GIS Newsletter
Thursday 21 March 2024
Principal's message
Kia ora whānau,
The last two weeks have been just awesome as students have got engaged in a wide range of activities. Many of our extension and cultural groups have started up. I have to say the sound of Kapa Haka and the Pasifika Group performing is such a joy to listen to from my office on practice days! They sound amazing already! Our specialist teachers have all started their extension classes - these take place on a Friday. Students are carefully selected for these classes based on their capability, talent or special interest in the subject. Chess Club has also started and we are grateful to Matua Ronald who comes in each Friday to share his expertise with the students.
This afternoon I returned from Leadership Camp where I have been for the past three days. Activities students were involved in took place both onsite at Sonshine Ranch (horse riding and caring for animals), as well as off site - climbing to the lookout at Clevedon Scenic Reserve, swimming at Maraetai and playing mini-golf at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Manukau. The purpose of leadership camp is to provide a focussed opportunity for the school leaders to spend time together, getting to know each other and appreciating the different skills, capabilities and personalities each one brings to their role as a school leader. At the same time, they are learning more about what it means to be a good team member, how they might influence others and what their role in the school is moving forward. This year's leaders are a really outstanding bunch of students - having them at camp was an absolute pleasure! We are also grateful to Joe Lukupa, Whaea Luanda, Whaea Jes and Whaea Justine who gave up time from their own families to take the students to camp.
Easter is coming up soon! We do hope everyone has a safe and fun break! We look forward to welcoming all students back on Wednesday 3rd April at the usual time of 9.00a.m.
This newsletter includes information about:
- Social Media issues - especially with Y8 girls!
- Phones Away for the Day
- Roadworks on Greenmeadows Ave
- Problem solving with Hero - some tips
- School Holiday dates
- Term 2 Teacher Only Day - 31 May 2024
Ngā mihi
Cathy Chalmers
Easter Break
A reminder to parents that the Easter Break is coming up soon. School finishes at the normal time of 3.00p.m. on Thursday 28 March. As you know, schools are expected to have a strong focus on regular attendance and we are obliged to remind parents that pulling your child out of school early that day just so you can get a head start on the Easter weekend is not a justified reason for absence. We do hope that all students will finish at the usual time of 3.00p.m.
A reminder that all NZ schools are also closed on Tuesday 2 April - school resumes at 9.00a.m. on Wednesday 3 April.
Social Media issues
Sadly, we have been having to deal with an increased number of students who have been behaving highly inappropriately on social media. We really do ask parents to take note of their childs online activities - especially if they are a Year 8 girl! Some of the online behaviour and comments we see is just nasty! Gossip spreading, making personal comments, setting up "confession pages" seems to be a common theme. None of this happens within school, however as a school we are left to deal with the fallout and it distracts from our core focus - which is their education. Many of the Year 8 girls have a number of social media accounts - and they only show their parents the one they want them to see!
Netsafe NZ has some excellent tips for parents about ways in which you can support your child to have a positive online presence and experience. The also publish this excellent magazine "The Online Safety Toolkit" - it is well worth a read!
Phones Away for the Day
The school board has developed it's rules around Phones Away for the Day, as required by the Ministry of Education. Our rules actually remain the same - we have always collected them in and handed them back at the end of the day. However, it is now detailed in a new board policy. You can read the policy by following this link. If you would like to provide feedback on the policy, then please do complete the google form below. The board will be discussing and finalising the policy at their meeting on Monday evening.
Tips and Tricks for using Hero
As parents are aware, we use Hero as our reporting and communication platform. We encourage parents to login regularly to find out how their child is attending, progressing and achieving at school. We have had a few calls from parents who are having difficulty seeing all of their children when they attend different Hero schools (eg you may have a child at Everglade and a child here at GIS). The first thing to do in this instance is check that you have the same email address registered against your name at each school. If they are different, you won't be able to see both children. Hero is linked to your personal email and it is a little like logging into the bank. You might have more than one account once you are logged in, but you have to use the same login. (hope that makes sense). Also, you have to use a different email address for each parent. If you are not sure what email we have on file, please contact Ange in the office, or email the class teacher.
Below is a form which provides a lot of information about how to login and navigate Hero once you ARE in. I hope it is helpful!
Roadworks on Greenmeadows Ave
You will have noticed that roadworks are happening on Greenmeadows Ave - we encourage people to drop off and pick up students from Ferguson Street if you don't want to get caught in the congestion. Alternatively you could get your child to walk a little way and pick them up at one of the intersecting streets. We know it is frustrating for parents, but this is out of our control, so we do ask for patience. 😀 Thanks!
Term 1 ends Friday 12 April
A reminder that Term 1 ends on 12 April at the normal time of 3.00p.m. Term 2 starts on Monday 29 April at 9.00a.m.
Term 2 - May Dates to remember!
- Monday 29 April 2024 - Term 2 starts
- Wednesday 1 May - Footsteps Drama Programme starts for those keen
- Tuesday 7 May - Counties Girls Football Tournament
- Tuesday 14 May - Readers & Writers Festival
- Wednesday 15 May - 3 Way Conferences
- Friday 17 May - Pink Shirt Day - don't to forget to wear pink!
- Wednesday 22 May - Parent Partnership Hui - Come and learn about Maths!
- Tuesday 28th May - Counties Boys Rugby Competition
- Friday 31 May - Teacher Only Day
- Monday 3 June - Kings Birthday