2025 Newsletter - Week 3, Term 3 | Smore Newsletters for Education

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Tēnā koutou kātoa

Nau mai, haere mai

It has been neat getting back to school yesterday, after spending three days last week away visiting schools in Brisbane. It was so valuable getting the opportunity to visit other educators and see their schools in action, particularly in a different setting. We gained a lot of insight, and some very useful perspectives on the issues facing schools in Australia.

One of the common issues that is shared on both sides of the Tasman is that of school attendance. In one school we went to, we saw this very illustrative chart showing how regular absences can add up over time. It really highlights how the strong relationship exists between attendance and achievement is clearly there.

Ka kite anō,

Mark Johnson

Principal

WELCOME TO GREENMEADOWS SCHOOL

We have had four new students start with us since the last newsletter. We give a warm welcome to Aaron Guo, Astah Treur, Luke Persson and Fateh Singh.

We wish you the very best for your time at Greenmeadows School.

Our roll is currently sitting at 504.

SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS - NOMINATONS CLOSE WEDNESDAY 6TH AUGUST

The Greenmeadows School Board of Trustees triennial elections are coming up again and you will have by now, received your nomination form by email. Nomination forms were sent out last Tuesday (24th July).

If you havent received a nomination form, check your spam folder, or contact the school office to check your registered email address.

Completed nomination forms need to be hand delivered or emailed to returning officers by noon on Wednesday 6th August:-

Carolyn Thorburn & Sara Anderson

admin@gms.school.nz

MESSAGE FROM BOT PRESIDING MEMBER

Kia ora e te whānau,

As the current Presiding Member of the Greenmeadows Primary School Board of Trustees, I’m proud to serve our kura and community. I will be standing again in the upcoming board elections, and I encourage any parents or caregivers who are interested to consider putting yourselves forward.

Being on the board is an incredibly rewarding way to contribute to the success and wellbeing of our tamariki. It’s an opportunity to help shape the direction of our school and ensure all our learners thrive.

If you’re curious or want to learn more, feel free to reach out – we’d love to have more voices around the table.

Ngā mihi nui,
Richard Pinto
Presiding Member – Board of Trustees

RUGBY at GREENMEADOWS SCHOOL

We are seeing a surge in interest related to rugby at GMS. A lot of boys and girls are getting out playing rugby at break time, and so long as they bring a change of clothes, a mouthguard and there is a teacher to supervise, then it is all go.

We have a couple of teams representing us in two grades of Barefoot 10s rugby. The Year 5 and 6 team plays their first game against Napier Central tomorrow (Wednesday). Plenty of Year 3 and 4 students are very keen to get going as well - we have a team due to start practising next week. They play their games at lunch times, starting soon.

TEACHER ONLY DAY - Tuesday 12 August 2025

Just another reminder! We have a new mathematics curriculum in New Zealand schools, we have therefore arranged for some maths curriculum experts to visit GMS to talk to our staff along with teachers from neighbouring schools. This means that our school will be closed for that day. We apologise for any disruption this might cause.

GREENMEADOWS SCHOOL WALKING BUS

For a number of years we had a walking bus that collected children on the way to school each Thursday. Numbers dwindled a couple of years back ... but tamariki have been asking if it can be restarted. So starting from this Thursday 31 July and from then on we will trial the return of the walking bus for the remainder of Term 3.

We leave from 55 Park Road at 8.05am, and travel along Park Road, through Ross Place, along Bowling Road, before turning along Osier Road. We use the crossing into the school at the Gloucester Street gate, arriving at 8.30am. All are welcome to join in ... and help reduce the traffic congestion around our school, as well as enjoy a good old chin-wag to start the day ...

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday 31 July - Greenlock Shield

Friday 8 August - Spooner Shield

Tuesday 12 August - Teacher Only Day: school closed

Thursday 21 August - School Production

Tuesday 26 August - GMS Cross Country

Tuesday 9th September - Napier Interschool Cross Country

CINDERELLA & ROCKERFELLA - TICKET SALES

Tickets for the production should be available to purchase through Ticketek from Friday 1st August.

There are two performances, one daytime and one evening. As soon as these go live we will let the community know. We have had lots of enquiries about tickets so they should sell fast!

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS

Lucky Book Club orders close FRIDAY 15 AUGUST. No late orders and all orders need to be completed online, no cash sorry.

HELLS PIZZA READING CHALLENGE

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

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

Read a book, record the book title and sign on the sheet. When you have completed your seven books, leave it in the box in the library to receive your pizza voucher.

COFFEE FUNDRAISER - GMS BRAND!!! 'FUNDRAISE OVER COFFEE'

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.

UNISONS DIGITAL SAFE SPARKS PROGRAMME

Unison’s Digital Safe Sparks Programme is now open to all families across Hawke’s Bay, Taupō and Rotorua.

This short online challenge is designed for children aged 5 to 11 and helps them learn how to stay safe around electricity through animated videos, interactive activities and real-world tips.

Easy to access (no login required). Access via the link below
Great for home, after school care or a rainy-day activity
Finish by 31 October 2025 to be in to win 1 of 3 $100 Prezzy Cards

Kids who complete the programme can also receive a printable certificate.

Start the challenge here: www.unison.co.nz/safe-sparks-digital

NAPIER KINDERGARTENS

Napier Kindergartens are currently running a short Community Voice survey to better understand what families value when choosing early childhood education and what barriers might be preventing them from choosing kindergarten.

The feedback we receive will help ensure that our kindergartens continue to meet the needs and values of local whānau. The survey takes less than 3 minutes to complete, and all respondents go in the draw to win a $200 Pak n Save voucher.

To access the survey - scan the QR code below.