Newsletter 2024/24

"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"

Principal's Message

Kia ora koutou

Please keep reading as today’s newsletter contains information about:

  • Staff only day reminder (Thursday, 5 September) – SCHOOL CLOSED
  • Book Week Fair and Costume Parade
  • Maths week!
  • Student Council Update

Got a suggestion? Let us know through our online suggestion box.

It’s MATHS WEEK! We love sparking curiosity and excitement in our students about engaging with maths. It’s not always easy, especially for those who think they’re “not a maths person.” This is where a growth mindset becomes particularly important.

As a child I definitely thought that I was not a maths person and my parents reinforced it (without realising the damage). However, as we mature we learn that with practice, effort and a growth-mindset, we can achieve things we once thought were unattainable. Last year I had to undertake a challenging statistics paper for a course of study.  Knowing it would stretch my brain, I took detailed notes, practised the formula and calculations, and watched lots of youtube clips to bolster my understanding. I was thrilled to receive a score of 93% at the end of the course. 

So, don’t let your child believe they’re not a maths person. Don’t let that doubt set in. A fixed mindset can lead to giving up too quickly. With determination and effort, they might surprise themselves with what they can achieve.

This week there will be daily maths puzzles in the notices to challenge students as well as a maths scavenger hunt, maths bingo and even some maths inspired art!

Mā te wā,
Jess Ward
Principal – Tumuaki

Upcoming dates for your awareness:

  • 19 – 23 August – PBS Book Week and Book Fair
  • Wednesday, 21 August – Senior Winter Tournament for Years 7-8 (pp day 22/8)
  • Friday, 23 August – Book Week Parade (whole school)
  • Wednesday, 28 August – Junior Winter Tournament for Years 5-6 (pp day 30/8)
  • Thursday, 5 September – Teacher only day (school closed for instruction)
  • 16 – 20 September – Māori 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 TEAMWORK and RESPECT

Our wonderful Teacher Aide team has created engaging Olympic-themed activities for our students with additional needs. They sourced equipment and resources to make these sessions interactive and fun.

Students first made their own Olympic mascots with playdough, measuring ingredients to create the playdough in the colours of the Olympic rings. This activity incorporated colour and measurement language and followed instructions such as mixing, stirring, kneading, and adding.

Next, students participated in a child-friendly shotput using hula hoops and bean bags. After 12 throws, they counted how many bean bags landed in each hoop. Jelly beans in Olympic colours were awarded, with students counting the correct number of each colour using a colour strip as a guide.

I’m sure you will agree that the efforts of our Teacher Aide team honoured our values of teamwork and respect. 

Welcome to Our Recent New Students

Vienna – Rm 11


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/

Reminder - 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.

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) 

Karawhiua – Go for it. 

Here is a video on how to say it https://youtu.be/lmHFUYDWT7o?si=OoV08YrCmHTQZSnt

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.

Using the @School App

I will regularly highlight a button on the @school app. This week it is

This button takes you to a page that helps you to see the personal information that we have on our School management system relating to your child.

If any of the information needs to be corrected you can ring the school office to correct it.

Kid's Quote

7 and 8 year olds were trying to guess the words missing from a book about Dolphins. 

The teacher said: “Dolphins cannot live under the polar…..”

Student response:  “…bear!”

Teacher:  “I’d be surprised if anything could live under a polar bear.” 🙂

From the Student Council

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone’s book character costumes next Friday. The Parade will be held at 9:10am (weather permitting) on the basketball court.

Dates for our lunchtime movie charity fundraiser will be published in next week’s newsletter and tickets will be available through KINDO next week as well.

Last week the Student Council purchased some outdoor bean bags with some funds raised last year. Our clever office team has branded them for us and these will be put out on fine days to be enjoyed by PBS students.

Student Councillors Charlie and Juvan

Important Reminder - Reporting Absences

As mentioned previously, if your child is going to be absent from school, please remember to advise the office.

  • If your child is sick, please advise the office daily
  • If your child is going to be away from school for more than one day that you know of due to sickness, please advise all upcoming dates (this can easily be changed if the child comes back early)
  • If your child is going to be late to school for any reason, please advise the office beforehand
  • If your child is going to be away on holiday etc, please complete a Student Leave Form (available electronically on our website or hard copy at the office)

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.

Netball

With Year 3 and Year 4 netball now finished I would like to say a huge thank you to parents for taking their players down to the Te Ātiawa Netball courts each week. Without your support we would not be able to enter any teams in this competition.

Year 3 and Year 4 netball  players can now start returning their washed and dried netball shirts to school. 

Finally, there are still a number of families who have not paid their netball fees.  This is across the board, Year 3 – Year 8 players. It is important that these fees are paid so we can pay our association fees to Netball Kāpiti and replace worn or lost equipment. Thank you.

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

The next monthly hui will be held tonight (Tuesday, 13 August) from 6pm to 8pm in the School Hall.  All whānau welcome.

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.entertainmentnz.com/fundraiser/1051t05

Print Friendly, PDF & Email