Welcome / Nau mai
2024 is here, and we look forward to what the year has to offer us both within and beyond our learning spaces. We are working hard to develop the learning relationships and behaviours we need to ensure 2024 is a happy and successful time for us all.
It was wonderful to catch up with most of you at our ‘Meet the Teacher’ sessions before school started. We believe that these meetings were a valuable way for us to get to know you and your child, and gain an insight into how they best learn and their learning needs. If you were unavailable to meet with your child’s teachers, please arrange a time to see them as soon as is convenient. Click here to view our Meet the Teacher presentation.
About us: Our Year 7/8 team is made up of five teachers and approximately 130 students working within Innovative Learning Environments (ILEs). “Innovative learning environments are learner-focussed and emphasise valued learner outcomes. They encourage collaboration and inquiry, both for learners and teachers, and allow teachers to teach in the style that best suits the needs of diverse learners.” (http://ile.education.govt.nz/). We aim to provide the experiences and tools your child needs to achieve their full potential.
The 2024 Year 7/8 campus comprises two main spaces (H24, H25, and H28 forming one space, H26 and H27 forming the second) as well as “The Shed” mobile breakout space, surrounding a courtyard, which allows us to use both the indoor and outdoor environments effectively. The Year 7/8 teachers are Mr Dewald Immink (H24), Mr Dylan Williams (H25), Ms Lauren Ambags (H28/Learning Leader), Ms Mary Laing (H26), and Ms Sujatha Mahalingam (H27).
Mr Dewald Immink dewald.immink@hobsonville.school.nz
I'm a South African trained teacher with more than 20 years teaching experience in New Zealand. I have taught in both Primary and Intermediate schools across West Auckland. As part of my life long learning approach, I have done Professional Development in most areas of the curriculum. Recently I have successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice (Digital and Collaborative Learning) at Unitec. This achievement has helped me to critically reflect on my teaching and implementing modern and exciting digital learning across the curriculum. I believe a teacher is a living curriculum. What students see in a teacher will be remembered and often modelled by students, that is why I am committed to the education of the whole child: academically, physically as well as socially. I enjoy building solid relationships with my students and their families, and look forward to maintaining a positive classroom environment.
My strengths are ICT, literacy, PE and sports. In my spare time, I enjoy aerial photography, and some of my work is used by Tourist Agencies in New Zealand as promotional clips. My passion for the environment has also led to incorporating environmental projects into school life.
Mr Dylan Williams dylan.williams@hobsonville.school.nz
Kia Ora parents of Year 7/8! I am excited to continue to be a part of the Year 7/8 team this year. This will be my 5th year teaching at Hobsonville School, all of which have been in Year 7/8. I have a passion for sports and physical education, science, the beach and also going on adventures with my German Shepherd, Sheriff. I have a degree in sports, majoring in physical education and then received my postgraduate diploma in Teaching from AUT. This year, I am excited to continue as the Out of School Sports Coordinator, and look forward to continuing to coach our students across a range of sports. I am looking forward to continuing my teaching journey with an outstanding group of students, where I can challenge them and help them build resilience when faced with adversity. I am more than excited for the year ahead! - “Patua te whakama, nau mai te hapa - Feel the fear and do it anyway”.
Ms Lauren Ambags lauren.ambags@hobsonville.school.nz
Kia ora koutou! I joined the Year 7/8 team at Hobsonville School in 2021, and greatly look forward to another year in this space, moving now from co-leadership into sole leadership. My undergraduate degree was a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in English, so my love of literature does make itself apparent in my teaching. I also have a background in dance and was raised in the dance studios of SABA Young Ballet here in Auckland, studying RAD Ballet as well as NZAMD Contemporary and Jazz. I am thrilled to again be championing the Dance and Drama technology class this year. I set high expectations for myself, and, naturally, I set high expectations for my students too. My learning environments are centred around trust and agency. The student as an agent is not only capable of making decisions in their own learning but is expected to use and grow their intellectual and cultural capital, to challenge themselves! I support my students to explore their interests and to meet co-constructed goals.
Ms Mary Laing
mary.laing@hobsonville.school.nz
Kia ora! I am thrilled to join the Hobsonville School whanau and the Year 7/8 team for 2024. Some of you may already know me, as I was a student teacher in this area at the end of 2023.
I have a deep love and passion for music, having been trained as an Opera Singer since the age of 8. I am also part of a band that performs across New Zealand. In addition to my musical pursuits, I have a strong affinity for Science, English, and Classical History.
Being new to Auckland, I've enjoyed exploring the area with my two dogs, Lily and Tilly. I hold an honours degree in Music and a postgraduate degree in Teaching from Waikato. This year, I am excited to take over Music Technology classes, and introduce new and exciting topics. I hold both myself and my students to high expectations. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to know and understand my students to guide them towards reaching their full potential. My learning space and environment will revolve around trust, ensuring all students feel heard and appreciated. I am committed to fostering a sense of responsibility and agency, encouraging students to challenge themselves to do their best and be better. I am looking forward to meeting you all and starting my journey at Hobsonville School!
Ms Sujatha Mahalingam sujatha.mahalingam@hobsonville.school.nz -
Kia ora! Hailing from a multicultural country like Singapore, I am culturally responsive and have a good understanding of the uniqueness of a multicultural community. I have been a General Science and Biology teacher for 12 years, and am passionate about teaching science to young people. I firmly believe that a strong knowledge base in science will lay a good foundation for young people to pursue many fields of studies in future, and the opportunities are endless. My personal teaching philosophy is as follows: I believe that all children have unique attributes, which they bring into their own learning. As a teacher, it is my responsibility to set high expectations for my students, understand their individuality, and guide them to develop to their own full potential through diligence. I aim to provide a safe, stimulating environment with a science curriculum that integrates the students’ distinctive traits and will strive to make the content relevant to their daily lives. It is my personal aim to trigger the spark of curiosity in science in our young people and to help them realise their potential.
Communication with teachers: We encourage you to contact your child’s teacher/s if you have any queries, or concerns. You are most welcome to contact us by email, or via Seesaw at any time to arrange a suitable and convenient time to meet. You can also leave a message with the office staff if necessary. Our contact information is shared above.