As announced last Friday, we are pleased that a new principal has been appointed. The Board has chosen Andrea Clarke as the new Tumuaki of Greenhithe School. Andrea has been the principal of Kaukapakapa School and brings with her eight years of experience and expertise. Both Michelle Butler and I will continue in our acting principal roles until the start of term 3, when we welcome Andrea to the principal role.
Harold and The Life Caravan
Thank you to Charlie and Harold and the Life Education team, who have been at our school for the last few weeks, delivering a different perspective to our students on values, positive decision-making about friendships and learning, and learning about our brain and healthy food choices. The children have enjoyed meeting Harold for the first time or catching up with him since his last visit two years ago. Your termly activity fees allow us to support the Life Education Trust and bring this unique learning experience to our students. Thank you to those who have made these contributions this term.
Pride Values at Greenhithe School
Our PRIDE value: Perseverance, Respect, Initiative, Diligence, and Excellence—are important learning opportunities. We continue to refer to these during class activities and when working and playing with others. The following children have been awarded certificates: Sean Chen, Jonty Mitchell, Amelie Turnbull, Brianna Mcentee, and Katherine Cruttwell.
School drop offs
It is essential to provide a safe environment for all students arriving and leaving school! It has been recently brought to my attention that cars have been blocking the driveways of our neighbours, or used to drop children off. PLEASE do not do this, ensuring the safety of our children and showing respect to our neighbours. The drop-off area on Sunnyview Rd in the mornings is a great place for a quick drop-off to allow for a safe pedestrian area for our children.
Our new fence looks great, and the latch on the gate is meant to keep children safe, so it has been installed at a height so that young children cannot access it. If your child arrives late, please ensure that you open the gate for them to enter the school premises and sign in at the office. Preferably the gate on Isobel Road.
Teacher Only Day
Just as a reminder, we will be holding a Teacher Only Day on Friday 11th April. This day will be used for Maths professional development for our teachers according to the Ministry of Education refresh of the Maths curriculum. There is a second Teacher Only Day planned for Friday 30th May next term.
Parent Evening
In term 2 we will be holding a parent information evening. We are in the process of organising this evening, and it will include information on literacy and maths and the refreshed curriculum. We will also have Josie Wall from Te Kawerau ā Maki joining us to kōrero about our local iwi. This will be held in the school hall on Thursday 5th June starting at 5:45 pm.
There will also be a parent workshop in May run by Jo Robertson, a therapist and parenting educator. Please watch out for details from the PTA, who are helping to organise this event.
School Donations and Activity Contributions
We have had a great response to contributions towards school donations so far this year. THANK YOU. Please consider making your donation if you haven’t done so already.
Our Classroom Activity Contributions help us to book buses for class trips and pay for external education providers to come to our school, such as our recent visit with Harold and the Life Education Caravan. We would be most grateful if these contributions could be made.
Our 2025 contribution requests remain unchanged from last year and are as follows:
School Donation: $55 per term or $220 for the whole school year. The amount for 3rd or subsequent children will remain at $37.50 per term or $150 for the whole school year.
Classroom Activity Contributions: $40 per term or $160 for the whole school year.
Kindo is our preferred method for all your school payments. If you are a new family to Greenhithe School or you were unable to set up an account last year, please find all the information you need on our school website.
Ngā mihi
Kelly Knowles
Acting Principal
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