Newsletter 4 - Term 1
Principal’s Message
Kia ora koutou katoa,
Dear Parents and Whānau,
It was an absolute privilege to spend time with our Year 6 campers at Lakewood Lodge last week. Camp is always a highlight of the school year, providing a fantastic environment for our students to forge new friendships while building that all-important independence and resilience.
It was a joy to watch our Year 6 students step up and take charge of their daily routines. From the simple responsibility of washing their own dishes and trying new foods to the thrill of petting a horse, our students embraced every moment.
The grit and determination on display were truly inspiring as students tackled:
Kayaking and Climbing Walls: Pushing through physical and mental barriers.
The Flying Fox: Soaring through the air with confidence.
Survivor Camping: Preparing and cooking their own meals over an open flame.
The Mud Run: Definitely a fan favorite! I even decided to jump in alongside the students for a somewhat muddy, slimy run. While it was a blast, I’ll admit I was very hopeful that no leeches would decide to latch onto my legs!
An experience of this scale doesn't happen without an incredible team. A special thank you to Miss Nicky King, Mrs. Nic Swensen, Mrs. Amber Cambie, and Mr. Nitesh Singh, as well as our amazing parent helpers. Your willingness to give up your time and energy is what makes these lifelong memories possible for our children.
A Time for Reflection and Remembrance
We began this week on a more somber note, coming together to remember and celebrate the life of Joanna, who tragically passed away five years ago. This would have been Joanna’s final year with us here at Pigeon Mountain Primary School, and she remains very much in our hearts.
As many of you may have noticed, we moved our memorial gardens inside the school grounds earlier this year to ensure they remain a central part of our community. Butterflies were deeply special to Joanna, so we have added a beautiful new shop front to the Butterfly garden.
We have also taken great care to tidy and rejuvenate our butterfly garden beside the junior playground. This garden was originally created for another past student, Emily, and it has now become a unified, peaceful space for us to remember both Joanna and Emily. It is a special corner of our school where their spirits can continue to flutter amongst us
Warm regards,
Ngā mihi nui,
Phebe Rossiter
Principal
Pigeon Mountain Primary School
Student Achievement and Celebration
Year 6 Lakewood Lodge Kauri Whanau Camp Reflection, March 9-13, 2026
What values did I show while on camp and how did I show them?
I showed resilience by doing the climbing wall, even though it was tricky.
What challenges did I face?
I did the mud run, even though it had spiders and leeches, I tried my best.
What new skills did I learn?
I learnt how to do archery, and how to help put a harness on the horses.
What did I learn about my classmates?
I did not really learn anything about my classmates but I did have a lot of fun with them.
What fears did I overcome?
I overcame my fear of a horse kicking me, I learnt the safest place to stand near a horse.
What was my favourite part of camp?
My favourite part of camp was doing horse games with Kiril.
By Syra
HPPA Swimming:
HPPA Swimming Recount
On Thursday 19 March, 16 swimmers from Pigeon Mountain school went to the HPPA swimming competition. We first waited at the tiger turf for the parent helpers who were going to take us to Lloyd Elsmore pool in their cars.
After we all arrived we went into the building and looked around. Around the swimming pool all the seating areas were packed with children, parents, and teachers there already. Miss King said there were about ten schools when we asked. We found a slot to sit down, shoulder to shoulder, and began exploring the Lloyd Elsmore pool with our eyes while we waited. The water looked calm and cold. After the briefing about the safety exits and rules by a lady from one of the organizing schools with a microphone, we started.
There were a series of different events on the day, championship events as well as age group events. The first event was the year 6 boys 50 metres championship, then the girls championships and so on . After that were the 25 metre boys then the girls. We got a lot of placings in all the events . At the end we did relays. We had the year five team and the year six team.
It was already past our lunch time when it all finished. With mixed feelings of tiredness and excitement, fun and achievements, we changed and went back to school.
By Meredith Zhang , Selina Wang
HPPA results
Y6 girls championship freestyle 50m
1st Kayley Lin 34.10 Pigeon Mountain
Y5 boys championship freestyle 25m
2nd Leo He 17.09 Pigeon Mountain
Y5 girls championship freestyle 25m
1st Meredith Zhang 16.35 Pigeon Mountain
Y6 girls backstroke 25m
1st Kayley Lin 18.59 Pigeon Mountain
Y5 boys backstroke 25m
1st Leo He 20.83 Pigeon Mountain
Y5 girls backstroke 25m
3rd Bella Sun 22.52 Pigeon Mountain
Y5 girls breaststroke 25m
1st Meredith Zhang 23.16 Pigeon Mountain
Y5 A relay
3rd Pigeon Mountain 1.24.43
School News and Announcements
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. Spot prizes awarded. Students must wear a helmet if they are going to ride a bike or scooter.
Fundraising
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.
School Donations: Now Open for 2026
We are pleased to announce that school donations for the current academic year are now available for payment via the myKindo app.
Your contributions play a vital role in enhancing our students' learning environment and providing the high-quality resources and opportunities that make our school special. We sincerely appreciate your ongoing support.
Payment Options
You can choose to pay the full amount upfront or spread the cost across the year:
Option Amount Notes
Full Year (Terms 1–4) $270.00 GST Exempt
Per Term $67.50 GST Exempt
Fun Run:
On Sunday, March 22nd, a spirited team of 25 runners donned the Pigeon Mountain Primary colors to take on the Howick Fun Run & Walk. Under a brilliant sun and with stunning coastal views as their backdrop, our athletes showed incredible grit and school spirit.
The 5.8km course was no walk in the park—it was a true test of endurance, featuring challenging uphill climbs and fast-paced descents. Despite the heat, our team pushed through every kilometer with a smile.
A massive congratulations to our Top 4 Finishers who led the pack: Andrew, Alex, Andy, Zoe
It was wonderful to see the collective effort of our students. Whether they were sprinting to the finish line or cheering on their teammates, the determination on display was a credit to our school community. Thank you Mrs Reed, Mrs Woolard, Mrs Blest for their organisation and support on the day and Mrs Pellow and Mrs Rossiter who joined us for the run. Thank you to all the parents and supporters who came out to cheer—you made a hot day feel like a breeze!
3 Way Conferences - Thursday 26 March
Reminder: School closes early on Thursday
We have Student Led conferences happening on Thursday 26 March 1.30pm - 8.00pm and school will be closing at 12.30 on this day. Please make sure you have booked a time on Schoolinterviews.com
Schoolwide fitness rotation: As a key priority of our current Strategic Plan, we are committed to delivering a comprehensive Physical Health programme that promotes overall fitness and fundamental movement skills across all year levels.
Regular physical activity does more than just get the heart pumping; it helps build lung capacity, enhances coordination, and—crucially for the classroom—significantly improves focus and cognitive function. A morning burst of activity is the perfect way to prime students' brains for a productive day in the classroom.
Fitness Schedule
To maximise our space and equipment, we have established a new weekly rotation:
Junior School (Years 0–3): Tuesdays and Thursdays
Senior School (Years 4–6): Wednesdays and Fridays
On their designated fitness days, our senior students have the option to arrive at school ready to move. If they wish, they may wear their PE gear, sports socks, and sports shoes to and from school. You must wear sports shoes to and from school, not regular school shoes
Attendance Information
At our school, we believe that every day a student spends in the classroom is an opportunity for growth, connection, and discovery. Regular attendance is one of the most significant factors in a child’s academic success and social wellbeing.
When students attend school consistently and on time, they build strong routines, stay engaged with their learning, and develop lasting friendships.
To ensure a smooth start to the day, please ensure your child is on site and ready to learn by 8:45 AM.
Those few minutes before the first bell are vital. They allow students to settle in, organise their materials, and catch up with peers, ensuring they start their lessons feeling calm and prepared rather than rushed.
We are committed to supporting every family in maintaining high attendance levels. Our Attendance Management Plan, which outlines our processes and how we support students who may be struggling to attend regularly, is available for review on the school website.
Moving forward, we plan to communicate with you more regularly regarding your child’s attendance. Whether it’s celebrating a streak of perfect attendance or reaching out to see how we can help if absences are adding up, we want to keep the lines of communication open and transparent.
Our Goal: Working together to ensure every student has the best possible chance to succeed by being present, every day.
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
