Our People - 2026
The Kaiako at Tai Tapu School are dedicated to making a difference to tamariki everyday.
Principal :
Amanda Clarkson
Senior Leadership Team
Helen Schulte - Deputy Principal, SENCO: helen.schulte@taitapu.school.nz
Deb Whelan - Team Leader Year 1-3: deborah.whelan@taitapu.school.nz
Kim Widdowson- Team Leader Year 4-8:
Learning Hub Teams
Koru 1 - Year 1
Catherine Kane - New Entrant Teacher / Transition to School Community Engagement
Koru 2 - Year 1
Hannah Booth - Year 1 Teacher
hannah.booth@taitapu.school.nz
Koru 3 - Year 2
Kate Chapman _ Year 2 Teacher
kate.chapman@taitapu.school.nz
Porowhita - Year 2/3
Deb Whelan - Year 2/3 teacher, Team Leader Year 1-3
Laura Campbell - Year 2/3 Teacher
Pikorua - Year 4/5
Ailsa Mackie Year 4 Teacher
Brendan Leslie - Year 4/5 teacher, Kapa Haka / Enviro Leader
Lisa Mason - Year 4/5 teacher, Sports Lead
Koropepe - Year 6/7
Kirsty Pratt - Year 6-7 Teacher
Jemma Hooykaas - Year 6/7 Teacher - Mon, Tues & Fri
Lindsay Thoroughgood - Year 6/7 Teacher - Wed & Thurs
lindsay.thoroughgood@taitapu.school.nz
Year 8
Kim Widdowson - Year 8 Teacher, Team Leader Year 4-8/ Curriculum Lead
Sophia Fenwick - Year 8 Teacher /CRT Release/Library
Mathematics and Literacy Specialist Teacher
Lisa Seeley - lisa.seeley@taitapu.school.nz
CRT Release Teacher
Megan Baker - New Entrant teacher/CRT
Specialist Teachers/Tutors
Music Programme Co-ordinator
Liam Crawford - Ōtautahi Contemporary School of MusicKapa Haka Tutor- Steve Hira
Support Staff
Principal PA/Payroll/Office: Kathryn Fairbrass general@taitapu.school.nz and kathryn.fairbrass@taitapu.school.nz
Accounts: Denise Keno accounts@taitapu.school.nz and denise.keno@taitapu.school.nz
Learning Assistants
Vicky Langdale-Hunt
Jaynie Coulter
Jess Dekker
Emma Van Kekem
School Buses: Helen Schulte