Thursday 4 December

Message from Mike

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

In what feels like the blink of an eye, we are at the end of what has been an outstanding 2025 school year. This week, we have celebrated success from all areas of school life, and while it was disappointing to cancel the picnic, there were plenty of other memorable events.

The four prizegiving ceremonies were the highlight of the week. The number of students receiving awards highlights the exceptional talent across all ages and areas of school life. For me, it is a privilege to share the stage with our award winners, knowing the impact they will have in the future. But just as importantly, I am incredibly proud of every student who has challenged themselves in the pursuit of improvement and excellence. The internal drive they show for growth and success is an admirable quality.

The Christmas concerts that were held today are a great way to finish the year. With lots of songs to sing along to and plenty of laughs, it is a fitting final celebration. I enjoyed seeing all of the students onstage, and watching our College staff performing together was also a highlight!

Next week, you will receive communication outlining the changes to our core IT systems in 2026. While any change can create some challenges, the new software being introduced will provide a smoother digital connection with the school. Please read the message carefully as it impacts all members of our community.

In the classroom this year, we have focused on our approaches to teaching and learning, drawing on the work of Rosenshine to establish a clear framework for what makes outstanding lessons. We will continue this journey in 2026 and beyond to deepen our understanding of these concepts, ensuring that our students can enjoy high-quality lessons across the curriculum. Our commitment to excellence is unwavering, and we look forward to building on our already outstanding results.

Next year, we will see tangible work begin on our site plan, with the first project, building a cover for the primary netball courts, targeted for completion in the July holidays. Already, we are well into planning for a new classroom block in the College that will feature three science labs, two general classrooms, and spaces to support pastoral care. We are aiming for the work to commence on this project late toward the end of 2026.

It was brilliant to hear that Jack J was awarded the College Sport Award for Badminton for the second year in a row. Along with our other finalists, Tony Y (badminton), Jessica D (gymnastics), and Sophie Y (Golf), it is great to see our top athletes recognised for their determination and success. These awards are the pinnacle of recognition for school competition in Auckland, and we are very proud of all of them.

To all of you who are reading this newsletter for the last time, I wish you the best for the future. I hope that your experience at Pinehurst has been an enjoyable one and that you are able to reflect on your time in our community with fond memories.

For those returning next year, I look forward to seeing you all in January for what will no doubt be a brilliant 2026 school year.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer, full of fun, relaxation, and creating great memories.

Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year.

Regards,
Mike Waller

Message from Sian

Kia ora,

I am writing for the final time this year, can you believe it! This week’s Y3-6 prizegivings were a proud moment for our school community, as we celebrated the achievements and efforts of our students. Although not every child can win a prize, they were all part of the event musically and clapped for their friends and classmates when they were called to the stage. At our Year 5-6 awards there is special recognition of students who have stood out. We congratulate Brennan for receiving the inaugural Terry Shepherd award for Community Spirit, Lucas for Arts and Speech, Antony for Dedication to Music, Hannah for Citizenship, Cecilia, and Kasey as Proxime Accessit, and Jennifer for Academic Dux.

The joy continued with our Christmas festivities—smiles, laughter, and Santa hats filled the gym, creating a truly magical atmosphere. It was a fitting end to an excellent year of learning, both in and out of the classroom, and we are so grateful for the hard work and dedication shown by students, staff, and families.

Reports will be sent out this afternoon, along with details of your child’s teacher for 2026 if they are continuing in Primary. Thank you for your ongoing support throughout the year—it has made all the difference. Enjoy the time with your children, stay safe and we look forward to working with you again in 2026.

Ngā mihi nui,
Sian Coxon

Message from Dawn

Tēnā koutou katoa

What a wonderful way to end the term. This week we enjoyed two fantastic prizegiving ceremonies, each one a celebration of the hard work, commitment, and progress our students have shown throughout the year. Both events were uplifting occasions, with many proud moments as students were recognised for their achievements across a wide range of areas. Our orchestra performed beautifully at each ceremony, adding a special sense of occasion and showcasing the depth of talent within our school community.

To complete the week, our Christmas Concert provided a joyful and memorable finale to the year. It was a warm and festive celebration, filled with great performances and a strong sense of togetherness that captured the spirit of the season perfectly.

As we look back on these final days, I am incredibly proud of the way our students have conducted themselves. Their positivity, respect, and enthusiasm have been evident in everything they have done, and they have certainly earned a well-deserved school break.

Hoping you have a safe and restful holiday.

Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan

Dates for your Diary

Tuesday 27 January 2026

Term One Begins

SEE MORE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Notices and Events

🎄 Uniform Shop Holiday Hours 🎄

As we head into the festive season, please note that the Uniform Shop will close from Friday, 5 December 2025. We will reopen in January with special holiday hours to help you prepare for the new school year.

🌟 Holiday Shop Open Days

WEEK 1
Monday 12 – Friday 16 January

WEEK 2
Monday 19, Tuesday 20, Thursday 22 & Friday 23 January
Please note: The shop will be closed on Wednesday 21 January

⏰ Holiday Shop Hours

9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Regular operating hours will resume from Tuesday, 27 January onward.

📞 Need Help Outside These Hours?

For any urgent uniform needs, please contact Anna Xu:
📞 09 414 0960 ext 629
📧 uniform@pinehurst.school.nz

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
I look forward to seeing you in 2026. 😊

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