Farewell and Welcome

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Mrs. Venter who has contributed so much to the Jireh community. So many children have been blessed to have her as their teacher as they have grown and developed academically, spiritually and in Christian Character. You will be missed Mrs. Venter.

It is my great delight to welcome as the Leader of Learning of the Wai team and Year 3 class teacher Mrs. Nicola Pallesen.

Kia Ora,

I am excited and blessed to be taking up the Leader of Learning role for the year 3/4 team in 2021. I was a teacher at Immanuel Christian School during 2014 and 2015 and it is great to be able to be back at the same place where I began in Christian education.

I grew up on a farm in Rotorua and completed my teaching degree in Hamilton at the University of Waikato. I have been a classroom teacher for 10+ years and have taught in Hamilton, London and Auckland. I became a Christian at the age of 13 and am so thankful for the hope we have in Christ. I love teaching and seeing children grow in their understanding of God’s word and who He has created them to be. I now live on the Te Atatu Peninsula with my husband Steve, and our super cute and cuddly kitten named Boaz.

Next year the teaching areas and teachers are as follows:

Manu Learning Area led by Mrs. Duxfield

Kereru               NE- Mrs. Duxfield

Piwakawaka     Yr. 1/2- Mrs. Watts

Kakapo             Yr. 1/2- Ms. Prasad

Wai Learning Area led by Mrs. Pallesen

Awa                  Yr. 3- Mrs. Pallesen

Roto                 Yr. 3/4- Mrs. Thomson

Moana              Yr.4- Ms. Rautenbach

Ika Learning Area led by Ms. Tato

Taraute             Yr. 5- Ms. Shilston

Morihana          Yr. 6 Ms. Tato

Tiwai Learning Area led by Ms. Morris

Nikau               Yr. 7/8- Mrs. Mackie

Kotukutuku       Yr. 7/8- Mrs. Stoffels

We warmly welcome two regular relievers to our team.

Peter McDonough will cover 2 days a week for teacher release time.

I am very much looking forward to joining the Jireh community next year. I originally trained as a Sheetmetal worker, before moving into management roles in manufacturing and focusing on engineering and woodworking. I have also done some self-employed manufacturing work. I later felt God calling me to a change of career and trained as a teacher, where I have worked at Hebron Christian College(now Elim) for 18 yrs as both a classroom teacher as well as a technology teacher. My wife, Rosemary, and I have two grown up children and attend Hills Church in Hillsborough.

Margaret Smilde will cover 1 day a week for teacher release time.

I am looking forward to being part of the teaching team at Jireh Christian School next year. I have taught Physical Education & Health, Geography and Social Studies since 2001 at Kelston Girls High School and at St Cuthberts College. My husband Pieter and I have two children who attend Jireh Christian School; Harry (Year 3) and Jessica (new entrant). I have enjoyed helping with PE classes and units at Jireh Christian School since Harry started in 2018 and I was privileged to help organize and plan the first Athletics Day for the school this year. As a family we attend services at Avondale Reformed Church.