2026 Newsletter - Week 2, Term 3

Kia ora koutou,

The second half of our year is now well underway, and the children and staff have settled back into school really positively. These chilly mornings have not been too much of a challenge with tamariki actively getting around the school in a whole host of energetic pursuits.

I am really heartened to see the figures for attendance we had for Term 2, 2026, were significantly higher than for the second term from last year. This indicates that we have been able to avoid the impact of much of the illness we experienced in 2025. Hopefully this continues, and we can keep children's learning going with as few interruptions as possible.

Remember the teacher-only day this coming Friday 31 July. Our staff will be having an in-depth look at the Maths curriculum that has been introduced this year, and utilising expertise that has been built up in this area to support all levels of the school. We have had some really encouraging maths results this year and look to carry this forward.

Have a great week!

Finally, please take the time to complete the community survey via the link in this newsletter. Your feedback is so very important to how we move forward as a school and wider community.

Did you know all responses received by 12 August go in the draw to win one of five $50 New World vouchers?

Ngā mihi

Mark Johnson

Principal/Tumuaki

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

Leah Naude, Georgia Lindstrom, Charlie Sheeran, Rory Wornin, Beaudyn Richardson, Mila-Rose Richardson, Aaron Guo, Ian Han, Ethan Han, Faaea Tuiala Faasau & Lily Halford.

A warm welcome to all of you!

Our school roll is currently 491.

Just a reminder we have a teacher only day this Friday 31st July. We have another teacher only day planned for Tuesday 27th October.

Friday 31st July - School closed - Teacher Only Day

Friday 7th August - Spooner Shield

Friday 21st August - Spooner Shield postponement date

Tuesday 1st September - GMS Cross Country

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

Tuesday 27th October - School closed - Teacher Only Day

On Monday this week we sent out a link via the Hero App for parents and caregivers to complete an online survey about our school.

Your feedback is very important to how we move forward as a school and wider community.

All responses received by 12 August go in the draw to win one of five $50 New World vouchers!!

If you havent already completed the survey, click on the blue button below.

Next Friday sees six sports teams from our school head to Bledisloe School to take part in the different tournaments that make up the Spooner Shield competition. Children have been selected from Years 5 and 6 after a series of trial matches and skill sessions. These team spots are hotly contested and a memorable event beckons.

All spectators and supporters are most welcome to come along during the event. It is a great day out, and we are the defending holders of the Spoonder Shield having brought it home in 2025. If there is a postponement, this will be put on our Facebook page and an alert sent out. The postponement date is Friday 21 August.

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.

Scholastic Book Club Issue 5 catalogue has been sent home. Orders close Friday 14th August, at 5pm. All orders need to be done through the LOOP app. No cash.

It is not often that students from our school compete in world championships ... but these past holidays Jordy Persson from GMS was representing NZ in an event held in Brisbane.

A great achievement for Jordy – we are all very proud of him pursuing one of the sports that he loves. Amazing!!!

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.

Birthright Napier are starting the Incredible Years Parenting Programme, daytime course on Thursday 6 August which runs through till the 19th November

To attend the program the parent/caregiver must have a child aged 3-8 years in their care (or have very regular visitations). Details of the course are included below.

Please make contact if you know someone who would like to attend.

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