5 Nov 2026

A Messaage From Our New Principal - Melissa Brown

My name is Melissa Brown, and I am deeply honoured and excited to introduce myself as your new Tumuaki / Principal, starting in 2027.

For the past few years, I’ve been Assistant Principal at Levin Intermediate, and before that, I had the privilege of spending three wonderful years as Principal at Te Kura o Waimarino (National Park School). 

Building relationships with students, family and our wider community will be my first priority.I am friendly and approachable, and my door will always be open. Education Outside the Classroom, Technology, and good knowledge of the curriculum are just some of my key strengths. 

On a personal note, life at home is just as busy! My family and I live and breathe the outdoors. I have two active boys, aged 11 and 14, and as a family, we're usually out and about—whether that’s at the pool for swimming, on the sidelines of a football pitch, down at the surf lifesaving club, or packing up the gear to head up the mountain for a ski. We also have 2 dogs - Rashford ( lab X with a collie) and Harry. 

Currently, we live on the Kapiti Coast, but will be looking to relocate to the Manawatu region in the new year. 

I am very much looking forward to being part of the Waituna West School Community. If you see me around, please feel free to introduce yourself. 

3 Nov 2026

Hi everyone,

The Waituna West School Board of Trustees is very pleased to be able to announce Melissa Brown as our new Tumuaki Principal for 2027. Melissa is currently Assistant Principal at Levin Intermediate School. She has strong passion for rural schools having attended one while growing up in rural Bay of Plenty and more recently serving as Principal at National Park School. Melissa has a demonstrated understanding of rural schooling, experience in multi-level teaching and ability to manage all facets of rural principalship. 

The Board would like to thank our school community for your patience and support as we undertook the Principal Appointment process. We are really pleased with the outcome and look forward to working alongside Melissa. 

Kind regards ,

The Waituna West School Board of Trustees

2 Nov 2026

There were some very excited children at school today!

Tomorrow morning...........

When you drop your children off at school for camp / arrive as a camp parent, please park on the side of the road down by the hall area.  Please do not park in the hall carpark. 

Camp parents will be asked to drive their cars into the carpark area when we are ready to pack their car.

Tim - could you please park in the hall carpark area so we have the trailer close by for any additional packing requirements.

See you all in the morning. 

1 Nov 2026

30 Oct 2026

Hi Everyone,

The Board completed the shortlisting of candidates for our Principal role last week. On Tuesday evening we conducted referee calls. Tomorrow morning we will be interviewing our shortlisted candidates at the school. We hope to be in a position to make an announcement on our decision to the school community in the very near future.

Kind regards,
Regan O'Brien
Presiding Member
WWS BoT