Kia Ora

My name is Matt Simeon and I am very privileged to be appointed as the new Principal at Pillans Point Primary School. I come to Pillans Point from Mount Maunganui Primary where I was the Deputy Principal. Previous to that I have taught at Te Akau ki Papamoa School, where I was a foundation staff member, St Peters College in Auckland and a number of schools in London.

I have lived in Tauranga, since returning from London, for the past 6 years with my wife Lee (who is also a teacher). We have two beautiful children, Zac who is 2 and Ella who is 16 weeks. Outside of school I really enjoy spending time as a family exploring the many adventures to be had in and around Tauranga as well as surfing, water skiing, climbing The Mount and I still play a little rugby - although no longer competitive.

The strengths I bring to Pillans Point School are in strategic planning, curriculum development and school management along with a passion for improving student achievement, integrating ICT as a tool for learning while exploring all possible opportunities to have fun along the way. 

I firmly believe for children to be successful, lifelong learners we need to place a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy as foundation skills. Children need these essential skills to be able to function effectively in our society now and into the future.

I also believe that Learning needs to be meaningful and grounded in an authentic context. With the rapid change we are experiencing in our world, the importance of life long, continuous learning is stronger now than ever before. To survive the future our students and our staff need to value and enjoy learning in all contexts. If we think of all the new learning we  as adults have been involved in over the last three to five years, with just new technology that we have learnt to operate, we can only begin to imagine what the future will be like for our children. But, if the children we teach now have the skills and abilities to learn, they can and will be able to do anything they want!

My job as a leader and educator is to build on the foundations laid down by parents, caregivers, whanau, the wider community and others in the field of education. We need to provide a stimulating and non threatening environment in which a child can find consistency and is encouraged to make full use of their potential and reach individual capabilities so that they may become confident and positive members of society.

I look forward to having the opportunity to meet the families and the community from term 4 onwards.

Nga mihi nui - With Best Wishes 

Matt Simeon