Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou,
If you have been to the shops
recently you will have been hit with all the Christmas decorations and gift deals. It’s a time of year that can bring joy but also hardship. Within our own community I know there is a spectrum of household incomes and needs. There will be children who do not receive gifts and there will be others who will have their wish list filled. If you are in a position to help, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Today’s newsletter is packed with useful information for our whānau, with a few highlights being:
- Staffing news
- PBS Board Outstanding achiever’s Award – nominations open
- Parent working bee – can you help out?
Ka kite ano,
Jess Ward
Principal ~ Tumuaki
PRINCIPAL’S GREAT NEWS CORNER:
Sharing good news spreads positivity, changes attitudes and ultimately leads to more people feeling encouraged and happy
Did you get along to our Senior production last week? If you did you will understand why this Principal is so proud of her students and staff!
“NZ’s Top Survivor Island” was clever, entertaining, informative and hilarious. Congratulations to all involved – there were definitely stars on the stage, in the band and behind the scenes. From the art work and props to the additional video segments – every Te Motu staff member and student played a part in this success. Special mention must go to Colin Siversen – Script Writer and Teresa Robertson – Director.
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
Maribern – Rm 10
Toby – Rm 23
Have You Checked Out Our Community Notices Directory?
Do you need to advertise your business, an upcoming event, need child care, or looking for a gift or new club to join? Check out the PBS Community Directory on our website https://kapiti.pbs.school.nz/
Staffing News: Farewells and Congratulations
You may have already heard on the grapevine that we have a couple of staff leaving at the end of 2023. Sadly, we will be farewelling teachers Ginny Hawke and Larisa Mckenna, and teacher aide Melissa Chrystal.
After 16 years of dedicated service Larisa is leaving PBS to move to Invercargill with her husband. Larisa has shown her flexibility and expertise having taught students across three different syndicates. Furthermore, her time collaborative teaching has been a real success and example to others.
Since starting at PBS in 2020, we have enjoyed Ginny’s positive personality and her team spirit. Sadly for us, Ginny is heading to live in the Wairarapa, which would make the work commute a bit over the top! However, having adopted one of the PBS foster puppies, we know she will be in good company.
I know you will not be surprised to hear that both these teachers have already secured new teaching positions for 2024. So our loss is another school’s gain – lucky schools!
Our wonderful teacher aide Melissa has worked at PBS since 2014. Recently Melissa has won a new position as an Attendance Awhina for schools in the Kapiti district. In her time at PBS we have appreciated her ability to think on her feet, willingness to take on extra tasks and use her creative skills to enhance programmes. Melissa starts this new job on 27 November, and we wish her all the best.
Last but not least, I wish to congratulate Laura Powell and Di Puati who have recently won permanent positions at PBS. We are delighted that these wonderful fixed-term staff are now permanent members of our team, and we know that students will continue to benefit from their skills.
NB: Syndicate structures and staffing for 2024 will be published as soon as all employment contracts/changes are verified.
PBS Board Outstanding Achiever Award Nominations
If you have a child in Years 5-8 you would have received an email recently regarding this award. Our 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 5-8 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. Paraparaumu Beach School’s Board is keen to promote high achievement in a positive manner.
There is a link to the nomination form in the email or paper copies can be collected from the school office. Nominations close on 17 November.
Aroha Fund
One thing our school community is rich in is KINDNESS. It’s something we work hard to promote amongst our students. When we know someone is in need we try to give some additional support because not everyone’s circumstances are the same. We do our best as a school to ensure every child has equal opportunities regardless of finance or personal circumstance. Our PBS AROHA fund was set up to enable our whole community to offer support to such families.
The PBS AROHA fund enables anyone in our school community, including businesses, to donate money to help those in our school community who find it hard to make ends meet. It also means that we can provide lunches when kids don’t have any.
If you would like to contribute to this fund you can find it in KINDO labelled PBS AROHA. You can contribute $5, $10 or $20 at any time during the year. If a local business wants to make a contribution they can contact Libby on lrichardson@pbs.school.nz
Please talk to the office, Sarah Chambers or Jess Ward if you would like to know more about our PBS AROHA fund. All discussions will be confidential.
Giving a little means a lot!
Aroha Fund Raffle
Christmas advent calendar box and selection of Scentsy products
Tickets just $2 each or 3 for $5 available from the office
Be in quick – tickets are limited. Raffle closes 28 November, drawn 29 November 2023
All proceeds go towards our Aroha fund
Parent Working Bee
The outdoor staging we have built on the school field is about to enter its second phase. This involves installing roped fencing (similar to that pictured below) along the back edge. We have purchased all the posts and roped sections; we just need some willing helpers to get the posts concreted in and then the roped sections fixed in place. If you are able to lend a hand either during school hours or after hours we would love to hear from you. Although many students regard Mr Trask as a superhero, he will need some side-kicks to help with this task.
Please email jtrask@pbs.school.nz if you are willing and able 🙂
Using Māori Language at Home
Learning another language provides many benefits including greater academic achievement, greater cognitive development, and more positive attitudes towards other languages and cultures. So, let’s give it a go and help to revitalise this unique language to Aotearoa for our tamariki. Each week our newsletter will include words or phrases that you might like to try out at your kāinga/home.
Here are some kupu that you may hear everyday:
• Māhunga head (also upoko)
• Pakihiwi shoulder
• Puku belly, stomach
• Hope hips
• Waewae foot/feet, leg/legs
• Taringa ear
• Ihu nose
• Whatu eye
• Waha mouth
• Kakī neck
• Kauae chin (also kauwae)
• Makawe hair
• Manawa heart
• Niho teeth
• Arero tongue
• Poho chest (also uma)
• Ringa hand, arm
• Toto blood
• Turi knee (also pona)
Large Coffee Plungers
Does anyone have large coffee plungers at home that they no longer use? We are looking for a couple for our staff room and thought we’d ask first before heading to Briscoes. Every penny saved these days is a blessing.
Parking Around the School
We have had a neighbour approach us in regard to drivers’ parking behaviour. On many occasions cars have parked over their driveway, which is also over yellow lines, making it difficult for vehicles to get in and out safely. See the photo on the left as reference.
The neighbour has approached the drivers of many of these vehicles asking politely for them to move and has not had a very good response.
Also, we are seeing an increase
in the number of drivers leaving their vehicles when they are parked in the ‘stop and go’ zone outside our school hall. This area is a stop and go zone, between 8.30am -9.30am and 2.30pm-3.30pm. See the photo on the right for reference.
Netball Uniforms
Thank you to all those people who returned their outstanding netball tops and netball shorts on Friday.
Invoices will be going home this week to those who have outstanding uniforms.
Vicki Wilson
Te Moana Syndicate Athletic Day
Over the past five weeks, Te Moana Syndicate has been preparing for our annual athletic event. Last Monday, they gave it their all, showcasing sportsmanship and determination that impressed us all. Congratulations to every student who participated and gave their best; your efforts were commendable.
During this event, students earned points when placed in the top 5 of each event, with cumulative points deciding the top 5 overall. These talented athletes have been invited to attend the annual Kapiti Interschool Event next Wednesday.
Congratulations to:
Year 5 Girls: 1st Ceejay Kraus, 2nd Lucie Thomson, 3rd Jermayne Inoke, 4th equal Sophie Tee and Frankie Houston-Manuel
Year 5 Boys: 1st Jackson Grant, 2nd equal Jake Sales and Ryan Carter, 3rd Campbell Stratford, 4th Ty Gardiner
Year 6 Girls: 1st Eden Kavakura, 2nd Zoe Gee, 3rd Sophie Stevens, 4th equal Kaya O’Brien and Alyssa Hudson
Year 6 Boys: 1st Phoenix Tee, 2nd Zavier Gardiner, 3rd Francis Forsyth, 4th equal Leo Holloway and Noah Hunt
We look forward to cheering you on in the upcoming competition!
Tennis Excitement - Year 5 & 6 Students Shine at Have-A-Go Interschool Event
Last Wednesday, 52 students from the Te Moana Syndicate participated in the Have-A-Go Tennis Interschool event, hosted by the Kapiti Council and the Paraparaumu Tennis Club.
The event was filled with exciting activities that helped our students learn the essential skills to play tennis. They were guided by dedicated volunteers from the Paraparaumu Tennis Club, who made the learning experience both educational and fun.
During lunchtime, our young tennis enthusiasts were treated to a delicious sausage sizzle, refuelling them for more action on the courts.
The event finished with an exciting prize-giving ceremony, where students were recognised for their exceptional sportsmanship. Congratulations to Angus, Sophia, Lucie, Olive, Cash, Phoenix and Aki who were nominated by the volunteers as students who stood out as shining examples of sportsmanship.
We would also like to thank our parents for their continued support in helping us on the day to transport our students to this event. Well done to all the students who took part, for their efforts and we look forward to more exciting events in the future!
Lunch Time Disco
Friday, 24 November in Week 7 we’re holding a lunchtime Disco for Ngaru Syndicate (Years 3 & 4). Tickets will be $5 via Kindo and this includes an ice block, chippies, face painting, music and jump jam entertainment! Funds raised help us with our school projects.
PTA Grocery Grab Raffle
Click on the link to read the full Terms & Conditions Grocery Grab Terms & Conditions
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
Host families Needed for International Students at Paraparaumu College
Last week - Order Lunch to go in the Draw!
