Final school bell for Mr Brebner

Tristan Brebner loves his job.

So much so, he has become New Zealand's longest continuous-serving principal, with 46 years' service in the role. And possibly even more surprising is the Ohope born-and-bred man hasn't had to move very far from the Eastern Bay to achieve this.

In 1967, Mr Brebner took a position at Apanui Primary School following four years training to become a teacher. Four years later in 1971, he was appointed to the sole charge principal's role at Hangaroa School near Gisborne.

In 1977, he returned to the Eastern Bay, taking over the helm at Te Mahoe School and 1980 saw a move to Manawahe School as principal.

In 1990, Mr Brebner took charge at Thornton and, in 1995, was appointed head at Kawerau Central School.

In 1999, he made his final move, becoming principal at Edgecumbe Primary School, where he remains until next month.

But for the man who still gets excited about his job every morning, his retirement as principal does not signal the end of his involvement with education, it just means he's heading off to try something new within the education sector.

"I remain absolutely amazed at how quickly 46 years have gone by," Mr Brebner said. "And at the end of it all, I feel privileged so many families have let me part of their lives during that time. The past four-and-a-half decades have been really special."

To be a good principal, Mr Brebner says you have to be a great listener, believe kids only get one chance and ensure that chance counts, and you have to be enthusiastic about new processes.

"I'm still learning today, everyday."

One of the things he says makes him go 'wow' is the ability children have to take charge of their learning.

"I come from a generation that wouldn't have got away with what these young ones do now. They are far in advance of where I was at the same age and do things far differently than I did.

"Children these days have a whole lot of other stuff going on. I think we lived a fairly simple way of life."

One of his teaching passions is outdoor education and he hopes Edgecumbe Primary will invite him back to take the kids skiing and be involved in the school to sea kayak event.

"There's no doubt in my mind I'm going to miss the kids. Every day I'm going to miss them. They're the reason I've gotten up every morning, excited to get to work and waiting to see what the day brings.

"I'll also miss the teachers at Edgecumbe Primary. I've been very fortunate they all wanted to be on the same waka and we've done lots of things together over the years."

Mr Brebner is to receive an Outstanding Long Service Award from the New Zealand Principal's Federation.