2025 Newsletter - Week 3, Term 4 | Smore Newsletters for Education

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Today our kapa haka children from the Pohutukawa syndicate got the chance to shine.

In a way our kapa haka roopu is the victim of its own success ... we have so many tamariki who practise and dedicate their time to being part of this important part of Greenmeadows School. But we would have way too many to have all Year 3 to 6 students performing on anything, but the largest of stages. So only Year 5 and 6 performed at the Ōtātara Kapa Haka festival this year.

Today it was about Year 3 and 4. And perform today they did!! After a dress rehearsal in front of the Kōwhai students, the remaining Pohutukawa children and a whole host of parents, they went o tour. The group was 96 strong and they did a wonderful job - so of the group many had started off as Kōwhai Kapa Haka members. The group then went on a hikoi to Reignier Catholic School and then to Greenmeadows Kindergarten. So impressive - Mrs Millner gave them a perfect 10/10!!! Tomorrow they perform to the Taradale RSA - a group of confident, practised and focussed participants will continue to wow them!

And thanks for the guidance, commitment and encouragement from the extraordinary group of teachers who create these magnificent opportunities for the children of Greenmeadows School ... yet again! So proud of you all.

Mark Johnson

Principal

WELCOME TO GREENMEADOWS SCHOOL

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

Welcome Riley Mason!

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

Our roll is currently 523.

NZ STRIKE DAY - 23 October 2025

The following are arrangements related to the strike day this Thursday. With many of the Greenmeadows School staff being members of the NZEI who are striking, it means a very reduced presence of adults at school that day. This means that our school will not be open for instruction on Thursday.

There is the option available to 'supervise' children, who have no other option but to come. However, there will not be any lessons scheduled. This is one of those very rare occasions when we strongly urge students to stay at home. Virtually all other schools in the area are closed.

If you have no other option due to work commitments and need your child supervised, please note:

* they need to wear school uniform

* there will not be any patrolled road crossings in either the morning or the afternoon

* children can only be on site from 8.30am until 3.00pm

* the canteen will not be operating

* the school phone will not necessarily be answered during the day - any messages will be diverted to an email address that will get cleared at various times during the day.

If your child is coming to school for supervision on 23rd October, then it would be really helpful if you could let the office know on Wednesday. That means we can ensure we know who is coming and if the child does not arrive then we can follow up on why they have not arrived.

Thanks for your cooperation, and we apologise for any inconvinience as a result of the strike action.

SUNHATS

Our summer threatens to be hot one with plenty of outdoor exposure. We want to ensure that our GMS students are protected from the sun as much as possible. Please note:

- from Tuesday 28 October all children must have a named wide brimmed hat

- children who do not have a hat will have to play in one of two shaded areas: under He Kapua or in the shade of the London Plane Tree (aka the Mud Tree)

As we have so many children who are active at lunch times playing sport, the wide brimmed hats become quite problematic when playing touch, bowling in cricket or playing volleyball. So we will this option trial for the month of November:

If children have a wide-brimmed hat at school, they can also bring a sports cap for active running and sports.

ROAD SAFETY

Constable Chris has been working with Year 5 children today, preparing them to become road patrollers in 2026. It’s a big responsibility for these children and they work very hard to ensure that your tamariki are kept as safe as possible when using our local crossings.

Unfortunately, some children and their parents sometimes choose to cross the roads at other points. Just last week, a parent witnessed a near miss when a child in Greenmeadows uniform attempted to scooter across Osier Road at the intersection with Gloucester Street. On this occasion, it resulted in nothing more than honking of horns, but that may not always be the case.

Please help to avoid risky situations by using the crossing points provided, even if it means walking a little further out of your way. Crossing at different points establishes bad habits for your own child and for others who might see you. Please be a role model for all our children, and respect the children who have trained hard to become a road patroller.

ENROLMENTS FOR 2026

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.

GMS GARDENING - What are the possibilities for us????

We have had some amazing developments in the school's environment over the past two years - and thanks to a range of people who have taken the initiative in various ways. All developments are enhancing our school and creating opportunities for our students and community.

The time is here when we need to create a strategy and a plan about some coordination for the future. This way we can make some short-, mid-, and long-term plans, dedicate resourcing, and link it to learning opportunities for the students at GMS. We will convene a meeting on Tuesday, 28 October, at 3.15pm in the staff room for all interested including parents and community members.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Thursday 23rd October - Strike Day

Friday 24th October - HB Anniversary (School closed)

Monday 27th October - Labour Day (School closed)

Monday 3rd November - Year 5 camps start

Tuesday 11th November - Athletics Day

Friday 14th November - School Photos

Monday 24th November - Year 6 Camp to Wellington

SCHOLASTIC LUCKY BOOK CLUB

Issue 7 is now open. It's a bumper issue with a promotion to receive up to three free books with purchases.

Did you know that every purchase you make on Book Club earns our school 15% of the order value in Scholastic Rewards? We use these to purchase more books and educational resources for the school library. It all helps!

Issue 7 of the Scholastic Book Club closes at 9am on Friday, 5th December. Orders placed before November 1st will arrive shortly thereafter.

All orders must be completed online through the LOOP app, no cash orders.

The catalogue can be found here:

https://www.scholastic.co.nz/parents/book-club-latest-issue/

HELLS PIZZA READING CHALLENGE

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.

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.