"Together we are lifelong CREST learners"
Principal's Message
Hi everyone 
We have two events we would love to see you at next week!
The first is a parent information evening on Wednesday, 19 February, 7pm-9pm, which I encourage at least one parent from each whānau to attend. The presenter, Rob Cope, will be talking to parents about how to keep your kids safe online, typical online behaviour and pitfalls. In our ever-increasing digital world, I am sure you’ll agree, adults CANNOT turn a blind eye to these dangers. If you intend to come along please let me know via this link so I can ensure we have enough seating and refreshments available. https://forms.gle/R7SDq1eh4a6AcL8o8 NB: This session is not appropriate for children.
The second event is our annual Summer Picnic on Friday, 21 February, from 4pm. We usually get an excellent turnout at this afternoon/evening event, so it’s a great way to build community and get to know other parents and our staff. On the night, the pool will be open for swimming, there will be sausage sizzles, iceblocks and coffees for sale, a big bouncy castle, karaoke and tug of war. We hope you can join us!
Don’t stop reading just yet – this newsletter contains information on:
- Rob Cope “Our Kids online” – a parent-evening not to miss!
- Connecting to the HERO app
- CREST values
- Keeping kids sun-safe
- PBS is looking for a second hand freezer – can you help?
Ngā mihi nui,
Jess Ward
Principal – Tumuaki
P.S. Got a suggestion? Let us know through our online suggestion box.
A few upcoming dates:
- Wednesday, 19 February – Parent Education Evening “Our Kids Online” 7m – 9pm
- Friday, 21 February – School Summer Picnic 4pm – 7pm (more information next week)
- Thursday, 27 February – School closed for Ministry “Curriculum Day’”
- 3-7 March – Senior camp for Rooms 7, 14 & 16
- 10-14 March – Senior camp for Rooms 13 & 15
Welcome to Our Recent New Students
Kim – Rm 15
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/
Parent Education Evening - Our Kids Online
PBS is pleased to be able to host Rob Cope again to deliver his insightful talk about online safety, risks and how to protect your child. We recommend that one parent from every family attends. Gold coin entry.
Hero Parent App
With our move 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.
To enable both parents to access the Hero platform you need to have individual email addresses.
Getting started on Hero
- Either use this QR Code
- Smartphone/device: Download the app
- Computer: Enter go.linc-ed.com on your browser
Here are instructions from Hero
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.
Āe māriki – For sure
Sun Safety & Bucket Hat Term!
While we provide many resources, our budget doesn’t stretch to sunscreen for every student. We kindly ask that parents apply sunscreen to their children before they arrive at school each day and provide a small tube or roll-on sunscreen to their bag for reapplication throughout the day. Roll-ons are especially handy, as they’re easier for children to use on their own without wasting extra sunscreen.
Wide brimmed hats are also a requirement for school this term. If your child doesn’t have a hat they are stuck playing under a veranda at break times, which isn’t much fun.
Let’s work together to keep everyone safe in the sun!
PS: If you have any second-hand wide brimmed hats you no longer need at home, feel free to donate them to school. Thank you
Touch Rugby Season Leg 2
The second leg of the touch season starts back up this week – Tuesday, 11 February & Wednesday, 12 February and runs until 19 March.
Coaches will have been in contact with their teams to inform you of game times, however, the draw can be found on the Kapiti Junior Touch website. Please refer to this each week in case changes are made. https://www.sporty.co.nz/kapititouchjunior/Draw-1/kjt-draw-202425
Second Hand Freezer Needed
PBS is in need of an additional freezer. If anyone has a small chest freezer or an upright/vertical freezer that is surplus to requirements, we’d be grateful to take it off your hands. Please contact the office team and we can arrange a pick up. Thanks.
Dangerous Behaviours on Scooters & Bicycles
With a long summer break it seems that some kids have forgotten how to ride their bikes and scooters safely to and from school. We’ve heard reports of kids without helmets, kids cycling out between cars, electric scooters speeding up behind pedestrians on footpaths, and other risky actions. If your child uses one of these methods to get to and from school, please go through the safety rules with them again. We would hate to hear reports of injuries.
Thanks
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
Ezlunch - Every Order = Another Chance to Win
Exciting news! Every time you order Ezlunch this term, you’ll get an entry into our Term 1 Rewards draw.
What’s up for grabs?
Weekly Prize: $100 Kindo Credit for you + $100 Kindo Credit for your school 
Term 1 Grand Prize: $1,000 JB Hi-Fi Gift Card for you + $500 JB Hi-Fi Gift Card for your school!
Thank you to JB Hi-Fi for making our Grand Prize rewards possible!
JB Hi-Fi has partnered with Kindo in 2025 to streamline BYOD for schools, and we appreciate their generous support.
The best part? Every meal you order gets you one entry. The more lunches you order, the more chances to win!
The first draw is next Monday – get your orders in now!
Read the Terms and Conditions for the Ezlunch Term 1 Rewards draw here
