Tena koutou katoa Breens whānau

On Monday we celebrated outstanding service and achievement across our school. There has been so much to celebrate this year and our students have continued to excel across many arenas both within and outside the classroom.

We also acknowledged the wonderful community around us.   To our Year 8 parents, we thank you for entrusting your children to us for the last two years. It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with you.

To our team of school trustees, teachers, support staff and to our parent volunteers - I want to thank each and everyone of you for playing your part this year to make our place what it is.

2022 has not been the easiest of years but you have all worked together with the children at the centre and have demonstrated incredible positivity, determination, adaptability and collective strength.

This year we farewell Jonathon Collins, Keisha Gilling, Trina Smith and Jesse Davies. I would like to particularly acknowledge Jono for his dedication and contribution to Breens sport over nine years. Thank you to Trina for her contribution to our technology programme and to Keisha and Jesse for their tireless work as teacher aides. Best wishes to you all as you move on to exciting new career opportunities.

To our students - congratulations on your progress over the last two years. We have been privileged to watch you all grow as learners and as young people.

A special thank you to the senior student leaders (George Keene, Lily Bobadilla, Cooper Titterton-Leckie, Juliette Hough, Heath Blackbourn, Monty Bovendeerd, Olive Partington-Williams and Hollie Cresswell) who have led by example and have gone from strength to strength in their roles. Your messages to the school on Monday morning were a reflection of your outstanding character as individuals.

As our nation is still basking in the glory of the Black Ferns victory last month, I chose to speak to our leavers this week through the language of rugby.

I believe they are useful messages to our young people as they begin to find their place in the world.

• Get in the Starting 15. Take the opportunities that are around you.

• Drown the Hecklers. Not everyone in life will like you, learn to silence that noise.

• Find your Tight 5. Surrounding yourself with good people will make all the difference.

• Take your space! Sidestep obstacles and play to your strengths.

• Pursue excellence - should you stumble, let it be to a lofty mountain.

• Team work is everything - learn to work together with others successfully and be collectively united.

• Rucks happen. Be resilient and learn from them.

• Pass it Back. Use your strengths and skills to help others when you can.

• Kick it Forward. The try line is in front of you - that is where the success lies.

• Aim to master the art of the rolling maul - it is one of the most devastating weapons that can be used on a rugby field. Working together in unison as a team to hold everyone up whilst moving towards the try line and fending off the defence.

You have a strong foundation as you go on from here.

We hope you will take our Breens values with you on your journey and enjoy the process of becoming you!

Best wishes to our 2022 Leavers.

Kia kaha, Kia māia, Kia manawanui

Be strong, be brave, be steadfast.

Congratulations to all our certificate and award recipients tonight!

A very Merry Christmas to you all.

Nikki and team.