Room 3's new teacher a country girl at heart.

Hi. My name is Lisa McFarlane. I am mad about Guinea Pigs, a country girl, and the new Year 1 and 2 teacher at Cheviot Area School for the next 18 months.

I have come to Cheviot from West Melton School just south of Christchurch. I am a firm believer in play based learning having practiced it successfully at West Melton. It is my strong belief that children are born with an innate drive to learn and discover. As teachers I believe it to be our main responsibility to protect and grow this drive.

After many years of working in the field of interior design for a well known home décor company and a short period in an admin position, I chose to go to university with the support of my husband Sean, graduating with an arts degree and then a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary). I love being a teacher and helping children.

For the last 12 years or so I have been showing and breeding pedigree Rex Guinea Pigs and supporting others in the ethical keeping of these sweet wee animals. As a result I have been trying to breed the perfect Rex Guinea Pig. Until recently I was the Garden City Cavy Club's club representative on the national governing body for the cavy fancy in New Zealand, the New Zealand Cavy Council. To answer the question I have heard many times since I arrived in Cheviot: Yes, I will be having some Guinea Pigs at school and having the children help with their care.

I enjoy art and craft activities which feed my creative side. In particular I enjoy card making, painting and anything to do with a hot glue gun.

I am a proud army brat. Both of my parents served in the New Zealand Army with my father a 20 year career veteran and my mother was a nurse in the medical corps. As a result I have strong links to the RSA movement. In fact, I met my husband Sean at the RSA. He’s an army brat too. My family and friends are important to me and the cornerstone to my life. I enjoy every social occasion in their company and will do anything to support them in their endeavours.

Welll… I hope to meet and get to know as many of you as possible. I welcome input from children’s family and whānau. And ask that you stop by and say hello.

PS The attached photo is of my guinea pig called Yeti who just won best of breed for the rex breed at the (Mana) Wellington Cavy Club's Championship Show this past Saturday (16th Feb)