"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia orana 
It’s Cook Islands Language Week! At PBS, we are proud to have 9 students and 1 teacher of Cook Islands descent. Cook Island Māori shares many words with te reo Māori, and many of the vowel and consonant sounds are similar, making it relatively easy for Kiwis to learn. Although I haven’t visited the Cook Islands yet, it’s definitely on my bucket list! If you’d like to give Cook Island Māori a try, here are four phrases you can use with your kids:
- Pākau! (Awesome!)
- Mako rai! (Well done!)
- Nāku ē tauturu. (I will help.)
- Kāre koe i te kanga! (You are great!)
Please keep reading as today’s newsletter contains information about:
- Rapid changes coming for Maths teaching and learning
- PBS Suggestion box
- Webinar Series for parents
- Thursday, 5 September – Staff Only day – SCHOOL CLOSED
Changes to Maths Teaching 2025: Over the weekend, the Minister of Education announced significant changes to the teaching and learning of mathematics for Years 0-8, effective from the start of the 2025 school year. While detailed information is currently limited, a draft curriculum document is expected to be released next week for schools to view.
Naturally, this announcement has sparked much discussion among teachers across the motu, especially since the consultation with the sector has been minimal and the changes are being implemented swiftly. At PBS, our teachers have dedicated the past three years to professional development in mathematics, focusing on best practices, mathematical identity, scope and sequence, and addressing mathematical misconceptions. Therefore, we hope our efforts will align with this new directive.
The Minister has also indicated that there will be two teacher-only days at the beginning of 2025 (exact dates to be confirmed) to help us transition to the new framework. We will keep parents updated as more information becomes available.
Warm regards
Jess Ward
Principal – Tumuaki
Upcoming dates for your awareness:
- Next week is NZ Maths Week
- 19 – 23 August – PBS Book Week and Book Fair
- Thursday, 5 September – Teacher only day (school closed for instruction)
- 16 – 20 September – Maori Language Week
PRINCIPAL’S C.R.E.S.T CORNER:
At PBS we champion our school C.R.E.S.T values in everything we do.
Curiosity. Respect. Excellence. Self Management. Teamwork
CREST value of EXCELLENCE and SELF MANAGEMENT
Being a referee or umpire is a skilled and challenging responsibility. It requires confidence, skill, and a level-headed approach. At PBS, learning about citizenship and how groups and individuals can take on additional responsibilities to give back to the school and local community is a key part of our strategic plan.
So of course, we are thrilled to see PBS students stepping up and training to become Netball Umpires. Currently, we have six active netball umpires: Sophia Cartmer-Strauss, Fraya Marryatt, Kaycee de Wit, Madison Noble, Isla Kirton and Zoe Gee. We are incredibly proud of their contribution to the team! (Pictured below: Sophia, Freya, and Kaycee).
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
Dhrishiv – Rm 19
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/
Staff Only Day - 5 September
As mentioned in our newsletters this term, PBS will have a staff-only day on Thursday, 5 September, which will be our final one for 2024. On this day, all staff members will be engaged in professional development focused on giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. This important learning opportunity will involve every member of our staff.
We kindly ask parents to make alternative arrangements for childcare on this day. We appreciate your support as we continue to grow and develop as educators, ensuring we provide the best possible learning environment for all our tamariki.
Suggestions Box
Did you know that PBS has a suggestion box on our school website? We welcome your feedback and questions at any time. Your opinion matters to us!
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 essential kupu that you may hear ia ra (everyday)
Kīwaha (idiom)
Mō tāku hē – my mistake, I am sorry, I apologise
He whakapātaritari (A challenge)
Challenge yourself and your whānau to use this kīwaha each day for the week. See how many times you can use this in the day.
@School App
I will regularly highlight a button on the @school app. This week it is:
This button gives you this information:
Kid's Quote
One of our students, who has recently visited Australia, reported “I have post holiday blues and they are BIG!”
Student Council
There are a lot of exciting things happening this term!
Coming up in Week 5 is Book Week! We’ll be running a Book Character parade on Friday, 23 August. We’d love to see loads of different book characters.
Who’s your favourite character? Get creative!
We’re also holding our Charity fundraiser this term for the Muscular Dystrophy Association of New Zealand. So keep an eye out in upcoming newsletters for more details.
PBS Book Week Parade
Not long until the PBS Book Week Parade on Friday, 23 August! Get your costumes organised now 🙂
The Book Fair is Coming!
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming back to PBS! Come to the Hihi Room (beside Room 5) to purchase some great books, posters and journals in Week 5, 19th-23rd August. Open before and after school.
Eftpos will be available.
Sponsors for Quiz Night
A big thank you to those local businesses who have provided prizes for tomorrow’s quiz night for Te Motu Syndicate.
Webinar Series for Parents/ Caregivers
Growing Great Kids with Learning Differences
3 online seminar series. A comprehensive guide to supporting your child with learning differences & neurodiversity.
- Understanding learning differences and difficulties
- Supporting your child with additional educational needs
- A multimodal approach – dealing with social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties.
Next course – Mondays 9, 16 and 23 September
Course cost $95.00 Includes 3 sessions, resources and a copy of The Wobbly Kids – Guide for Parents. More info and to register can be found here.
Recent Student Achievements
A few years ago, Griffin Gunawan had an amazing opportunity on working in a Taika Waititi TV series called The Time Bandits. It has finally been released by AppleTV this month. How awesome!
PS This show also features Kapiti Island and landscape around our region 🙂
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
Order & Win With Ezlunch
Order and Win! 
We’re excited to share an ezlunch giveaway to kick off the new term!
Place an ezlunch order between 1st August and 15th August, and you’ll automatically be entered into a draw to win one of three $50 vouchers!
Choose from:
• Event Cinemas
• Your local Zoo
• A nearby Climbing gym
• OR opt for a $50 top-up to your myKindo account for future lunches
Why choose ezlunch this term?
• Save time on busy mornings
• Enjoy our varied menu of nutritious options
• Satisfy even the pickiest eaters
• Support your school’s lunch program
Whether you’re a long-time ezlunch user or considering trying us for the first time, now’s the perfect opportunity to simplify your routine and possibly win a prize!
Ready to order? Login to your myKindo account to get started!
T&C’s apply. Every order goes in the draw. Three chances to win per order. Competition open to all New Zealand myKindo account holders. Competition runs for lunches delivered between Thursday 1st August and Thursday 15th August. Winners will be drawn at 11am on Friday 16th August 2024. No adult only gift vouchers permitted. No correspondence will be entered into.
We are Fundraising with Entertainment
It’s Entertainment’s 30th Birthday and we’re teaming up with them to raise much-needed funds for our cause and give you a few goodies to celebrate too!
For a limited time, buy any Single City Entertainment Membership and get a FREE upgrade to a Multi City Membership! Plus, go into the draw to win some epic prizes including luxury dining experiences, thrilling family adventures, gift cards and more 
All with a 12-month Entertainment Membership starting at just $70!
Grab this amazing offer now for your chance to win while saving up to 50% off restaurants, activities, shopping, and more.
Thank you for your continued support!
Order Here – https://subscribe.
