Teacher Profiles 2012
Peter Kaiser Principal
Mr Kaiser began his teaching career in 1975 training at Auckland Secondary Teachers College and the University of Auckland. He graduated with a BA in History, and post graduate studies in Education, Psychology and Anthropology. He has taught in a number of schools in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, at Secondary, Intermediate and Primary levels. As well, Mr Kaiser taught in Special Education for 5 years and completed a Diploma in Special Education. Mr Kaiser has been Principal at Tirimoana School for 20 years.
Jean Harold Deputy Principal
Mrs Harold started teaching in 1970 at New Windsor Primary after completing training at North Shore Teachers College. Over the years, she has taught at a number of primary schools at all levels but concentrated on Junior children’s learning. While raising her family, she furthered her teaching qualification with a Higher Diploma in Teaching in 1985 and continued with her educational studies to graduate with a Bachelor of Education in 1989. In 1994 she was appointed Assistant Principal at Tirimoana. She enjoyed a year’s leave from this position in 2003 to lecture in Teacher Education at Auckland University. In 2006 she graduated with a Master of Education from Auckland University. During 2012 Mrs Harold continues to lead the junior school in the position of Deputy Principal. She also takes responsibility at our school for Special Educational Needs and also for mentoring Teaching Students from Auckland University and monitoring other student teachers here on placement.
Andrew Ducat Deputy Principal
Mr Ducat graduated from Wellington College of Education and Victoria University in 1991 before moving to Gisborne. There he spent 12 years working in a number of primary schools teaching a variety of age groups from year 2 right through to Year 8. During his time in Gisborne Mr Ducat completed his reading recovery training and spent nine years working in two country schools as a teaching principal. In 2004 Mr Ducat and his family moved to the U.K where he worked in a number of roles, from classroom teaching to P.E specialisation. More recently he worked as an innovative curriculum project manager for Luton Borough Council. Mr Ducat and his family have now settled into West Auckland. Mr Ducat is leading the Year 5 and Year 6 department in 2012. He takes responsibility for Senior Sport and Behaviour Management.
Tui McMillan Assistant Principal
Ms McMillan graduated from Waikato University in 2000. She has taught at Tirimoana Primary School since 2001. In 2012 Ms McMillan is Assistant Principal responsible for the Year 3 and Year 4 Department as well as curriculum development. She is also responsible for the Website, ESOL, for leading ICT Teaching and Learning and coordinating the (International Competitions and Assessments for Schools) ICAS Tests. Ms McMIllan is passionate about education and teaching & learning theory.
Sharon Croft Senior Teacher
Mrs Croft has been a primary school teacher for many years. She has taught children from 5 -12 years old at several West Auckland schools. She has been working with the students at Tirimoana Primary now for more than 10 years. Mrs Croft has a B Ed with particular strengths in Literacy, Numeracy and the Arts. In 2012 Mrs Croft will take charge of Reading Recovery and Library.
Louise Graham Senior Teacher
Mrs Graham completed her teacher training in 1999 at Auckland University and gained a Diploma in Teaching. She had previously gained a BA in History and Political Studies in 1981 and an MA in History in 1983. She joined the teaching team at Tirimoana in 2000 and was appointed a Senior Teacher in 2006. Mrs Graham leads the Year 5 teaching team in 2012. She is passionate about Mathematics and Environmental Education. Mrs Graham is well known for her strong leadership in Mathematics within our school.
Mrs Graham also leads Environmental Education at Tirimoana.
Hannah Fraser Senior Teacher
Mrs Fraser came to Tirimoana as a beginning teacher in 2007. She completed her Bachelor of Education at the Auckland College of Education. Mrs Fraser leads the Year 3 team of teachers. Her particular strengths are in the Visual Arts and Literacy. Mrs Fraser will also lead Travelwise at Tirimoana in 2012.
Patricia House Specialist Teacher
Mrs House trained at Epsom Teachers’ College where she specialised in Music. After 6 years teaching at Henderson Intermediate she took leave for 12 years to raise her family and to pursue opportunities as a professional opera singer.
She completed the music qualifications of F.T.C.L.(Singing) and L.T.C.L. (Piano) from the Trinity College of London. In 1994 she resumed teaching full time at Y5-6 level at Sunnyvale Primary. For many year now Mrs House has worked as a permanent part-time and relieving teacher at Tirimoana. Mrs House’s teaching interests are in Music, Performing Arts, Language and Gifted and Talented programmes. She continues to lead our Choir in 2012.
Dewald Immink Senior Teacher
Mr Immink graduated in 1996 with a BA in Psychology and Education from the University of Pretoria. He completed a Higher Diploma in Education in 1998. After two years of teaching in South Africa Mr Immink relocated to New Zealand. He started teaching at Tirimoana in 2002. He has taught in year 5 and 6 and leads the Year 4 team again in 2012. His teaching interests are Reading, Language and Physical Education. Mr Immink loves all sports, pencil sketching, photography and movie making.
Kura Tuhura Year 5 Teacher
Mrs Tuhura gained a diploma in teaching from the Auckland College of Education in 1994. She worked in several Kura Kaupapa Māori and mainstream schools in the Auckland area, then returned to Auckland University to complete her BEd in 2000. She was a researcher for Ruia Mai Radio, an acting tumuaki for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Uri ā Mauī, a learning advisor at the Manukau Institute of Technology Learning Centre and the first appointed teaching tumuaki of Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o te Kotuku. Whaea Tuhura is teaching a Year 5 class in 2012. She also leads the teaching of Te Reo Maori and Nga Tikanga Maori in the school and leads our superb Kapahaka group.
Joanna Rusbatch Year 1 Teacher
Miss Rusbatch completed her Bachelor of Education in 2003 at the Auckland College of Education. She began teaching at Tirimoana in 2006 in a New Entrant/Year 1 class and then moved levels to teach at Year 2 for two years. During 2012 Miss Rusbatch will continue to teach a Year 1 class in Room 12. Her special interests include the Arts, Literacy and Physical Education.
Alan Burke Year 4 Teacher
Mr Burke has been teaching at Tirimoana since February 2006. He trained at Auckland College of Education and has a Bachelor of Education degree. Mr Burke’s hobbies include watching sports and rocking out on his electric guitar! He is passionate about helping children find their own pathways in learning. His favourite teaching subjects are Physical Education and Music. During 2012 Mr Burke will teach a Year 4 class in Room 19. He will give leadership in the area of Sport.
Barbara Lake Year 4 Teacher
Mrs Lake completed a Bachelor of Arts with an English major from Massey University before beginning her teaching. She holds a Diploma in Craft Design and a Diploma in Teaching from Otago University. She began her career in the South Island, teaching in small schools across all levels of children. Her interests are in all language work especially Reading, Writing, and the language acquisition of Second Language learners. Mrs Lake is near completion of a post-graduate Diploma in TESSOL through Auckland University. In 2012 she continues to teach a Year 4 class in Room 17.
Chris Cashmore Year 3 Teacher
Mrs Cashmore completed her Diploma in Teaching in 2003 at Unitec. She began her teaching career at Tirimoana in a New Entrant class. She will be teaching a Year 3 class again in Room 20. Mrs Cashmore's strengths are in Inquiry, Mathematics and Written Literacy. She loves to coach hockey and soccer and to provide table tennis opportunities for interested students.
Mrs Cashmore will continue to take Recorder groups in 2012.
Charlie Clarke Year 2 Teacher
Mr Clarke completed his teacher training at Auckland University in 2007. He had previously gained a BA in Geography in 2001 from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. Mr Clarke taught English in Japan in 2002/2003. He joined the year 0/1 teaching team at Tirimoana in 2007. Mr Clarke will teach a Year 2 class in Room 1 during 2012. He gives leadership in Music. Mr Clarke takes a Ukulele and a Guitar Group as well as leading the School Band.
Ann-Maree McAullay Year 1 Teacher
Miss McAullay came to Tirimoana as a beginning teacher in 2007. She has a Bachelor of Education Degree from the Auckland College of Education in Epsom and went on to complete her Honours degree majoring in Language, Mathematics, Technology and Gifted Education. She teaches a Year 1 class again in Room 11 in 2012. Miss McAullay especially enjoys teaching Mathematics and Visual Arts.
Stephanie Devcich Specialist Teacher
Mrs Devcich has been a teacher for many years. She loves singing and playing the guitar. Mrs Devcich enjoys teaching all subjects but Maths, Science and ESOL are her favourites. She is always envious of anyone who can speak more than one language. Mrs Devcich has teaching responsibilities for ESOL in 2012. When she is not at school, Mrs Devcich likes to go surfing or ride her bike.
Sheridan O'Neill Year 6 Teacher
Mrs O'Neill has been teaching in a fulltime capacity at Tirimoana School since 2007. She is an experienced teacher who has taught at a number of West Auckland primary and intermediate schools. She enjoys teaching in all learning areas but has a special passion for Visual Art and Physical Education. Mrs O'Neill loves coaching sport and can often be seen at lunchtime preparing children for various zonal competitions. During 2012 Mrs O'Neill will be teaching a Year 6 class again in Room 24.
Rebecca McKelvie Year 3 Teacher
Mrs McKelvie graduated from the University of Auckland in 2004 with a Bachelor of Education and began her teaching career at Tirimoana Primary in 2005. During 2012 Mrs McKelvie will teach in the Year 3 area of the school in Room 21. Mrs McKelvie has strengths in Maths, Literacy and ICT. She has a passion for the outdoors, books and vintage cars.
Kelly Ohms Year 2 Teacher
Miss Williams came to Tirimoana from Matipo School in 2009. She completed a Graduate Diploma in Teaching at the University of Auckland in 2007 and has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Ancient History also from the University of Auckland. She has taught in the Junior School in New Entrant and Year 1 classes. Miss Williams has recently married and is now known as Mrs Ohms. She is teaching a Year 2 class in Room 6 in 2012. Mrs Ohms particularly enjoys teaching Literacy and Visual Arts. She is a lead teacher for the junior school in the area of Mathematics in 2012.
Blair Curtis Year 5 Teacher
Mr Curtis came to Tirimoana School as a beginning teacher in 2009. He has a Bachelor Degree in Business Studies and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching from Massey University. He enjoys teaching all subjects, with a strength in Physical Education. Mr Curtis has a background in community sports coaching and administration. In 2012 Mr Curtis is teaching a Year 5 class in Room 13.
Alan Tegg Computer Technical Support
Mr Tegg began his teaching career in 1995 after completing a post-graduate diploma at the Auckland College of Education. Prior to entering teaching Mr Tegg had successfully completed an electrical engineering cadetship through the Auckland Electric Power Board and an NZCE (Electrical) through AUT. He began teaching at Taumarunui Primary School moving to Auckland in 2000 to complete a Bachelor of Teaching. He has been working at Tirimoana School since 2001. During 2012 Mr Tegg will continue working in a number of different schools and will take care of our Computer Network on one day of the week.
Julie Matthews, Year 1/0 Senior Teacher
Julie Matthews graduated in 2000 from Auckland College of Education with her Diploma of Teaching and the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Education. After returning from a couple of years travelling and teaching in the UK she took a position at Botany Downs School. In 2005 she came to Tirimoana Primary to open a New Entrant class. Since then she has enjoyed teaching year 0/1 classes, especially literacy and arts. In her spare time, Mrs Matthews enjoys hanging out with her family at the zoo or a Vodafone Warriors game.Jule leads a team of 4 classes in 2012 and will open a New Entrant class in Term 2.
Tracey Simonsen Specialist Teacher
Mrs Simonsen has taught at Tirimoana in a number of different capacities for 13 years. She is a trained reading recovery teacher and taught a New Entrant class during 2009. Mrs Simonsen has been studying to gain her TESSOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Diploma. During 2012 Mrs Simonsen will release teachers in a number of different classes and take withdrawal classes in ESOL (English as a Second Language). She will continue to support children 1:1 in the classroom as required. Her teaching strengths are in literacy and reading recovery. Mrs Simonsen enjoys spending time with her family, sailing and going to the gym. Mrs Simonsen is the person to contact about the After School Care Programme, Fun After 3.
Claudia Bachmann Year 2 Teacher
Miss Claudia Bachmann completed her Diploma in Teaching in 1998 in Lucerne, Switzerland. She has taught across all levels of primary school. Miss Bachmann moved to New Zealand in 2004 and had a first encounter with Tirimoana in 2005 when she was teaching the Year 6 children in German. Miss Bachmann married Jaimie McKenzie during the April School Holidays but she is keeping her maiden name at school. She continues to teach a Year 2 class in Room 7 during 2012. Her special interests include Physical Education and Languages. In her leisure time she is passionate about salsa dancing and relaxes while reading a good book or being out in the ocean with the sailboat.
Daniel Miller Year 6 Teacher
Mr Miller joined Tirimoana Primary in 2010 to start his teaching career. Graduating from Otago University in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science, Dan has gravitated towards teaching through experiences in the NZDF, as a SCUBA Diving Instructor and Human Resource Management, completing a Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching from Massey University in 2009. Mr. Miller has a passion for all curriculum areas especially Math, ICT, and Physical Education. During 2012 Mr Miller is teaching a Year 6 class in Room 3. He assists Whaea Kura with the leadership of the Kapahaka group.
Jolene Telfer Year 0/1 Senior Teacher
Miss Jolene Telfer came to Tirimoana in 2010 after teaching for two years in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Originally from Whangarei, she graduated from Auckland College of Education with her Diploma of Teaching and the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Education and has now been teaching for eleven years. She enjoys teaching all subjects especially literacy, mathematics, art and physical education. Miss Telfer enjoys spending time with her friends and family (including her 6 nieces and nephews), travelling, gardening and going to the gym. She plans to play hockey this year in Winter and also join a squash club. Miss Telfer takes a group of dancers called the Tiri Jammers who practice their routines at morning tea times. Miss Telfer continues will lead a team of teachers and continue to teach a Year 1 class in Room 10 in 2012.
Martin Hett Senior Teacher
Mr Hett has taught at Glen Eden Intermediate for the last five years. He graduated from Auckland University in 2006. Since then Mr Hett has continued to study and recently completed a post graduate diploma in Educational Leadership. He will be leading the Year 6 team of teachers in 2012 at Tirimoana and will teach a Year 6 class in Room 2. Mr Hett loves teaching and enjoys experiencing children gain new knowledge. Other interests are riding motorcycles and exploring West coast beaches with his two German Shepherd dogs.
Seth Liu Year 2 Teacher
Mr Seth Liu is originally from China. He came to New Zealand in 2002. In 2005 Mt Liu finished his Bachelor of Communication Studies from The University of Waikato. He completed his Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching from Massey University in 2010. He also had gained a computer science degree before he came to NZ.
In 2012, Mr Liu is teaching at a Year 2 class in Room 4. He loves teaching Maths and ICT. After school, you can find Mr Liu spending time in the local gym and in the kitchen.
Tracy Luke Year 4 Teacher
Miss Luke is teaching a Year 4 class in Room 16. Miss Luke is originally from Durham, England. She finished a degree in French and Japanese is 2001, and had many wonderful experiences studying and working in France and Japan. She has also worked as a Financial Accountant. Miss Luke completed the Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching from the University of Auckland in 2010. Outside of school, Miss Luke is enthusiastic about fitness, spending time at the local gym and competing in different sporting events.
Narelle Webb Year 2 Teacher
Miss Webb began her teaching career in 2001 with a GAP year to a school in Penrith, NSW and followed with her graduating with Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Massey University, in 2004. She began teaching in the North Wairarapa and Manawatu at senior and middle levels before becoming an Au Pair in New York in 2006 for a year. Miss Webb came to Tirimoana in 2008 to teach in the Junior School for 18 months before doing her OE to UK where she has worked in a Nursery School for 9 months and two Specialist Special Needs Schools for the last year. In 2012 Miss Webb is teaching a Year 2 class in Room 5.
Jan Parkes, Year 1 Teacher
Jan Parkes will be teaching a Year 1 class in Room 9 in 2012. Jan has a special interest in teaching the Arts and Literacy especially with an Inquiry perspective. She has a passion for the Performing Arts. Mrs Parkes has taught at all levels of primary school. She leads the curriculum area of Art in 2012.
Lauren Hukui, Year 5 Teacher
Mrs Hukui (previously Miss Trainor) comes to Tirimoana School as a beginning teacher in 2012 and is teaching a Year 5 class in Room 25. She has recently married but has lived in Te Atatu South her whole life. She enjoys teaching within her own community. Mrs Hukui has a passion for literacy and for inquiry learning, particulary thinking skills and discussion and is very excited to be part of Tirimoana School. Mrs Hukui really enjoys the water and supporting her husband with his softball team. She even manages the team! She loves music of all forms and really enjoys using drama and music as a teaching tool.
Geoff Brown, Year 1 Teacher
Mr Brown comes to Tirimoana School in 2012 after commencing his teaching career at Sutton Park School in South Auckland. Geoff is teaching a Year 1 class in Room 8. After completing a Bachelor of Science at Massey University in 2006 Geoff spent 2 years Teaching English in Japan. Geoff enjoys teaching all subjects especially Maths, Literacy and Science.
Margaret Carter, Classroom Release
Margaret Carter will continue to teach part-time at Tirimoana in 2012. She has been teaching for 16 years. She started teaching at Tirimoana in the year 2000. She has taught in a variety of levels and is passionate about achieving excellence. Mrs Carter encourages children to enjoy school, try new things and to do their best. A role that she really enjoyed was as a 'Roots of Empathy' instructor, working with young babies and parents in a classroom setting to help teach tolerance and empathy. In her spare time, Mrs Carter enjoys doing craft work and going to the beach or camping with family and friends.
Gail Tegg, Classroom Release
Mrs Tegg returns to part-time teaching at Tirimoana School in 2012. She has previously taught at this school and is looking forward to again being part of the team. Mrs Tegg will be teaching mainly in the Year 5 area of the school.
JoAnne Fendall, Classroom Release
Mrs Fendall has been on extended leave from our school to spend time travelling. This year Mrs Fendall returns to teach at Tirimoana School releasing teachers in the junior area of the school.
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