Principal’s Message
Kia ora koutou katoa,
Our school is a busy and exciting place to be. A highlight last week was working alongside our school librarians at lunchtime. Our library is enjoyed by lots of students everyday, reading, selecting books, doing puzzles, drawing and playing games.
We have our hockey team practicing early in the morning before school and our mathex students have already competed in a few competitions, with a group of talented students now training for the mathex competition. We also have our Year 5 and 6 students learning problem solving through EPRO 8, a science and engineering competition.
As you will see below we have a number of exciting events coming up and I would recommend that you make a note of these in your diary so you don’t miss out.
You will also see that for the first time in a number of years we are going to accept a few Out-Of-Zone students in New Entrance class in Term 4. If you live in our school zone and have a child starting this year or early 2026 please make sure you have enrolled your child so that we can carefully plan staffing and classrooms for new students. All enrollments are online and the link can be found on our school website.
Ngā mihi nui,
Phebe Rossiter
Principal
Pigeon Mountain Primary School
Student Achievement and Celebrations
Pink Shirt Day
Staff and students celebrated Pink Shirt Day last Friday. The message is by taking part in Pink Shirt Day on Friday 16 May, you’re doing your part to eliminate bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusion.Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!
You will see lots of artwork and writing about Pink Shirt Day around the school.
School News and Announcements
We have a new pigeon at PMPS!
Did you know that the pigeon in our logo is a woodpigeon or Kereru?
We have a new Kereru at our school and we need to give this beautiful bird a name. At the office we have a box where you can write your suggestion for a name for our beautiful new bird (Parents can join in too). There will be a prize for the student or parent who successfully names our new bird.
Parent teacher Association (PTA): Let’s Build a Stronger School Community Together!
Pigeon Mountain Primary is thrilled to announce that we’re taking the first steps to establish a vibrant and active PTA! We believe that a strong partnership between home and school enriches the learning experience for all our tamariki.
A PTA provides a fantastic platform for parents, caregivers, and teachers to collaborate on initiatives that support our students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. In the past our PTA have organised fundraisers like bake sales, Fruju Friday or fun events for the community like quiz nights, movie nights and raffles.
We’re inviting interested parents and caregivers to an initial information session on Thursday 29 May 7.30pm to learn more about what a PTA entails and how you can get involved. We will provide some light refreshments. This is a wonderful opportunity to have your voice heard and contribute directly to making Pigeon Mountain Primary even better. We understand that parents may not have a lot of time to give so there will be a variety of ways to connect with and contribute to the PTA.
Out-Of-Zone applications
This year our Board has approved 12 places in our Term 4 New Entrance class. We have an experienced teacher, Mrs Wollard who will be teaching the class. This would be an exciting opportunity for families to join our school which is known for ‘Education with a heart’, academic excellence, positive behaviour (PB4L), EnviroSchool and quality teaching and learning programmes.
If you know someone interested in applying for our ballot, please direct them to our website and apply using our Out-Of-Zone application form.
Ballot dates for 2025
- Term 4 2025 – Applications close on Wednesday 20 August with the ballot happening on Friday 22 August 2025 if required.
Ballot Procedure
On the ballot date, the ballot is drawn under the supervision of a Justice of the Peace, a practising lawyer, a sworn member of the Police or a local Government returning officer.
The names are pulled out of the ballot and a waiting list is created if there are more names in the ballot than spaces available. The waiting list expires when the next ballot is held.
Successful families are advised by email and asked to confirm acceptance (within 14 days) in writing of the place offered. Upon acceptance they will be asked to complete the Pigeon Mountain Primary School enrolment form and submit supporting documents.
Unsuccessful families are advised by email and placed on a waiting list in the number they are drawn from the ballot.
If successful families decline the space, or do not respond within 14 days, the place is offered to the first/next family on the waiting list.
Sports Dress-Down day: Friday 13 June
We would like to raise funds toward upgrading our play spaces and have planned for a mud kitchen in our newly reopened sandpit and new basketball/ netball hoops under our turf/ canopy. Students will be able to wear sports gear in exchange for a donation towards our play space upgrade. Please make a donation on KINDO. The Junior class and Senior class that raise the most money will win an ice blocks treat for the class.
Curriculum Days
We have curriculum days planned for Monday 26 May and Monday 1 September. The school will be closed for students and our staff will use the day to work with an expert facilitator to embed the new Mathematics curriculum. Please make sure you have put these dates in your diary.
Matariki Celebration
We are getting excited as Matariki is fast approaching. The school has a week of fun activities planned. Parents please pop the week of 16th – 19th June in your diary.
All parents are welcome to;
Monday 2:00pm: Matariki sharing assembly with a special performance
Tuesday and Wednesday 1:45pm – 2:55pm: Afternoon activity sessions in Whanau areas.
Thursday – Join us to climb up Pigeon Mountain, followed by a hot chocolate in the hall and a sharing assembly at 9:00am
Pataki Kai
Our school pantry, a bright turquoise treasure proudly built by Macleans College, our Wellbeing Leaders, and our Student Councillors is currently running low on supplies. We need more donations such as tinned goods like spaghetti, canned tomatoes, sealed milk powder or packaged food such as biscuits, pasta or rice. Remember, the kaupapa of the Pataka Kai is simple and heartfelt: “Give what you can and take what you need.”
You can make a donation yourself at any time. Your generosity will make a real difference to our school community.
On 23rd May, we are having a ‘can drive’ to help restock our pantry. The ‘can drive’ is a competition between each class to see which class can donate the most tinned cans of food. Please bring your can or cans and leave them in your class. The senior and junior class which brings in the most cans will be able to have a mufti day on Friday 30th May. Mrs Blest and the Wellbeing leaders will be counting the cans from each class and announcing the winner in assembly that day.
Student Council Event:
The PMPS Student Council is thrilled to announce an exciting, neon-themed disco for the whole school on Friday, June 6th!
Tickets are just $5 each and are now available on Kindo until June 3rd. Students will receive two glow sticks and a bag of chips with their ticket. All proceeds will go towards new netball and basketball hoops for our courts, as well as a fantastic mud kitchen for our junior students. Make sure to get your tickets and neon outfit ready for a fun night of dancing!
Property
Do you love gardening?
We are looking for someone who may be able to help us with some gardening around the school on a regular basis. It can be before school or during the day and we think a few hours a week might be sufficient and we would pay you for your time. If you are interested in finding out more please contact general@pmps.school.nz
Important dates and Reminders
Term 2: Monday 28 April – Friday 27 June
Term 2 dates:
Monday 26 May: Teacher Only Day
Monday 2nd June: King’s Birthday(Public holiday)
Friday 20th June: Matariki (Public holiday)
Bucklands Beach Intermediate 2026 Enrolments
Bucklands Beach Intermediate will begin taking enrolments for 2026 from Tuesday 3 June 2025. The enrolment website is https://www.bbi.school.nz/enrolment-uniform
The closing date for all enrolments is at 3.00pm on Wednesday 27 August, and the out of zone ballot will be held on Wednesday 3 September 2025.
