Teenaa koutou katoa e te whanau. Ngaa mihi o te tau hou – Happy New Year

Welcome to our new families and welcome back community (although only one day) of 2025, Term 1. What a beautiful start we had. It really is lovely having our akonga (students) back at school and a big thank you to our Whanau Leaders Malek and Ethan who assisted Mrs Greenstock, Mr Powdrell and I at the gate.

We welcome all our staff back and a warm welcome to our new and returning  staff: Whaea Ruth in Te Ra, Whaea Jamie in Marama, Mr Powdrell our new Assistant Principal and SENCO, and Mrs Norton in Parekereke.

This term is about Whanaungatanga and setting up classroom expectations, routines and a strong culture of ako, manaakitanga and mana. We want to wish all our whanau the very best for 2025. 

G- Challenge

There will be a G-Challenge (similar to our Weetbix Challenge) on Friday 14th February. There will be a swim, a run and an obstacle course. As the medals did not arrive on time on last term we will use them at G-Challenge. Students will need to bring their whanau colours (instead of a weetbix t-shirt). There is no cost. Sausage sizzle and iceblocks will be available for purchase for $2. This is a fun way to start our year as a school together. Whaanau are welcome to attend. 

Takaro and Kai Time

The Takaro and Kai time structure has begun well. Please make sure your child has enough kai to eat at school. If you need support please let us know. Kai Time allows akonga to slow down and pause after Takaro, regulate their emotions and be ready to learn space emotionally. We will keep you updated on our observations. As akonga get used to being back at school, they will get used to their eating times. In the interim and especially if they are swimming or playing in the sprinklers , they will be extra hungry. Please do not forget to send their water bottles in.

Swimming

We are definitely blessed to have a pool. A reminder that akonga are not allowed to swim if they have open cuts or school sores. Years 4-8 are able to have fun swims during Takaro Time, however if a student does not swim during their class lesson they will be unable to join in the fun swim on that day. Team Piwakawaka are able to play in the sprinklers during afternoon Takaro Time.

All students must bring suitable togs and a rash shirt for swimming. All students with long hair need to have it tied back. Girls must wear a one piece. If students are not able to swim, please send in a note or email to the class teacher explaining why. Please make sure school uniforms are named. We have already had clothing mix ups today as clothes were not named.

Splish Splash Day for Team Piwakawaka is Tuesday 18th February

School Swimming Sports for Years 4-8 is Friday 28th February.

Stationery

Stationery for your child has already been organised and named. Payment details for stationery are below. The stationery cost for 2024 is $95 per child and is due by Thursday 13th February 2025. The stationery cost can be paid at the school office or online. All stationery items stay at school until the end of the school year. They are not covered. 

Years 7 & 8 students have an additional cost for Technology of $75. This is for the Technology programme at View School. The total cost for years 7 & 8 which includes Glenbrook stationery and Technology fees is $170. Technology is on Thursdays. Year 8s have Technology on February 8th. 

Please note that stationery payments do not include additional activity and sports costs.

Payments can be made electronically to:

Glenbrook School Board of Trustees  
A/c 12 3023 0503093 000
Ref: Student Last Name and Stationery

Strengthening Digital Citizenship and Online Safety Together

This year, our school is placing a strong emphasis on Digital Citizenship and Online Safety to ensure our students are equipped to navigate the online world confidently and responsibly.

We warmly invite you to a Parents’ Evening with the team from “Kids Online” on Thursday, 27th February, in our school hall from 7:00–8:00 PM.You can book your free ticket here through eventbrite: Glenbrook School Digital Safety

To maximise the impact of this important initiative, we kindly request that at least one parent or caregiver from each household attends. Coffee and tea will be available. No students are able to attend. Your presence is essential in helping us create a safer digital environment for our children. We look forward to seeing you there!

All students in our school are required to sign a Digital Use Agreement. 

All students in years 4-8 are required to have a digital device. We are a BYOD school. Students must have headphones and a hard cover for their device. All items must be clearly named. BYOD and all Digital Citizenship information and contracts will be sent home via the portal. 

No devices will be allowed to be used at school until agreements have been signed. 

2025 Meet the Teacher 

Our Meet the Teacher is on next Thursday 13th February from 5.30pm at our school pool.  This is an informal gathering where you can meet our teachers, meet other whanau and your children can enjoy a sausage sizzle and a swim in the pool. Parents must accompany their children. No secondary students are allowed to attend please. A reminder that we do not allow students to bring or use digital devices including phones and smart watches at school events. 

2025 Beach Camp

Year 5&6 Beach Camp starts in week 3.  Years 5&6 will attend Wednesday 19th February to Friday 21st  February. Students will arrive back around 4.00 -4.30pm Friday 16th. The cost of camp is $450 per person. This will be due February 1st 2024. If you need to set up a payment plan please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Goodall to set one up goodalld@glenbrook.school.nz Ms Greenstock, Mr Green and I will be attending with Mrs Lambert and Miss Burt. 

Kapa Haka

Kapa Haka begins on Wednesday. Please email your child’s teacher if they would like to join Kapa Haka. Franklin Cultural Festival is on Saturday 29th March. 

Glenbrook School Gala – Call for Help

Preparations for our highly anticipated school gala are well underway, with Mrs Rachel Gardiner leading the charge. To make this event a success, we are seeking enthusiastic parents to take the lead in key areas such as Raffles, Entertainment, Stalls, Vegetable Stall, Cake Stall, White Elephant, Sweet Stall, and more.

If you are able to assist by leading one of these areas, we’d love to hear from you! Please email pta@glenbrook.school.nz to let us know how you can contribute. Further calls for items, roster assistance, and general support will be shared early in the term. Thank you

2025 Term Dates 

Term dates are set by the Ministry of Education and circulated to the community.

Term 1 Friday 7th February Friday 11th April

Term 2 Monday 28th April to Friday 27th June

Term 3 Monday 14th July  to Friday 19th September

Term 4 Monday 6th October to Wednesday 17th December

Parents Cybersafety Evening Thursday 27th February 2025 7.00-8.00pm

Glenbrook Swimming Sports Y4-8 Friday 28th February 

Gala is on Saturday 15th March  9.00 -2.00

Franklin MultiCultural Festival Saturday 29th March

Teacher Only Day Tuesday 3rd June

Calf Club is on Saturday 20th September.

Our Glenbrook Information for 2025 is attached. You can also find information on our Glenbrook School Website and our facebook page. Digital Citizenship, Bus Agreements, BYOD Agreements and Information Detail Update forms are being sent home this week. Please return asap. 

Enjoy the rest of the week Glenbrook whanau, 

Tātou ako tonu ai, We are forever learning. 

Noho ora mai rā,

Ms Lysandra Stuart