Principal's Message
Kia Ora
The last week of Term 3 has
arrived. Although the term was disjointed by lockdown the kids have still achieved plenty in terms of the learning. The last few weeks have been especially productive ones with students sharing their inquiry projects, their persuasive writing, their upcycled art projects, their problem-solving maths challenges and much more with me.
Unfortunately I missed the Senior Speech Cup finals last Friday, but I was not surprised to hear that all the students did a very fine job of delivering their speeches with confidence and skill. The winner was the highly talented Isobel Chisholm with her speech on “English”. This is the fourth year in a row that Isobel has won one of our Speech competitions, having won the Year 5-6 Speech Cup in 2018 and 2019, and the Year 7-8 Speech Cup in 2020. Phenomenal work Isobel!
In other great news …every year PBS enters students into the University of Canterbury’s “Kiwi Competitions” for English, Mathematics and Science. A number of students achieved merits for their efforts and seven PBS kids received EXCELLENCE awards! Congratulations to Chester Jackson and Cuinn Walmsley who achieved excellence in Mathematics, Isobel Chisholm and Monty Parr for excellence in English, and to Callum Rice, Monty Parr and Benjamin Ross for excellence in Science. We are so proud of you all!
I hope you have a safe and happy term break with your kids. Here’s hoping we have a sunny Term 4 without any lockdowns. For your diary: Term 4 starts on Monday, 18 October and the school year finishes at 12.30pm on Wednesday, 15 December.
Be kind, keep following the alert level advice and stay well.
Jess Ward – Tumuaki ~ Principal
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
There were no new students this week.
Playground News
Our playground fabricators in Auckland have been able to return to work and get our new playground equipment loaded into a truck and enroute to us. Fingers and toes crossed, this playground will be able to be installed over the term break, ready for Term 4. It’s been such a long time in the planning it’s difficult to remember just what the design looked like. However, the kids were involved in choosing equipment they wanted so it’s bound to be a hit.
Process for 2022 Classes Requests
The process of putting class lists together for a new year is an extremely complex and time consuming task. There are many variables to consider, for example; equal class sizes, the gender balance in each class, the distribution of students with social/behaviour and learning needs, medical needs, splitting cousins/siblings, and so on.
In a small school there may only be one class at each level and therefore no opportunity to group students in different ways. In a school our size, whilst we do have the advantage of flexibility, the process takes time and consideration. I can assure you that we act professionally and thoughtfully when placing students in classes.
We ask that parents are understanding and supportive of the complexities involved.
At PBS we prefer that parents do not submit requests unless there are exceptional circumstances. If parents want us to consider any exceptional circumstances that their child may have in regards to class placement for next year, then the formal process below must be followed:
- Requests must specifically describe the exceptional circumstances around the child’s needs
- It is preferable that parents do not request a specific teacher by name
- Requests must be from the child’s parent/legal guardian
- Requests must be in writing to the Principal jward@pbs.school.nz
- Requests must be received no later than Friday, 29 October
Whilst we allow parents to submit such requests, we do ask in return, that the final decision on class placement (whether or not a request has been met) is both respected and promoted positively by parents to their child.
Thank you.
Emergency Management
In Term 4 on Wednesday, 17 November, we will be practising our Tsunami evacuation procedure, which involves everyone at school evacuating to Mazengarb Reserve. This is a large undertaking, but one we need to practise. During this practice the whole school walks briskly to the Reserve. More details will be published in upcoming newsletters.
Our school is situated in the Civil Defence’s Yellow Zone for tsunami risk, The Yellow Zone is the lowest of the coastal risk areas. It is at risk only in what is termed an ‘extreme event’ e.g. the largest possible tsunami. The Paraparaumu-Raumati coastline is partly protected by the presence of Kapiti Island; this can be seen in normal conditions with the much smaller swell and surf compared to further north and south.
Using Māori Language at Home
It’s important for all Kiwi to learn te reo. Each week our newsletter will include phrases that you might like to try out at your place. After all, it will take the whole nation to keep this unique language alive.
Kei te pehea koe? How are you?
Kei te tino ora au. I am very well
Student Work
The creative students of Room 5 invited me to see their upcycled art projects using old tin cans. I was stunned by how wonderfully these cans had been transformed into fun pencil containers. Just take a look at some of the results in these photos!
Were Your Ears Burning?
Staff Gratitude Section
Thanks to our hard working Office Manager and Board Secretary, Marie Barfoote! Your efficiency and ‘can do’ attitude is so very appreciated. The minute you’re given a task, it’s completed in the blink of an eye. Thank you
Kid's Quote
A young student complained about sore feet.
“I have nips and peedles!”
Do you mean ‘pins and needles’?
Board Outstanding Achiever Award
The Board is now seeking nominations for this year’s Outstanding Achiever Award.
The purpose of this award is to acknowledge students who have achieved at a very high level, and to promote these students as role models throughout our school community in a manner that reflects and incorporates our school CREST values. We encourage nominations from Years 4-8 students.
This award is made annually to students who attend the school and who during the previous 12 months have made an outstanding contribution (in-school or out-of-school) in areas of academic, cultural, sports, community service or other activities.
You can download the PDF nomination form and further information here OAA 2021 to nominate your child or another PBS student. Copies are also available from the school office.
The nomination closing date is Friday, 5 November.
For further information on the awards process, please contact Assistant Principal Vicki Wilson during school hours on 298 5775.
School Enrolment Scheme - Terms 1 & 2 New Entrant 5 Year Olds
If you have any children due to start school in the first half of next year that you have not let us know about, or if you have friends or neighbours who don’t currently have a child at PBS, but may be hoping to enrol a new entrant child here in Terms 1 or 2 next year, please ask them to contact our school office asap. Thank you.
“Out of Zone” applications for Term 1 & 2 new entrants will be advertised in the Kapiti Observer on Thursday, 7 October. Applications close on Friday, 22 October at 4pm.
Road Safety - Vehicles and Pedestrians
It seems even after our entry in last week’s newsletter reminding parents of the rules for drop and go zones and broken yellow lines, a number of our school community are still not adhering to these rules. No matter what the weather, the way the drop and go zone and the yellow lines work remains the same.
Drop & Go Zones:
One is on the east side and one on the west side of Gray Avenue. They operate between 8.30 – 9.30am; and then again from 2.30 – 3.30pm Monday to Friday. Before school you should drive into the drop and go zone, let your child/ren out of the vehicle and then drive off. After school you may not park and wait for your child/ren in the drop and go zone. You should only pull into the zone space once your child is waiting there for you.
Broken Yellow Lines:
These show that a clearway operates in Gray Avenue around our school. There are also signs to remind drivers of this. The clearway operates on the west side of Gray Avenue from 8.30 – 9.30am and then again from 2.30 – 3.30pm Monday to Friday. You may not stop on the yellow lines and let your child/ren out, nor may you park on them and wait.
School Crest Values:
As adults we all need to model our school values, especially the value ‘Respect’. I heard that last week one of our school neighbours had a car park over their driveway for the second time in a fortnight and when they asked the driver politely to move, the response from the driver was “no”, and then indicated they will move once their children arrive and are in the car.
Pedestrian Crossings:
The final reminder is to do with our students crossing Gray Avenue and Martin Road. It has been brought to my attention that a number of children are crossing these busy roads from in-between cars and not using the school pedestrian crossings. This is a dangerous practice, as drivers cannot see a child when they dart out from between parked cars. From the emails I have received in regard to this practice and talking to students who have been seen it, it seems that it is adults who are the reason this is happening. In one case a parent was seen parked on the non-school side of the road and then called out to their child to cross the road without waiting for the crossing. The child was seen to run out from between parked cars across the road to the waiting car. When talking to another child they told me that their parent said they didn’t need to use the crossing, but to walk further up Gray Avenue closer to Beachwater Grove where they park and cross the road there!
If you live on the non-school side of Martin Road or Gray Avenue, please reinforce to your child the importance of walking to the school pedestrian crossings and using these correctly.
Thank you – Vicki Wilson
Parents/Caregivers of Year 4 Students - Devices for Year 5
Next year your child will be moving into Year 5, which means they will be using Chromebooks and Google Classroom to access different parts of their curriculum learning. Most of our students do bring their own Chromebook to school, however, we know that this is not financially possible for
all our families. The information below will hopefully provide you with the information you require, but please do not hesitate to get in touch with me to discuss anything further, particularly if finances are restricting for you at this time.
We are aware that some families of current Year 4 students may have already purchased or leased their Chromebooks in preparation for next year or may be considering it with the upcoming Labour Day sales. Of course there is no rush with this, but please be aware that a Chromebook is our preferred device, the brand itself doesn’t matter. Chromebooks are able to connect to the internet within 8 seconds, they have a long battery life, they do not require antivirus software and because we use Google Classroom there is no need for Microsoft Office. Our computer engineer recommends choosing a device that has at least 4GB of RAM. Ipads and other tablet devices are not recommended for the type of work the students will be doing.
We ask that students with their own device take it home to recharge each night and leave their power cords at home to avoid the cords causing tripping hazards each day in class. The school owns some Chromebooks which students who do not have their own device can access. Students are not allowed to take these school owned devices home.
In past years, PBS families have either purchased direct from a shop e.g. Harvey Norman, Noel Leemings, Warehouse Stationery etc or leased to buy a chromebook through the local Education Trust (Whakaaro Hou Education Trust) which assists all schools on the Kapiti Coast.
If you wish to go through the Trust you can buy a device outright or lease to buy over a two year or three year period. The Trust only does one roll-out of devices per term. We have not been given a date yet for when their next roll out requires ‘Expression of Interest’ forms to be in by, but when I know I will send a letter home with the date and interest form. Putting in an expression of
interest does not tie you into anything, it merely starts a line of communication between yourself and the trust.
For more information on the Trust go to: https://whetrust.weebly.com/
Sarah Chambers
New Entrant Parent Information Presentation - Tātahi Syndicate
A New Entrant Information Presentation will be held for all parents of new children on Friday, 1 October from 10.00-10.30am in the staffroom.
This session will :
· provide an overview of the ‘Transition to School’
· provide an overview of the New Entrant Programme in reading, writing and mathematics
· highlight how you can help at home with learning
In Tātahi Syndicate, we believe that successful partnerships between home and school are established when both parties have a shared expectation and knowledge of their child’s learning.
We would love to see you there.
Yummy Stickers
Keep munching all the delicious Yummy fruit and collecting the stickers so that we can get lots of FREE sports gear!
Can we beat last year’s total of $901 worth of free equipment? The more stickers and ‘cut out’ labels we can get, the more we get for free. Due to Covid, the cut-off date has been extended until Term 4.
Please send your collection sheets to Mrs Evans in Room 2. (More collection sheets are available at the school office).
Outdoor Paint
Room 14 have several outdoor projects on the go and would like any contributions of outdoor paints.
If you have any 1/2 cans of paint you no longer need, please send them along to Room 14.
Many thanks.
Lost Property
Don’t forget to check out the lost property before the end of term for any items you may have misplaced. Any unclaimed lost property will be sent to the Koha Shed at the end of the year.
Recent Student Achievements
Acers Netball: The team had a really tough final for the plate on Saturday and came together to support each other and seal a well desired win. They have been a lovely group to work with during the season and they should all be proud of the growth and progress they have made since coming together in April for their first round of games!
Future Student Achievements
If your child has an achievement you would like us to share in our newsletter, then please send details (and a picture if you would like) to mbarfoote@pbs.school.nz
DigiTech Corner
Although most social media has a minimum age of 13, a lot of kids start asking for it before they’re technically allowed to join. It’s important that kids know how to use social media in a considerate, kind, respectful and safe manner. We regularly remind our students that our PBS CREST values don’t stop at the school gate and can be applied to all areas of their life. Social media is no different. Unfortunately, we have been made aware of an unpleasant social media experience for one of our students, outside of school time, involving personal photos being shared.
Our Year 7 & 8 teachers have had conversations with their classes about the following:
*Keeping themselves safe online
*That if any students have received anything upsetting or experienced anything like this themselves, they should talk to their parents or a trusted adult about it
*The emotional harm that this can have on an individual to on-share personal photos
*That you are breaking the law if you on-share someone’s personal photos without their permission under the Harmful Digital Communications Act and Police involvement is warranted
Netsafe is an excellent resource for advice and guidance around internet use and cyber safety. The following link will take you to the Netsafe website where you can report an incident: https://www.netsafe.org.nz/reportanincident/
Support our School with The Entertainment Book
Not sure what to do these school holidays? An Entertainment Membership has you covered!
Advertise in our Community Directory
PBS has launched an online community directory for the Kapiti Coast.
The Paraparaumu Beach School Community Directory is an online, user-maintained list of businesses, events, and opportunities in the Kapiti area and gives local businesses the opportunity to support PBS while promoting themselves and improving their search engine visibility. It has replaced the community notices section of our school newsletter.
To view the new community directory and for instructions on how to advertise, please click here
