Kia ora e te whaanau,

What a joy it was to see our tamariki dressed up last week, some in spooky cute Halloween costumes, others shining brightly as they celebrated the Light! The creativity, laughter, and sense of fun across the school made it a memorable few days. We do apologise for having two mufti days last week and this week. This was an unusual overlap in our calendar, and we appreciate your understanding and continued support. It’s always wonderful to see the enthusiasm our learners (and families!) bring to these special occasions.

Leadership Update

Over the past week, I was involved in the national Curriculum Roadshow, followed by meetings in Wellington with the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand and the New Zealand Principals’ Federation. These sessions focused on the rollout of multiple draft curriculum areas and the development of the new 2026 Teaching Standards. Many principals, myself included, are deeply engaged in these national discussions to ensure the changes being introduced truly support learners, teachers, and communities.

Across the country, principals have provided strong feedback on the latest (third) draft of the English and Mathematics and Statistics curriculum. After two previous versions, this third round of significant change, within just two years, has left many school leaders feeling concerned about both the pace and scale of reform. Many of us are calling for an extended timeline to allow schools the time they need to review, understand, and prepare for implementation, particularly given that these changes are substantial and come at a very busy time in the school year.

Small schools, in particular, are struggling to find time to unpack the changes while still maintaining classroom commitments, and the removal of Te Tiriti o Waitangi from the latest version has caused considerable disappointment. The draft’s approach also does not yet reflect the needs of mixed-level classrooms or the diversity of learners in Aotearoa New Zealand. In addition, there is ongoing uncertainty around the proposed “aligned assessment tool,” which has not yet been shared in detail with schools.

Principals are united in their request for clarity, time, and authentic consultation. We have also expressed concern that the wider curriculum, covering all other learning areas, is scheduled for review within just six months, which is simply unrealistic while English and Mathematics are still being refined. The New Zealand Principals’ Federation has paused its planned professional learning partnership with the Ministry until these issues are addressed, and is advocating for a reset in both pace and process.

As always, our shared priority remains ensuring that every child in Aotearoa receives a rich, inclusive, and culturally grounded education. I will continue to keep our Glenbrook whaanau informed as this national conversation develops over the coming weeks.

Book Fair 

Our Glenbrook School Scholastics Book Fair is now on and will finish on Friday 7th November. Book Fair will be open from 8:15-9am each morning, and again from 2:20-3pm each afternoon during that week for students and their whaanau to visit. Students will also be able to visit the Book Fair at lunchtimes. Cash or Eftpos options will be available. We have our Book Fair Favourite Character mufti-day this Friday. Gold coin donation please. 

Akonui Hui – Parent-Teacher-Student Conferences

Bookings for the Akonui Hui open tomorrow. You can secure a time through the School Interviews website at www.schoolinterviews.co.nz, using the code mtc4v These conferences are scheduled for Monday 17th November, and Tuesday 18th November. If you would prefer an online meeting, please book via the school interview site, then email your child’s teacher to arrange a Google Meet link. If you’re unable to attend, please inform your child’s teacher so we can follow up as needed.

Please note:

• No regular classes will be held on these days, but supervision will be available for families needing it. Please email the school office to reserve a place for your child. If your child is attending school to be supervised, they will need to wear their school uniform. 
• These conferences are our end-of-year opportunity to discuss your child’s progress and achievements. We encourage students to attend their own conference, children attending conferences do not need to wear school uniforms. 
• Conferences will be held in the school hall.
• We will be reporting against the NZ Curriculum Levels. 

Your child’s End-of-Year Achievement Report will be sent out via email on Wednesday 12th November. 

We look forward to welcoming you and celebrating your child’s year. 

Pool Keys

Our pool key season is now open. Pool Keys are currently available to all current Glenbrook families, however with the very generous subsidy in place from the Glenbrook School Board, we will need to ensure that all outstanding accounts are paid in full (or a confirmed payment plan is in place) prior to releasing any keys this season. Pool keys will be $150.00 with a $10 bond being refunded when we receive back the key at the end of the season. Please note there are a limited number of pool keys available. 

Calendar Art – Perfect Gifts for the Holiday Season!

Our students have produced some amazing artwork, which can be transformed into calendars, cards, diaries, mouse mats, and sketch pads. These unique gifts that are perfect for family and friends, especially for sending overseas.

To place your order, please follow these instructions:

1. Visit www.kidsartworks.com.
2. Enter the Entrance Code: KZ845.
3. Input your child’s room number and name when prompted.

The ordering window is open from now until November 10th 2025. Payment can be made online via credit card or Account2Account.

End-of-Year Prizegiving: Monday 15th December, 6pm
Our end-of-year prizegiving is a special occasion to celebrate our students’ achievements. All students are expected to attend. If your child cannot make it, please email the office.

• Students in Years 0–7 are to wear full school uniform.
• Please arrive at 5:45pm for a 6pm start.
• Year 8s are to wear tidy semi-formal dress. They need to meet in Te Rangi at 5.45pm to be formally welcomed into prizegiving. 

We look forward to sharing this memorable evening with you all!

Transition Day and 2026 Classes: Monday 8th December
Transition Day will take place on Monday 8th December. Students will meet in the hall and then spend the morning with their 2026 teacher and class, participating in team-building activities.

We remind families that class placements are based on careful consideration of academic, social, behavioural, and learning needs. As a result, changes to placements will not be made.

Year 8 students and those not returning in 2026 will spend the morning with Whaea Ruth and Ms Howell. 

Up and Coming Events:

• Book Fair end on Friday 7th November
• Akonui Hui Monday 17th November and Tuesday 18th November
• Y6 EOTC Week Monday 24th November to Friday 28th November
• Team Pouakai Rainbows End Trip Monday 1st December
• 2026 Classes Transition Morning Monday 8th December
• Waiuku Schools Year 8 Dance Wednesday 10th December
• Year 8 Leavers Dinner Friday 12th December
• End of Year Prizegiving Monday 15th December
• G-Challenge Tuesday 16th December
• Last day of Term 12pm Finish Wednesday 17th December

2026 Dates. 

Term 1 for students will begin on Monday 2nd February. Our school day starts at 8.30am and will finish at 2.40pm. Term 1 will end on Thursday 2nd April. We have a Teacher Only Day on Monday 9th February where school will be closed for instruction. Term 2 starts on Monday 20th April and ends on Friday 2nd July. Term 3 starts on Monday 20th July. Calf Club 2026 is on Saturday 26th September. Term 4 starts on Monday 12th October. Our end of year date for 2026 is yet to be confirmed as we are waiting on the availability of the Ministry for our Curriculum Teacher Only Days.

Tamariki First

Amidst the many changes swirling around education, and as we build toward the busy crescendo that always comes with the end of the year, it’s important to pause and reflect on what truly matters. We are so fortunate to be part of such a beautiful school and community, one that is rich in connection, care, and collective strength. The heart of it all, of course, is our tamariki, their laughter, curiosity, their FAILS and their  joy remind us daily why we do what we do. How lucky we are!

“Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi.” With your food basket and mine, the people will thrive.

Have a lovely week whaanau,

Aroha atu, aroha mai,

Ms Lysandra Stuart

Principal / Tumuaki