Teenaa koutou e te whaanau o Glenbrook School,

This week our aakonga begin their literacy internals assessments, which will help inform our upcoming mid-year reports to whaanau using the new Progress Descriptors within the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum. These assessments provide teachers with valuable information about student progress, strengths, and next learning steps, while helping us build a clearer understanding of where learners are positioned within expected curriculum progressions. Alongside classroom observations, daily learning, conferencing, and work samples, the assessment information supports teachers to make thoughtful and evidence-informed judgements about achievement and progress over time. At Glenbrook School, we are committed to ensuring our reporting is meaningful, accurate, and reflective of the whole learner, while also supporting whaanau to better understand their child’s progress within the new curriculum expectations.

Last week our classes continued their Mitey learning, with a focus on supporting tamariki to understand themselves, manage emotions, build positive relationships, and develop the language to talk about wellbeing. These lessons are an important part of our wider commitment to growing confident, connected and resilient learners.

Across the school, we continue to strengthen our teaching practice through our Spiral of Inquiry, led by Miss Monique Shuker and our Senior Leadership Team. The Spiral of Inquiry is a collaborative process where teachers carefully investigate what is happening for learners, identify areas where students may need greater support or challenge, and trial new teaching approaches designed to improve outcomes. Rather than relying on assumptions, teachers gather evidence through classroom observations, student voice, assessment information, and professional discussions to understand what is making the greatest difference for tamariki.

This term our inquiry focus has centred on effective teaching practices within Reading. Leaders and teachers are visiting classrooms, observing learning programmes, discussing strategies together, and reflecting on how engaged and successful students are within lessons. The process encourages teachers to be reflective practitioners. We are constantly asking what is working well, what could be strengthened, and how we can continue to improve outcomes for our learners.

The Spiral of Inquiry is an important part of how we maintain and grow high standards of teaching and learning at Glenbrook School. It creates a culture where teachers learn from one another, share effective practice, and continuously refine their teaching based on evidence and student need. Ultimately, it ensures our tamariki benefit from thoughtful, responsive and high-quality teaching experiences across the school.

Last week I had the privilege of attending the Advanced Leadership Forum alongside educational and sector leaders from across Aotearoa. The forum challenged us to think deeply about the future of leadership, the importance of courageous conversations, and the role schools play in shaping thriving communities. One of the strongest messages was the power of connection, or at our school whakawhanaungatanga.  Meaningful change happens when leaders create spaces of trust, curiosity and belonging. I returned inspired by the whakaaro shared, reassured by the collective passion that exists within our sector, and even more committed to ensuring Glenbrook School continues to be a place where our tamariki are known, valued and empowered to succeed.

Last week also marked the official opening of the new Tesla Battery Farm at the the Steel Mill. It is an exciting development that connects strongly to our local curriculum and future-focused learning. Opportunities such as this allow our tamariki to see real-world examples of innovation, sustainability, science, engineering and environmental responsibility happening within their own community. As a school, we are committed to helping students make meaningful connections between classroom learning and the world around them. Developments like the battery farm provide authentic contexts for inquiry learning, future energy discussions, environmental studies, and understanding how technology and innovation can positively shape communities. We look forward to continuing to explore local opportunities that enrich learning and strengthen our tamariki’s understanding of the unique place they live in.

A reminder that school will be closed on Monday 1 June for King’s Birthday and on Tuesday 2 June for our Teacher Only Day. 

Finally, we farewell Coach Leah Thorby, who has recently accepted a new position with CLM Community Sport. We would like to sincerely thank Leah for the care, enthusiasm, energy and commitment she has shown towards our tamariki and sporting programmes during her time at Glenbrook School. Leah has encouraged participation, teamwork and confidence across many sporting opportunities, and we wish her every success in this exciting next chapter.

At the same time, we warmly welcome Mrs Grace Tuaiti, who will begin with us next week as our new Sports Coach. We look forward to Grace becoming part of our teaching Glenbrook whaanau and supporting our students to continue developing a love of sport, teamwork and active participation.

Ms Lysandra Stuart

Tumuaki | Principal Glenbrook SchoolNZPF ExecutiveM.Ed with First Class Honours, 

B.Ed  Dip.T  P.G Dip Ed BLS