School Structure 2022

We have been busy working on the school structure for 2022. Next year we will keep the same school structure at Maungaraki School. We have worked hard to minimise classroom movement with most teachers remaining at the same level. 

We are sad to be losing three of our team this year with Chris, Cheryl and Lititia all moving on at the end of 2022. We will welcome four new teachers to Maungaraki School in 2022, two in the Tipu team and two in the Fern team. More information can be found about Jenna, Hayley, Sam and Jo below.

Kākano Team - Year 1&2 - Key Information

This team will be led by Trish Cherry once again in 2022. All of the team have taught at Maungaraki School in 2021 with most teaching in this area of the school. This will provide stability and consistency for our youngest learners.

We will begin the year with four classrooms. Two year 1 classrooms, and two year 2 classrooms. We will have an intake of Year 1 students in the middle of term 1 which will begin our 5th junior classroom. This class will be our youngest students and the numbers will grow during the first half of the year as new students join us. Once these classrooms are full a new classroom opens up in approximately July 2022.

Tipu Syndicate - Year 3&4 - Key Information

This team will be led by our Deputy Principal Caro Wills in 2022. Nicola Prichard and Valerie Archer taught in the Tipu team in 2021, they will take the lead in maintaining the Tipu culture and events planning. Jenna and Hayley join the team as first year teachers. They have both experienced success in their training while teaching at this level and bring excellent skills to our school.

We will have four classrooms in Tipu made up of Year 3 and 4 students.

Koru Syndicate - Year 5&6 - Key Information

This team will be led by Hazel Andis once again in 2022. The team have all been teaching in the Koru team at Maungaraki School in 2021 which provides excellent consistency..

We will have three classrooms in Koru made up of Year 5 and 6 students.

Fern Syndicate - Year 7&8 - Key Information

This team will be led by Ben Young once again in 2022. The Fern team will be welcoming Sam Blandford and Jo Fox in 2022. Both Sam and Jo are experienced senior student teachers who bring skills in the areas of STEM and Sports.

There will be three classrooms in the Fern syndicate made up of Year 7 & 8 students.

We are also extremely lucky to have a group of wonderfully talented people working alongside us through a range programmes and release roles. These people include:

Moira Hooper
Sarah Cappleman
Alle Pollard-Smith
Mandy Viles
Jayne Chatfield
Tania Tyrer

These staff members will play key roles in supporting 2022 projects and initiatives to take shape here at Maungaraki School. Currently we are looking at major school programmes in 2022, these are not limited to but do include the following areas:

• Support and Gifted & Talented Programmes

• Student Leadership Programmes

• Literacy Development

• Technology Centre

• Sustainability

• Te Ao Maori and Cultural Leadership

• Sports Leadership

In 2022 we will also have the expertise of our two Deputy Principals, Caro Wills and Darian Schulz. They each have their own areas of focus around the school.

As mentioned we are welcoming four new teaching staff next year. These people all bring their own skills and talents that we believe will fit the special culture you create here at Maungaraki School.

Appointments

Sam Blandford

Sam comes to Maungaraki with 7 years teaching experience. He has worked at Pinehaven School and Trentham School in Upper Hutt holding leadership roles at Pinehaven School. Sam has a passion for sports and the outdoors, he was in charge of running sports programmes within the Upper Hutt cluster. Sam will be teaching in the Year 7 & 8 (Fern) area of the school.

Jo Fox

Jo is an experienced Year 7 & 8 classroom teacher. She has been teaching at Muratai School in 2021 and was at Wellesley College prior to that. Jo brings passion and skills in the area of science and technology. She led the Wellesley College STEM programme for a number of years and has a track record of proven practice at the Year 7 & 8 level. Jo will be teaching in the Year 7 & 8 (Fern) area of the school

Hayley Saxton

Hayley is a beginning teacher who was on Section in the Tipu team in 2020. She has recently completed her study after successfully running a family business for the last 15 years. Hayley has a passion for teaching and loved her previous time working alongside Room 15.

Hayley will be teaching in the Year 3 & 4 (Tipu) area of the school

Jenna Reddy

Jenna is a beginning teacher who has just completed her study in Otago. Her studies included a Bachelor of Physical Education and a Bachelor of Science majoring in clothing and textiles. Jenna is a passionate sports enthusiast who also loves exploring how clothing and textiles can enhance performance.

Jenna will be teaching in the Year 3 & 4 (Tipu) area of the school.

Class Placements

We are really excited to share more of what 2022 holds with you in the near future. As always if you have any questions about the school structure please do contact Caro, Darian or myself if you want to talk through anything or have a question.

In addition to this we are currently in the midst of looking at class placements for 2022. Staff look at a wide range of factors to make classrooms lists that best suit the learning and social needs of all children. If you do have something additional that you would like to be taken into consideration as we look at these lists please contact me before Friday 19 November at principal@maungaraki.school.nz or alternatively give the office a call and they can make a time for us to chat.

As always, if you have any questions about this please contact me.