Newsletter 2 - Term 1
Principal’s Message
Kia ora koutou katoa,
Dear Parents and Whānau,
It has been an absolute joy to start the school year on such a high note. There is a wonderful energy buzzing through the school, and I am pleased to share that our students have settled into routines beautifully.
I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time in every classroom recently. It’s the best part of my job! Whether we were dreaming up ideas for a new and improved playground or sitting down to share a story, seeing the students' enthusiasm firsthand is inspiring.
As many of you know, I am a passionate advocate for literacy. I cannot stress enough how much of a difference just a few minutes of reading each night makes. Whether your child is reading to you, or you are reading to them, those quiet moments build a foundation for lifelong learning.
To support this mission, I am excited to be attending Structured Literacy Professional Learning for leaders this term. I look forward to bringing those insights back to ensure we are embedding the highest quality reading and writing practices across the entire school.
It has been fantastic to start the year celebrating the Lunar New Year. Seeing our students so eager to share their heritage—and watching their peers engage so thoughtfully in arts and crafts—reminds me of what a vibrant, inclusive community we have.
Term 1 is all about setting the stage. By mastering daily routines and fostering new friendships, our students are creating the perfect environment for academic growth. I am already seeing fantastic learning in action and feel more confident than ever about the year in front of us.
Warm regards,
Ngā mihi nui,
Phebe Rossiter
Principal
Pigeon Mountain Primary School
Student Achievement and Celebration
Whanau picnic: A sincere thank you to all the parents and families who joined us for our recent Whānau Hui. Despite the unpredictable weather, it was wonderful to see our community gathered under the dome sharing picnics and conversation. A highlight of the event was certainly the visit from Mr Whippy, which proved to be a popular treat for students and adults alike! We truly value these opportunities to connect and appreciate the warm spirit everyone brought to the afternoon.
Happy Lunar New Year!
We would like to wish all our families a wonderful Lunar New Year! This vibrant festival, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the beginning of a new year based on the lunar calendar. It is a time traditionally centered around family reunions, honoring ancestors, and ushering in good fortune and prosperity for the months ahead. Throughout the week, our students will be immersed in the celebrations by participating in a variety of cultural activities, from traditional crafts to learning about the unique customs and stories behind this special holiday. We wish our entire school community a year filled with happiness, health, and success!
School News and Announcements
Out-of-Zone enrolments for 2026
Out-of Zone enrolment: At Pigeon Mountain School, we live by our motto: Education with a heart. We are delighted to continue serving our community and welcoming new students to our nurturing environment.
We currently have a few places available for students entering Year 0 throughout the 2026 school year. As per Ministry of Education guidelines, if the number of Out-of-Zone applications exceeds the number of places available, a ballot must be held.
For families planning entry for 2026, please note the following eligibility cut-off dates based on a child's 5th birthday: Your child can start in Term 2 if their 5th birthday is after 20 April, Term 3 if their birthday is after 20 July and Term 4 if their birthday is after 12 October.
We have scheduled three ballots for the remainder of 2026 to ensure fair access to these limited places. We encourage all interested families who reside outside our school zone to submit their applications by the respective closing dates:
Ballot Term Application Closing Date Ballot Date
Term 2 Wednesday 4 February 2026 Wednesday 11 February 2026
Term 3 Wednesday 22 April 2026 Wednesday 29 April 2026
Term 4 Wednesday 22 July 2026 Wednesday 29 July 2026
How to Apply: Please email enrolment@pmps.school.nz for further details regarding your child’s Year 0 enrolment at our school.
An Online enrolment application form and details regarding the priority of enrolment categories are available on the school website or from the school office. Please ensure your application reaches us by the closing date for the term you wish to apply for.
We look forward to welcoming the newest members of our school family.
Is your child turning 5 in 2026?
To help us plan for staff and classrooms this year please contact the office to enroll your child if they are turning 5 and starting school this year.
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L):
This week in our lesson, students explored our playground expectations. We talked about looking after our environment, understanding boundaries around the school, using equipment correctly and playing nicely with others. The aim is to help students make positive and respectful choices during playtime.
Drop-off & Pick-up:
We would like to remind all parents and guardians to exercise extreme caution during peak drop-off and pick-up times.
Recently, there have been several reports of unauthorised U-turns and parking on yellow lines near the school crossing. These maneuvers significantly reduce visibility for our road patrollers and create unnecessary risks for our students.
While we appreciate that the school zone is exceptionally busy, we ask that you prioritise patience and safety over convenience. Please ensure you are parking in designated areas and following all traffic flow directions.
Our goal is to ensure every student arrives and departs safely. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our community hazard-free.
General Uniform Guidelines:
School uniform:
Please see our website. Our school uniform can be purchased from John Russell Schoolwear in Howick.
Polo shirts: Long-sleeved or short-sleeved polo shirts may be worn all year round.
Trousers: Available as an option during the cooler months (Terms 2 and 3).
Fleece: School fleece jackets can be worn year-round.
Footwear: Black or navy lace-up or Velcro school shoes, worn with navy socks or tights.
Please note: Sports shoes or branded footwear are not to be worn as school shoes.Hats: A hat must be worn in term 1 and 4. If your child does not have a hat they will be asked to play in the shaded areas.
PE Uniform:
Students in Years 3–6 are required to wear PE gear in their house colour on sports and PE days. Your child’s class teacher will be able to let you know which house they are in if you are not sure.
Thank you for helping us maintain high standards and pride in our school community.
Attendance Information
Remember if your child is absent please let the office know as soon as you can. The best way to do this is using the @schoolApp.
The Benefits of Regular Attendance
Academic Continuity: Daily attendance prevents learning gaps and ensures students can keep up with sequential lessons.
Stronger Friendships: Being present every day fosters a sense of belonging and helps children maintain consistent social bonds.
Career Readiness: Showing up regularly develops the essential life habits of punctuality and self-discipline needed for the workforce.
Reduced Anxiety: A steady school routine provides a sense of security and boosts a student's confidence in their environment.
Important Dates and Reminders
Term Dates
Term 1: Tuesday 3rd February - Thursday 2nd April
Waitangi Day Holiday - Friday 6th February
ANZAC Day Public Holiday - Monday 27th April
Term 2: Monday 20th April - Friday 3rd July
King’s Birthday - Monday 1st June
Curriculum day (Teacher Only Day) 29th May
Term 3: Monday 20th July - Friday 25th September
Term 4: Monday 12th October - Tuesday 15 December
Curriculum Day (Teacher Only Day) Friday 23rd October
Labour Day – Monday 26th October
Important event dates at Pigeon Mountain Primary School:
Please check our school website which has a link to our Pigeon Mountain Community Calendar
