Deputy Principal

My email lesleyb@devonport.school.nz

My roles

• Deputy Principal

• SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator)

• ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Coordinator

• Reading Recovery teacher

• Within-school leader of Maths (in collaboration with Andrew Robinson)

• School Choir Leader

My teaching philosophy

I believe education is a process of learning that continues throughout our lives, extending far beyond the boundaries of the classroom and conventional schooling. 

Student agency, curiosity, and a positive mindset are key ingredients for all learners. Developing respectful relationships within a nurturing, supportive and inclusive environment is essential to learning. Children need to feel safe to make mistakes and challenge themselves. Learning happens when we step out of our comfort zone and experience the feeling of not knowing and then have the confidence and skills to work with others to take risks and persevere to build understanding. 

The role of the teacher is to encourage, guide, motivate and monitor the learning of the child; to promote curiosity about the world in which we live, and the skills necessary not just to survive, but to flourish.

My experience/qualifications

I have had a varied teaching career working in state and independent schools in both New Zealand and overseas, and have taught across Years 0-6. In the first 20 years of my teaching career, I worked in Manurewa and Howick. From 2001 – 2006, I lived overseas and worked at international schools in Jakarta and Amsterdam, making the most of school holidays and the ease of travel when living in these parts of the world. Upon returning to NZ in 2007, I worked in a private girls school in Auckland. 

I started at DPS in 2014. As Deputy Principal, my responsibilities are extensive and involve curriculum leadership, supporting and leading the teaching and learning of students across the school, assisting with student and staff wellbeing, transition to school and class placements and supporting the Principal in the day to day running of the school. 

Special educational needs at DPS

In my SENCO role, I oversee the wellbeing and learning of students. This involves liaising with parents, teachers, and support agencies to ensure that students with additional needs have the learning programmes and support they need to achieve at school.

Special educational interests

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• The Arts - music and visual art

About me

I enjoy spending time outdoors and enjoy tramping and biking the magnificent tracks and trails we have here in NZ. I love being on or near the water and my summer holidays are spent with family and friends enjoying the beautiful beaches in Northland.