Massey Primary board chair Kirsty Mew, who worked alongside Barnes for six years, told the Herald those who had met the educator have “so many different stories to tell of their different experiences with him”.
“He had so much compassion. He would give absolutely everything he could for everyone he came across.
“He inspired so many children to become teachers. And we’ve even had some of those teach through our schools as well.”
Watching school staff rally around each other for support showed how well he’d led them through the years, Mew added.
“He’s left a massive legacy that Massey Primary will strive and continue to grow with.”
Barnes, who oversaw generations of pupils taught at the school, was also closely tied to the Massey High School community, serving 10 years as chair of its board of trustees.
“Bruce was a highly respected leader who served his school, staff, students and community with integrity, commitment, and care, he was also an avid champion of Massey High School,” Massey High School wrote on Facebook.
Bruce Barnes also served 10 years as chair of the Massey High School board. Photo / Jason Oxenham
“Bruce passed away peacefully on Saturday night. His passing was unexpected and will be felt deeply across our community.
“The Massey High School family’s thoughts are with Bruce’s family and with the Massey Primary community.”
The Massey Birdwood Settlers Association, a 100-year-old resident and ratepayers group that covers the area, honoured Barnes, describing him as a “good friend of the Association” who will “be sadly missed” across West Auckland.
Barnes started teaching in 1969, beginning his journey at Green Bay Primary.
He moved around to numerous other schools throughout Auckland and further afield before settling at Massey Primary in 1988, and appointed principal in 2010, Mew said.
Upon learning of his death, a former Massey Primary teacher extended her condolences to Barnes’ family and the wider community.
“I have such special and fond memories of my time teaching at MPS and Bruce was a big part of that,” she said.
Kelston Primary School principal Cliff Hughes called Barnes a “friend and colleague of mine for many years” whose “sense of humour and extensive knowledge will be sadly missed”.
“On behalf of Kelston Primary school, we offer our deepest condolences. May he rest in peace.”
Ex-Massey Primary alumni have also flooded the Facebook posts with personal tributes to their former principal.
“I had Mr Barnes for two years at school. He inspired me to become a teacher, my first teaching practicum was at Massey when he was principal ... I could never call him by his first name,” one person wrote.
“I remember his laugh, having the radio on and listening to cricket, the pointers he taught me in athletics I use to teach kids to this day.”
