students discussing leadership and life in public service. The messages she shared were highly relevant and thought-provoking, and the impact was evident in the conversations that followed. Most impressively, one of our senior students, Yan Tong, led the visit, doing an outstanding job organising the day and facilitating the Q&A session. 

Last week, when I wrote about AIMS, I was still awaiting the final results. I am delighted to share that our golf team finished first overall. Across the week, Pinehurst students won 60 medals, including more than 30 gold medals. The entire winter sports season has been exceptional, and we will continue to explore ways to further elevate our programmes and support our young athletes as they continue to excel. 

The final week of term still has plenty to look forward to, with the Year 13 graduation celebrations providing a fitting highlight. There are also Zone Days, Language Days and, importantly, a non-uniform day in support of the SPCA, so please give generously if you are able. Looking ahead to the holidays, a group of College students will also be travelling to Hainan, which promises to be a wonderful experience. 

The holidays are always exciting, but changes in routine can sometimes be challenging for young people. If your child would benefit from support in establishing a positive rhythm over the break, please do not hesitate to get in touch for ideas and guidance. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend. 

Warm wishes,
Mike Waller

🗓️ Dates for your Diary

Monday 21 September

• Year 10 Exams (Mon & Tues)

Tuesday 22 September

• Primary Speech Finals
• North Harbour Girls Volleyball Zone Day

Wednesday 23 September

• Whole School Non-Uniform Day, Gold Coin Donation
• College Chinese Dragon Beard Candy Sale and Demonstration
• North Harbour Boys Volleyball Zone Day

Thursday 24 September

• Year 3-6 Kristin Football Exchange
• College Spanish Churros Food Truck
• Years 9-13 Sports Prizegiving

Friday 25 September

• New Entrant Parent Induction & NE Orientation
• Year 13 Graduation Parade, 11.00am, Reception
• Year 13 Graduation Ceremony, 11.45am, School Theatre (ticketed event)

Primary News

Kia ora tātou,

It was wonderful to see so many parents at our recent conferences, sharing and celebrating the successes of the term with their children and teachers. These conversations are a valuable part of our partnership with families, and we appreciate the time taken to reflect on progress and achievements together.

As Senior Leaders, we were incredibly proud to see our Primary Choir, Marimba, Ukulele and String Quartet open the International Federation of Principals Conference at SkyCity on Wednesday this week. Our students represented the school with confidence, so much talent, and professionalism, showcasing the high standards and opportunities that make Pinehurst such a special place. All the Principals in the room stood to applaud our students, they were outstanding and it is something we will remember for a very long time. A huge well deserved thanks to Eugenie Middleton for her musical leadership and talent.

We are also excited that our Marimba group will be performing at the Marimba Festival this Saturday. We wish the students all the very best for this event and know they will once again be outstanding ambassadors for our school.

Looking ahead to next week:

• Tuesday 22 September: Year 4–6 Speech Finals, Theatre, 11.00am
• Friday 25 September: Term 4 New Entrant Orientation Visit
• Friday 25 September: Term 3 Finish, 3.15pm

Have a good weekend with your families.

Ngā mihi nui,
Sian Coxon

🎓 Primary Upcoming Events

⚽ Years 3–6 Football Exchange with Kristin School

When: Thursday 24 September
Where: Kristin School

Pinehurst students will take part in a Football Exchange with Kristin School next Thursday, with a Year 5–6 Boys’ team, Year 5–6 Girls’ team and Year 3–4 mixed team representing the School.

Players should meet outside the Dance Studio at 12.30pm, wearing their PE gear and long socks, and should bring their lunch with them.

The exchange promises to be a fun afternoon of football and a particularly exciting opportunity for our Year 3–4 players, who do not often have the chance to compete in interschool events.

We wish all our teams a fantastic afternoon of participation, teamwork and sportsmanship.

College News

Tēnā koutou katoa 

Next week marks a very significant moment in our school calendar as we reach the final week at Pinehurst for our graduating Class of 2026. It will be a week of mixed emotions. We are excited to see our Year 13 students take their next steps and we know they will go on to do wonderful things, but we will certainly miss having them as part of our daily school life. Throughout their time in the College, this cohort has been a fantastic group of role models and ambassadors for Pinehurst, and they should be incredibly proud of the contribution they have made to our community. On Friday, the whole school will come together for our Graduation Walk and Graduation Ceremony, giving us the opportunity to celebrate this special group of young people and farewell them in true Pinehurst style. 

Our Year 10 students continue their examinations next week. I spoke to them yesterday about how impressed I have been with the way they have conducted themselves throughout the examination period. They have stepped up, managed themselves extremely well and demonstrated a real sense of maturity and responsibility. I hope they maintain this positive approach as they complete their remaining examinations next week. 

There will also be another opportunity to celebrate on Thursday afternoon at our Year 9-13 Sports Prizegiving. We have seen some outstanding sporting performances and achievements across the College this year, alongside the determination shown by so many of our students. It will be wonderful to recognise these achievements and celebrate those who have represented Pinehurst with such pride throughout 2026. I am very much looking forward to the occasion. 

Have a wonderful weekend. 

Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan

🎓 College Upcoming Events

🧧💃 Cultural Days at Pinehurst Next Week

Next week, Pinehurst will celebrate Chinese and Spanish Language Days, giving students the opportunity to experience and enjoy the cultures and flavours of the Chinese and Spanish-speaking worlds.

Wednesday – Chinese Language Day

At lunchtime in the Amphitheatre, students will be able to purchase Dragon Beard Candy and Bubble Tea, experiencing both traditional and modern aspects of Chinese culture. Some Year 8 students will also have the special opportunity to watch a Dragon Beard Candy master demonstrate the fascinating traditional art of making this famous Chinese treat.

Thursday – Spanish Language Day

We will celebrate Argentinian culture with a food truck serving a selection of treats, including churros, empanadas, nachos and local sweets, giving students the chance to sample some of the flavours and specialities of Argentinian cuisine.

We look forward to celebrating these two vibrant cultures with our Pinehurst community.

🎓🎉 Graduation Parade & Ceremony on Friday

When: Friday 25 September
Where: Gather in front of Reception for Parade + Pinehurst Theatre for Ceremony

Next Friday, we proudly celebrate the Pinehurst School Class of 2026 as our Year 13 students reach this important milestone in their educational journey.

Families, caregivers, staff and members of our School community are invited to join us for the traditional Graduation Parade through the School grounds, followed by the ticketed Year 13 Graduation Ceremony in the Pinehurst Theatre.

Event Schedule

• 11.00am: Parents and caregivers gather outside Reception in the Parent Zone
• 11.10am: Graduation Parade begins
• 11.40am: Parade concludes and ticketed guests move into the Theatre
• 12.00pm: Graduation Ceremony commences (ticketed event)
• 1.00pm: Light refreshments and photographs
• 2.00pm: Event concludes

The Graduation Parade will proceed rain or shine, so guests are encouraged to bring an umbrella if wet weather is forecast. Parents and caregivers are welcome to gather in the Parent Zone outside Reception to cheer on our graduates as they pass by.

While waiting for the parade, families will be invited to write an anonymous message of advice or well wishes into Graduation Cards provided on the day. Cards will be collected and shared with our graduates as a special keepsake, at our Graduation Dinner in November.

During the Graduation Ceremony, each Year 13 student will receive their graduation certificate, marking the completion of their school journey and the beginning of exciting new opportunities beyond Pinehurst.

We look forward to celebrating this very special occasion with the Class of 2026 and their families, farewelling our graduating students and recognising their many achievements.

🎓 CareerDays: Online Career Experience Days

Students interested in exploring future career pathways can take part in a range of Online Career Experience Days through CareerDays.co.uk.

The sessions provide practical insight into a variety of professions, including Medicine, Dentistry, Performing Arts and Psychology, with further career areas also available.

Courses run online from 11.00am – 4.00pm BST and can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Sessions are also recorded, allowing students to watch at a time that suits them and still receive their certificate. Full programme details and booking information are available via the website.

Community News

🐾 SPCA Fundraiser: Years 0–13 Non-Uniform Day

When: Wednesday 23 September
Whole School: Years 0–13
Donation: Gold coin

Next Wednesday is our Term 3 non-uniform day, with our Year 13 students choosing the SPCA as the charity they would like our School community to support.

Students are invited to leave their uniform at home for the day and bring a gold coin donation, with all funds raised going to the SPCA and its work supporting animals in need.

Primary students: Please bring your gold coin donation to your classroom, following the usual collection process.

College students: Gold coins will be collected by our Year 7–8 student leaders.

We look forward to seeing everyone out of uniform and getting behind this great cause!

🛍️ Uniform Shop Term 3 Holiday Hours

Days: Tuesday 6 October - Friday 9 October 2026
Times: 9.00am – 12.00pm & 12.30pm – 3.30pm

The Uniform Shop will be open during the Term 3 holidays to help families get ready for summer uniform before Term 4 begins. We look forward to seeing you 🤗