Jaimee Mercer

I was born and raised in sunny Whakatū before moving to Ōtautahi in 2021 to study a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) at the University of Canterbury. I am passionate about the outdoors and love exploring new places around Canterbury. When not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my friends and whānau, adventuring and exploring the great outdoors. I am very excited about starting my teaching career at Lemonwood Grove School! 

Kirstie Holbutt

Kirstie grew up in England before moving to Auckland in 2009. She is now relocating to the beautiful Ōtautahi to be closer to family. Whānau relationships play an essential role in her life, and she places value on solid relationships and well-being. Kirstie graduated in 2014 and has taught a range of year levels since then. She is passionate about teaching literacy and ensuring successful outcomes for all ākonga. When she is not in the classroom, Kirstie spends quality time with her husband, Tom and two children, Grace and Oliver. She enjoys baking, outdoor adventures, and spending time with friends and family. Kirstie is looking forward to beginning her journey at Te Uru Tarata | Lemonwood Grove School.

Nenagh Mackie

Born and raised on a lifestyle block on the outskirts of Christchurch, it was a logical choice for Nenagh to study at Lincoln University, where she chose Commerce as her major. It was through her part-time job as an after-school care Programme Facilitator, however, that Nenagh developed a love for working with children. She then completed a Master of Teaching and Learning at the University of Canterbury before spending the last 2 years teaching in a NE-YR 2 class at Loburn School, extending her skills and taking on new challenges and learning opportunities. In her spare time, Nenagh enjoys hiking, going to the gym and spending time with friends and family.

Emily Earwaker

Emily grew up in Dairy Flat, 30 minutes north of Auckland. She moved to Christchurch in 2019 to study at the University of Canterbury, achieving a Bachelor of Communications. She discovered her passion for teaching and decided to go for it, completing a Masters of Teaching and Learning. Emily enjoys being physically active. She has a passion for sport, especially hockey, having played most of her life. She also enjoys going for walks to explore New Zealand’s natural landscapes. Emily’s other hobbies include reading and baking. She loves to inspire and motivate students to reach their full potential and to develop skills to become competent 21st century learners. Emily is excited to continue her teaching career at Lemonwood.

Brian Healy

Brian, originally from county Kerry in Ireland, moved to New Zealand with his wife and two young children. In pursuit of a career shift to teaching, he completed his graduation from the University of Canterbury in 2023. He now resides in Rolleston. His interests include a huge variety of sports and the great outdoors. He describes Aotearoa as the most picturesque country in the world, especially the south island. He is hugely excited to see the new developments planned for the school and to be part of the expanding Lemonwood Grove team.

Meghan Davies

Meghan grew up in Ōtautahi and has lived here her whole life. She built with her fiancé in Selwyn in 2021. When not at school, you will find Meghan out running, walking, waterskiing, snow skiing and spending time with her whānau and friends. Meghan graduated in 2023 from the University of Canterbury. She is passionate about learning and looks forward to getting to know the ākonga in her class and their whānau. Meghan is excited about beginning her teaching career at Lemonwood Grove.

Nelia McDowall

Nelia grew up in Dunedin and has recently completed her studies at the University of Otago in 2023. She has specialised in tap dancing from a young age, alongside training in various dance areas such as ballet, jazz, contemporary and aerobics. She channelled her passion for dance into mentoring younger dancers at her local Dunedin studio. Beyond her dedication to the art of dance, Nelia finds fulfilment in activities such as running, spending quality time with family and swimming at the beach. Nelia is very excited to become part of the Lemonwood Grove School whānau and can not wait for the opportunity to see her students learn, grow and succeed. 

Rachel McDougall

Rachel was born in Nelson but now calls Christchurch home. She spent most of her teenage years growing up in Lincoln and then moved to Rolleston with her whānau. Selwyn has always been special to her, so she moved back to Lincoln with her husband, Jori, and dog Remi in January 2023. She studied for a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning at the University of Canterbury, graduating in 2016. Since then, Rachel has worked at various schools across Christchurch. She is passionate about creating a caring, inclusive and fun learning environment and building positive relationships with her students and their whānau. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and drawing. She is so excited to be joining the team at LWG and can’t wait to meet everyone. 

Isabella (Bella) O’Keefe

Bella grew up in beautiful Ōtautahi over in South New Brighton and completed all her schooling here. After high school, she was lucky enough to live in Santiago, Chile and was able to learn Spanish. Once back in Aotearoa, she began her Bachelor of Teaching and Learning at The University of Canterbury and is due to graduate in December 2023. Bella spends her spare time with her friends and whānau, getting out in nature exploring the walking tracks around the country and trying her hand at new recipes in the kitchen. Bella is very passionate about learning languages and giving everything a go. She feels extremely excited and privileged to be joining the incredible Lemonwood Grove community, and can’t wait to build meaningful relationships with all ākonga. 

James Keen

James grew up in Christchurch and is very proud to still call the Garden City my home. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Canterbury before studying for a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning. James was very fortunate to spend the first five years of his teaching career in Rarotonga. This was a truly valuable experience as he got to know the rich and diverse culture of the Cook Islands. James returned to NZ in 2019 and has been teaching at Lincoln Primary for the past five years. One of the areas James values the most about teaching is the opportunity to form positive relationships with a wide variety of learners. He enjoys teaching many areas of the curriculum, particularly Maths, Social Sciences and Physical Education/Sport. James strives to promote personal responsibility and foster an independent learning environment. At home, James is the father of two very active boys, plus their german shepherd, Chase. He enjoys playing softball, lawn bowls, coaching junior rugby and exploring the great outdoors.

JR Hovell

Having spent 8 years working in radio, JR handed in his mic at the end of 2020 to begin his new life as a teacher. He is no stranger to LWG as he relieved throughout the school in 2022 before officially becoming part of the team a year later as a release teacher. He loves getting to know all the kids at LWG as he believes that everyone has a unique gift that the world needs to see. When he is not teaching he spends time with his partner and watches sports.

Kaleb De Groot Green

Kaleb is from Dunedin and has recently completed his studies at the University of Otago, graduating with a Bachelor of Teaching in 2023. Kaleb is passionate about developing positive relationships with all ākonga and their whānau. An interest Kaleb has outside of school is soccer (football) in which he has represented Samoa at both the U-23 level and National level during 2023. Kaleb is looking forward to meeting everyone that makes up the Lemonwood Grove community and beginning this new chapter in 2023.

Haley Grimes

Haley was born and raised in Christchurch. She studied a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) at the University of Canterbury, graduating in 2023. Haley loves skiing, travelling, sports, cooking, spending time with family and friends, as well as keeping active. She played netball for 10 years then advanced into coaching, which developed her passion for teaching. Haley is very excited about starting her teaching career at Lemonwood Grove School in 2024 and getting to know all students, their families, and the school community. 

Will Drury

Will grew up in Canterbury, completing his Bachelor of Teaching and Learning at the University of Canterbury midway through 2023. Throughout terms 3 and 4 he has enjoyed relieving at a variety of schools within the Canterbury region. In his spare time, he enjoys playing and watching sports, especially football, cricket and rugby. Will is enthusiastic about getting students into sports. Will also enjoys building meaningful relationships with ākonga and hapori as a supportive, understanding and trusting environment enhances learning and well-being for all involved. He is excited to meet you all in 2024!