2025 Newsletter - Week 11, Term 4

Kia ora koutou,

This will be the final newsletter for 2025. It is a biggie with plenty in it (SORRY!)

What a memorable year it has been. I want to take this opportunity to thank all those who have contributed to making it such a success. We have such an incredible community that forms part of our school.

Our students are the centre of everything we do, and they are an incredible bunch of young people. I want to acknowledge their enthusiasm and love of learning in so many instances. Reading through each child's end of year report these past few weeks has been a real pleasure, and I am heartened to see how they have progressed. To those who are leaving, we wish you the absolute best for what lies ahead—and I am sure the departees will look back on their time at Greenmeadows School with affection.

The GMS staff are a fantastic group of people. We are very fortunate that our teachers and all supporting staff are so committed to everything they do. There is a tireless and constantly dedicated effort to contribute to the education of the children of Greenmeadows. Whether it is directly leading learning, mentoring and guiding young people, or creating the immense fabric of extra-curricular opportunities GMS is known for, are what makes this place so special. Combined we are a team of close to fifty people, and what a mighty team they make!

Our Board have been a wonderfully supportive and knowledgeable group over the course of the year. Greenmeadows School has been very fortunate to have outstanding board governance throughout my seventeen years as Principal here, and this year has been no exception. Board chair Richard Pinto and the other members need acknowledgement for the role they play and the positive influence they have. We also have a Parent-Teacher Association of a quality that other schools are very envious of. Wonderfully led by Vanessa Whaanga, they give so much of their time and energy to make opportunities for our children. And what results we can all see around our beautiful school site!

To the whānau of our school I want to thank you all. We really appreciate the many kind messages you share with me and other members of staff. We need to acknowledge all the ways our families get behind the school. This happens in so many ways - whether it is supporting sports teams, buying raffle tickets, or turning up for events, to name just a few. Also being there to support the learning of your own children, or simply getting them to school every day. We thoroughly appreciate your support.

The holiday break is soon upon us. Hopefully there is the opportunity to rest and relax after a year that has been so busy ... and gone so quickly. All the best for a wonderful time; stay safe, and we look forward to seeing you all for the start of school on Monday 2 February 2026.

Mere Kirihimete!!!

Ngā mihi

Mark Johnson

Principal/Tumuaki

Venue: He Kapua, Greenmeadows School

All children are expected to attend the prizegiving ceremony which lasts approximately one hour. They need to be lined up in class groups on the school field by 6.20pm.

Please note that parking gets difficult with the large numbers of vehicles a school of our size seems to require, so please plan to get here with time to spare.

All children need to wear their school uniform to the prize-giving, but do not need their hats for the evening.

Due to the prize-giving being on this evening due to finish around 7.40pm, Greenemadows School will start half an hour later tomorrow. The bell will ring at 9.30am instead of 9.00am.

On Wednesday and Thursday we return to our normal time of 9.00am.

REMINDER - School ends at 12.00pm on Thursday 18 December.

End of year reports were sent home on this afternoon. They are crafted and detailed with a considerable time put in by teachers composing them.

The children also found out their classes for next year - exciting stuff!!! They received a stationery list from their new teacher.

If your child's stationery list gets mislaid or doesn't find its way home, there are copies of these on the school website www.gms.school.nz

We farewell only one member of our 2025 staff - Miss Sophie Claypole has been leading the start up New Entrant class Tima Tipu Rua with all the bright faced children who are our youngest students. They have loved their introduction to school. Our thanks to Sophie for all the care and dedication she has shown these children, and acknowledge her as a member of our team this second half of 2025. We wish her well for 2026.

Also we need to acknowedge Jayne Edwards. Jayne has been volunteering supporting one of our junior classes for the second half of this year. Her presence and commitment has been such a help and we want to say an immense thanks to her.

Here are the dates for 2026 to put into your calendar:

Term 1 - Monday 2nd February to Thursday 2nd April

Term 2 - Monday 20th April to Friday 3rd July

Term 3 - Monday 20th July to Friday 25th September

Term 4 - Monday 12th October to Tuesday 15th December

Here is the confirmed staff to commence the new school year. No changes in rooms for any teachers. We have an additional Year 3 class this year due to the large year group of children in that cohort.

Kōwhai Syndicate

Room 1a – Shari Mackay New Entrants/Year 1

Room 1b – Anna Murphy New Entrants/Year 1

Room 2a – Helen Harvey (Team Leader) Year 2

Room 2b – Nikki Thompson Year 2

Room 15a - Jan Furlong Year 1

Room 15b - Lily Kay Year 1

Room 16a – Nicole Johnson Year 2

Room 16b – Paula Kinsey Year 2

Pohutukawa Syndicate

Room 3 - Rochelle Ravlich Year 3

Room 6 - Kimberley Somerville Year 3

Room 7 – Jane McCosh Year 3

Room 8 – Shona Millner Year 3

Room 9 – Ceirwyn Roberts Year 4

Room 12 – Toni Smith Year 4

Room 13 – Sarah Groenveld (Team Leader) Year 4

Tōtara Syndicate

Room 4 - Amy Tonks Year 6

Room 5 - Bryce Lott Year 5

Room 10 – Dan Ball Year 6

Room 11 – Jane Carter Year 5

Room 14 - Chris Sullivan Year 5

Room 17 – Marty Gibbs (Team Leader) Year 6

Classroom Release teachers: Jane Lee, Leah Hambleton, Tracey Purkiss

Structured Literacy support: Monique Cowie

Maths Support Teacher: Nicki Jeffery

Office administrators: Carolyn Thorburn, Sara Anderson

Teacher Aides: Lynne Canty, Linda Cunningham, Leanne Duncan, Heidi Geertson, Carol Gouder, Hayley Jury, Carol Mardon, Kirsten Martin, Vanessa Wells, Mel White

Sports Coordinator: Nikki Sunley

Canteen: Kim Batt

Property staff: Martin Hicks, Louise Nicholson, Debbie Johnson-Neill, Vanessa Wells

Deputy Principal: Darren Holloway

Assistant Principal: Allyson Ross

Assistant Principal: Ali de Lange

Principal: Mark Johnson

The school entrance waharoa is nearing completion! The carver Nathan Foote visited school on Friday 5th December, to talk with groups of children and show them a piece of the waharoa. It looks magnificent. The students were fascinated listening to Nathan talk about the work he does and how he has prepared this work.

At this stage we are hoping to get it installed on Sunday 1st February. We are likely to need a couple of people with building expereince to help us mount the various carvings in place. We are then planning to hold a blessing ceremony on Thursday 5th February at dawn.

We will be extending an invitation to our current Year 6 cultural leaders who have been part of the school this year, to participate in this ceremony too. Exciting!!!

Greenmeadows School requires a hardworking and reliable applicant to fill the above role.

This position involves 10 hours per week, including school holidays. Hours are flexible during school holidays.

The hours are 3.00pm until 6.20pm, 3 days per week. At this stage these days are Wednesday to Friday.

Previous experience in a cleaning role would be advantageous.

Please send a covering letter, CV and the names and contact details of two professional referees to:-

The Principal, Greenmeadows School

P O Box 5104, Greenmeadows, NAPIER 4112

Email: admin@gms.school.nz

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.

If you havent returned your raffle sheets yet, please do so asap as the raffle will be drawn this Wednesday, 17 December.

A huge thank-you to the following businesses for their generous donations to our Christmas raffle — your support is truly appreciated!

SCHOLASTIC LUCKY BOOK CLUB

Many thanks for your continued support of the Scholastic Book Club in 2025. Every purchase you make earns our school 15% of the order in Scholastic Rewards. We use these to purchase more books and educational resources for the school library. It all helps!

PLEASE RETURN ALL LIBRARY BOOKS

The library is now closed for issuing books for the year. We require all books to be returned or paid for now. Please check under beds, behind drawers and in all the usual and unusual places for any books. We would prefer to purchase new books than replace our favourite titles that are missing.

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.

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.

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