Friday 24 October

Message from Mike

Kia ora koutou, good afternoon, 下午好, 안녕하세요 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

It has felt like a very focused week on the campus, with relatively few activities taking students out of the classroom. These types of weeks are important, especially at this time of year as we look to consolidate the learning that has taken place to date.

Like any school, there are occasional behavioural issues between students that need to be resolved. Any such matters are treated seriously, and we will always follow up and take the necessary actions to ensure we can move forward with mutual respect.

Pinehurst WeChat groups are an important means of communication. They are a way for us to share key information, organise events, and help create a sense of community beyond the grounds. They are not intended as a platform for sharing individual details about your or other children in the school. If you have any individual concerns or questions, please reach out directly.

Our Year 6 students have done incredibly well in the Otago maths competition, with 6 students competing in the finals and one placing third overall! This is an exceptional performance, and with a brilliant foundation laid in Primary, they will be looking forward to the challenge of the College maths programme.

One of the great parts of my day is crossing duty in the morning, and I particularly enjoy hearing the stories about events from the previous day or what they are looking forward to. One highlight from the week was when one of our youngest students proudly walked across the crossing, announcing to me that he was grown up because he was going to his classroom for the first time by himself! In the bustle of life, it is important that we stop and cherish these types of moments, because they don’t last forever.

With a short school week ahead due to the Labour Day holiday, it will be busy, so please keep a close eye on the calendar. Our Year 1s will be looking forward to their zoo trip, Year 6 have a day learning about ocean rescue at Orewa and Year 3 and 4 kick off the end-of-year celebrations with a movie. All that, and that’s just Primary!

Please remember that with the summer sun now (sometimes) showing itself, it is important to remember that we need to be SunSmart. Regardless of age, hats and sunscreen are key in keeping ourselves safe and healthy.

I hope that the holiday weekend gives you a chance to enjoy time with your family.

Regards,
Mike Waller

Dates for your Diary

Wednesday 29 October

New Entrant Reading and Phonics Information
Session for Parents, Dance Studio (9.00am-10.00am)
School Sports Photos

Thursday 30 October

Year 1 Auckland Zoo Trip (9.00am-2.45pm)
Year 6 Ukelele Festival, Pinehurst Theatre (10.30am-12.30pm)
Year 3-4 Movie Night, Albany Event Cinema (5.00pm-7.00pm)

Friday 31 October

Whole School Non-Uniform Day
Coffee Connect, Main Reception (8.15am-9.15am)
Year 6 Surf and Rescue Trip to Orewa Beach (9.15am-2.15pm)

SEE MORE DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Message from Sian

Kia ora tatou,

Our New Entrant classes had a fantastic trip to MOTAT, exploring toys from the past, some even enjoyed their very first bus ride, they were so excited! Meanwhile, our Year 5 and 6 students are at AUT Millennium today for their Athletics competition. We are very lucky to be able to use professional facilities, and we’re sure some records will be broken today.

A huge congratulations to five of our Year 6 students who reached the finals of the Otago Maths Competition. Lingchu placed third in New Zealand, and Kasey earned a distinction which are incredible achievements. Well done also to Cecilia, Jennifer, and Razer for making the finals of this national event. We are so proud of you all!

Next week will be busy: Sports Photos (29 Oct), Ukulele Festival for Y6 (30 Oct), Year 1 Zoo Trip (30 Oct), Movie Night for Y3–4 (30 Oct), and Surf Rescue Day for Y6 at Orewa Beach (31 Oct). We are going to keep working and playing hard to the end of the year.

Thank you for your continued support in making our school such a vibrant place for learning.

Ngā mihi nui,
Sian Coxon

Primary News

New Entrant Reading and Phonics Information Session for Parents on Wednesday

We warmly invite you to our upcoming Phonics Information Session with Mrs Louise Prance.

This session will introduce you to how Phonics is taught at Pinehurst, what it looks like in the classroom, and how you can support your child’s learning at home.

When: Wednesday 29 October
Time: 9.00am-10.00am
Where: Dance Studio

We look forward to seeing you there and working together to support your child’s literacy journey.

Year 1 Trip to Auckland Zoo on Thursday

Our Junior Year 1 students will visit Auckland Zoo on Thursday 30 October as part of our Education Outside the Classroom programme.

Students will take part in an education session called Zoo Care, learning how zookeepers care for animals using the Five Domains of Animal Welfare—Health, Behaviour, Nutrition, Environment, and Wellbeing. They’ll discover how these areas guide animal care and habitat design, and learn about the different zoo jobs that help animals stay healthy.

This experience connects to our Term 4 Science unit, 'Staying Alive', where students explore what animals need to survive and how people use science to care for living things and protect the environment.

When: Thursday 30 October
Time: 9.00am-2.45pm
Students should wear their correct Summer Uniform
Students should bring: a drink bottle, morning tea, lunch and snacks in a small day bag (one that is easy to carry)
NO LUNCH ORDERS

We’re looking forward to an exciting and educational day out!

Year 6 Ukelele Festival on Thursday

This special event is an opportunity for students to celebrate their musical progress and collaborate with peers from neighbouring schools, including Kristin School, Scott Point Primary, Riverhead Primary, and Mairangi Bay School.

Throughout the year, our Year 6 students have been engaged in a comprehensive classroom music programme, during which they have learned to play the ukulele and successfully mastered a repertoire of ten songs.

We are honoured to welcome one of Auckland’s leading ukulele educators, who will be coordinating the day and guiding students through a series of engaging musical activities.

When: Thursday 30 October
Time: 10.30am-12.30pm
Where: Pinehurst Theatre

This student-only event is designed to foster a sense of community and shared learning. We look forward to a joyful day of music-making, connection, and celebration.

Year 3-4 Movie Night: Reminder for Thursday

We’re excited for our upcoming Movie Night at Albany Event Cinemas! Students will be watching Pets on a Train.

When: Thursday 30 October
Meeting Time: 5.00pm in the Albany Event Cinemas foyer
Movie Starts: 5.30pm
Pick-Up Time: 7.00pm

Please ensure students are dropped off and collected on time.
We’re looking forward to a fun evening!

Year 6 Surf and Rescue Trip on Friday: Calling for Parent Volunteers

Our Year 6 students and teachers are thrilled about the upcoming surfing and surf rescue trip on Friday 31 October.

This is a special event as it’s part of our curriculum and the final primary school trip for our Year 6 students. Many have already signed up and we can’t wait for an amazing day of learning and fun.

When: Friday 31 October
Time: 9.15am-2.15pm
Students should wear their PE kit
Students should bring: swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, insect repellent, a water bottle, lunch and snacks

To make this trip possible, we still need some adventurous parent volunteers. Your support is essential, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to share this memorable experience with the students. Thank you for helping us make this day a success!

Primary Solo and Duo Performance Showcase

Wednesday 5 November 3.30pm, School Theatre

Students in Years 0-6 who would like to perform should register their interest by completing this form AND upload an audition video of the student performing their piece here by Friday 17 October.

We welcome students of all ability levels and encourage a variety of instruments and music genres, including voice, to provide a balanced and entertaining programme. Please note that places are limited to 16 students and performances are limited to three minutes or less. Preference will be given to students who have performed so far this year.

If you have any questions, please email Mrs Jaques Cynthia.Jaques@pinehurst.school.nz.

Message from Dawn

Tēnā koutou katoa

As we move into the coming week, our Year 7–10 students are entering a key period of focused learning and preparation ahead of their examinations, which begin in Week 5. This is a valuable time for students to consolidate their understanding, review key concepts, and build confidence before assessment week.

While study and revision are important, we also remind students that wellbeing is just as essential to success. Getting regular exercise, eating nutritious meals, and ensuring plenty of rest and sleep will help maintain focus and energy. A balanced approach leads to the best results both academically and personally.

This Thursday, students will gather for Year 7-10 Interhouse Challenge which provides an important opportunity to connect with their House community. These opportunities are a time to celebrate teamwork, and strengthen the sense of belonging that makes our school spirit so special.

A reminder that on Friday we have non-uniform day.
Have a wonderful long weekend.

Ngā mihi nui,
Dawn Sullivan

College News

AS Science Practical Examinations

AS Level students in Physics, Chemistry, and Biology are preparing to sit their practical exams—an essential part of the Cambridge curriculum.

These assessments allow students to apply their scientific knowledge in hands-on settings, using lab equipment, recording data, and drawing conclusions.

Parents and guardians play a key role in supporting students during this time. Encouraging calm, focused preparation and helping maintain a balanced routine can make a big difference. These exams are not just about grades—they’re a chance for students to demonstrate their growth and confidence in science.

With your support and their dedication, success is within reach. Best of luck to all our AS Science students—we’re proud of you!

Year 7 and 8 English: Building Confidence and Consolidating Skills

Over the next few weeks, our Year 7 and 8 students will be revising for their upcoming English examinations. These are ‘low-stake’ and provide an opportunity for them to practice key skills in a supportive and encouraging environment.

supportive and encouraging environment. These examinations are not about high pressure or grades, but about helping students become comfortable with exam processes and expectations, while celebrating how much progress they’ve made this year.

A major focus this term has been on the mechanics of writing: crafting accurate sentences, using punctuation confidently, and structuring paragraphs for clarity and impact. Students have been refining their ability to write with purpose and precision, whether analysing a text or expressing their own ideas creatively.

By the end of the year, students should be able to:

Write coherent, well-structured paragraphs with topic sentences and evidence.
Use a range of sentence types and varied punctuation for effect.
Identify and analyse key language techniques in short texts.
Plan, draft, and edit their own writing with increasing independence.
Reflect thoughtfully on feedback and apply it to future work.

To support learning in class, our English faculty is using a mix of engaging revision strategies:

Retrieval practice through short quizzes and recall challenges.
Model and mimic activities, where students emulate strong writing examples.
Peer teaching and collaborative games like “Quote Quest”, “Grammar Bingo”, and “Escape the Exam Room” to make revision active and memorable.
Timed writing to build confidence under gentle time constraints.

You can also help at home by:

Asking your child to explain what makes a paragraph effective or how a writer creates tone. Teaching others helps reinforce their own understanding.
Encouraging short bursts of writing: a quick paragraph about their day, a film review, or a creative response to an image.
Reading together or discussing a news article. Focus on how ideas are expressed, not just what they mean.
Celebrating small wins- making good vocabulary choices, neat handwriting, or a thoughtful edit all show growing mastery.

Ultimately, these low-stakes exams are about confidence, curiosity, and consolidation. We’re proud of how hard our Year 7 and 8 students are working and how they’re beginning to see writing not just as a task, but as a craft they can continually improve.

Notices and Events

Coffee Connect on Friday 31October

Halloween Edition 👻 ☕️ 🎃

We look forward to seeing you for Coffee and Treats on Friday morning between 8.15am and 9.15am outside Main Reception... 🦇

Are you interested in singing lessons with Tim?

Our new singing teacher Tim Wayne-Wright has a few spaces left for singing lessons during the school day, currently on Thursdays and Fridays.

Tim has sung with The King's Singers for ten years, is the recipient of a grammy award, has performed over 1500 concerts in some of the world’s most iconic venues, and taught over 500 masterclasses and workshops. We are very fortunate to have him on our itinerant teaching team.

You can see Tim singing in this performance with The King's Singers here.

If you would like your child to take advantage of one of these limited singing lesson times with Tim, please email cynthia.jaques@pinehurst.school.nz.

Or joining the Pinehurst College Boys Choir?

If your child is in Year 7-13 and would like to join our newly formed boys' choir directed by Tim, please email Cynthia.Jaques@pinehurst.school.nz.

Donations for Pinehurst Christmas Hampers

Collections start Tuesday 28 October onwards.

It is traditional for Pinehurst to donate Christmas Hampers to those in need.This year we have chosen the charity organisation, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. This organisation supports grandparents who are struggling financially to provide a normal life for their grandchildren, many who have been traumatised, neglected, abused and end up living with them.

We would greatly appreciate donations of non-perishable food, Christmas treats, gift vouchers, toiletries, cleaning products and new toys and games. Your contributions may be given to your child’s homeroom teacher from Tuesday 28 October onwards so that we can make beautiful hampers to present at our Christmas Service. Your generosity is greatly appreciated.

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!

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

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