2024 Newsletter - Week 10, Term 3

Tēnā koutou kātoa,

I have now just about finished my first term back at GMS, and what a wonderful ten weeks it has been. Coming back into this wonderful environment has been such a positive experience, and I realise daily what an amazing whole school community we have. Reconnecting with the children and teachers in their classrooms has been so valuable, as have my interactions with our parent community.

I have to say that the opportunities that your children get from this school are immense. We have had a term involving so much learning, as well as an incredible range of additional activities. Your children represent our school with pride and distinction in so many different spheres - and it is so neat to be part of this environment that our wonderful teachers and support staff, along with key community members, help create.

I want to wish you a happy, healthy and safe holiday break that lies ahead. I really look forward to seeing everyone back on Monday 14th October ... fresh and raring to go for the final term of 2024.

Ka kite anō,

Mark Johnson

Principal

One new student has started with us this week. We welcome Adham Orcullo to GMS and wish you all the very best for your time at Greenmeadows School.

Our roll is currently sitting at exactly 500.

Teacher Only Day coming up this term and that is Friday 27th September.

Thursday 24th October has also been scheduled as a Teacher Only Day for our school.

We are very aware that this has meant a number of Teacher Only Days in the second half of this year. However we want to get as prepared as possible for the revised Mathematics curriculum next year, and the Ministry of Education has encouraged schools to take time in Term 4 to get ready for any changes.

For this reason a number of local schools have selected the day before Hawkes Bay Anniversary Day to do this. This means it could potentially create a five day Labour weekend break. Again we apologise if this causes any disruptions for families

Tomorrow (Thursday) we farewell two members of our staff. Hayley Collinson is due to start maternity leave and will leave our staff at the end of this term. I want to acknowledge the work Hayley has done with her class during the course of this year. Hayley had previously taught at GMS, and it was neat to have her skills back in our team. We wish her and her family all the very best for the coming weeks ahead and the imminent arrival of a new baby.

Covering for the remainder of the year in Room 5 will be a familiar face Ms Nikki Jeffery, who has already been working Fridays in this class. Nikki will teach four days a week next term. Wednesday will see Ms Sarah Bojensen-Trepka take the class.

The second formal farewell is for teacher Mahia Isherwood. Mahia took maternity leave a year ago, having taught at Greenmeadows School since the beginning of 2021. Mahia has decided to continue dedicating time to being a stay at home parent. An exciting and totally valuable time for her and the whanau. I would like to acknowledge the wonderful learning opportunities Mahia offered many children at this school, who were either members of her class, as well as those involved in extra-curricular activities. Enjoy that quality parenting time Mahia!

* The 'Colour Run' will happen on the school field this Thursday from 2.00pm.

* All children can participate in this whether they have raised money or not.

* No uniforms on Thursday as the children who take part are likely to get wet and/or colour on themselves and their clothing.

We have included the link to another school's colour run, in case you didn't see it in the last newsletter.

Looks like a lot of messy fun!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8449FrVJIY

Once we have finished the Colour Run, we won't be going back inside classrooms after we are done ... and you might want to have a think about car transport home too!

Some very lucky year 5 students attended a Kāhui Ako outdoor education activity with 4 other schools on Monday 23rd. It was held at the EIT outdoor learning centre.

Our focus was on wellbeing and why it is important to spend time in nature.

- Participating in group activities like beach cleanups or wildlife habitat restoration fosters a sense of community and belonging. The social connections formed during these events can strengthen our sense of belonging, and enhance overall social wellbeing.

We planted native trees from Te Wai Mauri - the Waiohiki nursery and did some outdoor learning activities. The students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and learned new things.

Earlier this year the requirement came in for New Zealand schools to prohibit the use of cell phones and personal communication devices. This includes smart watches as well. We understand that children may need a device to contact family members outside school times. If this the case, these phones or watches need to be handed into the office at the start of each day and collected before heading home.

For those of you who are highly organised and have been enquiring if we have set our term dates for next year yet - here they are:-

TERM 1: 3RD FEBRUARY TO 11TH APRIL (we will be closed on 7th February)

TERM 2: 28TH APRIL TO 27TH JUNE

TERM 3: 14TH JULY TO 19TH SEPTEMBER

TERM 4: 6TH OCTOBER TO 18TH DECEMBER

Please note, we are still in the process of confirming two Teacher Only Days for next year.

Quite a few of our tamariki have accidents with slips in the mud, puddles or any other events that require a change of clothing. We keep a supply of junior children sized skorts, shirts, shorts and underwear at school.

Or at least we did ...! Plenty of changes of clothes have gone home, but have not made their way back. If you child has come home with a change of clothes, could we please have them back please. Many thanks.

We are now right into our planning for next year. It is really important that we have as clear an indication of new enrolment numbers as possible.

If you have a child who is going to turn five at any stage next year and they are going to attend Greenmeadows School, please let us know as soon as possible.

This also applies to any relatives, neighbours or friends you may have who live in our zone and wish for their children to come to our wonderful school. Even if you think we may already know, there is no harm in telling us (again).

You can either phone the school or email Sara at saraa@gms.school.nz

Many thanks for your help.

The Hell Pizza Reading Challenge is running in the Greenmeadows School library.

Complete the pizza wheel by reading seven different books from the Greenmeadows School library, then go to any Hell Pizza store and redeem it for a FREE kids 333 HELL Pizza.

Simply issue a book from the Greenmeadows library, read it, record the book title and sign. When you have completed your seven books, then leave it in the box in the library to receive your pizza voucher.

Please continue to collect the Yummy Apple Stickers

We have until this tomorrow, 26 September (last day of Term 3)

The more we collect, the more sports gear we get, 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.

2023 saw GMS receive $695 worth of FREE PE equipment. It would be great if we could do this again in 2024!!

Please send any stickers to the school office, no later than tomorrow.

Many thanks

Dan Ball, one of our talented teachers, will be stepping into the spotlight these coming holidays (4th October to 12th October) as Tommy DeVito in the highly anticipated production of 'Jersey Boys', showing at the Municipal Theatre.

Don't miss this exciting performance! Tickets are available through Ticketek or at the Municipal Theatre.

https://www.napiermunicipaltheatre.co.nz/whats-on//item/114/jersey-boys

Below is a link to download our school App if you haven't already.

This is how we communicate with the school community any importmant messages or reminders.

https://www.smore.com/app/reporting/out/ktaxf?u=https%3A%2F%2Fschoolappsnz.co.nz%2Finstall%2F&t=install%20link&w=w-5610919473&i=&l=l-7600403145

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