Senior Management Team

Principal

BA(Hons) PGCE MBA

It is my privilege to be Principal at Puketapu School. The staff, community and most importantly the pupils are full of energy and smiles, they certainly make coming to work each day a joy.
Teaching is a great job. The opportunity to continually learn, make a positive contribution to the education of others and see our pupils grow in many ways make all the challenges and hard work worth while. I am as enthusiastic today as I was when I first started teaching over 20 years ago.
I grew up and worked in the UK before taking the opportunity to work overseas where I met my wife. We have two children and came to live in Hawkes Bay over 6 years ago. My family and I enjoy the outdoors and so find living in New Zealand is just great.

Deputy Principal; Teacher - Room 8 (Years 5/6)

I have been teaching at Puketapu School for a number of years after moving from a Flaxmere school. I am married and have two children who attend local schools. We live locally on a lifestyle bock which keeps me busy looking after a number of stock units. Sport is one of my passions and I have been involved in many codes over the years. Recently I attended the 21st anniversary of the Hawke's Bay Multisports Club of which I was a founding member. Some of the multisports event I have competed in over the years are the "Mountains to the Sea" and the South Island "Coast to Coast". In 2007 I competed in the 25th anniversary of the Coast to Coast and enjoyed the experience after a break from these endurance type events. At present I am planning to compete in the 2009 event. As a kayak instructor I assess people who need to pass a proficiency certificate to compete in kayak events on white water such at the Hawke's Bay Traverse, Motu Challenge or the Gold Rush.
To maintain a level of fitness I bike and run regularly. This involves competing in local event such at Round the Bay Cycle Race which we did as a family this year.
Canoe polo is a sport I have been heavily involved in, introducing it into intermediate schools and then to primary schools. This year Puketapu School has had seven teams competing in the local competition which is an indication of the interest at our school. In the Hawke's Bay Championship Competition the top Year 6 team and the top Year 8 team both finished second which is a fantastic result as we compete against all the major intermediates.
My own canoe polo team called SPIVS which I organized 15 years ago won the local Division One competition this year. I am a current committee member of the Hawke's Bay Canoe Polo Club and my area of responsibilities are gear and school liaison. At present our school is building up its own fleet of canoe polo boats.
I represent the staff on the Board of Trustees and I am also the NZEI representative.
Outdoor education is an interest of mine and each year I take a group of year 6 students to the Ruahine Ranges for a winter camp.
My major focus for my degree was Mathematics and I enjoy seeing students achieve at a high level in this subject.
I can see there are some exciting things happening in education and I look forward to being involved in these changes at Puketapu School.

Assistant Principal; Teacher - Room 1

I joined Puketapu School in the middle of 2004 and still think how lucky I am to work in such a great environment with awesome children and staff. Prior to this, I have worked in various schools in Hawkes Bay for too many years to count!! Most of my experience has been teaching five to seven year olds. Currently I am teaching the New Entrant children and loving it. No day is the same with these children ... they continue surprise and amaze me.