Message from the Executive Principal

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요  

Kind Regards, 

Mike Waller 

如需阅读校长的中文留言和重要事件日期，请点击 

Message from the Principal of Primary

Kia pai tō rā whakata, have a good weekend.

Ngā mihi, Sian

Pinehurst Planet Protectors Update

We are happy to announce that Years 1 to 4 have now joined the Pinehurst Planet Protectors. At our first full primary meeting we talked about paper recycling in the classroom. All years said that we do not use our paper recycling bins properly.

Why is it important to recycle paper? When you recycle, you help save energy and resources and reduce pollution. Recycling 1 ton of paper can save 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 2 barrels of oil, and 4,000 kilowatts of electricity. The energy that you save can power 1 home for 5 months. The average family uses 6 trees worth of paper each year. The average school uses a tree a week.

We discovered that even when there is just paper in the boxes sometimes there is the wrong type of paper! Can we put paper that we have drawn or painted on in there? Can we put tissues and paper towels in there? We had a quiz in Year 5 and 6’s assembly, even the teachers were confused!

In our meeting we made signs for our classroom paper recycling bins to help.

What else can we all do to help?  We can reduce, reuse and recycle.

• Think and decide whether you need to use paper
• Think about how you use your work books. Use every space. Don’t start a new page everyday, you can just rule a line under yesterday’s work and start there.
• Use both sides of a piece of paper.
• If you are working on a device check your work carefully before you print it.
• If you want to draw or make crafts, use paper from the recycling bin or scrap paper tray. For example, in our meeting we had fun making paper boats from scrap paper.
• Reuse paper and card. For example, in Year 6 Ivy used old birthday cards to make cue cards for her speech.

That’s all for now. Please reduce, reuse and recycle!

Spanish in Senior Primary 

Year 5: Dressing Up 

The Year 5 students are mastering the masculine and feminine forms of nouns with the correct articles to confidently state what we are wearing. Students have been using verbs like "llevar" and "poner” in first person and third person. Also, students can add details about their clothing using "es de color..." to talk about colours. We especially loved singing our “U la la” song! 

Art / Design Technology – Marbulous Structures

P17 have embarked on a learning journey to help us construct the best possible marble runs. To start, students have developed their understanding of complex free-standing structures and how they can be strengthened and reinforced. Students applied their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures in the context of strengthening, reinforcing and stabilising a cardboard tube.

The next step was to gain knowledge and understanding about how to join and shape materials. Students developed their practical skills to make a range of both joins and bends with cardboard.

Next, we will investigate and analyse a range of existing products in the context of investigating commercially bought marble run before designing and constructing our own marble runs.

Once completed we will test, evaluate, refine, and improve our marble runs.

Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori - Māori Language Week

Every year since 1975 New Zealand has marked Māori Language Week. This is a time for all New Zealanders to celebrate te reo Māori (the Māori language) and to use more Māori phrases in everyday life. This year te wiki o te reo Māori was celebrated from the 11-17 September.

Pinehurst Primary were excited to build on what is already prevalent throughout the classes. Te reo Māori is used daily and classes were excited to highlight it even more this week.

There were so many exciting activities happening, every class visited the library which had signage in te reo Māori displayed as well as show cased many te reo Māori pukapuka. The students were fortunate to listen to a variety of bilingual stories and had opportunities to partake in activities daily at lunchtime.

Still following the Cambridge art curriculum, Year 4 integrated tohu (symbols) into their art. Year 4 are learning about expressionism and emotive responses. Using Māori symbols, students were able to express their ideas and feelings through art as well as learn te reo Māori.

 Oral traditions have always been an important part of Māori culture and identity, with stories handed down from generation to generation. Kōrero pūrākau help us to explain the past, develop understanding, remember experiences and pass on learning. Year 3 incorporated te wiki o te reo Māori in their writing by retelling different Myth and legends. Each day the students listened to a new Māori legend as well as learning new vocabulary to use throughout the day. Look at the writing some Year 3 students produced!

The role of waiata in Māori culture is to explore identity, to learn iwi history, to express views, and to connect to the spaces and places in our whānau lineage. Correct vowel pronunciation and good speaking habits is being taught when students learn waiata. The younger students participated in waiata which is a great way for students to learn a language and lots of fun as well.

Primary Mandarin

In junior primary we have been investigating how we can better memorise and recognise Chinese characters. We have employed different strategies to help us. Beginning with using playdough to make characters in new entrants, exploring the strokes and how they are shaped with playdough. We used our bodies to make the characters for numbers. We used our imaginations and the characters to draw pictures that are linked to their meaning. And finally in Year 3 we used our investigation skills to discover the various components in each of the characters we are learning.

Music Year 4-6

Students in Year 4-6 have had a varied and engaging experience in classroom music this term. 

In Year 5 and 6, the students have been busy preparing for the upcoming Ukulele Jam next Thursday, which will be led by the talented Suzy Cato. Earlier in the term, Year 5 delved into music inspired by space, examining pieces by composers such as Holst, Strauss, and John Williams. Using these compositions as inspiration, they crafted their own space-themed music. Meanwhile, Year 6 has been learning about bass lines from a variety of genres. They demonstrated their understanding by performing well-known bass lines on instruments such as the Marimba, Bass Guitar, Bass Ukulele, and Boomwhackers.

A special treat this week was the opportunity for the Orchestra to watch members of the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra perform live at the Pinehurst Theatre.

Message from the Principal of College

Argentinian School Exchange

This month Pinehurst played host to its very first international school exchange. On the 4 September, a group of Argentinian students arrived at school full of anticipation, ready to be welcomed by a selection of our Pinehurst host families. The Argentinian students, who had travelled all the way from Córdoba, have been staying with the families for two weeks, to practise their English and experience NZ life. As is customary, they were welcomed into our community with a Pōwhiri on their first day in school, treating us to a special Argentinian song, (which most certainly involved a reference to a certain football triumph...) After watching the impressive Kapa Haka, we all shared some delicious Kai with the host families and student buddies. This marked the start of a seamless week where they attended classes as our host pupils, experiencing all that life at Pinehurst has to offer. The host students and families have also been busy exploring the country, with weekend trips to top destinations like Taupo and the Coromandel. Of course, a trip to Auckland wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Sky Tower!

 The exchange has turned out to be a fantastic opportunity for all students involved, as each put their linguistic skills to the test (and as it turns out, our not-so-impressive football skills!), hopefully making lifelong friends. A huge thank you goes out to all our parents and staff involved in such a successful school exchange - one which we hope will be the start of many to come!

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

On Monday 11 September, members of the Primary School and College Orchestra were treated to a performance from a trio of musicians who are all part of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. For the past two years, Pinehurst School has been a member of the APO’s education programme and this has allowed us to have visits, performances and mentoring from the philharmonic orchestra members.

On Monday, in the school theatre, audience members watched the trio consisting of oboe, clarinet and bassoon and they performed to students for just under an hour. At the end students were able to ask questions of the members. It was a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon and students came away with an understanding of how good this trio combination of instruments could sound together when played by professionals.

Farm visit by the Year 10 Environmental Management classes

From measuring the amount of grass growing in paddocks, learning how much feed is required to support healthy weight gain by cattle, smelling and touching silage, to constructing an electric fence line. The students saw, smelt, tasted, and touched as many things as they could, along with eating home baking provided by Paige Bayliss, while Karen helped his father, Rodger, to set up the activities and prepare for the 41 gumboot wearing Pinehurst students.

The students were visiting a working beef farm as part of their IGCSE Environmental Management course. This unique opportunity has been offered by the Bayliss Family (Rodger and Paige), for the second year running. The students were able to see the theory of their IGCSE course applied in a real-life context.  This included a range of agricultural techniques used to increase agricultural yield, plus some work experience on the farm, along with opportunities to learn about problem solving and decision making to ensure farmers make a profit. Mr Bayliss even organised for silage making contractors to bring two of their largest tractors and allowed the students to climb into the drivers cabs and look at the computer equipment that controls the GPS positioning and the machinery they use.

Creative Writing Club

I’m the Bully by Ana Greywolf (Year 10)
Joking, 
I was joking, 
I was trying to be funny, fun, nice, friendly. 
None of which I was. 
None of which I am. 
I was laughing alone, holding on to dear life - the humour I seem to rely so heavily upon – 
others. 
I smile, the soft string of syllables tickles me happy, then I look – 
look directly at her face,
and she's not smiling,
and suddenly I’m 10 again, thinking I’m nice, believing I’m kind. 
Bulling my friend. 
She didn't smile either, the repulsion so clear on her face as I dug my future grave – 
the grave that I’m in. 
I sit in this grave every night, 
pricks of lament scrape my skin red, 
the numb rush of remembrance and repetition digs into my flesh as I hold my limbs still. 
I will not move, 
I will suffer through every dulled moment like I have since that year. 
10 years old and already carving out a headstone.
10 years old and already planning my funeral.

Junior Digital Technology- NCSS Challenge 

The NCSS Challenge is a programming competition open to all school students in Australia and New Zealand. Pinehurst was the only school in New Zealand to take part in the challenge. Students learn how to program in Python which is used by companies like Google, Facebook and Reddit in their infrastructure and web services. Nearly 18,000 students competed in the Beginners Challenge. The problems range from relatively simple to mind-bendingly hard. Here are the results:

• Jessica Hu- credit
• Millie Wang- credit
• Inyoung Young- Merit
• Lena Chen- Merit
• Kacey Hildebrand- Merit
• Jasmine Yearbury- Distinction
• Yolanda Zhang- High Distinction
• Candy Shen- High distinction  
• Michelle Prasetyo- achieved a perfect score
• Bella Liang- achieved a perfect score
• Isaac Sun- achieved a perfect score

Also, mention that both Michelle and Isaac who also completed the Intermediate Challenge. Isaac achieving a high distinction. 

AIMS Games 2023

Last week, we had 67 students from Pinehurst competing in the 2023 AIMS Games which was held in Tauranga. The tournament was kicked off with our Hip Hop team who competed on Saturday 2 September. The team showed off their routine in the prelims during the day and got to showcase their final performance in the Finals at night. The team performed really well and it was awesome to see the team pull off their final routine for all of the Pinehurst Supporters. On Sunday 3 September, our Swimming team was in action as they competed in the first day out of 3 in the Swimming competition. They team started off strong with some students earning a spot on the medal podium! Our solo Rock Climber also started his competition on Sunday with the first qualifying rounds for the Year 7 age group. On Monday, the following sports all began their respective competitions; Hockey, Netball, Basketball, Badminton, Gymnastics, Table Tennis, Tennis and Golf. Throughout the week long tournament, we witnessed some amazing performances from our Pinehurst students and also great sportsmanship from all of our students as they supported other Pinehurst teams and also other competitors from different schools. AIMS Games concluded on Friday 8 September and our teams/competitors ended the tournament with a smile on their face and even brought home some well-earned silverware. It is extraordinary to earn a medal at AIMS Games as students are competing against the best competitors from all over New Zealand. This means that students who received a medal are now recognised as the Top 3 competitors in their respective sport for the Intermediate age group in New Zealand.

Please see the Pinehurst competitors/teams that placed in the Top 3 at AIMS Games below:

Swimming 

I just want to say a huge thank you to all of the Staff, Managers and Coaches that attended AIMS Games and made it all happen. You are truly amazing and we could not have done it without you! Also a huge thank you to all of our Parents that supported our teams and students throughout the week, we are really grateful for your support.

Intermediate Schools Speech Competition

Two of our Year 8 students participated in the Milford Rotary Intermediate Speech Competition on Wednesday evening at Northcross Intermediate.  The competition has been running for 30 years and a number of schools on the shore participated.  There were 16 participants on the night and the speeches were of a high standard.  There were a variety of topics that kept us entertained: why it is important to laugh, phobias and why everyone should donate, to name a few. 

Of the 16 participants, only 6 were chosen to go through to the finals next Tuesday.  Both of Pinehurst’s entrants were selected.  Angela L's topic was “Why my mother should stop my swimming lessons”, and Olivia W spoke about “Why AI can negatively impact our lives.” They both did Pinehurst proud, and in the history of Pinehurst attending the competition, it is the first time both contestants have made it to the finals.

We wish them all the best next Tuesday. 

Pinehurst Badminton wins Gold and Silver

Due to a lack of courts caused by flood damage to the Bond Crescent Badminton Centre, North Harbour Badminton only ran a B-Grade Junior Secondary School Competition (Year 9 - 10) during Term 3 held at the Apollo Badminton Centre. After many weeks of competition, Pinehurst won the Boys B-Grade on Tuesday afternoon, convincingly defeating Hobsonville Point Secondary School 6 – 0 to take Gold.

On Thursday afternoon the Pinehurst Girls Team played Rangitoto, winning 6 – 0. After playing for 7 weeks, Pinehurst came second to be awarded a Silver Medal in the Girls B-Grade North Harbour Competition. They demonstrated skill and commitment and showed respect throughout the competition towards their opponents. 

Pinehurst also won the Boys and Girls A-Grade North Harbour Junior Secondary School Year 9 – 10 Competition last year. Winning both the A-Grade and B-Grade competitions over the past two years shows the depth of badminton talent Pinehurst has, and is continuing to develop, with its social and competitive badminton programmes.

To further promote the commitment to supporting our badminton talent, the Pinehurst National Tournament team is offering lunchtime coaching in Term 4 as a fundraiser, a chance for our elite badminton students to develop leadership and service skills, and for our seniors to be role models for our younger players. The coaching students are North Harbour Club Representative players and will be teaching skills and tactics at lunchtime to Year 4 – 6 students on Tuesdays, and Year 7 – 8 students on Thursdays. This is a ‘limited capacity’ offer as we want each Pinehurst student to benefit from the experience and training our student coaches receive as either Regional or National Representative players.

Pinehurst Behind the Scenes Competition

This term, the Student Council endeavoured to evoke and preserve the memorable experiences that have transpired over the course of the year. The ‘Pinehurst Behind the Scenes Competition’ invited students and teachers to encapsulate these experiences through reels, short videos, or interview sessions. Throughout the past two weeks, we have received an array of exceptional responses from both students and educators, all of which have effectively illuminated the most cherished facets of Pinehurst School – the task of selecting a winner has proven to be a challenge for our judges.

Below you can see a trailer that we made – allowing you to see some of the highlights of the interviews we have done so far. We have announced our 3 winners today and next week, the full interview along with bloopers will be released with more to come! 

2023 Year 9-13 College Sport Prize Giving

Parents, caregivers, family, and friends are welcome to attend.

We are the One Family – Animals Protections International Youth Art Exhibition and China Theme Books Exhibition

Congratulations Chelsea.  Your artwork is amazing.

Diving Success - Singapore Open and New Zealand Nationals

Over the last couple of weeks, Noah and Zara both competed on the International Diving stage as they flew to Singapore and competed in the Singapore Open. This was a really tough event as our students were competing against the best divers from across four countries. Zara placed in the top 10 for all of her events which was an awesome achievement. Noah performed very well at this competition and earned the following placings; 1st in the Platform (12-13 Years), 1st in the 3m Springboard Synchro (14-18 Years), 2nd in the 3m Springboard (12-13 Years), and 2nd in the Platform Synchro (14-18 Years). This is a huge achievement for both Zara and Noah and we are very proud of their efforts and results.

After returning from Singapore, Zara travelled down to Wellington to compete in the New Zealand Nationals event. Zara continued her impressive form and earned 2nd place in all her individual events and a gold medal in the Synchro event. A huge congratulations to Zara for her success at the Nationals event, we look forward to watching Zara continue her success in the future.

On the Pinehurst Bookshelves

Our librarians regularly share their reading recommendations on the library blog called ‘On the Pinehurst Bookshelves’. This latest post is a book roundup of new books added to the library collections this term.

Please Click here to view the August Book Roundup

We hope you enjoy their reading suggestions.

Grandparent's Day Yum Cha

On Friday 22 September the Primary School will be hosting Grandparents Day. We will be inviting our lovely grandparents to come into school for the afternoon to visit their’ grandchild’s class. There will be activities in class to participate in and the children will have lots of questions about what school was like for their grandparents.

There will be a 'Grandparent’s Day Yum Cha' for anyone that would like to attend before the activities at school in the afternoon.

Yum Cha Details:

• Friday 22 September from 12:00pm-1.15pm
• Jin’s Dim Sum Restaurant – 1 Corinthian Drive, Albany
• $38.00 per person – charged to school account – this will be based on a set yum cha menu and include tea.
• There will be a minibus available to take you from school to the restaurant if required. Spaces are limited.

If you are interested in attending Yum Cha, please complete the RSVP Form by Wednesday 20 September. Please feel free to contact sylvia.lum@pinehurst.school.nz if you have any questions.

College Movie Night

The Prefects are running a Movie Night fundraiser in the final week of T3 to raise money for the Cancer Society. Bring a bean bag/pillow & buy yummy treats while you kick back and relax with your friends to watch a movie. Tickets are $15.00, which includes pizza.

Click here to fill in the form and book your tickets. Hope to see you there!

School Leavers Memento Jewellery

Our Pinehurst Year 13 students will be anxiously preparing for their final exams which will mark the end of their college education. We are offering our Year 13 School Leavers the opportunity to keep their years of memories and milestones, with a range of NZ made jewellery that has been exclusively designed and handcrafted for Pinehurst by Meghan Balmer from 58 Facets Limited.

Each item is made in NZ of sterling silver with a handcrafted pinecone pendant to represent our school and the seeds that come from ‘our Pinehurst’ – which is the name for a grove of pine trees.

The necklace includes a 50cm cable chain and a solid pinecone pendant – both in sterling silver.

A silver sterling pinecone lapel pin is also available, but stock is limited.

• Necklace $115.00
• Lapel Pin $85.00

If you are interested in putting through an order or would like to view the product, please contact sylvia.lum@pinehurst.school.nz or come to the office for any queries.

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