Year 6 Teacher

My email kayb@devonport.school.nz

My role

• Year 6 teacher

My teaching philosophy

My teaching approach is centred on providing meaningful, engaging, and appropriately challenging learning experiences that cater to diverse needs, empowering students to reach their unique potential. I believe it is essential to equip students with lifelong skills - encouraging them to take agency as learners, embrace challenges, make discoveries, think critically and express creativity. This approach nurtures self-efficacy, responsibility and resilience while promoting communication, self-management and self-regulating skills, alongside values such as empathy, perseverance and resilience. To achieve this, I strive to create a secure, stimulating classroom environment where authentic, respectful relationships between students, teachers, parents and the wider community are at the heart of learning. By fostering a sense of belonging, trust, and respect, every child has the opportunity to grow emotionally, intellectually and socially.

My experience/qualifications

I completed my Post-Graduate Certificate in Education with specialisms in Upper Primary and Mathematics from Leeds University in 2002, following a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History at Newcastle University. Throughout my 22-year career, I have had the privilege of teaching students across Years 1-6 in independent, international and state schools in various countries, namely England, Scotland, Hong Kong, and New Zealand, and across different curricula, including the UK National Curriculum, the Primary Years Programme, and the New Zealand Curriculum. 

Additionally, I hold a Master's in Psychology from Northumbria University and have spent the past two years studying for a Master's in Educational and Developmental Psychology at Massey University, which has enriched my teaching practice and deepened my understanding of student development. I am delighted to have joined the fantastic teaching team at Devonport Primary this year.

My special educational interests

• Educational and Developmental Psychology

• Wellbeing

• Critical Thinking and Cognitive Development

About me

I was born and raised in the vibrant city of Hong Kong, where I spent my primary school years before moving to the beautiful, historic city of York in England to attend secondary school. After completing my university studies in Newcastle upon Tyne, I spent some time travelling overseas - an experience that sparked and continued my love for exploring new places and cultures. After that, I moved to Leeds, where I qualified as a teacher, and then to Edinburgh, Scotland, for three years before returning to Hong Kong. 

It was during my time in Hong Kong that I married my Kiwi partner. Hong Kong became home for us for 15 wonderful years, and it was there that we had our three fabulous children, all of whom have attended or currently attend Devonport Primary. In 2021, we made the exciting move to Devonport, which has been an incredible place to call home.

Outside of school, you’ll often find me walking around Devonport, enjoying its beautiful surroundings, or cheering my children on from the sidelines of a North Shore sports pitch. One dream I hope to fulfil in the future is to buy round-the-world tickets for our whole family, allowing us to embark on an extended journey and share in some wonderful cultural experiences together.