SCHOOL NEWSLETTER: 2nd December 2025

IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

Torbay School Learning Powers – RIC

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Wrapping Up a Fantastic Year

As we reach the final days of the school year, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to every member of the Torbay School community. This year has been filled with energy, learning, and wonderful memories, and the success of our school is truly a reflection of the commitment and enthusiasm of our students, staff, and families.

A Special Thanks to Our Incredible PTA.

I must take a moment to single out and celebrate the phenomenal work of our Parent Teacher Association (PTA) this year. Your dedication, hard work, and endless hours of volunteering are simply remarkable.

Last weekend, our annual Colour Run was a perfect example of your success. It was a resounding success, with record numbers of students and families participating in the fun, making it an incredibly vibrant and memorable day for everyone. What a magnificent way to wrap up our major events for 2025!

This was our final major fundraiser of the year, and I am thrilled to confirm that all the money raised throughout 2025 will be channeled directly into our major project: the renovation of our school Library. Thanks to the PTA’s incredible efforts, this renovation is already well underway, and we are eagerly anticipating its completion and official opening in February next year. This new library will be a much improved hub of learning for every Torbay student for years to come—a true testament to your collective generosity and support.

On behalf of the students and staff, thank you, PTA, for your inspiring contribution to Torbay School.

Board of Trustees Update: Hitting the Ground Running

I am delighted to formally congratulate our recently elected Board of Trustees members who have truly hit the ground running! I am pleased to announce that Thads Cooke has been elected as our new Presiding Member, and I eagerly anticipate working alongside him and all the new board members in the coming year to continue guiding Torbay School forward.

The board has already demonstrated exceptional leadership, particularly in their response to the government’s recent decision to remove the statutory responsibility for enacting Te Tiriti o Waitangi from school boards. Our trustees swiftly confirmed our school’s unwavering commitment to upholding the principles of Te Tiriti by releasing a letter to the community and sending an open letter to the Minister of Education requesting that this significant decision be reversed. We appreciate the new board’s proactive stance and commitment to our school’s foundational values and cultural responsiveness.

Staff Changes

Goodbyes are always difficult times and this year we say farewell to five staff members, all of whom I congratulate on their decisions and next steps. Lynne Alty and Debbie Abbot after very long associations and service to the school have decided to retire and take the next steps in life. Gail Urwin who has not been with us for quite so long, has also decided it is time to step away from work and enjoy some time for herself and with family. All three have done a terrific job as Learning Assistants over a significant number of years and all will be greatly missed.

I want to congratulate Annika Jamieson who has taken up a job at Gulf Harbour School starting in February. Annika has done a fabulous job as a classroom teacher over several years and her energy, enthusiasm and skill will be missed. I congratulate her for following her dreams and moving forward on her career pathway.

Ben Beguely who has been with us for just one year, has accepted a position at Glamorgan School. Ben has had a great first year of teaching at Torbay School but is looking for a different experience in his second year. We wish him well.

I thank all of these staff members for their work, passion and dedication they have shown in their time at Torbay School.

I am very pleased to announce that Loretta Perry (Yr1) and Anastasia Coughlan (Yr 4) will be joining our teaching staff for 2026. We also have Sophie Long and Lizel Boy starting in January filling the vacant Learning assistant roles.

We are all also thrilled for Chanel McConchie who will be on maternity leave for the whole of 2026. We send our very best wishes to Chanel and Steve as the big day comes racing towards them.

We have advertised on Seek for another learning assistant who has experience in gardening and horticulture. This is a one-year full-time position with three days in the classroom and 2 days in the garden. This position is advertised on Seek please encourage anybody who is interested to apply via seek.

Teachers for 2026

I am pleased to be able to announce our Teaching Teams for 2026:

Rakino: Vanessa Mitschak – Team Leader, Alyce Debenham, Jack Coyle, Lachlan Freeland.

Waiheke: Renee Heasley – Team Leader, Claire Kelly, Jon Bettin, Ben Van der Loeff.

Motuihe: Megan McIntosh – Team Leader, Sophie Hales-Owen, Chrysi Toerien, Anastasia Coughlan.

Kawau: Joanne Northover – Team Leader, Lorelle Koya, Paulette Noone, Mandy Walenkamp.

Rangitoto: Kylie Wilson – Team Leader, Vicky Crossman, Todd Goodman, Victoria Hohaia – Gibbons.

Tiritiri: Anne Naude – Team Leader, Jamie Cope, Samantha Wenzlick, Natasha Harrison, Loretta Perry.

Specialist Classroom Teachers: Sam Coyle – Physical Education and Sport, Nic Davis – The Arts, Linda Irwin – Mathematics, Alex Blair – Social Science.

Classroom Release Teachers: Petru Marzo, Ingrid Cooper.

Final Day of School

We will be closing the school at 12.45 on the 18^th of December our final day of school. Please arrange for your children to be collected at that time.

First Day of School 2026:

Our first day of School in 2026 is Monday 2^nd February

2025 – The Final Word

This has been a very complex and challenging year. The governments relentless implementation of significant changes has placed enormous pressure on educators. It has been a year in which we have had to accept mandates and legislative change such as the Te Tiriti legislation that we have had no voice in. We have had to navigate our way through these changes, be prepared to pivot on a dime and continue to provide the type of holistic education we believe in. This has been challenging and tiring.

I want to acknowledge our wonderful staff who have been involved in unprecedented levels of PLD and significant changes. They have stayed calm and kept teaching continuing to deliver our broad curriculum that engages children and provides a wide range of opportunities for success. I also want to acknowledge our support staff both administrational and learning support they have done a wonderful job in adapting and continually moving forward. Our property staff have continued to work hard to continually improve our school. I wish all of them a well-earned rest and thank them all for their mahi.

I thank you our Parents and Caregivers for the support and encouragement you give us. This will be our last newsletter for the year. I hope you all have a safe, enjoyable summer break and I look forward to doing it all again next year.

Important dates for the remainder of term 4 include:

11^th December – Awards Assembly – By invite only.

17^th December – Graduation Assembly

18^th December – Final Day of School

Nga mihi nui

Gary O’Brien

Principal

gobrien@torbay.school.nz

ACOMPLISHMENTS

KA PAI to the following students who have shared their fantastic learning with us this week: Yuvana, Harvey & Abigail Room 15 Keep up the good work!

CONGRATULATIONS to the following tamariki who received certificates from their class teachers: Room 1 Anchen & Musa, Room 2 Cohen & Charlotte, Room 3 Harriet L & Aria, Room 4 Aoife Halligan & Sebastian, Room 5 Ava-Marie & Vritika, Room 6 George & Austin, Room 7 Maddie, Jaxon & Luca, Room 8 Bridget-Louise & Isobel Graham, Room 9 Kupa & Phoebe, Room 10 Arthur & Diana, Room 11Finley & Charlotte, Room 12 Tobi & Zoe, Room 13 Louis & Raissaa, Room 14 Riley & Alex, Room 15 Alissa & Bodhi, Room 16 Sora & McKenzie, Room 17 Alice & Elton, Room 18 Taylor & Isabella, Room 19 Leyi & Wendy, Room 20 Milla & Skyler, Room 21 Chloe & Tristan, Room 22 Skye & Xavier, Room 23 Keagan & Lucia-Grace, Room 24 Ollie C & Juliet, Room 25 Leo He & Madison R, Room 26 Mihai, Room 27 Daniel L & Aztrah, Room 28 Jack & Jamie Well done!!

PRINCIPALS AWARDS for services of the school – Lokei Lee, Taylor Amiss, Tristan Dold, Willem Oosthuizen, Gray Benito

KA RAWE AWARDS, For using Te Reo Māori at school Tristan Rm 8, Manny Rm 6, Tomi Rm 3, Eli Rm 6, Amelia Rm3, Rosie Rm 10– Tino pai!

Student News

Action Needed: Help Restore Our Local Deep Creek Reserve!

Deep Creek Reserve, a space frequently used and cherished by our school community, needs your help!

We are joining forces with Restore Hibiscus And Bays—our local community-led conservation group dedicated to restoring native habitats, controlling pests, and improving water quality across the region. They are leading a vital project to bring life and birdsong back to the reserve.

The Mission

The reserve is under threat from invasive exotic weeds and pests (possums and rats), which are harming native plants and wildlife. We aim to restore its biodiversity through serious weed control, native planting, and installing predator control devices.