Kia ora e te whānau,

As you will be aware, last week the board announced the community of my resignation.

It has been an absolute privilege to serve as principal of this incredible kura for the past nine years. During this time, I’ve had the honour of working alongside the most dedicated, passionate, and hardworking staff. Their compassion, and professionalism are a credit to the school, and I know they will continue to do the best for our tamariki.

To the Reporoa community—thank you to those who have supported, trusted, and collaborated in partnership over the years. This is a community that truly cares about its children, and your encouragement means the world to us.

The tamariki have always been at the heart of everything I do. I have loved getting to know each one of them—their energy, their curiosity, their kindness, and their resilience. Watching them grow, succeed, and support one another has always been my passion. They are the reason we do what we do.

Over the past nine years, we’ve seen some exciting changes and milestones—each one contributing to the vibrancy and strength of our school environment. From the installation of our all-weather turf and the stunning new playground, to the creation of the peaceful koru garden and the protective shade sails that keep our tamariki safe in the sun—these additions have transformed our kura into a space where learning and play can thrive. Our school van has opened up opportunities for more learning beyond the gates, and our beautiful waharoa stands proudly as a symbol of our identity and values.

This year began on a particularly high note with our very positive ERO report—affirming the direction we’re heading and the excellent work happening in classrooms across the school. Our achievement data continues to show strong progress, and it’s a real testament to the collaborative efforts of our staff, whānau, and learners.

In Term 3, I will be stepping into a new role as principal of Hamilton West School—a move that brings both excitement and big change as a school of 700. While I’m looking forward to the new challenges ahead with such a big school, I will deeply miss the warmth and spirit of Reporoa Primary School staff and students.

I’m pleased to support the boards decision for our wonderful deputy principal, Nikkole Fell, to step into the role of acting principal during Term 3. Nikkole brings strength, experience, and a deep understanding of our school values. I have every confidence that she will continue to lead with the same dedication and care that she brings to her role every day. The Board of Trustees will be managing the principal appointment process during this time, and I know they will work hard to find the right person to take Reporoa Primary into its next exciting chapter.

Thank you once again for the honour of leading this kura. I leave with a full heart and lots of memories.