Term 2

We have a few staff changes to share with you this term.

Trish Cherry is leaving us to take up the Deputy Principal position at Epuni School. Trish has been a part of our kura for the last six years and on the leadership team for 4 of those years. She has been an incredible Kākano team leader, welcoming our new families with such warmth and kindness. During Term 1, Trish was the acting Assistant Principal, she did an excellent job. Further leadership has long been a goal for Trish and I'm sure you will join me in wishing her the very best at Epuni School.

Julia Dal Vesco has resigned from her role as Librarian here at Maungaraki. Julia will be taking time to focus on her studies as she completes the final section of her teaching diploma. Julia was a huge factor in the ongoing success of our library over the past 4 years here at Maungaraki. She has been instrumental in providing a caring and book loving environment for our tamariki. Julia also led the librarian groups and the lit quiz teams. The set up of our new library can be largely put down to Julia, her work behind the scenes was mammoth. Julia will continue her work supporting students here at school until the end of 2023.

We are excited to share that we also have two staff that will be heading away on Maternity leave in Term 4 of 2023. Stephanie Baylis, our amazing Room 7 classroom teacher, is expecting her arrival in October. Mandy Viles, who runs our tūmeke Te Ao Māori enrichment programme in the Library is also due in October. We can't wait to meet the new members of the whānau.

We have appointed Adam Murfitt to the position of Kākano team leader. Adam is an experienced teacher who has been teaching at an International School in Switzerland for the last 17 years. He moved back to New Zealand last year and was involved with Maungaraki School on a weekly basis teaching across the school. He is passionate about inquiry learning, teaching juniors and connecting with whānau.

We have also appointed Brydie Wolfe to cover Maternity leave in the Kākano team. Brydie is a passionate teacher who joins us after 6 years teaching at Churton Park. Brydie will be taking a lead role in the development of our Library / Community programmes and shares a love for inquiry learning. 

We have employed two new members to join our support staff team. Julie Wilson is an experienced Teacher Aide of 10 years who has recently moved to Petone. Julie is currently working towards finishing her teaching diploma and will be with us until the end of Term 3. To assist Brydie in the Library space we have also appointed Shona Morris to our support staff team. Shona is already a part of our wider Maungaraki whānau and has been a teacher in a previous life. We look forward to welcoming our new staff into the school.

Shane Robinson