From the Acting Principal

Kia ora koutou, 

Last week, it was wonderful to welcome our new kaiako and whānau for our first transition/Move-up day. Our second one happens today. This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to get to meet their teachers and classmates ahead of the school year to help with a smooth transition. 

In this week’s newsletter we introduce to you our newly appointed Deputy Principal for 2025 and introduce you to our latest Community initiative – Pataka Kai (food pantry). 

Introductions

Kia ora to everyone in the Pigeon Mountain Primary School Community. My name is Nicky King, and I am excited to be joining the school as Deputy Principal next year. As a leader, I place a lot of importance on building connections and a supportive environment that empowers students and staff to thrive. During my 11-year career, I have had the privilege of working in diverse communities across Auckland and London, collaborating with a wide range of educators, families, and students from Year 2 to Year 8. I already feel welcomed into Pigeon Mountain Primary School, and look forward to contributing to the community.

Outside of work, I am an avid reader (my record is 50 books in a year), baker/cook and hopefully a golfer someday soon. During my summer holiday I plan on doing lots of walks, spending time at the beach and making Christmas treats for my friends and family.

I look forward to meeting you soon,

Pātaka Kai – Food Pantry

Our well being leaders and student councilors have been working together this year with Mrs Blest to create a Pataka Kai for our community. 

The Pataka Kai was built by Mr Ali and his team of Year 12 and 13 students at Macleans College. It’s been so rewarding working with Macleans College, who are part of our Kāhui Ako to collaborate with them to see the vision of our leaders come true. 

Pātaka Kai, which means storehouse or pantry in te reo Māori, is a place where people can leave food for other people to take for free.  The PMPS ethos for our Pataka Kai is “ bring what you can, take what you need.” We endeavour to foster a sense of community where people can help support their neighbours as anyone can take or leave food. 

Our pataka kai will be located outside the Loloma entrance to school later this week.

Thank you to all our parents, caregivers, siblings, Aunties, Uncles and Grandparents who have helped us with the many trips and activities our students have participated in this year. We could not do these without YOU!!

Salvation Army Christmas Appeal

The Howick salvation Army would like to thank you all for your generous donations. These will go towards families in need in our community over the Christmas and holiday period.

Melissa from the Salvation Army wrote

‘I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank you for your donations of food that you have generously collected towards our Christmas appeal, what a blessing! You did an amazing job.

At this time of year, we rely completely on donations such as yours to fund our appeal. Every year it is our mission to provide a magical Christmas for as many families as possible. Your generosity will make a big difference to the the lives of people within this community this Christmas. You have shown such love for others through this donation.’

Dates for your Diary

Monday 2 December – Transition to 2025 class

Tuesday 3 December – School Tour

Thursday 5 December – Senior Prizegivings

9.15am  – Kauri

11.15am –  Titoki

1.30pm –  Kahikatea

Friday 6 December  – Junior Prizegiving

9.15am  – Puriri

11.15am –  Pohutukawa

1.45pm  – Manuka

Friday 13 December – Last day of term

2025 Wednesday 29 January – First Day of Term One

@school parent app

Please ensure that you have downloaded the @school parent app to notify school of any absence for your child. Note that your child’s end of year school report will be downloaded into this app. The @school parent app is our preferred method of reporting absences,  accessing student reports, receiving newsletters and school notices. When setting up your app please make sure that you enter yes to notifications –  this will mean that you will get an alert each time a notice/newsletter is available. Please contact the office if you are unable to access the @school app.

Absence from School

Please use the app or the website to report your child’s absence from school.