“Kia whakatōmuri te haere whakamua.”- I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past.

What an exciting time we have had so far this week. Thank you to all our amazing staff and parent community for helping us to continue to make Glenbrook School great.

Cool Schools

On Monday, Ms Greenstock led an assembly on Cool Schools. 

Glenbrook School is a Cool School, which means we use the Peer Mediation process to empower students to problem solve and come up with their own solutions when they face conflict. Peer Mediators in Years 6, 7 and 8 are also trained to help with this, and lead Peer Mediation sessions for students across the school during Taakaro time.

During our assembly on Monday, we discussed how conflict can come about when two people see the same situation from different perspectives. We talked about using our WITS to help us during times of conflict, and we recapped what WITS stands for: Walk away, Ignore, Tell someone, Say an I statement. We then spent some time discussing how to construct an I statement effectively. This involved us using the three openers: I feel… when… because….

The outcome of using I statements promotes empathetic listening and also supports students to respond constructively in order to solve the problem and move forwards.

If you are able to practise making I statements with your child at home (including helping them to identify how they are feeling), then this would be greatly beneficial in supporting them to put it into practice in real scenarios at school. 

During our assembly, we were also led through an example of a Peer Mediation session with some senior students acting for us. We learned where we could find the mediators, the purpose of them and what a real Peer Mediation session would involve. 

Beach Camp update

Team Kereru have returned from their amazing Beach Camp experience in Mangawhai. They were certainly very lucky with the beautiful weather, and thoroughly enjoyed their time learning to surf, sleeping in teepees and making fantastic memories with their peers. A huge thank you to our parent helpers who attended the camp, as well as our fabulous teachers and whanau leaders. We couldn’t have done it without you! 

Team Pouakai set off on Wednesday morning to begin their Beach Camp experience. It sounds like they are all having a fantastic time.. Please check out our Glenbrook Facebook page for all the regular photo updates from camp.

Year 4 EOTC

With Years 5&6 at Beach Camp, our Year 4s have been lucky enough to have an onsite EOTC experience for the first part of this week. Focusing on our school values, with a particular emphasis on Whakawhanaungatanga, students have been busy at the pool, completing team challenges and scavenger hunts around the school, as well as fun and exciting games and activities. A big thank you to Mrs White and Miss Simnor, together with Miss Tapsell and Miss Sixsmith, for all their hard work in planning this time for our students. 

Piwakawaka Grahams Beach trip reminder

A reminder that Team Piwakawaka are visiting Grahams Beach next Thursday 22nd February. Students need to arrive at school at the usual time (before 9am) and we will be back in time for hometime (including Bus 1). Remember to wear togs to school and pack a full change of clothes. 

Thank you to those parents who have offered to help. Please meet at school at 9am.

7 year old eye examinations

Further to the letter that came home on Monday about 7 Year old eye exams, we would now like to confirm that these will take place next week on Tuesday 20th February. This is only available to 7 year olds and is being run by Auckland University. If you would like to get a free eye exam for your 7 year old child then please return the consent form by Tuesday next week. They will only test students who have returned the consent form. 

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/ 

Tuesday 20th February	7 year old eye examinations
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.

Ngaa mihi nui,

Ms Amy Greenstock