"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Hello Everyone,
In today’s newsletter you can read about:
- The Board’s Outstanding Achievers Award – details on how to nominate students
- Class requests process 2025 – closes this Friday
- Board news
- PTA’s Grocery Grab raffle – be in to win
It’s been great to see the return of warm, sunny days recently—let’s hope it sticks around, especially for Labour Weekend! The kids have been loving it, getting outside to practise their athletics, relaxing on the new beanbags, and making the most of their break times on the field.
Speaking of athletics, I’d like to give a big shout out to Caty Spencer, John Trask and the awesome group of kids who helped redevelop our long jump pit at the back of the field. Special thanks to Brendon Coulson, one of our school parents, who generously brought in a digger to clear out the old, compacted sand and fill it with fresh material. We’re really grateful for your help, Brendon!
Before I wrap up, I have to say—you’ve got such amazing kids! We’ve welcomed quite a few new students lately, and the way PBS kids immediately take them under their wing and make them feel like they’ve always been part of the school, is just heartwarming. It’s so cool to see how quickly these newbies settle into both the classroom and playground.
Ka kite anō.
Jess Ward
Principal – Tumuaki
P.S. Got a suggestion? Let us know through our online suggestion box.
Some upcoming dates for your awareness:
- Thursday, 24 October – Big NZ Shakeout (Earthquake Drill)
- Friday, 25 October – National “Celebrate Our Teachers” day
- Monday, 28 October – Labour Day (School Closed)
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
Congratulations to Charlotte in Room 1 for showing excellence in winning 1st place in the Year 5/6 speech cup yesterday. She spoke about Simone Biles, a gymnast in the Olympics who overcame adversity to win a medal at the Paris Olympics. Tu Meke, Charlotte!
Congratulations also to Ceejay who placed 2nd for her wonderful speech about her sister Katrina, who inspires her, and Carter who placed 3rd for his speech about how he gets inspired by what he reads! Ka rawe koutou!
Jackson in Room 11 has been full of curiosity lately! He’s been diving into research on Emperor Penguins and decided to present it in a really eye-catching way. This project took a lot of time and dedication, and he was so proud to share it with me. I’m sure you’ll agree—Jackson really went above and beyond with this one. Ka rawe, Jackson!
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
Jah-kahn – Rm 15
Jordyn – Rm 6
Tiki-Anaru – Rm 18
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/
Newsletter Next Week
Just a heads up that next week’s newsletter will be published on Wednesday, not Tuesday.
Board Outstanding Achievement Award
The purpose of this award is to acknowledge students who have achieved at a very high level of their chosen pursuit (academic, sporting, cultural, community service or other activities). It is intended to be used to promote these students as role models throughout the school community in a manner that encourages other children to look up to and strive to emulate. Students in Years 4-8 are eligible to be nominated for the award.
Official nomination forms are available from the school office or on the school website under ‘Board of Trustees’. They should be completed and returned as soon as possible. The nomination closing date is Friday, 22 November.
For further information on the awards process, please contact Assistant Principal Vicki Wilson during school hours on 298 5775.
From the Board
As we move into Term 4, the school board has several essential tasks to ensure a successful conclusion to the academic year and solid planning for 2025.
We will review student progress and the school’s performance against the strategic plan in preparation for setting 2025’s annual implementation plan and allocating school resources per these priorities.
We will prepare our draft budget for next year, reflecting our priorities per the annual implementation plan, which needs to be ready to use from 1 January 2025.
We will continue to support Jess and the team in implementing the required curriculums and teaching approaches by Term 1, 2025.
We will continue to communicate what’s involved in being on the board ahead of the 2025 Board elections.
And as we close out the year, we also want to ensure that our Year 8s have an excellent finish to their time at PBS and get the best possible start to the next phase of their journey while also making sure that all of our teaching and support staff are well supported in what is inevitably a busy time of year.
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)
A super simple saying that you can use in your everyday conversations.
E kī, e kī (Whatever)
Using the @School App
I will regularly highlight a button on the @school app. This week it is:
This button has more relevance in Years 3 to 8. This button takes you to the Spotlight learning space your child uses at school. It gives you access to the menu shown below. If you haven’t already explored this space get your child to show you.
This is on the landing page:
It shows you the learning goal your child is working on, the curriculum level (L3) and in some cases a comment from the teacher.
Cups & Trophies Return
It’s that time of year when we request the return of any cups or trophies awarded at last year’s prize-giving. We’d be grateful if they could be given a quick polish before dropping off to the school office. Thank you.
Grocery Grab Raffle
Thank you to all that have sold or returned your Grocery Grab raffle tickets. We really appreciate all your help. We would be really grateful if you could please try and finish selling your tickets by the end of next week, and return them on Friday, 1 November as we are going to sell the unsold tickets outside New World that weekend.
If you still require more tickets, however, please email sandys@pbs.school.nz and we can arrange for further tickets to be sent home.
Ngā mihi
PBS PTA Committee
Class Requests for 2025
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, 25 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.
Big NZ Shakeout
Once again PBS has registered for the Big NZ Shakeout. This country-wide earthquake drill is being held on this Thursday, 25 October at 9.15am. Whilst we practise drills at other times in the year we feel it’s important to undertake this national drill with other schools and workplaces around the motu. If you are on site at school at this time please join us and role model the appropriate safety actions.
Olympic Ambassador Visit
Today we had Max Brown, an Olympic Ambassador, visit us. He spoke to the Year 5-8 students about his journey to becoming a 2 time Olympian. This year he competed at the Paris Olympics in the K4 Canoe sprint.
Some of the key things our tamariki learned was about resilience and hardwork, to accept opportunities and to believe in yourself. Ngā mihi Max and good luck for your future endeavours!
Year 7 Immunisations
Public health registered nurses are coming to our school on 25 November 2024 to provide immunisations for the Year 7 (and in some cases Year 8) tamariki who have returned their immunisation forms giving consent.
- If you have changed your mind or your situation has changed please contact them at res-immunisation@huttvalleydhb.org.nz, or call them on 04 587 2949.
- If you have not yet consented, but want to, please collect a consent form from the school office or contact them on 04 587 2949.
- If you declined the vaccines last year but you have changed your mind and you now want your Year 8 child to receive the vaccine(s) please collect a consent form from the school office or contact them on 04 587 2949.
- If you have any questions or concerns please contact them at res-immunisation@huttvalleydhb.org.nz, or call them on 04 587 2949.on
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
Join the PBS Whānau Rōpu
Order & Win with Ezlunch!
Every week for the first five weeks of term 4, order ezlunch and be in the draw to win one of two $50 ezlunch vouchers!
How to enter for Week Two:
Place your ezlunch order for delivery between Monday 21st and Friday 25th October, and you’ll automatically be entered – we’ll share the winners each week.
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!
