Pītau-Allenvale School Christchurch

Pītau-Allenvale School Newsletter Issue 4 Term 2 2026 Matariki Art & Lights Night!

EMIRATES TRAVEL REHEARSAL PROGRAM LIMITED SPACES STILL AVAILABLE

Pītau-Allenvale School Newsletter Issue 3 Term 2 2026 A Little Heads-Up Goes a Long Way! 💛

Pītau-Allenvale School Newsletter Special Issue-Health Curriculum and Strategic Plan A publication created by Pītau-Allenvale School

Pītau-Allenvale School Newsletter Issue 2 Term 2 2026 Ka whāngaia, ka tupu, ka puāwai

Sharing a few local wellness resources we spotted in the latest community update. There are a couple of different activities coming up, including the THRIVE 2026 event with Kim Grant and some smaller workshops focused on mental health and resilience. 🌿

Passing this along in case any of our families find these topics helpful! Details for all the sessions are in the link below:

Thrive 2026 - Kim & Grant Grant had a stroke and experiences aphasia. For 8 years, he has had Music Therapy with Kim. Together they will share about the power of music to engage neuroplasticity to help him find his voice again.

Pītau-Allenvale School Newsletter Issue 1 Term 2 2026 Out and About at Tētēkura

✈️ Practice makes perfect! ✈️

Our students from Pītau-Allenvale recently had the amazing opportunity to "practice" flying with Emirates! This 'Travel Rehearsal' helped our young people build confidence at the airport, making the idea of a real flight much less overwhelming and a lot more exciting.

Read more about the day here:
https://www.chrislynchmedia.com/news-items/emirates-helps-christchurch-children-with-autism-take-flight/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRU7p9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE4OWl1WkNqQ1o4S256cDVTc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmlbBdmFW7PhUcGoXv95Rf8Ft9yGc7uLqZgGG61KM0Q4b1i04YJBDD24m-4g_aem_Aqier4OiHvULh7pfKkgOGA

Emirates helps Christchurch children with autism take flight - Chris Lynch Media Emirates has helped more than 250 families globally through its Travel Rehearsal programme over the past year, with Christchurch among...

Free Ten Pin Bowling Party An article by Pītau-Allenvale School

A Huge Congratulations to our Principal, Janine Harrington! 🎖️

We are incredibly proud to share that Janine has been appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2025 Honours List.

While Janine is quick to share the credit with those she has worked alongside, this honor is a testament to her 30+ years of tireless advocacy for education’s most vulnerable learners—from her work in prisons to her leadership here at Pitau Allenvale.

Janine, thank you for showing us what "commitment to every learner" truly looks like.

A career dedicated to education’s most vulnerable.

Recently appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2025 Honours List, Janine Harrington is quick to say the recognition belongs to many.

Over more than three decades, her work has supported those most at risk - from adults in prison to children with neurodiverse and/or complex needs.

Janine's early years as a teacher shaped her understanding of safeguarding as a foundational responsibility of teaching. For some learners, education was not just about learning outcomes, but about protection, stability, and care - and teachers were often the first adults to notice when something wasn’t right.

Janine went on to lead education programmes across prisons and probation services, before returning to school leadership as Principal of Te Otu Matua Halswell Residential College, a national residential school for neurodiverse learners with complex needs.

Now Principal of Pītau-Allenvale School, one of Christchurch’s specialist day schools, Janine remains grounded in the same belief that has guided her entire career.

The Code of Professional Responsibility sets an expectation that teachers demonstrate a commitment to learners by promoting inclusive practices that respond to the needs and abilities of all learners. Janine’s work reflects this in practice.

Read more about Janine's inspiring story: https://www.teachingshapeswhatmattersmost.nz/stories/honours-janine-harrington