Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Short weeks add an interesting dynamic to school life as we look to fit just as much into four days, and we have certainly done that. With plenty of learning, fixtures, rehearsals, and events, it has been a busy week on campus. 

Grandparents' Day is always a very special occasion, and it was lovely to meet so many grandparents today. The smiles on the faces of both young and old tell a wonderful story about the relationships, and I hope everyone who attended enjoyed the experience. 

We have Book Week to look forward to in Primary next week, and no doubt there will be plenty of great costumes on Tuesday. While the activities are always great fun, it is important to remember the underlying purpose of encouraging our young people to read more. With technology providing a constant source of distraction, it is a timely reminder of the simple pleasure of curling up with a good book. 

With the winter sports season now well underway, I have continued to be impressed by the performances of our teams across the board. The commitment has been outstanding, and the results have often gone our way. However, there are always tough losses along the journey, and it is the character and sportsmanship shown in those moments that truly define us. 

Next Wednesday evening promises to be a busy one as we host an Australian Universities Expo, with the potential for almost 1,000 visitors. As international study destinations continue to grow in popularity, it is exciting to host such a significant event. Our students are very well supported in their higher education and career aspirations, and Mrs Pulsford has done an excellent job both in providing day-to-day guidance and in bringing this event together. 

Please remember that if you are interested in hearing more about our new strategic plan, there is a Bites and Insights session on 11 June. Information has been shared separately, but if you would still like to attend, please contact Sylvia Lum directly. 

Yesterday afternoon, I enjoyed viewing the Science Fair projects completed by our Year 7 and 8 students. The overall quality was very impressive, and I learned a great deal, from the science behind browning apples to the properties of non-Newtonian fluids. There is clearly excellent learning taking place in classrooms and creative application extending beyond them. 

For those who pick up their children outside the school grounds, please be mindful of our neighbours. The entrances to private residences, particularly around Bush Road, are not suitable locations for pickups or pedestrian access, and it is important that we maintain positive relationships with those who live around the school. 

I hope you have a great weekend. 

Warm wishes,
Mike Waller

🗓️ Dates for your Diary

Monday 8 June

• Primary Book Week (All Week)
• Year 3 & 4 Motat Trip

Tuesday 9 June

• Legal Mooting
• IGCSE PE Lifesaving
• Primary Book Week Parade: 1.30pm

Wednesday 10 June

• Year 4-5 Super Cluster Cross Country
• North Harbour Rock Climbing Zone Day
• Primary Mathex Competition
• Year 8 Trees for Survival Planting Day
• Australian Universities Expo: 5.15-8.45pm

Thursday 11 June

• Bites & Insights with Mike: 9.00-10.30am (School Theatre)
• AKSS Gymsports Championships
• AKSS Skiing Championships
• College Orchestra Visit Symphony Uncovered
• Year 7-8 Waterpolo Winter Festival
• North Shore Mathex

Friday 12 June

• Year 7-8 Waterpolo Winter Festival
• Year 7-10 Cross Country
• Science Roadshow

College News

Tēnā koutou katoa 

Midyear examinations for Years 11-13 have now concluded, and students should return to their regular timetables and classes next week. The next stage of the examination process, receiving feedback, reflecting on performance, and identifying areas for improvement, is extremely important in supporting learning.  

A major highlight of this coming week will be the House Cross Country event on Friday. Year 7 and 8 students will race in the morning, while the mid morning and into the afternoon will feature races for Years 9 and 10, as well as registered students from Years 11–13. It promises to be a fantastic display of House spirit, teamwork, and perseverance. 

On Wednesday evening, Ms Pulsford has arranged for Pinehurst School to host the Australian and Selected Universities Expo. This ticketed event promises to be an excellent opportunity for students and families to explore tertiary study options and engage with university representatives. 

Have a lovely weekend. 

Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan

🎓 College Upcoming Events

🌳 Year 8 Trees for Survival Planting Day: Wednesday

A group of selected Year 8 volunteers will be taking part in a Trees for Survival Planting Day in Waitoki next Wednesday, helping to support environmental restoration through hands-on planting activities.

Students should bring and wear:

• Pinehurst PE uniform
• Boots or old trainers suitable for muddy conditions (plus a clean pair of shoes for the bus trip home)
• Raincoat
• Warm, dry clothes to change into if needed
• Full water bottle
• Hat and sunscreen
• Gardening gloves and a spade (if available)
• Lunch and a morning snack will be provided

A reminder to please complete the permission form if it has not already been submitted.

🎻 College Orchestra Visit Symphony Uncovered: Thursday

On Thursday 11 June, selected members of our College Orchestra will join other secondary and tertiary music students at the Auckland Town Hall to observe the Auckland Philharmonia as they prepare for a performance.

They will enjoy a full programme of a Main Stage concert with the best seats in the house, before gaining valuable insight directly from professional musicians. The dress rehearsal is followed by an interactive Q&A with the conductor, guest artist and orchestra musicians.

Invited students from our orchestra and their parents have been sent emails outlining the trip and requesting permission. If you haven't given your permission yet, please do so by Monday 8 June.

Students will be leaving school by chartered bus shortly after meeting in the College Music Room 202 at 8.30am. They will return to school by 2.00pm. 

👫 Years 7-13 Student Wellbeing Information Session: Thursday Evening

Who: Parents and Caregivers of College students (Years 7–13)
When: Thursday 11 June, 7.00pm
Where: Online - Login details below

Parents and caregivers are invited to join Joe Johansen, Deputy Principal – Student Wellbeing, for an information evening focused on student wellbeing in the College.

The session will provide an overview of Pinehurst’s approach to student wellbeing across Years 7–13, with a particular focus on our Komodo Wellbeing check-ins, the data collected, what it tells us, and how it is used to support students.

We look forward to welcoming you to this informative evening:

Microsoft Teams Meeting Join Here
Meeting ID: 411 429 488 161 23
Passcode: Qw3ih3WL

📣 Mooting Team Success and a Call for new Sign-ups!

The Mooting Club is also looking ahead, with 2027 sign-ups opening next year and student leadership opportunities to be announced soon as the club transitions to its next cohort of leaders.

Mooting is a valuable co-curricular activity that simulates real courtroom proceedings, where students present legal arguments, respond to questions, and develop skills in public speaking, critical thinking, and legal reasoning.

Two of our teams in the 2026 Junior Division are progressing to the Quarter Finals: Pinehurst T6 (Isabella Zhang, Bosco Jin, David He, Carmen Chen, Sylvia Yang) and Pinehurst T7 (Emily Zhang, Oscar Yao, Lola Guo, Milton Wang, Kevin Shen).

As they prepare for this next stage, both teams will continue refining their arguments and advocacy skills. We wish them all the very best!

🗒️ Pinehurst Career Centre Update

• 5 June: Many scholarships are now open for applications. Check application deadlines carefully as they all vary.
• 9 June: University of Auckland Info Evening 6pm-8pm. Register here
• 10 June: Australian & Selected Universities Expo for students in Years 11-13: make sure to get your tickets here

Primary News

Tēnā koutou katoa,

It has been a busy week across the Primary. On Tuesday, we celebrated STEM Day with an exciting Moon landing theme. Students approached the challenges with curiosity and creativity, along with glue, sellotape and things to make parachutes and rockets with. Year 5 and 6 classes enjoyed a visit from MOTAT where they programmed vehicles for moon exploration. A huge thanks to Anna Speir for organising such an engaging day.

Our daily morning phonics sessions in New Entrants to Year 2 continue to have a strong impact, strengthening confidence and fluency in reading. Being at school on time is an important part of this success, ensuring students are prepared and ready to begin learning promptly at 8:45am. Phonics are the building blocks of reading.

It was wonderful to welcome so many grandparents this afternoon, sharing stories of their schooling and spending time together across generations. After a shared lunch they made their way to classrooms to see happy children and see what life is like in the Primary. We value the family connections and the important part that grandchildren play in the lives of our students.

Looking ahead to next week:

• Book Week: All week
• Monday 8 June: MOTAT visits for Years 3 and 4
• Tuesday 9 June: Book Parade, 1.30pm in the Gym - We are Wild about Reading
• Wednesday 10 June: Mathex Competition at Northcross Intermediate (selected students)
• Wednesday 10 June: Supercluster Cross Country (selected students)

Ngā mihi nui,
Sian Coxon

🎓 Primary Upcoming Events

📚 Primary Book Week & Scholastic Book Fair

As part of our Book Week celebrations, the library will be hosting a Scholastic Book Fair for Primary students and families.

Parents and caregivers are warmly invited to visit the fair with their child before or after school. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate reading together and perhaps discover a new book to enjoy at home.

Book Fair Opening Hours:

• Morning: 8.15am – 8.45am
• Afternoon: 3.15pm – 4.45pm (Friday closing at 4.30pm)

Book Week is all about celebrating stories, imagination, and a love of reading. We look forward to welcoming families to the library throughout the week.

🏃‍♀️ Year 4-5 Super Cluster Cross Country: Wednesday

When: Wednesday 10 June, 10.15am
Where: Sunnynook Park
What to bring: PE Uniform, packed lunch, water bottle

Our top cross-country runners will be representing Pinehurst at the Super Cluster Cross Country next Wednesday, competing against students from seven other schools.

Students should meet outside the Dance Studio at 10.15am wearing their PE uniform and bring a packed lunch and water bottle. Students will travel by bus to Sunnynook Park and are expected to return to school at approximately 2.00pm.

We wish all our runners the very best for the event and look forward to seeing them represent Pinehurst with pride.

Community News

🛌 Would you like to host one of our Korean Homestays?

Pinehurst is excited to welcome students from IMAE Middle School (South Korea) in Term 4, Week 1, and we are currently seeking host families from our school community.

When: Tuesday 13 until Friday 16 October 2026
Who: Students aged 14–15 years
Hosting Duration: Three nights

Hosting is a voluntary but incredibly rewarding experience, offering families the opportunity to build friendships, share Kiwi culture, and be part of a meaningful international exchange.

Students will attend Pinehurst during the week and experience everyday family life. There is no expectation to organise special outings - simply including students in your normal routine is more than enough.

If your family may be interested in hosting, or if you would like more information, please contact laurie.cadag@pinehurst.school.nz

We would greatly appreciate the support of our community in helping make this special experience possible. All host families will be police vetted.

🎓 Australian & Selected Universities Expo: Wednesday

A reminder that if you would like to attend the Australian & Selected Universities Expo on Wednesday 10 June here at Pinehurst, please book your tickets here:

https://events.humanitix.com/australian-and-selected-universities-expo
The access code is: PINEHURSTCODE

• There are a limited number of tickets available
• If your parents want to attend, you need to book for them
• Maximum of 3 tickets per student (this is for you and two parents if you want both to attend – parents do not need to attend)
• If you make a mistake or need to cancel your booking, you can do that for yourself - you do not need to tell me. Please cancel if you need to, to give someone else an opportunity to attend.
• If you miss out on a ticket because they sell quickly, you will go on a waitlist. Once tickets become available (because someone else cancels) then waitlisted people will be given tickets on a first in, first served policy

🥐 Bites & Insights with Mike: Thursday

We invite parents and caregivers to our second Bites & Insights with Mike session for the year on Thursday 11 June.

Bites & Insights is a relaxed parent session where families can enjoy a light breakfast while hearing directly from Mike about important topics relating to the school, future direction, and the wider educational landscape. There will also be an opportunity for parents to ask questions and be part of the discussion.

This session will focus on Pinehurst’s new Strategic Plan - the bigger picture of where the school is heading, what this means for our community, and some of the developments parents can expect to see over time. Mike will also share how a number of the initiatives and changes already underway fit into this longer term vision for the school.

This session is open to both Primary and College parents.

Please RSVP by Monday 8 June  if you would like to attend: 
'Bites & Insights' with Mike - 11 June 2026 – Fill out form

⚠️ Traffic Advisory Notice: Upcoming FIH Nations Cup

Families are advised that the FIH Nations Cup Auckland 2026 will be taking place at the National Hockey Centre, Bush Road from Monday 15 June to Sunday 21 June.

As this is a major international sporting event, increased traffic and congestion can be expected in the Rosedale area throughout the week, particularly during peak event times.Parents and caregivers travelling to and from school are encouraged to allow extra time for their journeys and plan accordingly.

The tournament will feature international men's and women's hockey teams and is expected to attract significant visitor numbers to the area.