Bravery – Titiro atu tō kanohi ki tairāwhiti ana te rā e whiti rā, ki te ataata ka hinga ki muri ki a koe Turn your face to the sun and the shadow falls behind you

Kia ora koutou whānau

Term Three - Be Bold and Be Brave

It is so fitting that the values foci for the term have been bold and brave. In the unsettling world of COVID-19 we certainly are needing to demonstrate courage and be bold.   As our school whakatauki above alludes to, we are challenged to look for the good, turn to the positive and focus on hope.     

We are extremely proud of our children for their resilience this term and thank you all for joining with us to focus on the positive and look for the good.    

Staffing Changes   

This term we have farewelled two much loved Breens staff members as they step into retirement. 

Mrs Sharron Stoop first joined the staff fifteen years ago and has been a very loyal and dedicated Finance Manager and Principal PA.    She has supported our BOT and leadership team through some significant and challenging events during this term and will be greatly missed.   We wish Sharron many happy and sunny days in her gorgeous garden! 

Mrs Glenda Galambos first joined the staff in 2012 as a Science Teacher.  She has been integral in the development of our high quality science programme.  Glenda has driven the science badge and science fair initiatives as well as the set up and development of the science garden and student eco groups.   Glenda has been an important part of the mathematics team here - leading Mathematics extension programmes and Cantamaths.   Glenda has also directed/produced several highly successful Breens school productions.  Her wisdom and experience will certainly be missed!   We wish Glenda all the very best as she takes a well deserved rest from a teaching career that first started 43 years ago!

Earlier this term, we welcomed Mrs Vicki Millard into her new position at Office Manager.  Vicki has been on the Breens team for some time and has stepped across to her new role from being a teacher aide. 

Mrs Jen Crawford has moved across from Office Manager to Finance Manager and Principal PA.

Mr Jesse Davies (our 24/7 Youthworker) has taken on a new role as teacher aide in Hīrere as well as mentoring and supporting students across the school.

A sincere thank you to Mr Gene Marryatt for his work in Māpuna Rua this term. Being able to quickly pivot to online learning unexpectedly was a real testament to his dedication.   

We welcome Mr Grant Cattermole back next term. Grant has been away on study leave and has completed Kā Poupou Reo o Tahu, a 10 week immersion course of study with Mātauraka Mahaanui.

We also welcome Mrs Anita Burrows and Mrs Christa Jellyman to the Technology team.   Anita and Christa are experienced teachers and are familar faces in our school.    They will be co-leading the Science curriculum at Breens during term four. 

Next term promises to be fabulous with the school production being the most signficant school wide events as well as summer weekly sport, athletics, music festival and a series of Breens Challenge events.     

Our very best wishes to you all for a sunny, safe and relaxing few weeks ahead.     We all look forward to seeing your beautiful children back ready for a busy and engaging term four.

Ngā mihi nui

Nikki and team