Kia ora e te whānau

Wow! Today marks both our final newsletter for the year and our final assembly for 2025. What an incredible year it has been—packed with exciting events for our tamariki and outstanding achievements in the classroom.

Our Year 4 students have just returned from an amazing adventure at Camp Columba. This camp is a fantastic opportunity for our children to begin developing the confidence and resilience they’ll need for Year 5 and Year 6 camps. A huge thank you to all the parents who helped make this camp possible, and to our wonderful team—Mrs McColl, Mrs Bensemann and Mrs Williams—for giving our students such a memorable experience.

This year, Gore Main School is farewelling three remarkable members of our team.

Miss McArthur is heading back to Dunedin to be closer to her family. We are sad to see her go. Over the past two years she has grown into an exceptional teacher, and we know her next school will be incredibly fortunate to have her.

Mrs Fennessy is also leaving GMS due to the government’s decision to disestablish the Resource Teacher of Literacy role. Bronwyn has supported hundreds of children with their literacy needs and will be deeply missed by staff, students, and the wider cluster.

And lastly, Mr Sleeman is hanging up his tools—and the leaf blower—as he steps into a well-earned retirement. He has given so much to GMS over the years, and we look forward to celebrating him properly at a special assembly next Wednesday.

Principal: Glenn Puna
Deputy Principal: Rose McKenzie
Assistant Principal: Cathy Puna

Room 1: Whaea Cathy
Room 2: Miss Walker
Room 3: Mrs Henry
Room 4: Miss Highsted
Room 5: Mrs Williams
Room 6: Whaea Annabelle
Room 7: Mrs McColl
Room 8: Mrs McKenzie
Room 9: Mrs Bensemann

Release Teachers: Mrs Heaps, Mrs Dawson, Mrs Cormack, Mrs Thompson
SENCO: Mrs Thompson

Teacher Aides: Robyn Clarke, Angela Black, Michelle Wallis, Miranda McDowall, Tracey Tamblyn and Amy Weeks

Office Administrator: Jan McGowan

Caretaker: TBC

Classes for 2026
Our class placements for 2026 have now been finalised and will be shared with you in your child’s report, coming home next Wednesday. A great deal of time and care goes into placing each student. We carefully consider age, academic needs, learning styles, and social connections to ensure every child is set up for success in the new year.

Prize-giving and Year 6 Graduation
Next Thursday we will be holding our GMS Prize-giving and Year 6 Graduation. On Monday, all parents of students receiving an award were emailed an invitation so they can be part of this special moment. Please be sure to check your inbox—and your spam folder—if you haven’t seen it.

Last Day of School
Our final day for 2025 is next Friday, 12 December. This will be a general tidy-up day. If your child will not be attending school, please let Jan know as soon as possible.

Junior and Senior Fun Days
On Monday, our senior students (Room 4, 5, 7, 8, 9) will be heading to Dolamore Park for a fun-filled day of activities and a BBQ.
On Tuesday, our junior students will enjoy a trip to the swimming pools, followed by a visit from Santa and some hot chips to finish off the day.

2026 Start Date
The first day of 2026 is Thursday 29th January. All children at school by 8.55am. We will be welcome new families with a mihi whakatau at 9.15am

I think that’s about it for now, whānau. Lastly, I want to thank each and every one of you for helping make this such a fantastic year at GMS. We have so much to be proud of. Our children are making outstanding progress in their learning, supported by a curriculum designed to help every child succeed.

A huge thank you to all our parents and caregivers—your willingness to help with school events, camps, coaching, managing teams, transporting students, and supporting PTA fundraisers makes an enormous difference. We truly couldn’t do it without you.

I am really going to miss this year’s Year 6 students. They have been leaders, role models, and a joy to have at GMS. I cannot wait to see all the amazing things they will achieve at their next schools. I hope they continue to be awesome, stay true to who they are, and grab every opportunity that comes their way.

Have an amazing holiday, everyone. We look forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready to go in 2026. 2026 is going to be the year of the playground—we are getting so close!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Stay safe, enjoy the break, and make the most of your time with whānau.

Ngā mihi nui

Glenn Puna
Tumuaki/Principal
Te Kura Matua o Māruawai
Gore Main School

We are so pleased to welcome Elisha Manlunas to Gore Main School. We hope your first few weeks have been amazing and welcome to the GMS Whānau.

Kia ora everyone

And just like that we’re at the end of 2025… what a big year the PTA has had.
Back in term 1 Mr Puna mentioned on the wish list was a new playground to replace the current one which is well in need of a refresh.
We knew it wouldn’t happen overnight and would be lots of hard work but we knew the kids would absolutely love it so why not … challenge accepted and let the fundraising begin!

Firewood sales at the start of the year was definitely one for the dads in the school community, we were then blown away by the support in the Grocery Grab in conjunction with Gore New World, what fun the grocery grab was, baking mixes went down a hit and watch this space for these coming back in 2026 – then there was the yummy fun with the kids on Pizza and Ice cream days… again more of these to come!
Our Stock scheme is still running for our farming community, please be in touch if you wish to donate via this option.  

Local businesses have come to the party and got behind sponsoring this exciting project – a massive thank you for getting behind the school. This option is still open if you or a business you’re linked to would like to contribute a donation please being in touch.

Playground aside we still run the school disco for the kids, given new families starting in room 1 a welcome to the school pack, kept the 2nd hand uniform cupboard rolling over (remember donations welcome anytime to the school office and there will be a sale day before school starts back).  

Lastly a massive thank you to all our school community for all getting behind the PTA during the year, there are lots of exciting ideas in the pipeline for 2026 including our hope of installing the new playground! But first let’s all enjoy the break with our family and friends.

Till 2026

Meri Kirihimete

Trudie and the Gore Main School PTA Committee.
Devon, Rachel, Diana, Mariska, Amy, Rebecca, Sarah, Mr Puna and Whaea Annabelle.

Room 1 -  Florence Warburton - amazing start to school and giving all a go!
                  Narla Whelan - for being so brace at school and settling in well.
Room 2 -  Zara Lamb & Hunter Bonisch - for an amazing year in Room 2, growing in learning and confidence.
Room 3 -  Mia McHaffie - being a Room 3 superstar! Approaches each subject with enthusiasm.
                  Kyzah Manaena - excellent results in spelling. He's shown me he can use many concepts independently.
Room 4 -  Thomas Lundy - awesome effort in Reading, you have moved up 10 concepts since mid year!
                  Bella Rangiuaia - putting in great effort to all learning areas this year!
Room 5 -  Away on school camp.
Room 6 -  Taimana Tai-Folwer and Theresa De Leon - a great year of learning.
Room 7 -  Michael Hopkins - great progress in reading.
                  Paul Esveld - outstanding score in your reading P.A.T. test!
Room 8 -  Taria-O-Tutai Aue - exemplary behaviour and maturity all year.
                  Evelyn Alderton - strong progress in all areas.
Room 9 -  Medina Blythe & Esme' Le Grange - for all their hard mahi during this year - ka pai
                  
                 
                  

Room 1 -  Zephyr Turanga - you always treat everyone with respect Zephyr and show kindness to others.
Room 2 -  Olive Eden - for always showing respect to your peers and kaiako.
Room 3 -  Amelia Jones - showing respect always! You've always listening during learning times!
Room 4 -  Violet Alderton - always being a role model of respect!
Room 5 -  Aaron Weir - received a badge for always showing the utmost respect at all times.
Room 6 -  Caleb Weir - always a shining example to others.
Room 7 -  Janina De Waal - received a badge.
Room 8 -  Tristan Chand - a role model who shows incredibly high levels of respect.
Room 9 -  Bailey Donaldson - for always being a role model who shows respect at all times.
Well done everyone, keep it up!!!

Room 1 -  Freddie Swindells
Room 2 -  Louie Gibson
Room 3 -  Sophie Boyles
Room 4 -  Spencer Nichol
Room 5 -  Shelby Baxter
Room 6 -  Alyza Whelan
Room 7 -  Maaka Rangiuaia
Room 8 -  Khloe Wylie
Room 9 -  Indiah Shackell

This term we are looking at how to correctly pronounce local Māori place names. We are surrounded with places that have a Māori name and we want to ensure that we are saying them correctly.

Next year our overarching theme is Animals so we will be learning kupu related to this topic.

 

Here is the Kupu we have done so far this year.

Kia ora whānau

Wow — only one more week left of term! Our junior tamariki have had an absolutely super term and have worked so hard all year. They definitely deserve their end‑of‑term treat to the pool or to Dolamore Park. Ka rawe, team!

Our learning focus on Space has been a huge success. The tamariki have soaked up so much new kōrero, and all the kaiako are incredibly proud of how much they’ve learnt and how excited they’ve been to explore the universe.

Over the next week, classroom books and artwork will be coming home, so keep an eye on those school bags — there’s some awesome mahi to celebrate! School reports will also be sent home, sharing all the hard work and progress the tamariki have made this year.

The junior syndicate would like to wish all our whānau a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Enjoy the sunshine, the whānau time, and the well‑earned break.

One week left! 

Ngā mihi
Junior Syndicate

Wow — how quickly this term has flown by! It has been a busy and exciting time in our ruma as we get organised and ready to wrap up the year.

All of our tamariki have now visited their respective schools for next year, and they returned absolutely buzzing with excitement about their future endeavours. It’s wonderful to see their confidence growing as they prepare for the next step in their learning journey.

As a class, we have been working hard on crafting abstract illusion art for our space theme. This project took time, patience, and creativity, but the final pieces are truly awesome — we are so proud of their efforts.

Earlier this term, some of our students took part in the quad rugby tournament. They put in an incredible amount of hard work and dedication. Although the results weren’t quite what they hoped for, they thoroughly enjoyed the day. The rest of the class were lucky enough to head along to support them, cheering loudly from the sidelines.

We also had several students participate in one or two golf tournaments this term. They showcased impressive skills and represented our school with pride while enjoying the challenge and excitement of the game.

A couple of weeks ago, the senior school completed their swimming programme. They learned a lot about water safety and what to do in different situations. A highlight for many was swimming in their clothes — discovering just how heavy clothing becomes in the water and how challenging it can be to swim while fully dressed.

Room 9 has also been running dodgeball competitions during lunch breaks, which the tamariki have absolutely loved. Students from all classes look forward to these daily competitions and the fun, energetic atmosphere they bring.

Overall, it has been a full, busy, and rewarding term for our tamariki. We are incredibly proud of their enthusiasm, participation, and positive attitudes throughout all of these activities.

Lastly, GMS has an incredible community, and I feel so lucky to have been a part of it. The support, kindness, and positivity shared by whānau, staff, and students alike has made these two years truly special. I am genuinely sad to be leaving, and I will miss everyone dearly — this place will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Ngā mihi nui,

If your child is sick and staying home or you have something on then please let Jan in the office know. Please don’t just email the teacher. If you let Jan know then she will pass it on. You can use your @school app, text the school phone (0274562495), ring or email Jan directly: office@goremain.school.nz.

STAR - Stepped Attendance Response https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BKb6_My_zX9K_9RPd5S0ds1VvKLRGr2e/view?usp=sharing

Bible in Schools (Terms 2-3 Only)
Bible in Schools is every Thursday at 2.30pm. If your child is not attending then they must be picked at 2.30pm.

Every Friday (only) children can bring an item of food that can go into our heat up oven so that it is nice and warm by lunch. All food should be pre-cooked and only require heating (No raw meat). Pies, mini pizzas, savouries, mac n cheese etc etc. All items must be clearly named (first and last name and class number). No plastic wrapping please. All items go straight to your classroom each morning and get placed into your class's heat up container. 

Road Crossing
Safety and role modeling is top priority. Please use the crossing at all times. We have seen a few parents crossing the road up by the middle gate. Other children see you and may follow you. It's only an extra 50 metres so please come to the crossing and cross there. Also please be at school before 8.50am as this is when road patrol finishes.

This is a friendly reminder that school starts at 8.55am. Please ensure that children are at school before this time so that they are ready to start class at this time. Road Patrol also finishes at 8.50am so for safety reasons please make sure children are here before that time so that they can cross the road safely.

8.30am -   Kids allowed in class

8.55am -   Off to class

9.00am -   Session 1 starts

11.00am - Morning tea

11.30am - Morning tea ends

12.30pm - Spelling time

1.00pm -   Lunch time

1.45pm -   Lunch time ends

3.00pm -   Home time

School Docs Policies and Procedure
Go to https://www.schooldocs.co.nz/ then search for Gore Main School. Enter the user name and password.
Username: goremain
Password: GMS39Ardwick

School Bank Account
Please take note of the Gore Main School and PTA Bank Account numbers. These are 2 different account numbers. Please remember to add the child's first and last name as a reference.

03 0915 0253014 00 - Gore Main School BOT. Please add the student's name as a reference - This account is for things like after school sports, camps, payment of school accounts etc.

03 0915 0255562 00 - Gore Main School PTA. Please add the student's name as a reference - This account is for all things related to the PTA, Xmas raffle money etc.

Merino jerseys are available to order and will now be the black merino jersey. The price is $90.00 per jersey. 

If you still have the blue merino or purchased a  second hand one these are still able to be worn as part of the school uniform. There is a sample of the new jersey along with sizes for anyone to view at the office.

Sun hats
Sun hats must be worn when outside during Term 1 and Term 4.

Be sure to stay up to date with what is going on at Gore Main School by liking our Facebook

If you don’t have the @school eTap app setup then please contact the office asap!

Gore Main School

39 Ardwick Street, Gore

Email: office@goremain.school.nz 

Phone: 03 208 7615

From time to time you may have concerns about things happening at school. Discuss your concern with the class teacher. Most concerns can be addressed at this stage.

If you are still unhappy, contact the school principal to arrange a meeting to discuss your concerns.

email: principal@goremain.school.nz