'The People' and 'Making Connections' - Whanaungatanga.

Introducing our Languages and Literacies Faculty

Vetekina Pekipaki - Head of Faculty, Teacher in Charge of Pasifika Studies and Lea Faka-Tonga

Mālō e lelei, my name is Vetekina Pekipaki and this is my eighth year teaching at Katikati College.

As the Head of Faculty for Languages and Literacies, my role involves leading a variety of curriculum areas, including Lea Faka-Tonga, Pasifika Studies, ESOL, Te Reo Māori, Te Ao Māori, and English.

I teach Pasifika Studies, Lea Faka-Tonga (Tongan Language), and Level one Lea Faka-Tonga online via the Kotui Ako programme.

I grew up in Katikati and attended both Katikati Primary School and Katikati College, so returning as a teacher feels like a full circle moment. I take pride in working at this school because of the support and manaakitanga shown by our principal and staff, not only for our students but for their families and our communities. I'm eager to give back to the community that nurtured me and prepared me for the wider world. Moreover, I'm passionate about supporting young learners in reaching their goals and aspirations. Family time is precious to me, and above all,

I strive to honour God in everything I do, knowing His guidance has shaped my journey. I am a member of the local Tongan Free Wesleyan Church and I spend a lot of my spare time engaging with Pasifika students and their families, preparing for various events held throughout the year. I'm excited to collaborate with a dedicated team of educators who share a common goal: the success and well-being of our students and their families.

Anneke by de Ley - Assistant Head of Faculty, Teacher In Charge of English, Year 13 Dean

Kia ora tātou,

My name is Anneke by de Ley and I am honoured to be teaching at Katikati College. As well as a teacher of English, I am Assistant HOF and year 13 Dean.

I have been privileged to grow up in and around this community and now I am bringing my own kids up here and I would like them to experience the same positive environment I have. There is something special about living in a close knit, rural community that makes me proud to be a teacher at Katikati College.

Through our pastoral care and curriculum development our department aims to provide students with the support and guidance so that they can achieve their goals and enjoy their learning experience as well as developing into well rounded young adults that demonstrate our school values of manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.

I look forward to what 2024 brings!

Aroha Koria - Teacher in Charge of Te Reo and Kapa Haka

E ngā mana, e ngā reo, rau rangatira mā, tēnā tātou katoa. Ko Mauao te maunga, ko Te Awanui te moana, ko Ngaiterangi, ko Ngāti Ranginui ngā iwi, Ko Whaea Aroha Koria tōku ingoa, nō reirā, tēnā koutou katoa. I am teaching Te Reo me Te Ao Māori me ōna tīkanga, tau 8-13. Alike my ancestors many generations before me we hail from the heart of Tauranga Moana ki Katikati and the far north mai rā anō, no Aotearoa ahau nā ngā waka katoa. I am also the teacher in charge of Te Reo Māori, Te Ao Māori and Kapa Haka. 

This is my 6th year teaching at KKC. My background experience started at Kohanga Reo in the South Island when I became a young māmā at 19. I also have Primary School experience as Kaiārahi Reo and Kaiāwhina and started my Primary Teaching journey. This led me back into Kohanga Reo here in Katikati then onward to complete my degree in PE and PT pathways.  At the end of my pathway with the Health and Social services auspice under Ngai Tamawhariua and Te Pirirākau Hauora. 

I have had the honour and great experiences of being employed with Te Wharekura o Mauao for almost 4 years wearing many hats and teaching in Hautipua (sports academy) before I returned home here to Katikati and KKC. My husband is from Te Tairāwhiti and we have 5 tamāriki and 3 mokopuna. I love helping people hence volunteering on many platforms for our community at Katikati Rugby Club as sports medic for the senior rugby team and now currently involved with Katikati Community Breakfast Club and soon with our newly established Community evacuation team. I also provide Box-fit classes at our local KatiFit gym free to members, non-members welcome. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.

Patrick McMahon - Specialist Classroom Teacher

Tēnā tātou katoa

Ko Cootharinga tōku maunga

Ko Ross tōku awa

Ko Tall ships tōku waka

Nō Australia ahau

Ko McMahon tōku whānau

Ko Patrick tōku ingoa

Greetings all

Cootharinga is my Mountain

Ross is my river

Tall ships is my waka

I am from Australia

My family name is McMahon

My name is Patrick

I teach English and am the Specialist Classroom Teacher at Katikati College. I moved to New Zealand in 2021 and have been teaching at Katikati College since June 2021. I also coach Ultimate Frisbee and organise the Chess Club. In my spare time I enjoy cooking and playing cards with my family.

Ian Nicholson - Deputy Principal (takes care of Languages and Literacies)

Kia ora tātou

I’m Ian Nicholson and I teach English as well as being the Deputy Principal of our senior students at Katikati College. I have been part of the college for 15 years. I have a passion for teaching literature as I believe it offers students a unique lens to help them understand the world around them. I take pride in being a part of this college that has an increasing number of ex-students on staff. It is fantastic to see them return to our community and inspire current students. Outside of work I enjoy reading and playing and watching sports. You’ll see me every Thursday morning downtown prior to college starting so feel free to come over for a chat. 

Ailine Vakasiuola

Malo e lelei,

My name is ‘Ailine Vakasiuola and I am a first-year teacher here at Katikati College. I was born and raised here in Katikati. After graduating with my Bachelor in Social Sciences from the University of Waikato, I decided to come back home and continue my studies at a more local tertiary institution - BTI. I am super excited to be on the KKC vaka this year and to hopefully create a purposeful and engaging learning journey for our fanau. My other passions include Pasifika culture, particularly Pasifika performance and will always try my best to incorporate this into my teaching. In my spare time I love to go on walks, do a bit of photography and hang out with my friends and family. I’m grateful to God for this opportunity and look forward to what 2024 has to offer. 

E-J Weller

Tēnā tātou katoa

Ko Tarawera te maunga

Ko Rerewhakaaitu te roto

Nō Ōmokoroa ahau

Ko Weller tōkū whānau

Ko E-J tōkū ingoa

Hi everyone, my name is E-J Weller. This is my fourth year teaching at Katikati College. I taught in the Social Science Faculty from 2014-2016 before leaving teaching to raise my sons. 2024 is my first year back at the school. I work in the Languages and Literacies Faculty as an English teacher, with both Junior and Senior classes. Previously I have been involved in Stage Challenge, and I am looking forward to getting involved with extracurricular and community activities again this year. Katikati College is a school that I am proud to be a part of, with staff who genuinely value manaakitanga and kaitiakitanga.

Helen Willacy - Teacher in Charge of English as Second Oral Language

Kia ora, Mālō e lelei, નમસ્તે, ਸਤ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ, Kamusta, ආයුබෝවන්

I have been teaching English Language and English at Katikati College for 7 years. I also have the privilege of being one of the form teachers in Whānau Pūmanawa, our kaupapa Māori form class and teaching Year 9 Pasifika Studies. I have lived in Katikati for 13 years after making the escape from Auckland with my husband Tam and three children. I grew up in Tauranga and missed the Bay of Plenty after 20 years away. It has been a great place to bring up our family and now we just have our youngest left at home. The older two are studying and working in Wellington. Away from school, I enjoy reading, tennis, singing, supporting football from the sidelines and volunteering for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex NZ.