Principal's Message
Kia ora koutou
Today’s newsletter is packed
with useful information for our whānau, with a few highlights being:
- Cultural Diversity at PBS – We love it!
- Welcome to Lorraine Rigg – Maternity Leave Teacher for Rm 24
- Mid-year learning conferences – Have you booked yet?
- Changes to Interschool Cross Country
Upcoming dates for your calendar:
- Learning Conferences – Tuesday, 20 June – Make a booking and bring your child along (school closed for instruction)
- Celebrating Matariki – Tuesday, 27 June – Activities throughout the school day
PRINCIPAL’S GREAT NEWS CORNER:
Sharing good news spreads positivity, changes attitudes and ultimately leads to more people feeling encouraged and happy
Cultural diversity at Paraparaumu Beach School is growing and we love it!
I read an interesting article “Children’s Friendships” by Elian Fink and Claire Hughes recently and found it very valuable. It promoted the need for and benefits of cross-cultural friendships. Children who are accepting and comfortable working with others from different cultural backgrounds have a clear advantage in our diversity-rich country and the world at large.
Cross-cultural friendships help children learn about the inaccuracy of stereotypes, inequity and the importance of inclusive attitudes, which all helps to reduce prejudice and increase understanding. When we take an interest in others who are different to ourselves, we learn about things outside our experience and come to accept that everyone is unique – and UNIQUE IS COOL!
So, how can parents support children to widen their friendship circle? It’s so easy; the most effective way is for parents to have a diverse range of friendships themselves. Your own role-modelling of acceptance, your celebration of diversity and your inclusiveness of others fosters this in our kids.
Childhood friendships are important for the development of social skills and self-identity. I encourage parents to ensure kids are socially active outside of school too e.g. play dates, shared hobbies/clubs, team sports.
Have a great short week everyone!
Ngā mihi nui,
Jess Ward
Principal ~ Tumuaki
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/
Welcome to Lorraine Rigg
We are getting really excited about meeting “Baby Smith” later next term! In the meantime I am delighted to let you know that I have appointed Lorraine Rigg to teach Room 24 when Sarah Smith goes on maternity leave.
Lorraine is well known to us at Paraparaumu Beach School as a valued member of our relief staff. I know you will join me in welcoming Lorraine to the PBS team.
Tuesday, 20 June Learning Conferences - Don’t Forget to Bring Your Child Along!
This year we are bringing our mid-year learning conferences forward, to hold them at the end of Term 2 rather than the start of Term 3. Our Board has granted us a Teacher-Only day to run these important conferences. This means parents will need to book in for an interview slot and bring their child/children along at that time. Normal teaching will not occur on this day. Please put this date in your diary and book yourselves in on on the Skool Loop App. Download the app now on Google Play or the App Store.
Ten minute conference time slots will go through the day until 6pm. Whilst we prefer face to face, zoom slots can be offered. Please note that there will not be time to raise complex social issues or confidential matters, but you can arrange a time to do this with your child’s teacher at another time by emailing them.
Matariki
Around the end of May or early June in Aotearoa, the Pleiades cluster of stars can be seen low on the northeastern horizon just before dawn. This cluster carries the Māori name, Matariki. The rise of Matariki and the sighting of the next new moon during June/July mark the Māori New Year.
Over the next few weeks, we will look at each whetū(star).
Matariki: is connected to well-being, and at times Matariki was viewed as an omen of good fortune and health. The shade green reflects health and growth, nature and wellness.
Hiwa-i-te-rangi: is connected to the promise of a prosperous season. This tradition is similar to the notion of wishing upon a whetū (star), or a New Year’s resolution.
These whetū (star) can be found at www.ahocreative.com if you would like to download them.
Kid's Quote
Senior Student “ Mrs Chambers, Mrs Chambers, I have a VERY IMPORTANT question for you! …… Queensland or New South Wales?”
Sadly the student didn’t approve of Mrs Chambers response 🙂
Student Work
Check out artwork by the talented kids of Room 29! What creative minds we have at PBS.
Delicious Hāngī for Sale!
Te Moana syndicate is fundraising for our camp in Term 4 by selling delicious hāngī. Grab the family a yummy dinner while helping to reduce the cost of camp for all Yr 5/6 students.
$15 each – Chicken, pork, lamb, potato, kumara, pumpkin and reka rawa stuffing!
Only 150 are available, so get in quick!!!
- Order on Kindo today
- Orders close Monday, 26 June at noon
- Pick up straight from the umu beside the tennis courts at approximately 5pm on Thursday, 29 June
- We will post on FB as this is being lifted
Postponement date if the weather is unfavourable TBC in Term 3.
Thanks to Bedlam and Bliss, Nuwave and SM Property Development for their generous donations
Wood Donations for Matariki Hāngī
We’ve got some lovely Manuka drying in preparation for our hāngī thanks to the Miratana family but we are also looking for other dry wood to get the fire super hot.
If you have any odd dry rounds, oddly shaped pieces or just some dry firewood at home that you’d like to donate, please contact Ginny Hawke on ghawke@pbs.school.nz
Scholastic Book Orders
We have just been advised that Scholastic book orders will be delayed due to flooding issues and damage to our order at Head Office in Auckland. We will issue them to families as soon as they arrive.
Kapiti Interschool Cross-Country Year 3 - 8’s
Due to the rolling secondary school strikes, The Kapiti Interschool Cross-Country event has been postponed until 13 June (PDD 14 June). This is due to a large number of officials and helpers from the college helping to run this event.
On Tuesday, all Year 3 – 6 students competing in this event will need to be at school by 8.30 a.m, ready to take the roll and catch the bus. Please ensure your child has their school top, warm clothes, and plenty of water and food. Year 7 – 8’s will be catching the bus later at 11.30 a.m.
If you will be taking your child directly to Waikanae Park or your child is unwell on the day, please contact Hillary Houston at hhouston@pbs.school.nz as well as let the office know before 8.00 a.m.
The programme and race course for the event can be found below and on the school’s Facebook page. Supporters are most welcome to come to Waikanae Park to cheer on our awesome athletes.
Rugby League Skills Training
Last week, our students had a fantastic day of rugby league skills training with the Kapiti Bears Rugby League Club. The experience left a lasting impression and ignited a passion for the sport in our young learners.
The Kapiti Bears coaches arrived with enthusiasm, ready to teach our students the ins and outs of rugby league. Throughout the sessions, our students immersed themselves in passing, tackling and kicking skills. The coaches tailored their instruction to suit each student’s age and skill level,
fostering growth and development.
We express our appreciation for the Kapiti Bears Rugby League Club’s time, expertise, and enthusiasm in sharing the joy of rugby league. Their visit has made a significant impact on our students and many are now eager to continue their rugby league journey.
Word Mania
Congratulations to Room 15 who won the AU/NZ Word Mania competition and received a $AU3000 Literacy Planet subscription and a $500 voucher to spend on school supplies!
Recent Student Achievements
Cycling: Congratulations to Alex Martin who won the Kapiti Coastal Crew Month of May Challenge. Alex won by riding a combined total of 874kms throughout the month. Outstretched distance is from Paraparaumu to just past Auckland. What an amazing effort Alex!
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
Kapiti Kids Sports Shoe Bank
- 2 Fincham Road, Raumati Beach
- Paraparaumu Primary School Office, Ruapehu Street
- Waikanae Baptist Church (Tue-Fri 9am-12pm c/-Thursday Craft Angels)
