Teenaa koutou e te whaanau whaanui o Glenbrook School, Glenbrook Speech Finals: A Celebration of Voice and ConfidenceWe were thrilled to see so many of our whaanau and friends join us for our Glenbrook School Speech Finals on Raahina, 16 o Hune. It was a fantastic evening of beautiful  oratory, confidence, and connection. Congratulations to all our finalists! Your courage and clarity of thought were inspiring. Winners: Representing Glenbrook Beyond Our GatesA special ka pai to Emmersyn Reatere, who represented Glenbrook School at the Waiuku Speech Finals on Rāapa, 18 o Hune, and took out first place! Emmersyn… Read More

Tēnā koutou e te whānau, Last week I attended the Auckland Primary Principals’ Conference in Taupō, where the Minister of Education shared some important updates that will directly affect schools like Glenbrook. A key focus was on improving learning support, including increased funding for early intervention and teacher aide hours. This means more support for our tamariki who need it most, and a reduction in wait times for specialist services. The Government is also developing new curriculum resources in science, maths, and literacy, which will support our teachers as we continue to… Read More

Kia ora e te whānau, Country School Closure :Thank YouA sincere thank you for your support and understanding during our unexpected school closure last Friday. Power has now been fully restored, along with water, phones, and Wi-Fi. As a rural school, we not connected to town services.  Power cuts significantly impact our ability to pump water, provide drinking water, and flush toilets, making it a health and safety risk. We appreciate your swift response and support. Tirohanga AssemblyWe’re pleased to confirm that Tirohanga will be holding their class assembly this week, following… Read More

Kia ora e te whaanau, We hope this newsletter finds you well as we move through the heart of Term 2. There are a number of exciting events and important reminders coming up. Please read on for the latest updates. Akonui Hui:  Mid-Year Learning Conferences Our Akonui Hui (Parent–Teacher–Student Learning Conferences) will be held on Monday 26th May and Tuesday 27th May. These hui are a vital part of our school’s approach to building strong, learning-focused partnerships with whaanau. They provide an opportunity to celebrate your child’s progress and reflect on their learning journey. Akonui… Read More

Teenaa koutou e te whaanau, This week, I have been in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) meeting with Kaahui Ako Leads from across Aotearoa. While there is speculation and various documents circulating, we will await the official Budget announcement next week to gain clarity about the future of Kaahuinga Arataki. Following that, I will be meeting with our Waiuku principals to discuss our response and next steps. No matter the outcome, we remain firmly committed to working collaboratively across our schools to share effective practice and provide meaningful opportunities for both our kaiako and… Read More

Kia Ora e te whaanau and welcome to Term 2. It’s been a lovely start to the term despite the weather. We’re so pleased to have children back at school and look forward to a great term together.  ANZAC Town ServiceA heartfelt thank you to all our whānau who joined us at the Waiuku Town ANZAC service. It was wonderful to see so many families come together to honour the significance of this special day. Our students represented Glenbrook School beautifully, standing respectfully and proudly, embodying the spirit of remembrance and community…. Read More

Kia ora e te Whaanau, This week, I had the privilege of attending the Advanced Leadership Forum, where I joined a group of dedicated and inspiring principals from across the motu to collaboratively explore solutions to some of the significant challenges currently facing the education sector. Our discussions centred around the ongoing teacher shortage, the pace of curriculum changes, and the uncertainty surrounding assessment practices. We also focused on the critical need to grow leadership capability within our schools and the importance of retaining experienced principals to ensure stability, continuity, and strong… Read More

Kia Ora e te Whaanau, Last week, I had the opportunity to attend MOOT in Wellington alongside other association presidents. The discussions focused on some of the biggest challenges facing schools today: sustainable leadership, teacher supply, and the implementation of the refreshed curriculum. The Ministry of Education has recently released its National Curriculum Implementation, which sets out a five-year plan for schools. However, the rapid pace of implementation, combined with limited funding and support, is placing significant pressure on schools to adapt quickly. Here in Auckland, we are experiencing a teacher supply crisis,… Read More

Kia Ora e te Whanau, Parent Teacher Meetings Your Parent-Teacher Meetings are happening this Thursday and Friday, and we look forward to connecting with you. Each class has a different start time to accommodate student numbers, and you’ll see available time slots when you log into Parent Interviews to book your appointment. Please note that school remains open as usual, and students do not attend these meetings. Meetings are 10 minutes long and will take place in your child’s classroom. This is a great opportunity to meet with your child’s teacher one-on-one…. Read More