Kia ora e te whānau

We were excited to share our Cultural Festival with you last week and were thrilled with the number of whānau who came to share in the event - we had over 600 people sign up for the displays in the MPS! I enjoyed talking to visitors about the displays and we had some wonderful feedback from you all about celebrating the cultures in our school. We have a lovely diverse mixture of cultures represented and it is great for our tamariki to be able to share with each other. Thanks for the support.

Mufti Day

A big thank you to everyone who supported the Orange Day Mufti Day last week. We raised $750 which will pay for the bus to take all our road patrol and warden students to their Orange Day celebration. Thanks to Georgia Taylor for taking the initiative and putting a proposal together for this to happen.

Sunsmart

We are starting to get some lovely warm days now. Please ensure that your child has a hat and has put sunscreen on before they come to school. Any child that does not have a hat will be asked to play in the shade. If your child doesn’t have a hat, they can be purchased at the school office via kindo.

Melanie Taylor

Principal/ Tumuaki

Dear Parents

This is a friendly reminder to get your photo orders in before the print deadline - 11pm, Thursday 20th November 2025. After this date you can still purchase digital downloads of the individual and sibling photos, however class and group photos will no longer be available.

Claire Fraser Photography sent you an email earlier this month (11 November) with your passcode(s) to access the photos. If you didn’t receive an email from Claire Fraser Photography or you need any assistance with ordering, please contact Claire directly. claire@clairefraser.nz 021 537 567

Claire Fraser

Claire Fraser Photography

www.clairefraser.nz

+64 21 537 567

NEW School Instagram page

We're trying to create new ways to communicate with our school community, so if Insta is your thing please follow our new school page - https://www.instagram.com/goldensandsschool/

Other ways we communicate:

Newsletter - emailed fortnightly, primary method of communication to our families
Website - school calendar updated regularly, Parent Portal page, general info
School App - student absences, reminders, general info
Facebook closed group (request to join) - reminders, sports events, general info
Instagram page - reminders, general info
Sports Info - sports calendar & website page or email sport@goldensands.school.nz

Facebook (Click here to join our GSS Facebook group)

If you have not joined our Facebook group, please search for it and request to join. This is a closed group so you will be asked who the children you are connected to are. We share lots of real-time information here with photos and updates included.

School App (Click here to download our School App)

You can also download our school app. When there is anything new to know about you will get notifications if you have enabled them.

Veg Babies

Give the Gift of Gardening This Christmas – and Support Your School!

Looking for a thoughtful, sustainable Christmas gift? Our Vegbabies Christmas gift Box is the perfect choice for families who love to grow, cook, and eat fresh food. Each box is packed with healthy seasonal seedlings and comes with weekly growing tips to make it super easy for anyone to succeed — whether they have a backyard, balcony, or just a few pots on the porch.

You can choose a one-off Veggie Box for a burst of green inspiration, or a three-month subscription to give them an ongoing gardening adventure. The first box will arrive at their door in February 2026, ready for a new year full of fresh harvests!

Even better — every box purchased helps grow the PiPS Garden Programme, supporting hands-on learning in your school gardens, helping tamariki learn where food comes from, how to grow it, and how to care for Papatūānuku.

Order online now at vegbabies.co.nz

Let’s grow a greener, healthier future together — one Veggie Box at a time.

Term 4 Kids Holiday Programmes

Looking to get your groms into surfing this summer look no further than our 8-week After school progressive surf programme this is perfect for building confidence in and around the ocean , learning new skills and making new friends . Whether your first time surfer or looking to brush up on your pre summer skills we have you covered !

Pick the day that suits you the best

• Tuesday: 4–5 PM
• Wednesday: 4–5 PM
• Thursday: 4–5 PM
• Fridays :4-5pm

Starts first Tuesdays back at School Tuesday, 14th of October
Duration: 8 weeks
Cost: $280 (all equipment included!)
Great student to instructor ratios

This is a fantastic opportunity for your kids to enjoy the ocean in a supportive and encouraging environment with qualified surf instructors and @surfingnz Approved school ! Spaces are limited, so book now to secure your spot!

Contact the team at Hakanini surf school to your book your spot today 0210837584 or email Tom@hakaninisurf.co.nz

Spotta Crack

https://www.windscreenz.com/school

Do you have a cracked windscreen or know someone who does?

If so, refer to Windscreenz and get some CASH for our school.