Tremaine Quaife fires a pass to one of his Bream Bay Kite teammates in their second grading match on Saturday.
New Principal for Waipu Primary
Waipu Primary gave their new principal a warm reception last week, and she couldn't be happier with her new school.
"I'm absolutely loving it," Jo Brown said.
"Everyone is so welcoming. I've really appreciated parents coming in and saying hi. I can't believe it's only my second week here."
Brown, formerly a deputy principal at Kamo Intermediate, is the school's first new principal in 18 years.
She replaces Paul Ramsay who retired at the end of last term. A deputation from Kamo Intermediate attended Waipu Primary's powhiri for Brown last week, and in an emotional farewell spoke of her dedication and how much they would miss her, before handing her over to her new school.
Brown arrived in New Zealand 17 years ago from the UK, drawn here initially by her interest in sustainability, an area where she saw New Zealand schools doing well.
She taught in primary schools in South Auckland and Mt Albert, then Manurewa Intermediate. Her intermediate school experience has, she says, helped her understand how primary pupils can be guided through the transition from primary school.
Brown says her focus is on the whole child, not just academic performance.
"I've always been interested in kids who don't necessarily fit the mould of the education system; but also in being able to extend the ones that do."
Brown says her start at Waipu has been made easier by both Waipu and Kamo Intermediate's willingness to allow her and Ramsay to meet several times before she took on her new role, giving her a good understanding of the school's culture.
"We have strong student leadership here, and the kids have great value sets," she says,
"It's a lovely, lovely school – I have some big shoes to fill."
During the next few months, she plans to spend time with staff and students, gathering information to map the school's future direction.
"I'm looking forward to learning what makes the staff and students tick, finding out what direction they want to go in. It's about learning where we can go together as a team."
Swimming Season Wind Up
Twins Rose and Paul Linton, 17, took out Bream Bay Swimming Club's top trophies at the club's annual prizegiving last week – Rose won senior female swimmer of the year for her 50m backstroke swim at National Age Group Championships in Auckland two weeks ago, and Paul won senior male swimmer of the year for his 100m backstroke swim at the same event.
The trophies are awarded to the swimmers with the highest FINA point swim at a national event. Junior Swimmer of the Year went to Hunter Dobson, 12, for the highest XLR8 point scoring swim, his 100m backstroke at the Harlequins Junior Festival in Auckland in February.
Other trophies were: HMJ Encouragement Cup (Rebecca Reade, Samantha Dutton), Beginners Achievement Trophy (Fidel Poulson, Chelsea Rickey), Rye Endeavour (Ethan Carroll, Emma Dutton), Hughes Trophy for the most club championship points female (Lily Matenga), Birchall Trophy for the most club championship points male (Paul Linton).
Early Start for Young Hockey Players
Last Saturday Bream Bay Hockey Club's youngest players took to the turf for their first games of the season.
With the earliest games starting at 7.45am it meant a very early start for families driving into the Whangarei Hockey Centre from as far south as Kaiwaka.
Bream Bay is fielding 13 junior teams of children from Year 1 to 8 this year, so there was nearly always a yellow and black team on one of the turfs, hitting the ball around with varying degrees of skill and accuracy.
Racing Season Takes Off
Ruakākā Racing's winter season kicks off next Wednesday with the Lion Red Pubs and Clubs Punters Challenge.
This annual event attracts teams from Lion-affiliated pubs and clubs throughout Northland as they compete for the trophy, honour and Lion branded products.
Kensington Tavern, the defending team, will compete against up to 20 teams of four to six people.
Team entry is $400, which covers the team's betting and jackpot contributions. For more details and to register a team for the day, contact Rebecca Swords at info@ruakakaracing.co.nz . Racing starts at noon.
Mask Workshop
The first mask workshop for children in Years 1-8 entering a mask in Art 'n' Tartan is this Sunday at Waipu Primary School, noon-4pm. The first session will focus on ideas and inspiration. To register, call Penny Goodall on 432 0340 or 021 206 4124. There is a series of three workshops, cost $20 per child.
• Email Julie Paton at moojoy@xtra.co.nz if you've got Bream Bay news to share with Advocate readers.
Plenty of shoppers around for Boxing Day sales but few loaded up with bargains