2026 Newsletter - Week 7, Term 1 | Smore Newsletters for Education

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Kia ora koutou,

Some wonderfully warm weather has seen the children spending valuable time outside this week. We need to acknowledge those who are staying sun-safe, wearing their hats every day. The children have developed this habit and are to be congratulated for setting a very high standard. One of the costs of the hot weather appears to be one of the double-glazed windows we have in the administration block - in which the safety glass in the window frame suddenly shattered overnight. Spectacular, and an amazing pattern. The glass was replaced today.

Yesterday Mrs de Lange, who has been at Greenmeadows School since the beginning of 2014 informed the school staff and board that she has made the decision to retire. Ali will be finishing at GMS at the end of Term 2 this year, so we have time to give her an appropriate farewell.

Keep those registrations for next term's sports teams coming in ... we have sent the information out through the HERO app this term. You can also access through a link below, or via the school website.

Ngā mihi

Mark Johnson

Principal/Tumuaki

WELCOME TO GREENMEADOWS SCHOOL

We have had the following students start with us since the last newsletter:

Millie Finlayson, Nico Russi and Amber Sidhu.

A very warm welcome to the three of you!

Our school roll is currently sitting at 461.

TERM 2 SPORTS REGISTRATIONS

A reminder that Term 2 Sports registrations close next Tuesday 24th March.

Remember that you register your child via Kindo.

This is the first term we are trialing no paper notices home - so make sure you check out the full information under the sports tab on our school website www.gms.school.nz.

Here is the actual page you are looking for: https://www.gms.school.nz/1/folders/206-gms-sports

Term 2 has something for all age groups and we encourage as many GMS children as possible to get involved and have fun playing a team sport.

GMS SENIOR AND JUNIOR PLAYGROUNDS

We have two amazing playgrounds that get so much use ... lately we have had a few accidents on the equipment, with some injuries resulting. Accidents do happen, and we accept the occasional broken arm is part of being a kid. The children decided to make a rule in the senior playground that they do not play chasing or tag type games on the playground, especially on the raised platforms. We also do not want children climbing up the blue slide - either inside it or outside.

It is neat seeing parents and whānau staying and using our equipment after the school day has ended. In this case can parents please reinforce that the use conditions of the playground that apply before and after school, are the same as during the school day. Many thanks.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Friday 27th March - McCain Boys Netball & Girls Rippa Rugby Gala Day

Thursday 2nd April - Last day of term

Friday 3rd April - Good Friday - School closed

Monday 20th April - First day of term 2

Monday 27th April - Anzac Day - school closed

LAUNCHPAD CHAMPIONS

Launchpad Champions are due to start up again this year with their first session today. They will meet in the space between Rooms 10 and 11, not the Library. We have opt in forms at the office for any students from Year 2 up who might want to join.

GMS WORM FARM

Not everyone will know that we have a worm farm at GMS. THe worms are getting really hungry at this time of year, so if anyone wants to make a contribution from home, please feel free to do so.

Their feeding routine includes a balanced diet of organic waste, such as:

Fruits (worms love banana peels!)
Vegetables and veggie waste
Pasta (without the sauce!)
Squash and pumpkin
Eggshells
Bread

Many thanks in advance.

BELLYFUL NZ NATIONAL CAMPAIGN

Bellyful Hawkes Bay is partaking in Bellyful NZ's national campaign - "Macaroni March".

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 macaroni 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 March and you can drop off your donations to the school office.

ENROLMENTS FOR 2026

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.

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.