Tēnā koutou katoa e te whanau. Ngā mihi o te wiki nei,
Good evening Whanau,

Ko te pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, ko te pae tata whakamaua ki tīna. Seek the distant horizon that they may become reality. Encourage people to always strive for better outcomes. What a lovely whakatauki to start the week with. This week at our Principal’s assembly we shared the importance of our school values and FAILs, First Attempts In Learning. I challenged akonga (students) to make the most of every opportunity this year. At Glenbrook School we provide many opportunities to try different things. It’s what we do when no one is looking that best highlights our mana and ako this is successfully achieved when we are challenged. Learning should not be easy, it should be big enough to challenge but small enough to succeed. As whanau, we need to take the time to celebrate those successes, no matter how big or how small they are. “We do not remember the days, we remember the moments”, Cesare Pavese. 

On Friday our Whanau Leaders led our first assembly of the year. They shared a little play about Te Tiriti o Waitangi and led our assembly with manaakitanga. Well done Whanau Leaders. Our school was wonderful, showing respect and celebrating each person’s moment. This week our Y8s will be leading assembly on Friday.

Thank you and well done to all our wonderful students who have taken the opportunity to be leaders and peer mediators. Mrs Greenstock led their workshops last week on Cool Schools and Conflict Resolution. We are extremely appreciative of the role these students have around our school. 

Thank you to all the whanau and tamariki who took the time to attend our Meet the Teacher. It was such a nice evening connecting, having korero, enjoying a sausage sizzle and watching our akonga have fun swimming. 

Please note that on Friday 16th February our school pool will be closed from 6pm to 8.30pm as View Road School will be using our pool as part of their camp. It is very important to us that we tautoko and support our local schools. 

Memorial
This Sunday 11th February there is a planned unveiling memorial for Matua George Flavell. It is at Awhitu Regional Park. It starts at 8am and will finish around 1pm. Bring your own picnic.  All whanau are welcome and we would love to see as many of you as possible. Uncle George was a very special kaumatua to us. 

Singapore Maths
This week our classes began the new mathematics strategy we have introduced across the school. It is Singapore Math: Maths No Problem. Our kaiako (teachers) have spent many hours in professional development preparing to teach Singapore Maths across the school. It is taught in cohort classes. We will be reviewing our Mathematics Progressions alongside Singapore Maths and the New Zealand curriculum refresh throughout the year. Everyone is being taught the same mathematical strands at the same time. The core curriculum of English, Mathematics and Science is a focus at Glenbrook School and this is where we have heavily invested resources and time. We are excited about the ako journey we are on. 

Kapa Haka
We had a huge turn out from interested akonga wanting to be in kapa haka. Practices are on Wednesdays 1.40-2.40. Franklin Cultural Festival is on Saturday 16th March. An email will be sent out with the waiata we would like akonga to learn. On Wednesday 6th March, our senior Kapa Haka and senior Student Council will be attending the unveiling and blessing at Waitangi Falls. This is a special ceremony with Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua, our Mana Whenua and Auckland Council to acknowledge Waitangi Falls as a waahi tapu. We are privileged to be invited to such an occasion. 

Beach Camp
Next week on Monday, Team Kereru and our Whanau Leaders leave for Beach Camp. Team Pouakai will join us on Wednesday. Beach Camp provides exciting opportunities to learn about water safety, learn to surf, team building and to enjoy the local whenua of Mangawhai. I am looking forward to the whanaungatanga of our Teams being strengthened, students growing their resilience and being challenged safely, creating and building friendships and most of all, having fun. We can’t wait to share the photos with you. A reminder that Beach Camp fees are now due. 

Stationery Fees
These are now due. The stationery cost for 2024 is $95 per child.

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. 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

Locked Gates
Our school gates are locked from 9am to 2.35pm. If you are late you will need to bring your children into the school through the gates by the staff carpark to sign them in or out. This is now the only access gate during school hours. Please do not drop your children off outside the school and drive off expecting them to find them way in. It is the responsibility of parents to bring their children into school once the gates are locked. 

Heads Up

Please note that many of our confirmed events are on our school calendar which can be found on our website. https://glenbrookschoolnz.com/ 

February 12-14th	Beach Camp Y5&6
February 14-16th	Beach Camp Y7&8
Thursday 22nd February	Piwakawaka Grahams Beach Trip
Friday 23rd February	Swimming Sports Y4-8
Wednesday 6th March	Waitangi Falls Waahi Tapu Ceremony
Friday 8th March	Splish Splash Day Y0-3
Thursday 14th March	Year 7&8 Zone Swimming (TBC)
Friday 15th March	Year 5&6  Zone Swimming
Friday 15th March	GRIP Student Conference: Senior Council
Saturday 16th March	Franklin Cultural Festival: Kapa Haka
Wednesday 20th March	Polyfest: Kapa Haka Seniors
Thursday 21st March	Franklin Careers Expo
Tuesday 26th March	Sullivans Cup (Year 7&8)
Wednesday 27th March	SuperSmash Cricket
Thursday 28th March	Year 7&8 Rippa Rugby
March 29 – April 2nd	EASTER – SCHOOL CLOSED
Wednesday 10th April	Franklin Orienteering
Friday 12th April	Last day of term.

Tātou ako tonu ai, We are forever learning. 

Noho ora mai rā,

Ms Lysandra Stuart

Principal: Glenbrook School

Lead Principal: Waiuku Kaahui Ako