Thank you all for the part you have played in helping us reach the end of what has been a mentally challenging term. We are feeling positive about the newly announced move to 'Orange' settings as it will allow more freedoms around events, connecting with you, our families and provides a move towards 'normal' - whatever that actually is now. We know that mask wearing has been a key line of defence against COVID and thank families for adhering to the rules around this. From next term, it will be nice to see people's faces and enjoy the warmth a reassuring, friendly smile can offer - the eyes just don't cut it.

Me te mihi nui mo a koutou manaakitanga - in appreciation of your continued support.

FoGS would like to thank everyone for their amazing support for the Easter Raffle. It was a fairly last minute decision to do it and has been well worth it - we will let you know how much has been raised for Furniture (tote trays, seats, teacher whiteboard tables, high stools); Kapa Haka Tutor Costs & Additional Camp Costs, when the final tally is in.

Congratulations to: Christine Pinfold; The Post Whānau; Gill Stewart & Emma Hanson who won prizes.

Reminder: Sunday afternoon picnic for the 15th of May. We are combining it with a quick 2 hour working bee before hand from 10 - 12 and then will move to the picnic. It is a great opportunity to reconnect with staff & other families as well as a chance to have a look through the classrooms.

Teachers and students have worked hard this term to keep the learning going. Everyone seems excited about what they have achieved and we look forward to sharing it with you during term 2.

Have a lovely Easter weekend everyone,

Ngā manaakitanga,

Belinda Bunny

You’ll be aware that Minister of Education Chris Hipkins announced the move to 'Orange'.

The decision to move to Orange has been made on public health advice and reflects that we are moving past the peak of cases and our health system is able to cope. We are seeing that cases are declining due to high levels of vaccination and natural immunity after infection.

I wanted to give you an update on what the move to Orange means for our school.

At Orange, face masks are no longer required at school, however if you would like to wear one, you are more than welcome to. Wearing a mask is a key health measure that slows the spread of COVID-19 in indoor settings.

There may be times that we’ll ask staff and students from Y4 up to wear a mask, – for example, when we are having an assembly in the hall or if there are a high number of cases at school. Please see that students have a mask in their bag should they need one - we do have emergency supplies.

At Orange, students aged 12 and above are still required to wear a face mask on school or public transport.

We will continue to keep all the other health measures in place at school that we know slow the spread of COVID-19. These include ensuring our indoor spaces are well-ventilated, maintaining good hand hygiene and cough and sneeze etiquette, appropriate physical distancing whenever we can and, most importantly, staying home if we are sick. We are looking forward to a few less restrictions and returning to school life that is a bit closer to normal.

Well done to the following people who received certificates today:

Logan, Edith & George Mason; Kaylee Huck; Elise Patrick; Corben Schischka; Robert McWilliam & Neela Rogers (Whetu o te Wiki - stars of the week) - thank you all for taking on the goat & chicken feeding over the holidays..

Michaela Delves, Aidan King & Cooper Brady (Ōnoke). Alex Wenger; Hannah Douglas; Daxton Osmond; Jay Kawana-Reid; Blake McGregor; Aiden Edwards & Michael Quirke (Ruamahanga). Jorja Palmer; Elsie Patrick; Abby McGregor; Addison Aburn & Ollie Aburn (Kourarau).

Thank you to Mr Brown and is merry band of Ōnoke helpers who have beautifully organised our school poppies along the fence - they look great and we appreciate the time it took to put them up.

Unfortunately we haven't managed to get the private service across the line with regards to a town-Te Whiti run. We are going back to the drawing board and will now tackle GoBus again for a private paid extension. Once we have worked through this, we will let you know what is happening.

In the meantime, GoBus have finally agreed to the permanent provision of a larger bus that can accommodate all of those eligible to go on the bus (those living down to and including Manaia Road). However the pick up point is still Cavelands Road. If you would like your children to use the service from school to Cavelands Road, and you haven't been already, please contact Kirstan in the office - office@gladstone1.school.nz.

For those of you who are having to drive to meet the bus at Cavelands Road, you may be eligible for school transport assistance. Please follow the link below to the Ministry of Education website for further information. This assistance needs to be applied for by families and doesn't come through the school.

The ever popular Art Classes will continue after school next term for those kids who are interested. Classes are $20 per session, with payment for the term requested in advance. All materials are provided. There will be two classes a week, on either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on numbers. Usual time of 3:15 to 4:30pm. Please email gladstone.artclass@gmail.com to register your child’s interest.

Week 2 - Small Sticks Hockey (W2-5 Tuesdays)

Week 4 - Parent Transition Information Meetings (Y3 moving to Y4 @ 5:30pm; Y6 moving to Y7 @ 6:00pm). Wednesday 25th May.

Week 6 - Footsteps Dance (W6-10 Tuesdays)

Usually we have interschool cross country, speech competitions and the National Young Leaders day. We are watching this space to see if these events will run this year.

This term parents are asked to review our 'Visitors' policy. Search 'Visitors' or go to current review, read the policy and make any comments by clicking on the red icon - top right of the screen.