2024 Newsletter - Week 4, Term 1
Greenmeadows School, 23rd February 2024
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa,
Here we are in Week 4 and we are humming along nicely. Thank you for supporting our Black and White day last week. While we avoided dwelling on the trauma that will be forever linked to 14 February for many, it's also important to acknowledge how far we have come since then and the valuable learning that we have all undergone in terms of emergency preparedness. Yesterday, we conducted one of our regular, termly fire drills (a first for some of our youngest children) which just helps everyone understand our procedures, should they ever be needed in a real event.
We are looking forward to touching base with parents next week when you are warmly invited to Meet the Teacher. Ahead of that meeting, I encourage you to think about one thing that you would really like us to work on with your child this year, or even just this term. It really helps when we know what your aspirations are for your child.
Many of you have commented on how good our school is looking as a result of our last few years of building works. We have a couple of finishing touches still in the pipeline, including developing a junior playground in the area left vacant by the removal of the prefabs. Another exciting project we are hoping to tackle this year is to complete the waharoa over our main gate on Osier Road. If you'd like to be involved in either of these projects or have expertise that might be of assistance, please do get in touch with me.
Finally, I have included some notes on child car seats, passed on to me by a parent who is a Child Restraint Technician.
Ka kite anō,
Darren Holloway
Principal
WELCOME TO GREENMEADOWS SCHOOL
We welcome Eda Wang, Alaura-Dayne Te Nahu Hungahunga, Peter Courtney and Georgia Hyndman.
Our roll is currently sitting at 441.
We wish every one of you, all the very best for your time at Greenmeadows School.
MEET THE TEACHER INTERVIEWS
These interviews are a great chance for you to share with us your aspirations for your child, and for you to find out about the learning opportunities that lie ahead from their teacher. It is also an opportunity for the teachers to find out more about your child, which helps them immensely.
We urge all families to participate in these interviews and have set aside two afternoons for these to occur:
Monday 26 February 2.15 pm – 5.30 pm or 6.15 pm – 7.30 pm
Tuesday 27 February 2.15 pm – 5:30 pm or 6:00pm - 7.00 pm
You can request an interview by booking online at: https://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz/code/n45v9
or via the school website, click on the "Parent Interviews" tab and use the code n45v9.
Once your booking is completed you will receive an email confirming your interview. These details can be rescheduled if your availability changes. If you are unable to access the school’s website, then you can ring, or visit, the school office and Carolyn or Sara will book a time for you.
We expect a 100% attendance of families at these interviews, so please let us know of any difficulties you may be having booking a time. Due to the interviews, school will close early at 2.00pm on both Monday and Tuesday.
Online bookings will close at 8:00 am on Monday morning. If you need to make or change bookings after that time, please phone the office.
GATE SAFETY
Our gates along Osier Road are all designed to keep your children safe, inside our grounds. Please ensure that the gate latches behind you if entering or exiting during school hours.
For most children, especially our smaller ones, these gates are also very difficult to unlatch from outside. Lately, we have had a couple of children who have been dropped off late and have struggled to get in! If arriving late, please accompany your child into the grounds and sign them in at the office.
ABSENT NOTIFICATIONS
If your child is going to be absent from school, please let the school know before 9.00am on that morning.
To report your child being away please use the school app. Find the absence button then use the email function.
If we cannot make contact with you or receive notification, truancy will be called.
KEEPING OURSELVES SAFE
In week 7 (starting 11 March) we will be delivering the Keeping Ourselves Safe programme in school. Please follow the link to see the session content and resources that will be used. Closer to the time we will run a Q&A session, if there is demand.
PTA NEWS - YUMMY APPLE STICKERS
Please keep collecting the Yummy Apple Stickers in 2024.
Shop at your local New World, Pak’n Save and participating Four Square stores. Purchase Yummy apples, either bags with cut-out labels or individual apples with Yummy stickers. One cut-out label is worth 10 apple stickers.
Send the stickers into school to be placed on collection sheets in each class. However, if you would like your own collection sheet for home please collect one from the school office. Competition runs until the end of Term 3 2024
The more we collect, the more sports gear we can order, so get going and start collecting your Yummy cut-out labels and stickers! It would be great if we could all get behind this and collect as many stickers as possible.
For more information visit: http://www.yummyfruit.co.nz
TE WHARE TAPA WHA
This year, we delve into Te Whare Tapa Whā again, a Māori model highlighting four pillars of health: Taha Tinana (physical well-being), Taha Hinengaro (mental and emotional well-being), Taha Whanāu (social health), and Taha Wairua (spiritual health). Together, let’s nurture these dimensions to foster a vibrant and thriving school community!
This term we are exploring Taha Wairua. This pillar encompasses spiritual well-being, connecting individuals to their inner selves, values, and sense of purpose. It involves fostering a deep understanding of one’s identity, beliefs, and connection to their world, contributing to a holistic sense of well-being.
This week for Taha Wairua we are recognising and understanding one’s spiritual well-being, which includes identifying personal strengths. Encourage your child to reflect on their values, passions, and inner qualities. By acknowledging and embracing these strengths, they not only enhance their spiritual connection but also build confidence and resilience. This awareness becomes a powerful tool for personal growth, fostering a sense of purpose and fulfilment in both their spiritual journey and everyday life.
ROBOTICS
Many of you will recall how well our robotics team did at the national competition last year, earning an entry into the international event in Brazil. Sadly, that event has fallen through, but the organisers have been able to offer an entry into a competition in Sydney instead.
Taradale Primary School also have a team heading off to an event in the USA later this year. Both schools are seeking sponsorship and hoping to fundraise to help cover expenses involved in travelling to these international events. If you would like to support them, please head along to their Give a Little page.
Alternatively, if you have business links and think that you may be able to help with sponsorship, please get in touch with Mr Ball.
KAITIAKI KIDS
Recently I've had a group of children helping me to look after our environment. Perhaps you remember them from the last newsletter?
This week, they've been helping with gardening, planting some fruit trees that were donated by Mitre 10 Mega Napier (BIG THANK YOU) and painting a buddy bench. What exciting projects do they have ahead? Well, a vegetable garden might be on the cards. Watch this space!
Planting
Painting
CHILD CAR SEATS
A child legally needs to be restrained in a suitable car seat until a minimum of 7 years old. (8 years old, if there is a suitable restraint in the vehicle)
· Children aren’t ready to come out of a booster seat until they pass the
“5 step test”:
- Sits all the way back against the vehicle seat.
- Knees bent at the edge of the vehicle seat and feet on the floor.
- Shoulder belt fits evenly across the collarbone and sits flush with the torso.
- Lap belt is low on the hips, touching the tops of the thighs.
- Can stay correctly seated this way the entire ride.
- Statistically this isn’t until the child is between 10 & 12 years old. (approx. 148 cm tall)
· The average child gains the maturity to sit properly in a booster seat without a harness is somewhere between 5 and 7 years old.
· The backseat is safest for children under 12 years old (this reduces the risk of injury in a frontal impact or if the airbags deploy)
PTA PHOTO FUNDRAISER - SATURDAY 16TH MARCH
GMS SCHOOL APP LINK
This is how we communicate with the school community any importmant messages or reminders.
Contact Us
Email: admin@gms.school.nz
Website: http://www.gms.school.nz/
Location: Greenmeadows School 45 Osier Road, Greenmeadows, Napier, New Zealand
Phone: +64 06-844 7024
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gmsnapier