Whenuapai Primary

Warren Spanhake

Principal, Whenuapai Primary

Warren grew up on a 200 acre farm in the tiny settlement of Kaingaroa. He attended Kaitaia College and then followed his brother and enrolled at North Shore Teachers College. Being awarded a studentship allowed him to complete his B.Arts and teacher’s Certifi cate. For his PA year, Warren taught a Junior class at Miller Avenue in Paeroa and then six months at Kingsford Primary in Mangere East. His journey took him to Freemans Bay and Newton Central. Memories at Freemans Bay were highlighted by the new Open Plan barn like structures and the prominence of league at Newton Central. In 1979 he moved to Stanley Bay (Devonport) where Pat Gaiteley was Principal. In the early eighties he was acting Principal and co-ordinated a major fundraising scheme to fund the building of a new swimming pool and changing sheds. Sport was his other passion – coaching the Year 6 Netball Team to win theNorth Shore Championship. After 7 years on the Shore, he moved to take up a Deputy Principal’s role under John Chase at Whenuapai School. John was a very meticulous and organised person with high expectation of children and staff. Warren had to learn the job very quickly and following John Chase’s tragic death, took up the Principal’s job in 1991. A memorial sits on the School Grounds acknowledging John’s contribution to the School. The 21 years at Whenuapai School have been fantastic. In the early years colleagues in the West weremost supportive – John Hope, Mike Gardner, Terry & Sandra Hewitson, Alistair Kaye – the list goes on. A major highlight at Whenuapai School was the 24 hour Build-a-thon in 1995 when the whole community built two classrooms in 24 hours. Relationships are crucial and he loves the children knowing virtually all 400 of them. Warren and his wife Lynley have always been passionate about Gifted Education and have set up theirown website to help teachers and parents. This site is www.challengeeducation.com which has some great resources. Organisation is at present underway for Whenuapai School’s 50th Jubilee over Labour Weekend this year. More information about this is on www.whenuapai.school.nz.