Haere mai!

Nicole Hall - CRT Release Kaiako

Kia ora!

My name is Nicole Hall and I am joining the West Melton team 2 days a week as a CRT release teacher this term. This is wonderful as I will be in Manuka one day a week and Toetoe one day a week, which means I will get to know a lot of the students quite quickly! I grew up in the Hunter Valley region of Australia, and have lived all around the world. I spent 2 years in London, 3 years in Beijing and a whopping 7 years in Colombia, before moving here with my family in January last year. We are loving the change in lifestyle and are adding to our menagerie of animals so by the end of this year we will have sheep, cows, a horse, chickens, a cat and a dog - lucky we have a lot of love to give! I look forward to beginning my New Zealand teaching career at WMS.

Max Beech - Tōtara Kaiako

Tēnā koutou katoa  

Ko Aōraki tōku maunga  

Ko Waitaki tōku awa  

Ko Ngāi Tahu tōku iwi  

Nō Moeraki ahau

I tipu ake au i Tāmaki Makaurau

Kei Ōtautahi tōku kāinga ināianei  

Ko Max Beech tōku ingoa  

Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa 

Kia ora koutou,

My name is Max Beech. I grew up in a small town outside of Auckland named Patumāhoe (but I don’t identify as an Aucklander!). I moved to Christchurch in 2014 and recently finished studying at the University of Canterbury. Having had a teaching placement here in 2023, I am so excited to have the opportunity to return and begin my teaching journey here at the awesome West Melton School.

Outside of school I am a Canterbury and NZ level hockey umpire and umpire coach; I enjoy cooking, gardening, and visiting the theatre with my wife. We have two children, Adelaide and Leo, and a cat named Rolly. 

Harriet Duffield - Toetoe Kaiako

Kia ora koutou, 

My name is Harriet Duffield and I am the new kaiako in the Toetoe team. I am both honored and excited to be joining West Melton School and becoming a part of this welcoming and friendly community. With recently graduating from the University of Canterbury, I look forward to beginning my teaching career and building meaningful relationships with both whānau and ākonga. Before moving to Christchurch for university and to pursue my career, I grew up in Timaru with a large family - many of whom are teachers too. I am passionate about Art, New Zealand Sign Language and Digital Technology/Design. Outside of teaching, I love spending time with my whānau and friends and staying active. I’m eager to bring my enthusiasm and new ideas into the classroom as I begin this exciting new chapter.

Gemma Rowe - Mānuka Kaiako

Tena koutou, 

Ko Gemma Rowe toku ingoa. My name is Gemma Rowe and I am the new teacher in Mānuka. I have recently graduated from the University of Canterbury and am excited to be joining the team at West Melton School. I am eager to share my knowledge and learn alongside the ākonga. 

Outside of teaching, I am a huge fan of sports. I grew up participating in as many different sports as I could, but have stuck to playing netball and touch rugby. I also love going for a run around the neighbourhood or spending time with my family and friends, especially on camping trips. When I'm not enjoying the outdoors, you will catch me reading a good book or doing some mindful colouring. 

I am looking forward to being a part of this wonderful community where we can all learn, grow and inspire each other! 

Deborah-Jayne Solomon - Kōwhai Kaiako

Ko Uruao te waka

Ko Aoraki te mauka ariki

Ko Kāi Tahu, ko Waitaha, ko Kāti Mamoe, ko Raukawa ōku iwi

Ko Kāti Huirapa tōku hapū

Nō te whānau Horomona-Anaha ahau

Ko Deborah Solomon tōku ikoa

Kia ora e te whānau. 

My name is Deborah Solomon, Whaea Deb to the tamariki. I am one of the new kaiako in Kōwhai and am very excited to be a part of the community here at West Melton. I have come down from Tāmaki-Makaurau, where I have been teaching since 2012. I have moved down to strengthen my Southern roots as I become more involved with my marae and spend more time with my whānau. This year, as I teach, I will also complete my Masters in Māori and Indigenous Leadership through Canterbury. In my spare time, I like to spend time with friends and whānau while also exploring the takiwā I get to call home.

Liz Langford - Kōwhai Kaiako

Hello,  my name is Mrs Langford, I am teaching in Kōwhai East with Year 1 and Year 2 students.

I grew up on a sheep and cattle farm in Marlborough. Later I went to high school in South Australia and then Burnside High. I went to Canterbury University and studied History, Classics, Music, and Education graduating with a Bachelor of Education. Lately, I have completed a micro-credential in structured literacy at Canterbury University.

I am primary trained and have taught all the year group levels in Christchurch, Nelson, Auckland, and Reading/England.

In my own time, I love being with family,  gardening, creating quilts/patchwork, cross stitch, bullion, reading books, and watching movies.  It is nearly the time of year when I do lots of jars of preserving; apples, peaches, tomatoes whatever I can find. Next, I want to learn formal cake icing using fondant and chocolate.

I am looking forward to teaching at West Melton and getting to know this community better.

Amanda-Kate van der Jagt - Tī Kōuka Kaiako

Hello everyone,

My name is Amanda-Kate van der Jagt and I am the y1 classroom teacher in Tī Kōuka. 

I have recently moved to the South Island from Whanganui. 

I have a wide and varied teaching history beginning in Kindergarten, following on to primary and secondary education in science and maths.

I love camping, mountain biking, hiking and cooking, reading, singing and music.

I am very excited to be a part of the West Melton Community and look forward to getting to know you as the year progresses.