Mōrena e te whānau,

It was wonderful to have our first full week last week—we love having our children back! Thank you to all the parents and whānau who attended Meet the Teacher last Thursday. It was lovely to reconnect with you and to meet our new whānau. I was very proud of the way our students introduced their parents to their teachers. They showed their manners and mana.

On Friday, we ended the week with our G-Brook Try Challenge. How fantastic it was to have everyone together, being active and having fun! Thank you to all the whānau who came to support. Well done to everyone, with a special mention to all our tuakana who stepped up to support and help.

At Principal’s Assembly, I spoke with our tamariki about being brave and bold—brave to include and help others we don’t know, brave to ask questions when we are unsure, and brave to have a go and make the most of our opportunities. We talked about how we can be someone’s champion—cheering them on, supporting them, and checking in on them. I saw so many examples of this throughout the G-Brook Try Challenge. This is what manaakitanga looks like at Glenbrook School.

These first few weeks of school are all about setting up our class and school culture. It is essential for a successful year that teachers and students establish strong relationships, set clear expectations, and develop a team culture, with whanaungatanga at the heart of every classroom.

Tomorrow, our Years 0-3 students will take part in the Splish Splash event. On Wednesday, I will be heading off to Beach Camp at Mangawhai with our Year 5 & 6 students, while our Year 4 students start their EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom) week. EOTC is an integral part of ako at Glenbrook School. All students should participate and be encouraged to give it a go! This is where they learn in a different environment and, more importantly, strengthen their relationships and learning qualities with their peers and teachers. Through these experiences, students develop resilience, perseverance, and lifelong memories. It strengthens their skills in engagement, bravery, and confidence.

EOTC is just as important as Maths and Reading. As parents, you wouldn’t ask your child if they wanted to attend Maths or Reading lessons, so please don’t treat EOTC opportunities—such as camps, sports, trips, or event days—any differently. Otherwise, the message your child receives is that they can pick and choose which parts of school they want to join in on. Our school is not a buffet! We want to grow your child into the best version of themselves, helping them realise their potential.

Please make sure you are checking the portal regularly for notices and reminders. Also, please complete permission slips as soon as they are sent out.

It’s going to be a great year, and I am really excited to see your child thrive. I look forward to sharing our Beach Camp adventures with you when we return.

Ngā manaakitanga,
Ms Lysandra Stuart
Principal