2026 Newsletter - Week 6, Term 3

Kia ora koutou,

The activity filled Term 3 rolls on ... so many things happening that keep us busy!

It was so good to have our first assembly in almost two months last week. We are aiming to have another assembly this week. The rescheduled Greenlock Shield (an annual sporting exchange between GMS and Havelock North Primary) means that assembly is pushed back to 2.00pm on Friday. The forecast for Friday looks positive, so that is locked in. In the unlikely event that weather gets the Greenlock games called off ... then assembly will be back to 12.15pm - the normal time!

We are proud of the way we support teacher education and training here at GMS. We host EIT students each year and value this opportunity. We currently have two third year students in their final year on practicum at our school: Caleb Lovejoy and Olivia Martin. In addition to that we are also hosting AJ Rarere who is based in Room 4, and Nihal Shilar who has been based in Room 10. All are doing extremely well and making the most of the opportunities this school is providing them with.

Our roll is moving ahead steadily increasing. In Week 8 we are planning on opening up our final New Entrant class for the year. Room 18 will be in the space between Rooms 12 and 13, Mrs Tracy Purkiss will be taking this class. Although we are using all available spaces as we did in 2025, we are down about fifteen students at that same time last year.

Finally, I can let you know about Friday 18 September. Not only is it fancy dress day(!), children will also have the opportunity to head home from 2.00pm that day. Staff will be staying late that night to renew their First Aid certificates (until around 7.00pm). Any children not able to be picked up until 3.00pm will be supervised at school until that time as per any normal day.

Ngā mihi

Mark Johnson

Principal/Tumuaki

We have had the following new entrant students start with us to commence the new term:

Bhanu Machenahalli as well as Rose & Alexa Licos. A warm welcome to all of you!

Our school roll is currently 495.

Friday 28th August - Greenlock Shield

Friday 28th August - Daffodil Day - gold coin donation (full GMS uniform day)

Tuesday 1st September - GMS Cross Country (see information below)

Friday 18th September - Fancy Dress Day

Friday 18th September - Early finish 2pm - First Aid training for staff

Friday 25th September - GMS PTA Colour Run: last day of school for Term 3

Monday 12th October - Term 4 starts

Tuesday 27th October - School closed - Teacher Only Day

Tuesday 15th December - Last day of Term 4

Our school has been invited to select fifteen children to run out with the players as they enter the field to start the game on the 13th September. Might your child be interested? Then fill out the form below by Monday 31August 9.00am.

https://forms.gle/YKo8WKWMn5QdPaL46

Those successful in getting selected will be announced on Monday afternoon.

Every year we acknowledge NZ Daffodil Day, and we will do this on Friday 28th August. All those who wish can bring a gold coin donation - we will make a collection and donate to the NZ Cancer Society. Save the costumes though - it will be a just a normal uniform day.

The OSCAR children are coming to a fancy dress party on the afternoon of 18th September to farewell their supervisor Tina. So to save the OSCAR children having to bring a change of clothes, they can wear the fancy dress to school for the day. And if that is the case, then we can't have the others missing out then ... so a fancy dress-up day for all of GMS. No money needs to be brought - just fun!!!

If you have a child who is going to turn five at any stage this year or 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.

📅 Our annual GMS Cross Country will be held on Tuesday, 1st September (Week 7) on the Greenmeadows School field, with a postponement date of Thursday, 3rd September if required due to weather conditions.

The cross country will take place during the afternoon, with students competing in their year-level races.

🏅 Race Timetable & Distances

🌼 Kowhai Races (on the field as a team)

12:20 – 1:00pm

• 12:20 – New Entrant races (approx. 350m)

• 12:30 – Year 1 races (approx. 500m)

• 12:45 – Year 2 races (approx. 700m)

🌺 Pohutukawa Races (on the field as a team)

1:00 – 1:40pm

• 1:00 – Year 3 races (approx. 1.1km)

• 1:20 – Year 4 races (approx. 1.1km)

🌳 Tōtara Races (on the field as a team)

1:40 – 2:20pm

• 1:40 – Year 5 races (approx. 1.4km)

• 2:00 – Year 6 races (approx. 1.4km)

🎽 Students are welcome to wear their house colours for the day and will sit with their house groups while supporting their teammates.

✅ A few reminders:

• Students can choose to run in shoes or barefoot.

• Please ensure your child has suitable clothing and footwear (if wearing shoes) for the afternoon.

• Encourage your child to give it their best effort, show perseverance, and support others.

Bookings for tickets to the movie close at midnight Wednesday 26 August ... yes, that is TONIGHT!!!! You can do this via the gms.school.nz website and clicking on the 'Canteen' tab. Then link via Kindo.

An information sheet will be coming home with your child this week with all the details how to sign them up to start fundraising online.

The funds raised will go towards upgrading the school library, improving the sandpit and providing new seating for the hall.

There are a great range of fundraising prizes, including spot prizes and overall fundraising prizes for classes and individuals.

The colour run will take place on the school field on the last day of the term, Friday 25th September.

The children will enjoy an obstacle course around the school field while getting splashed with colour!

Bellyful Hawkes Bay is partaking in Bellyful NZ's national campaign - "Spaghetti September".

Bellyful cooks and delivers free, nutritious, family-friendly meals to whānau with babies or young children who need extra support.

The branch is seeking packets of spaghetti pasta to use at their monthly cookathon.

Greenmeadows School is one of the drop-off points for this campaign. The campaign runs for the month of September and you can drop off your donations to the school office.

Once again we are running the Hell Pizza Challenge. This is open to all students in the school. Collect a sheet from the library, read 7 books from school, home, or a library, fill it in, and return it to the library. A voucher will be given for a free 333 kids' pizza from Hell Pizza. There is no limit on how many wheels a student can earn. Vouchers expire 31st January 2027.

Time to stock up the coffee supplies? You can choose between 250g, 500g, or 1kg sized coffee beans or plunger style grounds. The coffee is available in strong, medium, mild or decaffeinated blends.

Sales from the Greenmeadows School coffee will go towards funding sport and athletic related activities/equipment at our school. For a large 1kg bag, which sells for $52.50, the school will receive around $15.00 back.

Ordering is open so head to our purchase page to get your bag delivered tomorrow! Please EITHER scan the QR code or click on the link below to order. Orders will arrive at the school reception office and can be collected or sent home with students. Please select ‘Pick Up’ at checkout for this option. Delivery is also available via the shipping option.

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