Takutai - New Entrant, Year 1&2 

Michelle is one of our key reception class teachers.  She provides a warm and safe welcome for our newest learners and has the specific skills needed to ensure a smooth start to formal learning for all children in her care.  Michelle works closely with the Early Learning Centres who contribute to our kura, and ensures a positve transition into our school for families and ākonga.

Email: mreece@stclair.school.nz 

Sally has joined the Takutai team, having been our PE specialist teacher for many years, and teaching with Ngaru in 2022.  Sally's calm, patient manner with children brings out the best in their learning, and she is excited to return to the junior school after being in the Takutai-iti team in term 4 in 2021.

Email:  smarett@stclair.school.nz

Aneka provides a warm welcome for our youngest learners.  Her strong background in preschool and new entrant education ensures that key literacy and numeracy skills are acquired smoothly.  Aneka enjoys sharing the excitement of starting school with children and their whānau

Email: athomsonl@stclair.school.nz

Mrs Tep has been a valued member of our teaching team since 2012.  She provides a warm and safe environment for our learners and takes pride in building positive relationships with students and their whānau.  Mrs Tep particularly enjoys sharing her passion for te reo Māori with students and staff.

Email: step@stclair.school.nz

Rachel joined our teaching team in 2007. She has a particular interest and strength in teaching mathematics. Rachel has taught in several schools and has worked as a numeracy facilitator for the Dunedin College of Education, presenting nationally and internationally in this area.  She is passionate about collaborative teaching and brings strengths with this into her practice.   She has recently completed two years training as a reading recovery teacher, and has led the year 1-2 team since 2021.

Email: rfrench@stclair.school.nz

Mrs Hammond joined us in 2018 after spending many years in education, including time as an RTLB.  Mrs Hammond is an excellent teacher of literacy, having trained in reading recovery.  She also is passionate about teaching mathematics, and has led this area in previous schools.  Mrs Hammond is a bubbly, positive, and motivated teacher who builds strong positive relationships with her students.

Email: thammond@stclair.school.nz

Tom is an experienced teacher who joined the Takutai-nui team in 2020. He is a strong driver of learner agency and this is evident in the way he supports akonga to lead their own learning. Tom has passion for learning through play, which he keenly shares with the team and other kaiako. In addition to teaching in Rūma Waru, Tom helps to coordinate sports at St Clair School.

Email:  trenwick@stclair.school.nz

Becky's creative flair and love of literacy is a real asset for our school.  Becky is a very experienced junior school teacher, and recently completed two years training and teaching of reading recovery.  Becky has real strengths in dance and a passion to meet the needs of all children in her care.

Email: rtamblyn@stclair.school.nz 

Sonya will teach in room 4 one day a fortnight, to release Michelle.  Sonya is a very experienced teacher who has working in our kura for many years as a reliever and part time teacher.  Sonya's calm and positive nature ensures she is a favourite with the children. 

Email: smenzies@stclair.school.nz 

Alison Caldwell works with all classes once a week providing a specialised music programme.  She is an enthusiastic and capable teacher, and is a highly skilled music specialist.  She has an enthusiasm for her work which sees children achieving high standards within a varied and stimulating music programme.  Ali also coordinates our school marimba, choir, rock band and guitar groups.

Alison is also assisting with our communication regarding Covid-19

Email: acaldwell@stclair.school.nz