Kaiwaka Primary farewells principal

Kaiwaka Primary School has said goodbye to principal Sharlene McCormick after 20 years at the school.

Children, staff and whānau gathered at the Kaiwaka Sports Association on September 18 for songs, speeches and a student kapa haka performance to farewell their tumuaki before she takes up her new role as principal at Te Kopuru School.

Teachers praised McCormick for her kindness, compassion and dedication to the school, as well as her passion for te reo Māori.

“Your time here represents hundreds of tamariki and whānau who have passed through these gates. There have been many teachers and staff and milestones along the way.

“Throughout all of that, Sharlene has been a constant presence and has become a huge part of the story of the school and the wider community,” Kaiwaka Primary School Board of Trustees member Emma McNeish said.

“There will be many things that people remember from your time here, but perhaps the greatest legacy is the people. The children you have encouraged, the staff you have supported, the families you have come to know and the relationships you have built along the way.”

McCormick joined Kaiwaka Primary as a teacher in 2006 and held several roles at the school before becoming principal seven years ago. During her time as principal, she has seen the school continue to grow. One of the highlights was overseeing the creation of the new Ngā Tūmanako building, housing a new library, office and cooking facilities that was opened earlier this year.

The school has also introduced a Garden to Table programme where students tend gardens and an orchard, care for chickens and bees, and use produce they have grown to prepare meals. As a parting gift, McCormick bought equipment for the programme.

“My hope for the future is that Kaiwaka School continues to thrive as a place where every child feels safe, valued and inspired to learn. I hope the school keeps building on their achievements, supporting one another as a community and embracing new opportunities with courage and kindness,” McCormick said.

Junior leader Katherine Brown will take up the position of acting principal at Kaiwaka Primary for the rest of the school year.