Welcome to the Nikau Team! We hope you had an enjoyable summer break and were able to make the most of the good weather that we had.

We look forward to working with you and your children to develop a love of learning, foster

self-worth, and encourage the children to build positive relationships through our school values.

Year 4 Team

Mrs Cherie Wallbank - Nikau W

(Team Leader; Across School Lead: Complex Needs)

During my teaching career I have taught in both the junior and senior school. I have also run specialist programs such as Reading Recovery, Environmental Education, and The Perceptual Motor Programme.

I am especially interested in supporting students with complex needs and looking at ways in which to build children’s self-esteem. My interests are reading, gardening and swimming. I enjoy getting away in the weekends to our bach in Whitianga.

Ms Chris Boulden - Nikau W (2 days per week)

Kia Ora! Teaching is my dream job. Over the last 23 years, I have taught classes from year one to year six. In the middle of my career, I returned to university and completed a post-grad on teaching students with different needs including deaf and learnt some NZ sign language. From that point I became very interested in Dyslexia and have had success with helping students, who learn differently, to become competent readers. I was fortunate to spend 4 years teaching in Vietnam at the United Nations International School in Hanoi, returning in 2020. Since then I have worked part-time in most classes at Sherwood.

My family live on Great Barrier Island and I am a frequent visitor- even more so now I have a baby grandson. I love beach walking with my dog, reading, gardening and having coffee with friends.

Ms Delyth Cook - Nikau C

(Assessment for Learning Leader)

As many of you will have guessed from my name, I was born and brought up in Wales. I taught in Yorkshire for 20 years before moving to New Zealand when my daughters were small. Emily and Megan are adults now but they both have very fond memories of their time at Sherwood. I started working here not long after my daughters and I have been here ever since (18 years now)- no need for change when you find a job you love.

When I am not teaching I enjoy walking on Long Bay beach, reading and travelling.

Miss Hannah Kim - Nikau K

Kia ora! I was born in South Korea and moved to Aotearoa when I was two years old. I have lived in Aotearoa for most of my life and consider myself a Korean-Kiwi. As a student, I loved to come to Sherwood and gained beautiful memories. As a teacher, I am very excited to share my experience and knowledge with everyone.

I enjoy jigsaw puzzles, baking, and aerial yoga as a hobby. I also love to go to cafes and spend time with families and friends.

Mrs Alice Campbell - Learning Assistant/Librarian

I have been working at Sherwood for 15 years so I’m pretty much part of the furniture! My girls, who are adults now, enjoyed their time at Sherwood. I have two roles at Sherwood - one as a Learning Assistant and the other as the school Librarian, which makes my days both rewarding and gratifying. My interests are reading, walking, and adventures away with friends and family. When I’m not at school I love to be out on the water or up north at our bach.

Mrs Tanya Drake - Learning Assistant

Hi. I have been a member of staff at Sherwood for the last 7 years.

My own two children also attended the school so we have a long association with Sherwood Primary.

I, too, have two roles within the school as I am also a supervisor at Before and After School Care (BASC) so start and end my days there.

I have worked with the junior and senior children over my time at Sherwood and also spent 8 years working with the Under Two-Year-Olds in a local Preschool.

I really enjoy working with children of all ages and try to make learning fun and enjoyable.

When I am not working I love watching each of my children play whatever sport it is they are playing, enjoy going to the movies, socialising with friends and family and going on Car Club runs to all sorts of interesting places around the country.

In this issue

Team Dates To Note