Friday 21 November

Message from Mike

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

What a week! From awards ceremonies, to camps, and welcoming new College students, there has been a very lively campus.

For me, the highlight of the week was seeing our Year 13 students at the graduation dinner, as they closed the chapter on being school students and now step forward into the world beyond Pinehurst. With brilliant musical performances from Jackson and Sisi, the evening served as a reminder of the deep connection between our students. This year 10 students were recognised as completing their entire school experience at Pinehurst and we wish all the graduating class the best for the future.

On Tuesday, we celebrated the athletic accomplishments of our Primary, and Year 7 and 8 students. The level of sports performance has been incredible this year, and while it was brilliant to acknowledge our top athletes, every student who has represented the school should be proud of their contributions. Looking across the results at all levels, there is no doubt this has been our best year for sports to date, and I know that next year will be even better!

Yesterday, our Year 5 students enjoyed their trip to Brick Bay, where they had a chance to explore the sculptures and enjoy some time in nature. Our Silver Duke of Edinburgh and Year 12 students have also enjoyed their time on camp, though the conditions have been quite challenging for them. It is important to note that we take our trip safety very seriously, with detailed planning and ongoing weather checks. All staff leading trips know that they are empowered to say no when considering risk and will always act with proper caution.

On Wednesday, we welcomed College students who will be joining our community in 2026. While there were plenty of nerves on arrival, the smiles and enthusiasm quickly shone through, and everyone enjoyed the day. As well as getting to know the campus, the most important aspect of the day was ensuring our new students gain a deep understanding of what it means to be part of our school so that they are ready to contribute from day one.

Next week highlights that we are keeping busy all the way to the end of the term. With supercluster athletics and two camps, our students will be pushed physically. Year 6 will be looking forward to their graduation assembly and bowling evening, and PrEP market day will be a highlight across Primary. If you get a chance, I encourage you to visit the College art exhibition next Friday afternoon, and I am sure you will be amazed by the work on display.

Take care, and I hope you have a great weekend.

Regards,
Mike Waller

Dates for your Diary

Monday 24 November

Year 6 Graduation Assembly, Theatre (2.15pm)
Years 7 & 8 Formal, Soljans Estate Winery

Tuesday 25 November

DofE Gold Qualifier (Rest of this week)
Middle School Ethics Olympiad
Years 4-6 Super Cluster Athletics, Onewa Domain

Wednesday 26 November

Year 8 Camp: Student vs Wild
Year 5 Road Patrol Training (9.00am - 12.30pm)
Year 6 Tenpin Bowling Graduation (5.00pm - 7.00pm)

Thursday 27 November

Year 8 Camp: Student vs Wild
AIMS Athletics Championships (8.30am - 3.30pm)
Year 0-6 PrEP Market Day (9.00am - 12.40pm)

Friday 28 November

New Entrant Orientation Day (All Day)
New Entrant Parent Session with Parenting Place
Parent Helper Morning Tea (10.00am - 12.00pm)
College Art Exhibition (4.00pm - 7.00pm)

SEE MORE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Message from Sian

Kia ora,

As we approach the end of the year, it’s a time of transition, reflecting on all we have achieved and looking ahead to what’s next. Our Year 6 students are feeling both excited and a little nervous as they prepare to move into Year 7. Their recent College orientation day gave them a taste of what’s to come, and tonight they’ll enjoy their final Primary social at the Year 5 and 6 disco. At the other end of Primary our Term 1 2026 New Entrants will begin their Primary journey with their first transition morning next week.

This week also saw our Sports Prizegiving celebrating outstanding achievements on the field, court, and in the pool. Congratulations to our Team of the Year, the North Shore Swimming Team; Mete Cup for Sportsmanship winner, Eliam; Sportswoman of the Year, Kasey; and Sportsman of the Year, Marcus.

Upcoming Events:

24 Nov: Year 6 Graduation Assembly 2.15pm Theatre
25 Nov: Supercluster Athletics
26 Nov: Year 5 Road Patrol Training & Year 6 Bowling Graduation Party
27 Nov: PrEP Market Day
28 Nov: New Entrant Orientation Visit

Have a lovely weekend.

Ngā mihi nui,
Sian Coxon

Primary News

Years 4-6 Super Cluster Athletics

Tuesday 25 November

On Tuesday 25 November a group of 29 Athletes from Year 4-6 will be heading to Onewa Domain to compete in the Athletics Super Cluster against seven other local schools. The competition will be tough, but we know our students will shine. We wish them every success for this event.

Primary Enterprise Programme Market Day (PrEP) is coming next week!

Thursday 27 November

Our PrEP Market Day is coming up on Thursday 27 November for Years 0-6. As part of the Primary Enterprise Programme, students have been learning about marketing through the 4Ps – Product, Pricing, Packaging, and Promotion. Working in groups or as a class, they’ve made thoughtful decisions about their products, pricing strategies, and promotional approaches.

This event is a fantastic opportunity for students to apply their learning in a real-world context and showcase their creativity and entrepreneurial thinking.

Upcoming Primary Christmas Concert 2025

Thursday 4 December, Gymnasium (11.00am - 12.00pm)

Come and celebrate with our Pinehurst Primary students and enjoy a wonderful evening of Christmas songs and music from the School Orchestra, Woodwind Ensemble, Marimba Group, and School Choir!

We can’t wait to see you there — come along, join the festive fun, and don’t forget to wear something Christmassy! 🎄✨

Message from Dawn

Tēnā koutou katoa

We have a vibrant and busy week ahead in the College.

On Monday, Year 7 and 8 students will celebrate their year at the Year 7 and 8 Formal held at Soljan’s Estate in Kumeu. There is lots of excitement about this event among the students and it promises to be a fun evening.

Year 9 and 10 Ethics Olympiad teams will be competing all day on Tuesday, putting their critical thinking, teamwork and ethical reasoning skills to the test. At the same time, we are delighted to be hosting Cambridge Subject Network Meetings, welcoming a large number of teachers from other Cambridge schools onto our campus. This is a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and strengthen professional connections.

From Tuesday through Friday, a group of sixteen senior students will be heading out on their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey for which they will be walking The Heaphy Track. This is a significant milestone in the award programme, and we wish them an unforgettable experience.

From Wednesday to Thursday, our Year 8 Students versus Wild team heads to the Pinnacles for their overnight challenge.

Finally, on Friday, please join us in the theatre foyer for the College Art Exhibition; a celebration of creativity and talent across our school.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan

College News

Years 7 & 8 Formal: A Night to Remember!

Next Monday evening (24 November), we are thrilled to celebrate another fantastic year with our Year 7 and 8 students at the annual school formal.

Held at Soljans Estate Winery, this event promises to be a wonderful night of food, music, and dancing. It’s a special occasion for our students to dress up, enjoy themselves, and mark the end of a brilliant year with their classmates and teachers.

Please ensure your child arrives on time and is collected promptly at the end of the evening. Details regarding times and transport have been emailed, but if you have any questions, feel free to contact Mr Reynolds.

We’re looking forward to a memorable night!

Students vs Wild: Taking Service and Leadership to new heights

Next Wednesday 26 November, 33 of our Year 8 students will take part in the Students vs Wild overnight expedition. This is a unique outdoor experience designed to test their leadership, teamwork, and resilience.

This adventure is an important step for those working towards the Gold Award in our Service and Leadership programme. Over the course of the challenge, students will get the chance to stay at one of New Zealand’s premier Department of Conservation huts, support one another, and demonstrate the growth they’ve made this year.

We wish them all the very best as they head into the wild, it's sure to be an unforgettable experience!

Register for Year 7–8 Girls Basketball in 2026!

Open Now for Expressions of Interest

We’re looking ahead to 2026 and hoping to start a Year 7–8 Girls Basketball Team. The aim is to train weekly at school, play a few friendly games with other schools, and take part in the Zone Day.

We’re planning to train on Mondays at lunchtime, and this will be open to all skill levels. Whether your daughter has played before or is just keen to give it a go, we’d love to see her involved.

If your child will be in Year 7 or 8 in 2026 and might be interested, now is a great time to have a chat with them about it.

Registrations will open next year, but early conversations help us plan and build momentum.

Please feel free to get in touch if you'd like to register your interest or ask any questions: tony.hill@pinehurst.school.nz

South Korea School Exchange: July 2026

Pinehurst is delighted to offer students who will be in Years 8–13 in the 2026 school year the opportunity to participate in our international exchange programme with IMAE Middle School in South Korea.

The trip will take place from 4–14 July 2026 during the term break and provides an exceptional chance for students to experience South Korean culture, attend school abroad, and engage in enriching cultural activities. This programme is designed to foster global awareness and lifelong friendships. Spaces are limited, so we encourage interested families to register promptly using the online form: Korean School Exchange 2026.

If you would like to discuss the trip or need further information, please contact Laurie Cadag at laurie.cadag@pinehurst.school.nz

Why Changing Their Mind Is Healthy

Ever felt thrilled when your 10-year-old proudly announced they wanted to be a surgeon, only to feel crushed four years later when they say, “I’ve changed my mind; it’s too hard”? You’re not alone.

A Year 7 student declaring they want to be a surgeon isn’t overestimating their ability; rather, they simply can’t grasp the complexity of what they’re aspiring to. This shift is common, and it’s part of a bigger journey that every young person takes:

Many young people get stuck at the summit of certainty, holding onto an ideal before understanding the practical steps involved. Career development isn’t about finding a perfect match; instead, it’s about building adaptability to navigate the inevitable valleys.

The valley of reality is a useful and necessary place to be. When confidence dips, it’s not failure, it’s progress. They’re learning what the path really involves.

How You Can Help

Normalise the shift: Reassure them that changing direction is part of growing up.
Ask open-ended questions: ‘When you imagine making a positive impact, what does that look like to you?’
Focus on skills, not titles: Encourage them to think about what they enjoy doing rather than fixating on job labels.
Share real stories: Talk about people who changed careers and thrived.
Celebrate adaptability: Frame flexibility as a strength, not a setback.

Reference: Dr Lucy Sattler

Notices and Events

Music Lesson Registration for 2026

Registrations for music lessons at Pinehurst in 2026 are now open!

Lessons are 30 minutes long, held during the school day. Experienced teachers come on-site to teach a range of instruments, from Piano to Trumpet, Drums, Singing and more. You can register via our website under the Music Tuition page. Students who have had lessons at school this year, must register again for next year.

Please email Mrs Jaques if you need more information: cynthia.jaques@pinehurst.school.nz

Co-Curricular Groups Registration for 2026

We have opened registrations for our Co-Curricular Groups for 2026 and have some exciting opportunities for music involvement next year.

You can read the list of groups on offer and register here. Students who have been in a group this year also must register again for next year. Primary and College Orchestra members have been sent an email with audition video instructions.

Please email Mrs Jaques if you need more information: cynthia.jaques@pinehurst.school.nz

Summer Reading: eBooks and Audio Books

As we near the summer holidays, it is a great time to make sure you still have access to the Pinehurst ePlatform APP – the home of our wonderful eBooks and eAudio book collections. Our librarians share some tips and tricks for getting the most out of the terrific listening and reading resources that available through this subscription.

How do I access the ePlatform ?

Watch this video to get yourself started:
https://eplatform-1.wistia.com/medias/xkqer4hudq

Browse the different collections - Pinehurst has eBook Platforms for both Primary and College:
Years 0-6: https://pinehurstpri.eplatform.co/
Years 7-13 https://pinehurstcol.eplatform.co/

We use the Single Sign On for logging in with our student’s emails and passwords. We’d love our students to keep up with their reading over the upcoming school holidays.

Please contact the library if you have any problems logging in. Email Michele Coombridge (Library Manager): library@pinehurst.school.nz

🎄 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 YearQ I look forward to seeing you in 2026. 😊

Donations for Pinehurst Christmas Hampers

Thank you! Your generosity is greatly appreciated... we are still collecting

Many thanks to those of you who have contributed donations for our Xmas Hampers. It is tradition for Pinehurst to present these at our Pinehurst Christmas Concert on the last day of the school year, Thursday 4 December (1.30pm-3.15pm).

Contributions of non-perishable food, Xmas treats, vouchers, toiletries, new toys and games would be greatly appreciated. Please bring donations to your son/daughter’s homeroom or to the Admin Area.

If you have access to good quality cardboard boxes which you can donate, please contact Nicole Webb directly nicole.webb@pinehurst.school.nz

Thank you again for your support with this. Families in need will greatly your kind donations in what can be a stressful time of the year.

Christmas Picnic: Market Stallholders Welcome

Wednesday 3 December Christmas Picnic 5.00pm-8.00pm

We're inviting anyone interested in running a market stall to join us at our annual festive Christmas Picnic. There is no stallholder fee - just bring your own table and gazebo (up to 3 metres x 3 metres).

If you'd like to take part, please click on the Register Button below by Friday 21 November. If you have questions regarding the market please email Carmen.Stella@pinehurst.school.nz.

Spaces are limited, so be sure to book early!

Keep up to date via our Pinehurst School (Official) Facebook and Instagram pages

We’re in the process of refreshing our newsletter format, meaning some of our stories and student highlights will be shared on social media.

@PinehurstSchool
@PinehurstSchoolSport

Stay up to date with exceptional achievements, standout student moments, event highlights, and celebrations of our school spirit and community values.

So jump online - it’s the best way to catch quick, inspiring updates and feel-good stories from across Pinehurst.

If you have any news or submissions you’d like considered for our newsletter, please contact news@pinehurst.school.nz