From the Acting Principal

It has been a long term, but as we head into the final couple of weeks, we look forward to celebrating the learning and growth from the term at our Three-Way Conferences on Wednesday, 9th April, and Thursday, 10th April. We have sent out information about this, and we encourage every child to be represented by their family. Your involvement in their learning makes a significant difference.

Teaching and Learning (Akoranga)

Kahikatea’s Visit to a Rest Home

Rooms 18, 19, 20, and 21 visited The Beach House Rest Home as part of their inquiry, Who We Are: Relationships involve a complex range of interactions. Through their visit, students interacted with residents, shared a song, and presented some of their writing. This experience helped them explore ways to contribute meaningfully to our community and build genuine connections across generations.

EPro 8 Challenge

The EPro 8 Challenge is an exciting competition focused on engineering, problem-solving, and teamwork. Over the past eight weeks, Year 5 and 6 students have been working with Mrs Attard at BBI to complete an EPro 8 challenge. The most successful teams from this have been selected to compete in today’s final challenge. The top teams from this event will have the opportunity to represent our school in the interschools competition later in the year.

Extra-Curricular

Orienteering Sprint Series

For the past five weeks, a large group of Year 5 and 6 students have been competing in the after-school Orienteering Sprint Series held at various local schools. Two of our students, Margo and Chrissy, achieved outstanding results, placing in the Top 10 and earning invitations to compete in the Year 7 Girls category this weekend—an incredible achievement!

All 28 students who participated in the series will now have the chance to compete at the South Eastern Zone Orienteering competition at Lloyd Elsmore next Tuesday. We greatly appreciate the support of parents in providing transport for this event.

HPPA Swimming

The swimming event at Lloyd Elsmore in Week 8 was a fantastic success. Congratulations to Kayley and William X. for their individual podium finishes! Our relay teams also had an impressive showing:

• Year 6 Relay B – Third place
• Year 6 Relay A – Second place
• Year 5 Relay A – Third place

These relay races were incredibly close, with just one second separating the top three teams!

A special thank you to all of our parents that supported our team including coaching and managing!

House Challenge

The House Captains have been creating exciting competitions at lunch times for all ages to earn house points!

School Community Events

Three-Way Conferences

Thank you to everyone who has already signed up for a conference next week. These 15-minute meetings are a valuable opportunity to celebrate your child’s progress. When you attend, we encourage you to listen to your child, ask questions, and invite them to explain their learning in more detail. If you haven’t yet booked a time, please check your emails for the registration link.

Policies and Procedures

Start of the School Day

A reminder that the first school bell rings at 8:30 am, which is when students can enter the school grounds from any entrance. We ask that children wait until this time, as teachers may be in meetings or preparing for the day before then.

Modelling Safe Behaviours

We appreciate our parents setting a great example for children when it comes to safety on the streets. Simple actions like using the pedestrian crossing and wearing helmets while cycling help reinforce good habits and keep everyone safe. Thank you for your support!

BSLA Workshops 2

Our second BSLA workshops are next Wednesday, April 9th. There will be two workshops.

Workshop 1: Year 1 at 4 pm 

Workshop 2: Years 2-3 at 5 pm.

Both workshops will be held in Room 13. These workshops will focus on other ways to support your child’s reading development, specifically language. They will explore how to use Phonics Plus readers and other quality children’s books to help grow the number of words your child knows and can use, whether in English or a different language 

Click on this link to register for the Workshops

Absences from School

Please use the @school parent app to report an absence or the school website

Collecting Students during the school day

If you need to collect your child for an appointment during the school day please contact the office 09 534 9765 or email general@pmps.school.nz to arrange. If possible please arrange to collect your child before or after the morning tea and lunch breaks, as it is difficult to find children during these times. Morning tea is 10.50am until 11.15am, lunch from 12.45pm until 1.45pm.

Current Contact Details

It is important that we have current contact details for our students. If you have moved house, changed your email address or mobile number, please contact the school office to have our records updated. You can check the contact information that we have for your child on the parent app.

Dates for your Diary

Thursday 3 April – School Tour

Tuesday 8 April – SE Zone Orienteering Competition

Wednesday 9 April – Three Way Conferences – School closes early at 12.45pm

Wednesday 9 April – Anzac Poppy Appeal

Thursday 10 April – Three Way Conferences

Thursday 10 April – PhotoLife Class Photos

Friday 11 April – PhotoLife Sibling Photos

Friday 11 April – Term one finishes 3pm 

Monday 28 April – Term 2 commences

Monday 26 May – Teacher Only Day – School closed

Community Notices

 

After School Lego Steam classes

Guitar Lessons with Ben

Table Tennis Holiday Programme

Bucklands Beach Football Holiday Programme

Howick Children & Youth Theatre Holiday Programme

Flow Academy Holiday Programme

HJ Elite Soccer Academy Holiday Programme

Chess Power

Pigeon Mountain School Term 2 2025