您从事教育工作多久了，在哪里接受的培训？

I trained in England at King Alfred’s College, now the University of Winchester, in the beautiful and historic city of Winchester. I began teaching in 1993 and worked in a variety of schools before moving to New Zealand in 2008. Since arriving here, I’ve worked at Farm Cove and Somerville Intermediates, before becoming deputy principal at Maraetai Beach School in 2021.

When did you become principal of Mellons Bay Primary School?

At the beginning of this year. As a new principal, my first term has been full of fun, curiosity, challenge – and plenty of learning! It’s a real privilege to be leading such a special school community.

作为一名教育工作者和校长，最棒的事情是什么？

I went into teaching to make a difference. In the classroom, every day brought a win – and ah-ha moment, a confidence boost, a breakthrough in learning. There’s no better feeling than knowing you’ve helped a child believe in themselves. Now as a principal, I have the privilege of extending that impact beyond the classroom – supporting our incredible teachers and staff so that, together, we help our students “navigate their changing world”, which is our school vision. I also love connecting with families and whānau – from the day they enrol their child to the day they leave us. Schools are all about relationships, and building those connections is one of the great joys of this role.

What’s special about Mellons Bay School?

There are three things that make Mellons Bay School really special: Our community, our staff, and of course, our amazing children. The school sits right at the heart of the Howick community, with many families having generations pass through our doors. This year, we’ve extended our community connections further through initiatives like Youth Project NZ, spreading kindness beyond our school gates. Nothing at Mellons Bay School would be possible without our dedicated staff – from our front office team to our teachers, teacher aides, and caretaker.

They work tirelessly to create a warm, welcoming environment where children feel supported, encouraged, and challenged. And of course, our students are at the heart of everything we do. When I walk around the school or visit classrooms, the children happily greet me, share their work and consistently show themselves to be learners who are confident, caring, connected, communicative and creative – the five key aspects to our learner profile.

您希望教育或学校管理部门改进哪些方面？

One of the biggest challenges facing education right now is meeting the increasingly complex needs of our students – particularly following the disruptions of Covid. We’re seeing more children with diverse learning, behavioural, and social needs, often without the resources or support to match. Teachers are doing extraordinary work, but the system is stretched, and we risk burnout if things don’t change. Recruitment and retention of teachers is another real concern.

We need to make teaching in New Zealand an attractive, sustainable profession so that our children can continue to learn from passionate, skilled educators. Despite these challenges, I’m hopeful, because every day I see the dedication, creativity, and heart our teachers bring to their work. With the right support and investment, I know our schools can continue to thrive, and every child can reach their potential.