Message from the Executive Principal

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요  

Best wishes,
Mike Waller

Message from the Principal of College

Linear Graphs and Stained Glass Windows in Year 7

This week, our Year 7 students in Maths learned how to draw linear graphs using the gradient and y-intercept. They selected 12 equations from a set of 24 and plotted them on a coordinate plane. After graphing, students coloured the sections between the lines, turning their graphs into beautiful stained-glass window designs. The results were impressive, with each student creating a unique piece of mathematical art!

Review Writing in Year 8 English

Our Year 8s are in the middle of their Review Writing unit.  They have learnt about the characteristics of a review, the different types of reviews and have analysed a couple of them too. 

There was much anticipation for the ‘lolly tasting’ day when students were given a lolly to taste.  After taking notes, they were put into pairs and had to write a review – either positive or negative – on their lolly experience and provide background and nutritional information.   

The humble Hi-Chew was the lolly chosen to be reviewed.  Did you know Hi-Chews were created by Taichiro Morinaga in Japan who was looking to find an alternative to chewing gum (as it was rude to remove things from one’s mouth), the ‘Fruity Chewlet’ was born.  It was rebranded in 1976 as the Hi-Chew!

There are over 200 flavours and famous stars such as Ryan Gosling, Heidi Klum and John Mayer rate it as their favourite treat.  Who knew?

Weightlifting in Physical Education

Our Year 10 Students have been learning about weightlifting for fitness, linked to their practical IGCSE coursework. Year 12 and 13 Students have also been learning how to snatch, clean and press out at BASE Weightlifting Club as a part of their practical coursework component. Head of Physical Education and  Health, Mr Hill is keen to hear from any students who are interested in learning how to lift weights at school - please email tony.hill@pinehurst.school.nz.

Pinehurst School Argentina Exchange 2025

We are thrilled to announce our upcoming Argentina student exchange program with our partner school in Córdoba, scheduled for Term 3, Week 7-8 (exact dates to be confirmed). This exchange promises to be an enriching experience for our students, building on the success of our previous exchanges with Academia Arguello.

We invite our Pinehurst families to participate as a host family for the visiting students. Hosting a foreign exchange student offers a unique cultural experience and fosters lifelong friendships. It also benefits our students studying Spanish by providing real-world language practice and insights into Argentine culture.

Hosting an exchange student has been valuable for our Pinehurst families, regardless of whether their child studies Spanish. It broadens global perspectives and fosters a deeper understanding of the world.

As a host family, you will provide accommodation and meals for two weeks, including weekends. You will offer a supportive environment and help the student navigate their stay. Families must complete police vetting for all adults in the home (18 years and over) as part of our Child Protection Policy. There is no payment for being a host family.

We believe this exchange will be a memorable and rewarding experience for both the visiting students and our host families. Your participation is crucial to the program's success. 

We are currently seeking host families for students in Years 10-13. All families of these students will have received an email this week, with a link to register their interest.

For further questions, please contact our Argentina Exchange Lead Kate Cousins at kate.cousins@pinehurst.school.nz.

Message from the Principal of Primary

Exploring the Five Senses in Year 1

In P22, we have been busy learning all about the human body in our science lessons. Over the past two weeks, we focused on the five senses, exploring each one through exciting hands-on activities.

We began our learning journey with the sense of sight. We discovered that the pupil is the center part of the eye, while the iris is the colorful part.

Next, we explored the sense of smell. We had a fun challenge where we tried to identify four mystery scents: cheese, chocolate, vinegar, and hand soap. Some smells were pleasant, while others were quite strong! We learned that our ability to recognize different smells is important for our safety, helping us detect good and bad odours.

This week, we investigated the sense of taste. Some of us who were feeling brave volunteered to taste a mystery food while blindfolded! We then all had the chance to try something savoury, something sweet, and something sour. Through this experiment, we discovered that our tongues are covered in taste buds, which help us recognise different flavours. We also learned that taste is an important way to tell if food is safe to eat.

It has been an exciting and interactive two weeks in P22! We are looking forward to continuing our journey of discovering the amazing ways our bodies work.

Sequencing our writing in Year 2

So far this term in writing lessons, the students in P7 have been beginning to understand the importance of sequencing words, which helps to organise stories and instructions in order. By using words including first, next, then, after, that, later and finally, they have been able to structure their thoughts and ideas, making their writing easier to follow.

This week they have also been developing important collaboration skills by working with their new classmates in small groups to retell familiar stories.

Using picture prompts, the children worked together to arrange images in the correct sequence, before taking it in turns to write a sentence starting with a sequencing word, about each image.

Finally, the students had their first opportunity this year to present to their peers. Ka pai P7! All groups worked brilliantly together to complete the work, present and be respectful of audience members.

Year 3's Adventure at Camp Maynard

Last week, our Year 3 students embarked on an exciting two-day adventure at Camp Maynard, eager to learn and explore. Surrounded by nature, they embraced challenges that fostered teamwork and helped develop their confidence, resilience, and spirit of discovery

The first day brought sunshine and enthusiasm as students took on an obstacle course, expressed creativity in bush art, and crafted colourful kites. They practised their aim in water archery and then cooled off with a fun water fight.

Day two was overcast, providing cooler conditions, but that didn’t dampen their excitement. They scaled the rock-climbing wall, reflected on their whānau through Pou whenua, took part in a treasure hunt and team-building games. Keen to learn new skills, they embraced each challenge with determination.

Camp Maynard provided the perfect setting for students to dig deeply into new learning, remain receptive to new ideas, and create lasting memories. It was an unforgettable experience that inspired growth and adventure!

Year 4 Swimming at Northern Arena

Last week, our Year 4 students had an incredible time at Northern Arena, participating in four one-hour swimming sessions. Traveling in style on a double-decker bus, they were split into two groups—while one group was in the pool, the other enjoyed lunch and engaged in math activities and reading. Students were grouped according to their needs and received high-quality instruction tailored to their abilities. The lessons were engaging and valuable, reinforcing essential water safety skills—especially important in a country like New Zealand, where water is such a big part of our lives. If parents are interested in further lessons, Northern Arena has recorded each child's progress, making it easy to continue their swimming journey.

An Unforgettable Adventure for Year 5 & 6's 

What an unforgettable week we had! Our first-ever Year 5 and 6 combined camp was an absolute success, and we couldn’t be more excited to share the highlights with you.

Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing parent helpers. We truly couldn’t have run this camp without your support, and we are incredibly grateful for your generosity and the time you gave to make this experience so memorable for the students. We hope you had as much fun as the kids did!

On Monday, February 10th, both Year 5 and Year 6 students set off for Carey Park in Henderson. From the moment we arrived, the excitement was contagious. The students wasted no time jumping straight into the activities. They were eager to try new things, and what a week it was!

One of the standout moments was kayaking. Some students had never been on the water before, but that didn’t hold them back. They teamed up, paddling up the river, racing each other, and most importantly, supporting one another. It was wonderful to watch as students pushed past their initial nerves and embraced the challenge, working together to navigate the waters with huge smiles on their faces.

The river games were another big hit. There was plenty of splashing, laughing, and working together to complete various challenges. Whether they were hopping across stepping stones or filling up the leaking barrel, the teamwork was incredible. Students encouraged each other, and it was amazing to see them help each other conquer challenges they initially thought might be too tough.

The flying fox was also an experience to remember. Students were nervous at first, but many of them took a deep breath and launched themselves off the platform, soaring through the air with excitement. It was fantastic to see so many of them pushing themselves out of their comfort zones, and they were all so proud of themselves once they’d completed the zip-line adventure.

Another activity that was particularly fun was crate stacking. Students worked hard to build a tower as high as they could, balancing crates one on top of the other. It required a lot of problem-solving and trust as the students encouraged one another and celebrated each new height they reached. The atmosphere was full of excitement and support as students cheered each other on, and there were lots of smiles when they managed to stack those crates higher than they’d thought possible.

In addition to all of the activities, the food at camp was a major highlight. From butter chicken to nachos, we were spoilt with a variety of delicious meals. Every meal was met with beautiful manners, and we were able to keep our energy up for the action-packed days. The evening activities were equally fantastic, with group games, the Burma Trail, and a campfire to wind down the day. The Burma Trail was a particular favourite, as students had to rely on their friends to guide them through the challenge (some blindfolded), which really helped build trust and teamwork.

As the camp came to an end, the Year 6s treated us to an impromptu talent show. To everyone’s delight, they put on a spectacular show, with a surprising and very funny set of impersonations of the teachers. We had no idea they were such great mimics! It was a wonderful way to finish off an already amazing week.

Looking back on the camp, we could not be more proud of the students. They showed so much resilience, positivity, and teamwork. From trying new things and stepping out of their comfort zones to supporting their friends and celebrating each other’s successes, they truly made the most of every moment. It was an unforgettable experience, and we hope they carry the memories and lessons from this camp with them for years to come.

Once again, congratulations to all the students on a fantastic week – we are so proud of them and look forward to many more adventures together!

Gold at Auckland Junior Swimming Championship

Pinehurst Year 8 Students Lucas W and Tim W, along with Year 7 Student April L participated in the 2025 Swimming Auckland Junior Championships last weekend. Competing as a team in the 12U mixed relay, they delivered an outstanding performance and secured the Gold medal.

Beyond their relay victory, they also had exceptional performance in other events. April won 9 Golds, 1 Silver, and 3 Bronze medals and set two new Auckland records for 11 year olds in the 50m and 200m breaststroke. Lucas claimed 8 Golds, 1 Silver, and 2 Bronze medals, while Tim secured 4 Golds, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze! 

Congratulations to all three students - we are very proud of your hard work and these outstanding swimming achievements! 

Morning Tea with Mike - Friday 28 February

Last week, we held our first Morning Tea event, where Executive Principal Mike Waller shared key strategies and goals for the year ahead. We were encouraged by the strong turnout and the positive engagement from those who attended. Since then, we have received much interest from parents who were unable to join us, and in response, we are pleased to offer the same event again.

We warmly invite those who could not attend the first session to join Mike Waller for another opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and explore how we can collaborate to achieve shared goals.

Please join us:
Date:        Friday, 28 February
Time:        9am – 10:30am
Venue:     Pinehurst Theatre
For catering purposes, please RSVP here by Wednesday 26 February.

Pinehurst School Event: Tackling Technology

As technology use among school-aged children becomes an increasing concern, we invite all parents and caregivers of Primary and College students to attend a presentation by Parenting Place, focusing on strategies and practical advice for navigating technology with your children.

Although we held a presentation on this topic early last year, this presentation has been thoughtfully redesigned to include up-to-date research and fresh approaches to tackling technology use within your family.

• Wednesday 5th March
• 6pm – 7pm (join us for tea and coffee from 5:30pm)
• Pinehurst School Theatre
• $10 per person (all proceeds will go towards funding a similar talk to a school in a disadvantaged community, ensuring more families can benefit from this valuable experience)
• This is an adult only event

Register HERE