Principal's Message
Kia Ora PBS Whānau
Unfortunately we have started to see a few
schools in the Kapiti District affected by cases of Covid-19. Therefore I strongly encourage you to make sure you are up-to-date with all my recent communications. These communications include plans outlining how we will manage cases and alter our delivery of education for students.
You can find copies of all my communications on Covid management, which have been sent home this year, on our website https://www.pbs.school.nz/covid-19/ I will also be emailing you a Frequently Asked Questions flyer today which may answer some of your most burning questions. (NB: Credit to Barri Dullabh, Principal of Tawa school, for creating this FAQ’s resource).
On this front, we will need to contact families immediately if a case of Covid is identified at PBS, so it’s essential for us to have your most up-to-date contact information. Have you changed your email or phone number in the last 6 months? Please let our office know of any changes. These details are also important for contacting you and sending your child ‘learning from home’ if needed.
What do we need PBS Parents & Caregivers to prepare right now?
- Keep up-to-date with school’s notices and communications and be fully prepared should students need to switch to home-based learning
- Inform the school immediately if your child tests positive for Covid-19 or needs to isolate
- Be ready at short notice should your child/children need to isolate
- Ensure your Year 5 – 8 child brings their device home each night. If there are any faults with their device get these addressed or fixed as soon as possible
- Contact your child’s teacher if you do not have internet or device access at home. This will enable teachers to prepare a hard pack of work
- Keep your employer/employees informed of how your work could be impacted if PBS moves to home-based learning
- Prepare basic learning tools for home e.g. stationery, paper, books
- Please notify the school office if you are an essential worker and cannot make any other arrangements for child supervision if we move to Stages 2 or 3 at office@pbs.school.nz
Thank you for keeping yourself informed. Stay safe and well.
Mā te wā,
Jess Ward – Tumuaki ~ Principal
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
Lydia – Rm 22
Mitchell – Rm 23
Advertise in our Community Directory
Have you checked out our community directory yet? PBS has launched an online community directory for the Kapiti Coast.
In the directory is an online user-maintained list of businesses, events and opportunities in the Kapiti area including job advertisements (there is currently a position available at sKids Kenakena).
To view the new community directory click here and for instructions on how to advertise, please click here
Parent Teacher Interviews
Parent – Teacher Interviews will not be held face to face this term. Your child’s teacher will be contacting you on this front.
Board Meeting on Zoom
Whilst we are in the RED setting our school’s Board meetings will be held on ZOOM. Board meetings are public meetings, though the public do not automatically have speaking rights. The agenda for each meeting (containing the Zoom link) will be posted on our website the day before.
Our next Board meeting is tonight at 7pm.
Covid Reminders
The reality is that at some stage in the coming weeks, our school is likely to start experiencing cases of Covid-19 and close contacts of cases. The table below shows the various stages PBS could move between depending on how hard hit our school community is.
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.
Kia ora e te whānau. Here’s a few family words you might like to try and a sentence structure you could use.
Māmā Mum
Pāpā Dad
Tamāhine Daughter
Tama Son
Pēpi Baby
Kuia Grandmother
Koroua Grandfather
Whanaunga Cousin
I have a daughter = He tamāhine tāku
I have a son = He tama tāku.
Student Work
Emily, Alyssa and Sofia from Room 11 presented me with their Treaty Waka project last week. They had been reading about Tiriti o Waitangi and learning what treaties are all about. They then created their own treaty and presented it in a ‘waka’ with other important items. This is great learning kids!
Kid's Quote
A heartwarming quote this week from one of our senior students…
Principal – “How’s school going for you so far this year?”
Student – “Honestly, there’s no place I’d rather be.”
Were Your Ears Burning?
Staff Gratitude Section
With different timetables running for break times for Years 1-4 and Years 5-8 at the moment, our Teacher Aides and SENCO have had to be even more adaptable than normal. Thank goodness for their flexibility and willingness to change up their own timetables. Our teachers and students are so grateful for Cherie, Kim, Kay, Lucy, Deb B, Melissa, Deb S, Julie, Anne and our SENCO Carrie.
Your wonderful work is so appreciated!
Scooter Riders
PBS kids love scooters and it’s certainly a healthy way to travel between home and school. Whilst it’s not compulsory in NZ to wear a helmet when riding a scooter we would like to see all PBS kids wearing one if riding a scooter. The staff who run Pedal Ready/Scooter Ready and Movin’ March initiatives also strongly recommend helmets for kids on scooters. While we won’t police this as such, it is something we feel strongly about when it comes to protecting kids from head injury. So if your child doesn’t already have a helmet, perhaps you could look into getting one to give your child the best chance at injury prevention.
Digi Corner
Being a good digital citizen at PBS
Students are responsible for ensuring their own behaviour is safe, friendly and fair. This means following our school’s values when online or using digital tools. We have 7 key student responsibilities as part of our being a good digital citizen at PBS. We will be sharing these with you over the coming weeks, but they can be found on our school website and are displayed in our classrooms. The first three are:
- Keep it kind. When you are online, think about others and talk or share in a kind way. Cyber bullying is not okay at any time. Talk to an adult if this happens to you or a friend
- Keep it to yourself. Keep your passwords and information about yourself or other people safe and private
- Keep it careful. Think carefully about what you share and make sure it’s something you are proud of and would be happy sharing with someone else face to face. Tell an adult if you are feeling unsafe or unsure
We recommend having regular conversations with your child/ren about cyber safety topics so that they feel confident navigating the digital world and recognise that they can approach you for advice if an issue arises.
Netball
We have received this from Coastlands Netball Kāpiti:
ANZ FutureFerns Yrs 1 & 2, Term 1 (5 weeks)
Wednesday, 9 March to Wednesday, 6 April 2022 4.00PM – 4.45pm
Coastlands Netball Kapiti ANZ FutureFerns Yrs 1 & 2 Programme will be starting on Wednesday, 9 March. Registrations for this programme for Term 1 will be done directly through Coastlands Netball Kapiti.
All information is on the registration form including the fee which will be invoiced to you directly from Coastlands Netball Kapiti. We look forward to seeing you register and will provide Covid Protection Framework processes closer to the start date.
Please remember for this programme to run effectively we need Star Helpers. This request is included on the form. It would be great to have some Star Helpers to assist Adam Southwick and I deliver this programme.
Click on this link to register: https://www.sporty.co.nz/viewform/194997
Positive Parenting During Covid-19
To support mental health, resilience and emotional wellbeing for tamariki, there are free online versions of the Triple P Positive Parenting Programme available across the country.
The Triple P programme helps to positively support children to reduce anxiety, build emotional resilience and life skills and cope with challenges. These programmes also provide whānau with a toolkit to help them guide behaviour positively and encourage children’s learning.
More information can be found via this link.
Need to Cancel Your myKindo Lunch?
With COVID around, we’re getting a few calls about how to cancel lunch orders. Here’s a quick DIY reminder that takes no time at all!
PS. Remember to do it early! Cancellations are only available until the order cut-off time.
How to cancel…
- Login to myKindo and go to my orders
- Find the correct delivery date
- Select Cancel and ok
Please Note:
The purchase price will be refunded to your myKindo account balance. If you have multiple students in the one lunch order you will need to cancel the order and then re-order for the student that is still requiring lunch.
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
Neighbours Day Kāpiti Coast
Neighbours Day Kāpiti Coast is happening this year from the 18th-27th of March. This year’s theme is Kai connections. We usually encourage neighbours to host “over the fence cuppa”, however we also have contactless and self-isolating options available.
Getting to know your neighbours strengthens our community making it healthier, safer and more resilient – especially during this pandemic when we need to support each other.
To register or learn how you can get involved please go to https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/neighboursday or email neighbours.day@kapiticoast.govt.nz
