Message from Mike

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요  

Regards,
Mike Waller

Monday 25 August 

• College Years 9-13 NZSS Winter Tournament (All Week)

Tuesday 26 August 

• Year 1 Auckland Observatory Excursion (9.00am-12.30pm)
• Primary Years 3-4 Aladdin Production (6.00pm-6.30pm)

Thursday 28 August 

• College Year 11 PISA Testing (Starts 10.00am)
• Primary Years 3-4 Aladdin Production (6.00pm-6.30pm)

Friday 29 August  

• Coffee Connect All Parents & Caregivers Welcome! (8.15am-9.15am)
• Year 5-6 STEMANIA Performance, Arena (9.00am)
• Daffodil Day & Citizenship Council Shared Lunch (Room 401) 
• College North Shore Science Fair (9.30am-1.30pm)

Message from Dawn

Year 9 Celebrates 'Money Month'

August is Money Month, and our Year 9 Commerce classes are taking a hands-on approach to financial literacy.

Through the interactive platform Banqer, students are exploring real-world money concepts in a simulated classroom economy. From earning income and paying taxes to managing insurance and investing, Banqer brings financial education to life in a way that’s both engaging and practical.

In class, we’re linking Banqer activities to broader discussions around budgeting, saving, and planning for the future. Students are learning about how to make reasoned financial decisions by researching some options and then budgeting for a family holiday.

Money Month is a great opportunity to empower our learners with the tools and confidence to navigate their financial futures. It is also a great time to talk to your children about money and the importance of planning and save for the future. For more information and great advice about talking about Money with your children, check out sorted.org.nz 

Year 8 Budgets Meet Adventure...

Students Plan Dream Getaways with $5,000 Challenge!

Y8 students are taking on an exciting project—planning a 4-day, 3-night trip with a $5,000 budget. The experiential learning challenge builds creativity, financial literacy, and teamwork while sparking plenty of travel inspiration.

Working in groups, students design complete itineraries covering transport, accommodation, meals, activities, and backup plans. Destinations range from Fiji to Melbourne, with trips balancing everything from luxury dining to outdoor adventure. “We’re going to Queenstown,” shared one student. “Thrill one day, spa the next.”

More than a dream holiday, the project teaches real-world skills—price comparisons, responsible booking, safety, and travel insurance. Students also present and justify their plans, proving that with thoughtful choices, $5,000 can take you a long way.

NIWA North Harbour Science & Technology Fair

A group of Year 7 and 8 students will be participating in the 2025 NIWA North Harbour Science & Technology Fair, next Friday 29 August.

This event is a wonderful opportunity for students to engage in active learning while building scientific literacy, investigation skills, and problem-solving abilities. Through interviews and interactions with peers from other schools, they have also gained confidence and developed strong presentation skills.

Last year, we proudly celebrated five award winners. This year, our students are presenting 21 impressive projects, and we look forward to their success.

Year 8 Upcoming Social Science Topic Test

In week 8 of this term our Year 8 students will have a topic test on our current topic, Medieval Times. 

This will be an opportunity for the students to display their learning on various aspects of life during this historic period including features of castles, hierarchy and roles in society, the crusades, the plague, and other influences on daily life. Students will receive a study guide the week before and have access to a range of resources to support their preparation, such as their exercise books and the Schoolbox lessons. We are looking forward to seeing the progress everyone has made in their content knowledge and skills!

Year 9 Social Science Inquiry

Starting next week, our Year 9 students will be diving into an exciting inquiry project in Social Science. 

They'll be exploring the role, contributions and experiences of New Zealanders who served in the Second World War using a range of primary sources. Each student will choose to focus on a particular group: the Air Force, the Māori Battalion, women, soldiers, or those on the Home Front.

The inquiry will not only develop critical thinking, source analysis, and research skills, but will also deepen their understanding of how global events shape our national identity. We're excited to see the thoughtful ways our students engage with this important part of our history!  

Helping Students Shine in English Exams

As examinations approach, the English Department is putting in place a range of strategies to help students revise effectively. We also want to share ways parents can support their children at home, so students feel confident and prepared. English exams (whether in language, literature, or writing) require not only knowledge but also skills in analysis, comprehension, and expression.

Department Support for Students

Our team has designed a mix of activities and resources to make revision purposeful:

• Study Guides for Younger Students
  Clear, structured guides will be sent home, including:
  • Key concepts and terminology
  • Examples of literary and language methods
  • Practice questions and exercises
• Workshops and Revision Sessions for Older Students 
  These sessions focus on:
  • Close Reading Practice: Annotating texts to identify literary devices, tone, structure, and themes.
  • Essay Planning and Writing: Building strong thesis statements, structuring paragraphs, and integrating textual evidence.
  • Language Analysis Skills: Understanding how writers use imagery, figurative language, sentence structure, and rhetorical devices to create effect.

How Parents Can Support Learning at Home

Parents play a vital role in reinforcing skills and encouraging consistent revision. Here are practical ways to help:

• Encourage Reading: Talk about books, articles, or poetry. Ask questions like: “Why do you think the author wrote it this way?” or “How does this character’s choice affect the story?”
• Practice Language Skills: Discuss everyday texts—news articles, adverts, social media posts and explore how language is used to persuade, inform, or entertain.
• Use Study Guides Effectively: Break them into manageable sections, quiz children on key terms, and help them complete exercises.
• Support Writing Practice: Encourage students to share essays or creative work. Questions such as “Why did you choose this example?” or “How could you make this paragraph stronger?” guide reflection without taking over the work.
• Set a Revision Routine: Short, focused sessions (20–40 minutes) in a quiet, distraction-free space are more effective than long, unstructured periods. Celebrate progress to keep motivation high.
• Encourage Reflection and Self-Assessment: After completing practice questions, discuss what went well and what could be improved. Prompts like “Which part of your essay are you most proud of?” help students learn from their efforts.

Working Together for Success

Exam preparation works best as a partnership between school, students, and parents. By combining structured support at school with active engagement at home, students can:

• Consolidate knowledge and skills
• Gain confidence in tackling different types of exam questions
• Improve analytical, writing, and language abilities
• Approach exams calmly and strategically

Stay Connected

We encourage parents to stay in touch with the English Department. Your involvement helps students maintain focus and feel supported as they prepare.

There are some great career events coming up!

Subject Selection Fair: Thursday 28 August

University of Auckland Open Day: Saturday 30 August

AUT Open Day: Saturday 30 August

University of Sydney Open Day: Saturday 30 August

Message from Sian

Year 1 Trip to the Auckland Observatory

On Tuesday 26 August, our Year 1 students will be heading off on a special science-focused trip to the Auckland Observatory.

As part of our current learning about the International Space Station, the children will explore fascinating topics such as space exploration and what life is like for astronauts in space. This hands-on experience will bring their science learning to life and spark their curiosity about the universe.

The bus will depart from school at 9.00am and return in time for lunch (12.30pm). Children should wear their school uniform and bring a water bottle - no other items are needed. We’re looking forward to a fun and educational morning, and we’re sure the children will return full of exciting new knowledge to share!

Year 5-6 to attend STEMania on Friday

On Friday 29 August, our Year 5 and 6 students will attend STEMania in the Arena - a high-energy, live STEM show packed with comedy, sketches, and audience interaction.

Through hilarious performances, students will explore:

• How science is all about asking and answering questions

• The creativity and innovation behind technology

• Engineering through problem-solving, testing, and design

• How maths is part of our everyday lives

STEMania brings STEM to life in a fun, engaging way – students will be laughing while they learn!

One Week Until Our Magic Carpet Takes Flight – Book Your Aladdin JR. Tickets Now!

With just one week to go, the final touches are coming together and the excitement is reaching new heights. The cast has been working incredibly hard, perfecting their lines, songs, and dance moves. From the Cave of Wonders to the streets of Agrabah, every scene is bursting with colour, energy, and a little bit of magic.

If you have not booked your tickets yet, now is the time. We cannot wait to share this magical adventure with you on Tuesday 26 August and Thursday 28 August, 6.00pm to 6.30pm in the theatre.

Get ready for a show full of adventure, laughter and heart-warming moments, we promise it will be a whole new world!

Join us for Daffodil Day 🌼 Coffee Connect!

Next Friday, we warmly invite you to join us for a coffee and to take part in our Daffodil Day fundraising activities, led by our Citizenship Council.

Alongside enjoying a hot beverage, there will be plenty of fun ways for both students and parents to get involved, all in support of this wonderful cause. Activities will include:

• Year 13 student Kelly L's ‘Threads For Welfare’ stall, featuring her exclusive Daffodil Day–themed crochet items, with all proceeds going to the fundraiser.
• Additional activities and games for all ages organised by the Citizenship Council.

Starting Wednesday, keep an eye out for more activities happening outside Reception — we’d love to see as many of you as possible taking part and helping us raise funds.

And parents, if you’re able to support us with a baking donation, we’d be so grateful. Full details are below.

Support Our Daffodil Day 🌼 Bake-Off! 

Deliver Your Baking Boxes by Friday 29 August

On Daffodil Day (Friday 29 August) the Citizenship Council will be hosting a ticketed shared lunch in the study area (Room 401) to fundraise and raise awareness for all types of cancer.

To help make it a success, we’re asking you all, our wonderful parent community, to show off your baking skills and donate yellow or daffodil-themed baked goods (sweet or savoury)!

Baking should fit within a 30cm x 30cm x 12cm (H) cake box – cake boxes are available to be collected from reception. As a fun bonus, entries will be judged by Mr Waller, and the winner will enjoy a one-night stay (including breakfast for two) at Crowne Plaza Auckland! 

Baking is to be dropped off to reception by 9.00am on Friday 29 August. If baking’s not your thing, you can still support the cause by donating HERE. 

We can’t wait to see and taste all your baked goodies! Remember to keep a look out for other initiatives happening in and around the school as well. Thank you for your support!

Gibbs Farm Fundraiser

Friday 26 September (10.00am-2.00pm)

Usually closed to the public, Gibbs Farm is offering a rare opportunity to explore monumental works by world-renowned artists—while supporting a meaningful cause.

This special event raises vital funds for Kaipara Kiwi, a local project dedicated to protecting and restoring wild kiwi populations in our region. Every ticket purchased makes a significant contribution to this important work.

Buy tickets here.

Remembering Terry Shepherd

This week we said goodbye to a much-loved member of our Pinehurst family, Terry Shepherd. Since 2012, Terry has been a tireless part of our Property Team - fit, cheerful, and famously in shorts all year round. Nothing was ever too hard for him, and he carried out every task with warmth and positivity.

For many students and families, Terry was also the welcoming face on road patrol each morning, calling out “Signs out, cross now!” with his trademark smile. He made time for everyone, lifting spirits with his humour, kindness, and care. Terry wasn’t just part of our school - he was part of our daily lives and our Pinehurst story.

In his memory, we have set up the Terry Shepherd Memorial Fund to support his family. Donations can be made directly to:
Pinehurst School – BNZ Albany 02-0278-0131590-025

Terry will be deeply missed, but always remembered with love and gratitude.

Purchase Your Aladdin JR. Tickets Today!

Keep an eye out for posters around the school with a QR code to purchase tickets, and join us for a magical evening you won’t forget!

Click here to purchase

Lost Property Reminder

Has your child misplaced part of their school uniform or P.E. gear?

PRIMARY

Lost items often find their way to the black bin located in the foyer of the Uniform Shop. You're welcome to check the bin before and after school, as well as during the shop’s regular opening hours.

If your child’s items are clearly labelled with their name, our wonderful Primary student head councillors will return them directly to your child’s classroom.

To help us reunite lost items with their owners, please remember to clearly label (or re-label) all uniform and P.E. gear at the end of each term.

COLLEGE

Lost items often find their way into the storage area inside the PURPLE seat located in The Street at the Junior College. You or your child are welcome to check inside the seat before and after school.

To help us reunite lost items with their owners, please remember to clearly label (or re-label) all uniform and P.E. gear at the end of each term (eg John Brown).

Tennis Coaching at Pinehurst in Term 4

We are excited to let you know that small group tennis lessons will be available at Pinehurst School for Term 4 with our professional coach, Megan Rogers. These sessions are a fantastic way for students to develop their skills in a fun and supportive environment, while benefiting from personalised coaching in small groups.

For Term 4, we are offering:

• Red Ball Beginners (Years 0–2): perfect for younger students who are new to tennis and keen to learn the basics.
• Red Ball Advanced (Years 2–3): for students who have gained confidence with the basics and are ready to progress further.
• Orange Ball sessions: designed for older students to improve technique, rally consistency, and match play skills.

Each group is capped at a maximum number of players to ensure quality coaching. To register your child or find out more, please contact Megan Rogers directly on 021 295 1765.