"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou,
I’ve decided to start this second to last newsletter for 2024 with an issue I need your help with – teaching kids about racism. Thankfully it’s not a common complaint I hear from kids at PBS but it certainly does occur. So whilst end of year newsletters are typically full of the positive news (and this one is too), this issue is too important to park deeper in the newsletter and something I’d appreciate you having family conversations about in preparation for a better 2025.
If you’ve been at PBS for a few years you may have noticed that our community is growing in diversity. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that that’s something to be celebrated. Children can be curious about cultural differences and that’s ok. However, sometimes children see ‘difference’ and react in unkind ways. The hurt that racist or unkind comments cause can last a lifetime.
Children do not immediately see that difference is a rich tapestry of experience, culture and values, so as a community we need to raise our tamariki to show respect, acceptance and understanding. As adults we need to help teach children with our words, our actions and our experiences that diversity is beautiful.
Later in this newsletter I’ve included a blog post by Elise Gravel on helping children understand social justice. Perhaps over summer this is something all families may want to talk to their kids about. Elise’s website is full of helpful information and cartoon images which can be used to support children’s growing understanding of the social world. Check out her blog https://elisegravel.com/en/
Thank you for reading.
Here are some things happening over these last few days of school:
- Wednesday, 11 December – Whole School End of Year assembly 9.15am (Please join us outside Rooms 17 and 18)
- Wednesday, 11 December – Transition Visits (visiting classes for 2025)
- Thursday, 12 December – Te Motu’s (Year 7-8) end of year trip to Waikanae Pool
- Thursday, 12 December – Ngaru’s (Year 3-4) end of year fun day at school
- Friday, 13 December – Whole School Christmas dress up day!
- Friday, 13 December – Tātahi’s (Year 0-2) Christmas showcase at 2.15pm
- Tuesday, 17 December – Year 5-8 Prizegiving
- Tuesday, 17 December – School closes for the year at 12.30pm
Don’t stop reading just yet – this newsletter contains information on:
- IMPORTANT! Printing and saving your child’s previous reports (you will lose access to these on 31 December as we are moving to a new system)
- Classes for 2025 and Transition Visits
- Student Council News – Can you put a present under our Xmas tree?
- Raising a child who is mindful of social justice
Ngā mihi nui,
Jess Ward
Principal – Tumuaki
P.S. Got a suggestion? Let us know through our online suggestion box.
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
Wow, the CREST values were on full display during our cultural performance showcase last week. Our Year 1-4 classes were entertained by some of our awesome senior performance groups; Kapa Haka, PBS Band, PBS Choir and the Pasifika dance group. These groups would not exist without the dedication and passion of the PBS staff leading them- Cath Franks, Colin Siversen, Jalah Davis, Bek Sutherland and Di Puati, so ngā mihi nui for your mahi in this space and also thank you to the wider staff who support these teachers to be able to take on these roles.
Well done to all of our tamariki who performed. The hours of practice were evident in your wonderful performances!
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
There were no new students this week
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/
Classes for 2025 and Transition Visits
In preparation for 2025, we have scheduled ‘Transition Visits’ to allow students in Years 0-7 to meet their teacher and classmates for next year. This year transition visits will take place on Wednesday, 11 December. On this day students will spend about 40 minutes with their 2025 class.
NB: Class lists will not be displayed this year, as privacy concerns were raised with us last year regarding the open display of students’ full names and room numbers.
Senior Prize Giving
Our Senior Prize-Giving will be held on Tuesday, 17 December in the school hall, and will start at 9:30am. This event is for our Years 5-8 students. It will include performances from our Kapa Haka Group and the PBS school band. Whānau are welcome to attend this celebration of student achievement. Seating will be limited. Please note that this event is not appropriate for pre-schoolers.
From the Student Council
Tilitha from Muscular Dystrophy NZ visited our school last week so we could hand over the money raised for this charity. Tilitha was able to share some of her own experiences and educate us about the amazing work that Muscular Dystrophy NZ do for people in our community. She also donated a book for our library to help with our understanding around MD conditions. Thank you for your support!
Christmassy CREST at PBS – thank you for donating gifts for us to share Christmas joy with families in our community. You can still drop off items this week. We’re encouraging everyone to dress up Chrissmassy this Friday to celebrate the joy of giving!
Raising a Child Who is Mindful of Social Justice by Elise Gravel
Introducing social justice to kids without overwhelming and depressing them can seem like a tricky task, but it’s crucial in today’s world. We want to nurture a sense of empathy and fairness without burdening young minds with heavy narratives. How can we teach social justice in a way that’s engaging and uplifting, focusing on positivity and empowerment? How can we motivate kids to make positive change? Here are some key strategies:
1- Foster Open Conversations
Have ongoing age-appropriate discussions about issues like racism, sexism, poverty and other forms of discrimination and inequality. Ask questions to understand their perspectives, share your own views, and encourage critical thinking.
2- Expose Them to Diversity
Befriend people from diverse backgrounds and expose your children to different cultures through books, movies, museums, etc. This helps build empathy and appreciation for others.
3- Lead by Example
Model inclusive behavior, speak up against injustice, and get involved in causes that promote equality and human rights. Children learn powerfully from observing their parents’ actions.
4- Teach Advocacy Skills
Empower your kids to use their voices by brainstorming ways they can make a difference, like writing letters, creating art, or joining youth organisations that address social issues.
5- Highlight Diverse Role Models
Introduce your children to people of different genders, races, abilities, etc. who are making positive impacts. This expands their perspectives on who can be a leader and catalyst for change.
6- Address Biases and Stereotypes
Help your children recognise their own unconscious biases and societal stereotypes. Provide counter-narratives that challenge limiting beliefs about different groups.
By taking a proactive approach through open dialogue, diverse experiences and empowerment, parents can nurture children’s awareness of inequity and inspire them to be forces for a more just world.
@School App (eTap)
It has been confirmed by eTAP that once our subscription has ceased that parents will not be able to access their child’s information through the @schoolapp.
If there is any thing you would like to keep, this needs to be printed out before 31 December 2024.
Also, with us changing to Hero this will be the last time that we will be using the Blog and the Learning Summary on the @school app for reporting.
Junior School Parents (Year 0 – Year 2) please keep a close eye on the Blog button on the @school app as your child’s teacher will be putting your child’s reporting comments on here. The picture below shows what the button looks like and if something new has been posted and the count button will show.
eTAP has advised that if you would like to print blog entries on the caregiver app under each individual entry, there is an icon to download that blog to enable you to print it. There is no provision for you to be able to download and print multiple entries at the one time.
Year 3 – Year 8 School Parents please keep a close eye on the Learning Summary button on the @school app at the end of the term, as your child’s reporting comments will be put on here. The picture below shows what the button looks like and if something new has been posted and the count button will show.
To print Learning Summaries on the caregiver app you need to open the Learning Summary which downloads and opens as a PDF to enable you to print it. There is no provision for you to be able to download and print multiple Learning Profiles at the one time.
Hero Parent App
With us moving to Hero, parents and caregivers will need to download the Hero App. Hero brings all school communications into a single app to keep parents up to date.
Hero is designed to reduce the number of places that parents need to check for information about school. Parents and caregivers can log in to their Hero account to see all their child’s learning and progress and read school notices.
Getting started on Hero
- Either use this QR Code
- Smartphone/device: Download the app
- Computer: Enter go.linc-ed.com on your browser
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)
Te Rā Kirihimete – Christmas Day
Hana Koko – Father Christmas
Perehana – present
Rākau Kirihimete – Christmas tree
Koha – gift
Whakarākai rākau – decorations
Tiripapā Kirihimete – Christmas cracker
Touch Rugby
Reminder that this week is the final game week for the first leg of the touch rugby season. The second leg starts back from 11 February 2025 through to 19 March.
Congratulations to our two Year 8 Under 14 teams who will play their last game this Wednesday. And a big thank you to the coaches Paul and Rebecca for giving up your time and encouraging our tamariki to be active whilst having fun.
Netball
Netball is a much loved sport in the Kapiti region and after a grueling 16 weeks of the regular winter season, one would think players would have had enough BUT not our PBS players. PBS had a strong representation at the annual Netball Kapiti Twilight 8 weeks of competition this year with a team made up of mostly PBS players, walking away with the win. Congratulations to the ALL-NET Team, who were undefeated and walked away with the #1 spot!
Well done to our PBS crew – Kaya O’Brien, Alyssa Hudson, Peyton McGarry-Paku, Ceejay Huriwaka, Zavier Marshall, Kaycee de Wit, Aliyah Hudson and Jermayne Inoke, along with our OLOK crew Tabitha Ferreira and Lucy Mettrick – and a HUGE thank you coach Litara Huriwaka.
A massive THANKS to Netball Kapiti for running the comp, Rebecca Noble from Property Brokers and Coastlands for sponsoring this event which continues to grow in popularity and is a great way to end the Netball year.
Thank You!
The Te Motu Syndicate would like to say a huge thank you to our amazing team of parents who spent the day transforming the hall into an amazing venue for our Year 8 leavers tonight.
A big thank you also to Alison from Bee & Bloom florist who generously donated flowers to brighten up the occasion. Alison has a fresh flower stand in Callendar Terrace which is well worth a visit!
Student Council
The Student Council are holding Christmas CREST at PBS!
There is a tree set up in the office for anyone who would like to give a gift to PBS kids and their families in need. We want to share the love and bring some joy to others on Christmas Day. If this is something that you’d like to support, please bring a small gift to pop under our Christmas tree. Please label the gift with an age & gender the gift is targeted for. Your gift can be wrapped or we’ll wrap it! Or you might prefer to donate directly to the PBS Aroha fund via KINDO.
The last day for gift giving will finish this Friday, 13 December when we’re holding a whole school Christmassy dress up day, just for fun! Ngā mihi nui.
Xma Raffle Fundraiser
Scentsy raffle tickets are being sold outside the staffroom before and after school up until 13 December when it will be drawn. Get your ticket now (cash only please) for $2 a ticket or $5 for 3 tickets. Also, we have just two small reusable decorative gift boxes with 3 Cadbury Favourite chocolates left for $4 each – these would make awesome Christmas gifts.
All proceeds go to the Aroha fund.
Kapiti Library Summer Challenge
Kāpiti Libraries have set our tamariki the challenge to keep reading over the summer break. Each day of summer tamariki are encouraged to read something that they enjoy and come along to the summer reading events at the library. Click on the link below to learn more about the competition. This year the grand prize is a $250 Warehouse voucher or 5 extra chances to win a $50 voucher.
Everyone who completes the challenge receives a book, certificate and an invite to the Kapiti Libraries finale party at MacLean Park, Paraparaumu Beach.
Library Book Return
Library books need to be returned to school for the end of year stock take. Please check at home for any school library books and return them to the library return box this week.
Thank you.
Lost Property
Please check the lost property cupboard (and when it is out on fine days) by the netball/tennis courts.
Anything un-named or un-claimed will be sent to Koha Shed at the end of term.
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
