Kia Ora Koutu Katoa,

This week is Te Wiki o te Reo Maori, Maori Language week. To celebrate our unique bicultural language we joined our Te Huarahi schools in a Mass Haka performance at Ecolight Stadium yesterday. Our students performed beautifully and it was fantastic to see the use of sign language, English and Maori, our three languages of New Zealand being displayed. Te Huarahi is a professional learning group we belong to. It includes early childhood centres, primary schools, high schools and parent groups. The main focus of Te Huarahi is to improve learning outcomes for our priority learners at all levels. Glenbrook School has been part of Te Huarahi for the last four years. The Kapa Haka festival and some sports events we attend are times we celebrate the achievement of the Te Huarahi cluster of schools. We are very lucky to belong to this professional group to share teaching expertise, networks and resources.

Today we had our Calf Club judges come into school. Students were able to get advice about how to look after their animal or information about their entry. Calf Club is a very important part of being at Glenbrook School. Last year we celebrated our 75th Calf Club. We do expect all students to participate and enjoy being part of a special heritage we value as a school. If you have any questions about Calf Club or would like to assist the Calf Club committee please do not hesitate to contact Sandra Lelliott, Suzie Sutcliffe, Diana Bradley or Carey Panchia.

Last week I spoke about our collective responsibility to learning. We would like your views on ‘What makes a great learner at Glenbrook School’. What values and attributes would you like your child or children to leave Glenbrook School with? This is your chance to have input into our curriculum, strategic plan and learning direction of our school. There is a parent meeting on Tuesday 18th August at 2.00pm to consult with you about this. If you cannot make that time, we will have the same consultation on Wednesday 19th August at 7.30pm. Consultation will take place in the library. Dallas Graeme and I will lead these focus discussions.

A reminder that our CCC’s are on:

Wednesday 12th August.
School will finish at 12.00pm CCC will be from 1.00pm – 5.30pm Thursday 13th August.
School finishes at 2.50pm

CCC will be from 3.00pm – 7.00pm.

School Interview Code is : R43DM

Website: http://www.schoolinterviews.co.nz
If you do not have internet please come to the school office and get Diane to book a time for you.

The NMSSA, National Monitoring Study of Student Achievement is occurring this week Wednesday to Friday. It involves interviews with our Year 4 students, teachers and myself. The focus is on the Arts, Dance and Oral Language. If you would like to know what the NMSSA was doing at school, there will be a short presentation on Thursday 3.00-3.30 in the library. You are welcome to attend.

Finally, this morning as I was standing at the gate welcoming students and families into school, I am reminded about how beautiful our students are. The manners they have, the excitement about learning they bring and the smiles they share. We always have a lot to do and we are always busy, but sometimes it pays to just stop and enjoy the moments we have. Celebrate what you and your child have at this time because it goes by so quickly. It is also these moments that make Glenbrook a great school.

Your Principal, Lysandra Stuart