Newsletter 3 - Term 1
Principal’s Message
Kia ora koutou katoa,
Dear Parents and Whānau,
There is a wonderful "hum" echoing through our corridors lately. Walking through the classrooms, I’ve been struck by the lovely, focused atmosphere; our students are truly settled and deeply engaged in their learning. It is a credit to our tamariki and the dedicated staff who foster such a positive environment every day.
This week, Miss Nicky King and I had the opportunity to attend professional learning focused on Structured Literacy. I am incredibly pleased to report that our school is doing an excellent job of embedding these practices.
Our approach is firmly strengths-based. We believe that building a learner’s confidence is just as important as building their technical skills. By identifying what our students do well, we create a secure foundation for them to tackle new challenges in reading and writing.
We remain committed to a culturally responsive approach that ensures every learner can see themselves in their education. Our goal is simple: academic success for all. To achieve this, we are constantly seeking out and implementing research-based strategies that we know make a tangible difference in the classroom. We aren't just following trends; we are looking at the evidence of what works for our students.
We have a calendar full of exciting events coming up! A major focus for our upcoming fundraising efforts will be the upgrade of our outdoor play spaces. We are aiming to purchase three new basketball hoops for the courts near the library. These will provide a fantastic outlet for physical activity and friendly competition during break times.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our school community. It’s a joy to see our students thriving.
Warm regards,
Ngā mihi nui,
Phebe Rossiter
Principal
Pigeon Mountain Primary School
Student Achievement and Celebration
Celebrating Our Vibrant Community: Cultural Day Success!
Our school grounds were transformed into a sea of color and heritage on Friday, 27 February, as we celebrated our annual Cultural Day. It was a spectacular success, and we couldn't be prouder of the spirit our students brought to the event.
The highlight of the morning was undoubtedly the parade. It was truly moving to see our students dressed so proudly in their traditional cultural attire, representing the rich diversity that makes our school community so special. Each class brought their own unique energy to the stage, choosing meaningful songs to accompany their walk and sharing a piece of their identity with us all.
The celebrations continued throughout the day as students dived into a variety of immersive cultural activities. From intricate traditional arts and crafts to collaborative learning sessions, the classrooms were buzzing with curiosity and appreciation for global traditions.
To the many parents, caregivers, and whānau who joined us: thank you. Your presence and support made the day feel truly significant for the children. Seeing the community come together to honor our various backgrounds is what makes these events so impactful.
"Cultural Day isn't just about the beautiful clothes; it’s about the stories we share and the respect we build for one another."
Orienteering: We have had 26 students attend 3 trailblaze competitions at local schools this year so far. Our students are gaining confidence in map reading and moving around the course. Our students are making great progress with Selina and Peiyi finishing in the top 10 this week.
School News and Announcements
Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L):
In Week 4, in our lesson students learned about friendship and what it means to be a good friend through kindness, inclusion and respectful actions. In Week 5, the lesson focus was on respecting and appreciating each other's families and backgrounds, recognising that every family is unique.
Parking and drop off at Wells Road:
Lately, the "school run" has become increasingly dangerous, and we’ve reached a point where student safety is being put at significant risk.
Our neighbors have been sharing photos of cars blocked in by families parked across driveways, but more concerning is the sight of students darting between idling cars and running across the road in heavy traffic. To address this, we’ve taken the following steps:
Expert Assessment: We have engaged an engineer to visit the site and determine if a formal pedestrian crossing is a viable solution for this area.
Enforcement: Auckland Transport is now involved and will be sending parking wardens to monitor the street and ensure everyone is following the rules.
How You Can Help Right Now
While we look for long-term solutions, please keep these two safety essentials in mind:
The Curb Side Rule: Always ensure your child exits the vehicle on the curb side, away from moving traffic.
Be a Good Neighbor: Please do not block driveways, even for "just a minute." It creates blind spots and frustration for our local community.
Let’s work together to make sure every student gets to and from school in one piece. Please stay vigilant and patient out there!
School photos:
Sibling photos: 19 March
Class photos: 20th March
WoW Week – Walk or Wheel to School (23–27 March)
Our school is taking part in WoW Week, a fun Travelwise event encouraging tamariki to walk, wheel, bike or scoot to school. Each student will receive a WoW Passport on Monday March 23rd to track their active trips, with daily themes like Wheelie Wednesday and Funky Feet Friday. Passports are collected on Friday and spot prizes awarded. Students must wear a helmet if they are going to ride a bike or scooter.
Fundraising for Basketball Hoops:
We are really keen to get 3 new basketball hoops by the library courts and the total cost is $15000. We have managed to raise $4000 with our Fruju freeze in term 4 2025 and will continue to offer Fruju Friday for the rest of this term.
We have planned a House day on Friday 27 March where students can wear their house colours for a donation on KINDO towards our basketball hoops.
We also have hot Cross Bun day. Hot cross buns are a traditional easter bun and very delicious. On Tuesday 31 March your child can have a Bakers Delight premium hot cross bun delivered to their classroom for lunch for $3.00. Order on KINDO. All money raised goes towards our new basketball hoops.
A huge thank you to Bakers Delight Howick are generously supporting our Hot Cross Bun day.
Fun Run:
Sunday 22 March. A great event for the whole family to enter. You can run or walk and it is a 5.9km race course. Please register your interest on KINDO if you would like your child to participate. We will provide a PMPS sport shirt and we will have a teacher at the start/ finish line with a few teachers running and walking the course.
Seasons for growth: This is an 8-week educational programme in schools for children who have experienced any significant change or loss in their lives (passing of a loved one, separation, moving house or school, traumatic impact or anything that has caused significant change for the child).
Children who are grieving and could use a small support group helping them through these though times may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively.
Fully trained, experienced, police-vetted companions come to our school and see the small group (4 to 8 young people) for eight weekly one-hour sessions. The non-religious program runs and uses the imagery of the seasons to illustrate the experience of grief. It aims to strengthen the emotional and social wellbeing of young children dealing with significant changes.
Each session focuses on issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem solving, decision making, effective communication and recognising support networks. This is a free service for the school community. If you believe your child would benefit from attending a Seasons for Growth program and you would like more information, please contact Nicky King nickyk@pmps.school.nz
Attendance Information
1. Master the "Morning Momentum"
Our schools often start at 8.45am. If you’re rushing through the gate right as the bell rings, your child starts the day in "stress mode."
The Early Arrival: Aim to get to school 10–15 minutes early. This gives them time to hang up their bag, swap their "home brain" for "school brain," and catch up with friends on the playground.
The Launchpad: Prep the night before. Bags packed, lunchboxes in the fridge, and the dreaded Hats (essential for Terms 1 and 4!) sitting by the front door.
2. Guard the Health (But Know the Rules)
Health is the #1 reason for absences in NZ. While we definitely want to keep the "superbugs" out of the classroom, there’s a balance to strike.
The 48-Hour Rule: Ministry of Health guidelines generally suggest staying home for 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea.
The "Sniffle" Judgment Call: A mild runny nose or a tiny cough without a fever usually isn't a reason to stay home. If they seem bright and active, send them in. If they truly need rest, keep them back—but communicate with the school office early through our @school App so your child isn't marked as "Unexplained."
3. Build a "School-First" Family Calendar
In NZ, we love a long weekend or a mid-term getaway, but frequent "casual" absences can signal to a child that school is optional.
Schedule Wisely: Try to book dentist appointments, haircuts, or local trips during the school holidays or after 3:00 pm.
Value the "Low-Stakes" Days: Sometimes kids want to stay home because it’s "just a sports day" or "just a rehearsal." Emphasize that these community events are actually where the best memories (and friendships) are made.
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
