Parnell District

From Dance performances, sporting achievements and Inquiry learning to community events and Matariki reflections; as the term closes, we can be proud of an exciting term of learning, experiences, and whānau support. Thank you for your continued support throughout Term 2 both in terms of your child's learning and of community events.

Red Nose Day

Today our school raised $1477.00 for Cure Kids by hosting a well-supported Red Nose Day. The $1000 threshold was surpassed, so as promised, one of our teachers Mr. Hollingsworth was "slimed" at our assembly this afternoon. Our Te Arawa Waka Leaders Daniel and Hugo were also "slimed" because Te Arawa were the winning Waka for Term 2! We were also delighted to welcome the Cure Kids mascot Dr CK, who came to thank our school for their efforts.

Peter Kaho - Principal Pōwhiri

Today our Kapa Haka supported past staff member Peter Kaho as he was welcomed as the new principal of St Joseph's School in Onehunga. Several PDS staff members also attended in supporting Peter of his new role. We wish him all the best.

Enjoy your whānau time over the next two weeks. We look forward to seeing you all again, refreshed and ready for Term 3.

Winter sports are well underway with PDS football and netball teams competing in both the Eastern Zone and Bay Suburbs zone day tournaments. Some of the players have written about their experiences below.

PDS is also well-represented in the weekly basketball and netball leagues that started in Term 2. The dedicated teams practice before or after school and play their games each week with energy and enthusiasm!

Our tamariki have been pounding the pavements, building up their stamina for our annual Cross Country event in Term 3. Also a fundraising event, look out for more information from our Whānau & Friends group below. If you are looking for a way to support our school, volunteer to help on the day. See below for details.

Bay Suburbs Netball Year 5/6

Finally! Netball day had arrived! We got to school bright and early and waited until we could get into the school van. The only way I can describe that van ride was LOUD. We sang our hearts out all the way to the netball centre. Once we had arrived, our games began shortly after. Our team had been playing together all term, so we knew each other well. We had a great mixture of games, some that were easy and others which were very hard. Our team played and worked so well together as a team; we came second! All our hard work and effort had paid off. We celebrated on our way back to school by again singing our hearts out! A big thank you to Mr Joint and Mrs Connor for coaching us and supporting us for the day!

Izzy Cleary, Room 29

Bay Suburbs Football - Year 5/6

This day was super fun and amazing, I was in my football dream land! A day of football, it can’t get any better! Mr Joint was our superstar coach for the day, he shared lots of his football secrets with us. One highlight game for me was against Orakei School. The whistle blew and the game was underway, bang! One goal to PDS just like that, surely this game wasn’t going to be an easy one. I was right because Orakei scored a goal very soon after! However, the mighty PDS football team were not finished as they scored 5 more goals winning the game 6-1. Thank you so much to Mr Joint and Mr Smeeton for helping us on the day – we really appreciate it!

Christopher Russell, Room 13

Eastern Suburbs Football - Year 7/8

After travelling across Auckland, we eventually arrived at Crossfield’s reserve. We were greeted with lots of boys practising for their upcoming games. Surprised by how seriously some of these schools were taking this event, we decided to have an early morning tea break. Our detective hats were put on and we began scoping out our competition, soon realising we might in fact be a bit out of our depth!

Our first match was, well, a literal wipe out. Their defence couldn’t stop anyone in our team. Despite our strikers being elite and resembling a hybrid form of Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo, we were all given multiple chances to score. The final score of our first match was 5-0, a big thank you must go to our elite goalkeeper – Abhinav for protecting his goal with his life!

Our second game was, intriguing, that’s largely because I personally don’t remember it. Fatigue really got the better of me. The final score of this one was 2-2 however, a technicality meant we lost because they scored the first goal.

A big thank you must go out to Mr Lulijwa who supported our team on the day and to the other parents that attended. Without your support we wouldn’t have been able to conquer the Eastern Zone.

Flynn Renner, Room 26

This year's PDS Cross Country event will be held on Friday 9 August (rain day Friday 16 August). Your child has received a paper sponsorship form this week. Additional forms are available below for download or you can pick one up from from the school office. Funds raised through sponsorships will be used to buy new sports equipment for the school. Please encourage your children to ask family, friends and neighbours to sponsor them. Every completed sponsor form (irrespective of amount raised) handed into the office before Monday 12 August will be put in the draw to win a sports-related prize. We encourage all of the children to do their best and, most importantly, have fun!

Parent Volunteers

As you can imagine, our dedicated staff will be fully occupied with supervising the children and ensuring their happiness, health, and safety throughout the event. Therefore, we kindly request your assistance. If you are available and willing to help on this day, we would greatly appreciate your support.

Should you have any questions or require further information about volunteering for this event, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,

George Hollingworth
Sports Coordinator
georgeh@parnell.school.nz