2023 Newsletter - Week 6, Term 3
Greenmeadows School, 23rd August, Newsletter #13: 2023
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Tēnā koutou kātoa,
Only halfway through the term and it's been a busy one so far. Wasn't our production of Peter Pan just fabulous? So much hard work, and consequently, a few tired bodies! Don't rest for too long though, we've got cross country, kapa haka and Digi Awards to keep us busy for the rest of the term.
It seems like an age ago, but it's only been a week and a half since our senior students took part in the Spooner Shield at Bledisloe School. While results didn't always go our way, I am immensely proud of the way our students conducted themselves on the day, showing grit, determination and respect at all times. Congratulations to Taradale School, who took out the overall award this year. Notable results for Greenmeadows include: Girls Football 2nd and Rugby 2nd; Year 6 Netball 2nd and Year 5 Netball were fair play winners.
I recently met with Mr Johnson who, as you will be aware, has been supporting principals across our region in his role with the Ministry. While it was originally envisaged that this role would expire at the end of this year, he is doing such a fantastic job that he has been asked to stay on a wee bit longer! After consultation with our leadership team and the Board, it has been agreed that he will continue in this role (and that I will continue in the role of Acting Principal) until the end of Term 2, 2024. I know he will definitely be looking forward to getting back as he misses us all so much!
Ka kite anō,
Darren Holloway
Acting Principal
WELCOME TO GREENMEADOWS SCHOOL
We have had six new students start with us since the last newsletter - a very warm welcome to Alexis Erasmus, Chiefy & Awhinatiaa Te Nahu Hungahunga, Mehrsa Zahedi and Charlie Woodhams.
Our roll at present is 461.
TERM DATES FOR 2024
The Board at its recent meeting confirmed the term dates for next year. We will be returning to school on Wednesday 31st January, with all terms consisting of ten weeks. The last day for the school year will be Tuesday 17th December.
You can view the start and end dates for the terms on the school website.
The term dates don't include any teacher only days during term time at this stage.
POST PRODUCTION REPORT
Wow! So many rave reviews regarding our production of Peter Pan! Thank you to those of you who shared opinions on Facebook or who got in touch with us regarding the show. It was truly a community effort and one that we can all be proud of.
Just a heads up to let you know that we did make a video recording of the matinee show and that the PTA are planning to sell copies, subject to quality assurance. Please keep an eye on the PTA's Facebook page for details - perfect for those who missed the show, or who just want to relive it all again!
CANTEEN OPEN AGAIN
The canteen is open again this week, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Remember to check the date you have booked your child's lunch for in the confirmation email you receive.
DAFFODIL DAY
Our school council has organised a "wear yellow" day this Friday to acknowledge Daffodil Day. This is an invitation to wear something yellow to school on the day and bring a gold coin in to support the cause. Apart from any yellow items worn, the rest of your child's attire should be school uniform.
If your child decides against wearing yellow, they should wear full school uniform, as usual.
UNIFORM - FOOTWEAR
A reminder that our uniform policy requests that children wear black footwear to school. If children wish to change into alternative footwear for cross country, they should still ensure that they are wearing their black shoes to and from school. We do our best to insist that children are wearing their shoes when they leave school as it helps prevent adding items to our lost property. If you have items of clothing missing, you can find our lost property outside the rear of the hall.
SENIOR CAMPS - WELLINGTON & GUTHRIE SMITH
Notices went home several weeks ago regarding camps for our Year 5 (Guthrie Smith) and Year 6 (Wellington) children. Thank you to those families that are starting to pay off their camp fees via the office.
Like everything else, costs have increased markedly with these camps, but we are doing our best to keep the camps affordable for our families. We will be seeking feedback on camps and associated costs in due course.
OSIER ROAD TRAFFIC
The improvements to the footpath and road markings on Osier Road are now complete. When making a right turn into the church car park, please try to avoid waiting on the crossing as it prevents our patrollers from getting their signs out. As it is our families who are using the car park at critical times, we ask that you try to plan your journey ahead in order to make a left hand turn into the car park instead. This would avoid traffic backing up across our crossing.
CROSS COUNTRY
Our school cross country takes place in a few weeks time on Wednesday 30th August (rain date is Thursday 31st August). As we have done for the past couple of years, this event will take place here, on our school grounds.
Approximate start times:
12:30 pm New Entrants
12:40 pm Year 1
12:55 pm Year 2
1:10 pm Year 3
1:30 pm Year 4
1:50 pm Year 5
2:10 pm Year 6
Our PTA will be running their usual sausage sizzle on the day. Orders are live now on Kindo.
Please note that orders close at 11.59pm on Monday 28th August.
Be careful when ordering on Kindo if you are ordering for the cross country and canteen lunches at the same time. Kindo sometimes defaults to the later date being the 30th August (cross country date). We had several children recently with lunch orders that have defaulted to the date of the cross country so make sure you check your confirmation email.
ŌTĀTARA KĀHUI AKO NEWS
Kia ora whānau,
Here are some ideas for supporting Te Whare Tapa Wha at home:
Taha wairua (ideas related to spiritual well being)
Stop to notice three small things out your window.
Lie on the lawn and do some cloud watching.
Write a card, letter or email to someone who’s made a positive difference for you. Tell them why.
Taha hinengaro (ideas related to mental and emotional wellbeing)
Have a singing competition.
Do some art or craft - painting, drawing, colouring.
Spend some quiet time in your favourite space.
Breathe! Take 10 deep tummy breaths.
Think about how you’re feeling and kōrero about it with someone.
Taha tinana (ideas related to physical wellbeing)
Head off for a walk around your neighbourhood with whānau.
Play with a ball on the lawn.
Put on some music and kanikani.
Challenge your whanau to a game of tag.
Build a lounge fort (great for reading in).
Taha whānau (ideas related to social wellbeing)
Make time to connect with your friends.
Give someone you know a compliment.
Help someone with a chore.
Kōrero with someone in your whānau about where you come from.
Make someone a kapūti (cup of tea) or a drink.
Ngā mihi,
Hauora Team
YUMMY APPLE STICKERS PROMOTION
We are again collecting the Yummy cut-out labels from bags (each cut-out label is worth 10 stickers) and individual Yummy apple stickers. With the apple stickers we can claim for our school’s share of free sports gear. Your child can bring in the stickers and/or cut-out labels and teachers will have a chart in their class to stick them onto. If you are returning sheets please remember to include your child's name and class so that we can identify the top collectors and class.
The final date for returning stickers will be 15 September.
GREENDALE TENNIS CLUB JUNIOR OPENING DAY
Saturday 2nd September (if wet following week)
Juniors times:
Beginners 8.30 - 9.30am ages 4-8
Intermediate 9.30 - 10.30am ages 9-12
Senior 10.30 - 11.30 ages 10-18 (must be able to serve)
For more info contact Ian Smith 021 131 8433
