Dear Parents and Whānau
Celebration Night
What an unforgettable evening Celebration Night turned out to be! It was a brilliant display of dance and talent, with our outstanding students captivating us all with their performances. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who came along – whether you brought your whānau, enjoyed a picnic, or simply enjoyed the wonderful atmosphere.
Prizegivings
The prizegivings over the past two days have been a wonderful celebration of school life, acknowledging both individual achievements and the hard work of all our students. It was fantastic to see so many parents attending and sharing these special moments with their children.
PTN Donation
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to our Parent Teacher Network (PTN) for their incredibly generous donation of $40,000. This exceptional group of parents has a profound impact on our school, selflessly dedicating countless hours to its betterment. Their unwavering commitment and hard work truly make a difference, and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing support.
Parent Portal
A reminder to download the eTAP app for your home/school communication (see instructions below).
Staff Changes
At this time of year we often see valued members of our team embarking on exciting journeys – whether pursuing career advancements, personal growth, or adventures overseas – and this year is no exception. The following staff will be leaving us at the end of the year.
Sarah Franklin-Browne
Sarah first joined us at Cockle Bay School in 2016, and she has taken on various roles with dedication and professionalism, excelling as both a classroom teacher and a relieving teacher. Special mention must be made of Sarah’s outstanding contribution to the Enviro team. Her leadership, enthusiasm, and innovative ideas have been instrumental in advancing sustainability initiatives and inspiring both students and staff to care deeply about our environment. The positive changes Sarah has championed will continue to shape our school community for years to come. Sarah leaves us to follow her passion for the environment with educator roles at both Auckland Botanic Gardens and Trees for Survival. We will miss you, Sarah!
Bronwyn Harrison
Bronwyn will be leaving us at the end of this term to take up an exciting new role as Deputy Principal at Beachlands School. She has been an integral part of our kura, serving as a teacher and Team Leader in our junior school, and a Waipaparoa Across School Leader. Her energy, passion, and unwavering commitment to our students and staff have made a lasting impact. Bronwyn has also played a key role in fostering a love of kapa haka and championing te ao Māori within our kura, ensuring that te reo me ngā tikanga Māori are celebrated and embedded in our learning environment. While we are sad to see Bronwyn go, we are also incredibly proud and excited for her as she takes this significant step in her career. All the very best, Bronwyn. You will always be part of our school family.
Michelle Murray-Brown
Michelle has been an invaluable member of our staff since 2019, excelling as a team leader, junior teacher, and Reading Recovery/Early Literacy Support teacher. Her dedication and expertise have had a lasting impact on our students and school community. Michelle’s contributions, particularly in supporting literacy development, have been greatly appreciated, and she will be missed by all. While we will miss her presence, we are thrilled to see her embark on the exciting journey of becoming an RTLB (Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour). Good luck, Michelle!
Ella Reardon
We also bid farewell to Ella, a much-loved junior teacher whose kindness, positivity, and big smile have left a lasting impression on all of us. Ella is now returning to her former event management career, where her talents and outgoing personality will no doubt continue to shine. Thank you for your hard work and dedication, Ella. We look forward to seeing you back with us as a reliever next year and wish you all the best in your next adventure!
Sian Stephens
Sian joined us as a beginning teacher in 2023. Sian has brought warmth, care, and dedication to her role – qualities that have made her a valued and popular staff member and a favourite among students and parents. As Sian moves on to teach at Auckland Normal Intermediate, we wish her all the best of luck in this exciting next chapter of her career. Sian, we are confident you will be amazing in all you do!
Sam Van Zyl
Sam joined Cockle Bay School at the end of 2022, first teaching junior classes before joining our Year 4 team this year. Sam’s dedication and commitment to her students have made a lasting and positive impact. As Sam and her family prepare to move to Australia, we wish them all the best for this exciting new chapter in their lives. Thank you, Sam, for all you’ve contributed while teaching at Cockle Bay. Safe travels, and good luck in everything ahead!
Ngā Mihi
Dorothy Bigwood
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