After a somewhat drawn out appointment process due to Covid, the panel has selected, and is excited about, the new staff who will join us in 2022.

With Viv Familton leaving us at the end of this term to head to Blenheim and Rachel Nally taking maternity leave for 2022, we had two staffing vacancies and big shoes to fill.

Thankfully we had a healthy number and a strong candidate base to select from. Being spoilt for choice has allowed us to make a number of changes to the way things will look next year.

We welcome the new appointments to the team in the following learning spaces;

Mr Cameron Russell will teach in the Year 5/6 class and take on some of Viv's roles. He is a local Christchurch teacher and is looking forward to getting to know everyone in our school community. He will be collaborating with Allana Taylor, who will move away from a single classroom situation and into the Year 5/6 level.

Mr Nathan Milburn is completing his teacher training in Nelson and is looking forward to joining us as a Year 7/8 teacher. He has a great passion for writing, so will no doubt spark some great publications from our seniors. He will be joining Bobbie Jo Pringle, who is taking on a change of level and following her students into the senior school. 

Next, we have Ms Lucy Lowery, who hails from Leeston and is currently teaching in Waimate. She will teach in the Year 1 and 2 class in Heaphy. She is keen to back to her country roots and our small country space will suit her well. She will be working with both Bev Carter and Janey Squire, as Bev reduces her teaching load to 3 days a week from next year.

Now those of you who know our school pretty well, will realise we have some people missing.

Wendy Hamlin, our Deputy Principal, will step away from class responsibility and take on wider school roles, including mentoring our new teachers.

Sophie James will team up with Rochelle Hiddlestone in the Year 3/4 class in the revamped Milford space. Which leaves Karen Stanford as the single class in 2022 with NE/Year 1 students. Our part-time staff; Karina Robinson and Louise Thompson will continue with release and relief work.

We are excited about the changes ahead and the contributions the new staff will make to our team. 

I am hoping to have the new staff visit the school before the end of the year, so that other staff and students get a chance to meet them before we begin next year. It will be great for you to connect with them and your child's new teachers when the opportunity arises or at the goal setting meetings on the first day next year; Wednesday 2 February 2022.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Ka kite anō au i a koutou

Dianne