Message from the Executive Principal 

Dear Parents and Caregivers, 

This week, finally, bought a sense of normality to the school week with a full five days! It’s hard to believe that on Monday there were some classes that were meeting their teacher for the first time this year.  

Following a number of postponements, we held our pōwhiri this morning to welcome new students, staff and parents to the school. This event is a significant one for our community, as it gives a chance to recognize the heritage of our land and people and to ensure the closeness of our community for all its members. Personally, it was a moving experience as it held both a sense of being welcomed by the school and being grounded again in New Zealand. It was also meaningful that I was able to share this with my family, thank you to everyone who was able to be here. 

Next Friday, March 3rd, we will be holding a non-uniform day in support of the many residents of Muriwai who lost their homes due to the recent cyclone. Waimauku Primary School is acting as a support hub for those in need and we will work with them to ensure the funds are being directed to support displaced families in the area. I encourage you to give generously to this worthy cause.  

Last week, you received a message giving notice for a Special General Meeting of Pinehurst School Incorporated, with the purpose of the meeting to update the Society’s constitution (the rules governing the school). There are two key reasons for the update, with the most critical being a change in government regulations and therefore the impact of those changes to the legal legislation that requires certain amendments associated with the operation of the society. Given the required change, the Board took the opportunity to review its own makeup to ensure it is providing the best governance for the School. Through this process, it became the opinion of the Board that its procedures for appointing members should be in alignment with other, similar schools. As a result, and after considering other structures and processes used by other schools, it is proposed that 6 (out of 9) members of the Board should be appointed rather than elected, giving the school long-term stability in its governance and importantly the ability to bring specialist skills into the group to support our School development. Your attendance at the meeting, next Thursday 2nd March at 6.30pm would be greatly appreciated. 

On Monday, I met with the board of the Association of Cambridge Schools in New Zealand. As one of just eight schools represented on the board, it gives Pinehurst a clear voice int eh development of Cambridge in New Zealand. This year, we have also been selected as a Cambridge Demonstration School, where we will be able to support other schools who are new to the curriculum offerings. Our commitment to Cambridge means we are incredibly well placed to remain at the forefront of its development in New Zealand. 

On Wednesday our Year 0-2 classes enjoyed a brilliant Conscious Kids day camp on the field. It was all about imagination as the students were able to turn a range of everyday (and some not so every day) items into games, slides, and obstacles. The shelters setup in the trees were particularly impressive and I am sure provided great protection from the ‘monsters’ that were hiding in in the trees. 

Our Year 4 students ran an excellent assembly earlier in the week, with some beautiful singing and sharing of the learning that has taken place this year. The three students who led the proceedings showed great confidence, with parents and staff very impressed by the way they spoke. I also had the chance to address the students and encouraged them to try something new this year and with the support of their classmates I am sure they will find success in their endeavours. 

As well as the Special General Meeting and non-uniform day, next week we look forward to a Year 9 Parent Information Evening, Year 7-8 Swimming Sports, and Year 6 at Waterwise. It promises to be a busy week, with plenty for everyone to enjoy. 

I hope you all have a great weekend. 

Regards, 

Mike Waller

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Tuesday 28 February 

• Years 5-6, Supercluster Tennis Trials
• Primary Leadership Assembly

• Year 9, Parent Information Evening

Wednesday 1 March

• NHSS Swimming Zone Day (Selected Students)
• Year 7-8, Swimming Sports Day
• Year 6, P20 Waterwise

• NH Boys Zone Softball Day (selected students)

Thursday 2 March

• NH Girls Zone Day Softball Day (selected students)
• Year 6 - P19, Waterwise
• Year 9, Social Science MOTAT Trip
• North Harbour Secondary Schools (NHSS) Orienteering Event

• NE Buddy Meet and Play (P1, P2)

Friday 3 March

• Year 6 - P21, Waterwise
• Primary Bubbles Day

• Whole School Non-Uniform Day

Message from the Principal of Primary
 

Kia ora,

Our first full week this year has been wonderful, and our specialist staff were glad to have their Monday classes for the first time. Swimming programmes were completed this week in Year 5, and Year 6 are looking forward to their first chance to sail an optimist boat at Murrays Bay beach. One of my very first experiences as a teacher arriving in New Zealand was sailing around the bay with students in the Waterwise programme. It is an amazing opportunity to learn a new skill and to enjoy the ocean, and although not unique to New Zealand,  our usually mild conditions mean that it can be a big part of our lives. New Zealand is of course surrounded by water, and it is important that our children can swim and be able to enjoy such a wonderful playground on our doorstep. Swimming lessons at school are just a taster and will hopefully encourage those who want to be better swimmers to go to their local pools and join a programme.

There were some very excited New to 2 students on Wednesday this week. First thing in the morning they gathered on the fields with their teachers and a group of willing parents. Waiting for them were some very strange objects to see on a school day. There were pipes, ropes, boxes, ties, dress ups, a surfboard, containers, balls and the list goes on. The only instructions they had were for keeping safe and the rest was up to them! The more adventurous were off straight away choosing their favourite items to play with some taking their time and looking slightly bewildered.

We have run this event through an organisation called Conscious Kids for several years and we love to see how the day's play develops. Of course, our students experience a great deal of fun whilst developing their imaginations, negotiating skills, teamwork, collaboration, and the vocabulary of play. They learn how to share, take turns, include others, and take responsible risks. By the end of the day, they were building all kinds of wonderful creations and having heaps of fun with their friends. They were tired but happy with lots of memories of a great day.

On Tuesday, our assembly was hosted by Year 4 who shared waita and their pepehas with us all as well as telling us about the Treaty of Waitangi. The singing was beautiful and P12, 13 and 14 did an amazing job of learning words and actions. Mr. Waller experienced his first Primary assembly and was very impressed with the efforts of Year 4. We have had a new kakahu, Māori cloak,  gifted to us which is made of feathers rather than a korowai which is traditionally made of flax, and I was very privileged to be able to wear it during the assembly whilst the children explained the design elements which represent Pinehurst. Well done Year 4!

 Kia pai tō rā whakata, have a good weekend.
 

Ngā mihi, Sian

Message from the Principal of College

Kia ora e te whānau o Pinehurst School  

We have finally managed a full week of school including the first school Monday of the year and all with no weather dramas. The showers this morning did mean that we needed to hold our Pōwhiri in the gym, but it was still a beautiful event and very special to welcome our new members of the Pinehurst community together with Mr Waller.  

In my last newsletter I mentioned that if College students have not already decided on their extra-curricular activities for 2023, they should give this some consideration; many have certainly done so! This week has seen many of our students join groups and activities outside of the classroom. Mr Ronayne held the first orchestra practice of the year on Tuesday and was delighted with the number of students who attended. Pinehurst College Choir has also had their first practice session under the guidance of our recently appointed Choir Master Mr Miles Timmis and we are looking forward to hearing from the choir soon. Rehearsals have started for our school musical and our play, both of which will be held in our Theatre later in the year.  

Chess has also become increasingly popular at Pinehurst and Mr Alex Huang has started working with students who are interested in competing in chess in 2023. We have also noticed that many students are keen to play chess socially and so we are in the process of purchasing some more chess boards so that we can accommodate all of our chess players. Kevin Guo (Year 12) is helping support chess and students are encouraged to talk to Kevin if they need help getting organised. Hopefully, we will see some of the great results we saw in 2022 repeated in 2023.  

Yesterday some of our Year 9-13 students participated in House Swimming Sports at the Millenium Institute. This was a great event with some excellent swimming and a large number of school records were broken on the day. However, what also struck me was the number of students who were prepared to put themselves outside of their comfort zone. These students would not describe themselves as ‘swimmers’ but they gave it their very best, demonstrating resilience and determination.  When young people are prepared to challenge themselves in this way, they see what they are capable of, and other things seem more possible. Well done to everyone who competed in House Swimming Sports. Mataī House were the victors on the day and the House competition is definitely ramping up. Next week it is the turn of the Year 7 and 8 students who will be swimming on Wednesday.  

As we approach the weekend and start to plan family time, my thoughts go back to those people who have been affected by the weather events of the last few weeks. On Friday 3 March we will be holding a non-uniform day to help raise funds and support those affected in our local community. Please put this date in your diaries so that we can all support our community.  

Have a lovely weekend.  

Ngā mihi nui  

Dawn