Year 1

This year, we welcome back all our previous students and give a big warm welcome to the new students starting at Sherwood Primary! We hope you had an enjoyable Summer break, despite the issues with the weather and we are all looking forward to working with you and your child to develop a love of learning, foster self-worth, and to encourage the children to build positive relationships.

We also look forward to meeting you during our school picnic on 9th February and hope that we can get to know you and your child better during this time and answer some of your questions. If you have any further questions, please message your class teacher via Seesaw.

This year, we have some exciting programmes to offer your child and opportunities for you to share in their learning, our first being the cultural shared lunch in Week 4. There will be more information about this shortly. We also have a series of visits from The Whitebait Connection, teaching us about the importance of keeping our waterways clean. The Ko Te Wai He Taonga (Water is a Treasure) programme is delivered by Whitebait Connection, funded by Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, and supported by Auckland Council Sustainable Schools.

Please meet our team for this year - Nicky Hall (Team Leader – Year 0 & 1), Sheila Brown, Karla Anderson, Magda Huysamen, Jess Underwood and Sam Rowe, our Learning Assistant.

I have been a teacher at Sherwood Primary School for thirteen years now and have seen many changes over the years. I have taught across all year groups, most recently as Team Leader in Year 4. Year 1 has always been my speciality though and that’s why I’m so excited to be returning.

I have a special interest in mathematics, technology and e-learning, and more recently Te Reo Māori. This year though, I will be focusing on integrating structured literacy (BSLA) with play-based learning.

I moved here from the UK when I was in my twenties and still have family members in the UK who I was lucky enough to visit last year. I live in Torbay and have two teenage children and a crazy labrador dog called Asha! So, if you see me out walking, give me a wave or stop for a chat.

I am a Kauri Year 1 teacher and have been teaching in New Zealand for 22 years. I have taught year 0, Year 1, Year 2 and Reading Recovery.

I live in Manly, Whangaparaoa with my husband and our crazy mixed-up kid of a rescue dog named Oupie.

I have a married daughter and son and four precious grandchildren, two boys and two girls.

I enjoy gardening, walking and playing golf.

I am looking forward to teaching your children this year.

Kia Ora,

I am a year 1 teacher in the Kauri Team and Lead Enviro schools teacher. I have been teaching for many years and am excited to learn alongside your child this year. I live locally with my husband and our three children. I enjoy travelling, playing tennis, gardening, walking, yoga and spending time with friends and family. I look forward to getting to know you and your child this year.

What a privilege it is to welcome you and your child to our school and my class. I have been teaching since 1987 in South Africa and since 1997 in New Zealand. I enjoyed teaching in all levels up to Year 12 but Year 0-1 has always been my passion with a big focus on play-based learning and perceptual-motor development. We share a vision of transitioning children from ECE to school through play in which our outdoor classroom plays a big part and forms an extension of the classroom.

Your input as parents is highly respected and valued. I believe that the two-way partnership between parents and schools supports your child’s learning. Your child’s well-being forms the centre of the classroom programme.

I look forward to teaching your child this year.

Kia ora e te whānau Kauri,

I am a year one kaiako (teacher) who loves languages, cultures, Māoritanga, and our beautiful world. I am a proud mum of three tamariki, and one cute ngeru (cat). My tamariki are 13, 11, and 8 years old.

In term one, you will see me either in my classroom taking small groups, or, in your tamariki class supporting our amazing Kauri team. In term two, I am looking forward to welcoming our new Year 0 tamariki and to celebrate learning as their kaiako.