2025 Newsletter - Week 4, Term 3

Tēnā koutou kātoa

Nau mai, haere mai

While we are in the midst of preparing for the school production in a few weeks ... we now have it confirmed that the Spooner Shield will definitely go ahead tomorrow - Friday 8 August. The weather forecast isn't the greatest, but in true spirit of winter sport we are all committed to the big day. Preparing for any rain should be part of the routine tomorrow morning for spectators and competitors.

Which school will bring the shield home ...? Last year there was a very rare tie between GMS and Taradale Primary. What will happen tomorrow??! All the best to everyone!

REMINDER - the Teacher Only Day set for Tuesday 12 August means that there is no school that day. More information is below.

Ka kite anō,

Mark Johnson

Principal

We have had two new students start with us since the last newsletter. We give a warm welcome to Aiorangi & Santaziah Latavao.

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

Our roll is currently sitting at 506.

We welcome two members to the GMS team, and fun fact ... we now have FIFTY people on the staff!

Mrs Leah Haronga has started her maternity leave, so covering for her will be Mrs Tracy Purkiss. Tracy will be providing CRT release in a range of classrooms throughout the school most days per week. We welcome Tracy back as she had a stint as a relieving teacher several years ago.

We are experiencing a real surge in our New Entrant numbers at the moment, and for the rest of 2025. For this reason, Miss Sophie Claypole is going to be starting up another New Entrant class later on this term for students who start later this term, and into Term 4.

Sophie has completed a teaching posting at our school last year, as well as having been a familiar face assisting with hockey and relief teaching.

This year we have been hosting four candidate teachers from EIT. They are currently in the middle of an extended teaching posting in various classes around the school. They have been enjoying a great time this year and all show incredible promise as educators.

Thanks for to them for their ongoing contribution, and for showing an interest in becoming teachers: one of the best jobs going!

Our wonderful candidate teachers are Kate Kereti, Charlotte Cameron, Tom Mold and Mckayla Leak. All the best for the remainder of the year and your studies.

Noinations for the Board of Trustee elections closed yesterday and we received six valid nominations for four parent representative positions.

We received nominations for the following candidates:-

1. Richard Pinto
2. Matt Radford
3. Katherine McDonald
4. Scott Williamson
5. Miles Standeaven
6. Anthony Gouder

In the next week we will be posting out the voting papers, so keep an eye out for those in your mail box! Voting papers need to be returned to the school office no later than noon on Wednesday 10th September.

Carolyn Thorburn & Sara Anderson

admin@gms.school.nz

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.

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

https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=CINDEREL25

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

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.

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 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.

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