New Lynn Primary

Greg Roebuck

Principal, New Lynn Primary

Greg grew up in New Plymouth and from that city’s boys high school he entered Palmerston North Teachers' College with the motive of furthering his own education. Midway he transferred to the Auckland College of Education (ACE) and then found himself at Point England Primary School for his first year out of college. Next he moved to Jean Batten School in Mangere from where he was seconded to Mangere East Primary to lead the senior school for a year while the incumbent was absent. Mt Eden’s Managawhau School was next, for two years as a senior teacher, and then Greg studied full time at ACE and secured a Special Education Diploma. Moving further into Auckland City Greg was deputy principal at Newton Central Primary School for the next four and a half years. During this period Greg began travelling to the US on a regular basis to teach and present to summer literacy institutes. This travel led to Greg working for Literacy Learning NZ Limited as an international consultant in the mid nineties which meant he travelled to the US for six weeks every six weeks! He travelled extensively throughout the States improving literacy everywhere he went. Finally, tiring of the travel Greg looked around for a school to give his expertise to. So in 2001 he was appointed principal of New Lynn School full of enthusiasm to improve learning and to assist teachers to be successful in their chosen practice. “Always having had a passion for children with special needs whether physical, intellectual, hearing impaired whatever I also love diversity and literacy, seeking to give every child the best advantage. We celebrate diversity and we assiduously collect data that shapes teaching instruction and allows children to reach their full potential.” “We have a Ministry contract, to assist and develop gifted and talented children across cultures, in partnership with Glen Eden Primary. Pastoral care is pre-eminent to us. We have high expectations of children and we are always looking at extending relationships with parents.” New Lynn School commenced in 1888 and is fondly remembered by past pupils. Locally it’s a school of choice and recently it received a positive ERO report.