Staff
Tiffany Ottley, Principal
Qualifications:
Teaching Experience:
Profile Statement:
Tiffany believes teaching is more than academic; it is about encouraging children to develop core values of responsibility, respect, and resilience. She is passionate about supporting our young people as they develop their sense of self andrealise their ambitions.
Personal Teaching Philosophy:
We let our children know that as teachers, we are here to teach them and help them learn, but we are also here to listen and learn where to have come from and where they want to go.
- Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (BtchLn), University of Canterbury 2000
- 15 years teaching experience NE- Year 11
- Pastoral Care Leader Years 7-8
- 4 years Teaching experience in Special Education in London and New Zealand
Profile Statement:
Tiffany believes teaching is more than academic; it is about encouraging children to develop core values of responsibility, respect, and resilience. She is passionate about supporting our young people as they develop their sense of self and
Personal Teaching Philosophy:
We let our children know that as teachers, we are here to teach them and help them learn, but we are also here to listen and learn where to have come from and where they want to go.
Alice Shanks, Teacher, Ruru Room, Years 0-2
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Canterbury 2002
- Graduate Diploma of Teaching, New Zealand Graduate School of Education 2012
Teaching Experience:
Profile Statement:
Alice has been with us for 3 years. She strives to provide her children with an inspiring learning environment and guides them to personal growth.
Personal Teaching Philosophy:
I believe in building engagement through strong relationships with students. By understanding their interests, strengths, and backgrounds, learning can be made relevant, exciting and accessible to all children. A safe learning environment is one that values fun, creativity, risk-taking and mistake making.
- 1 Year at Lyttelton Primary School
- 3 Years Waituna Creek
Profile Statement:
Alice has been with us for 3 years. She strives to provide her children with an inspiring learning environment and guides them to personal growth.
Personal Teaching Philosophy:
I believe in building engagement through strong relationships with students. By understanding their interests, strengths, and backgrounds, learning can be made relevant, exciting and accessible to all children. A safe learning environment is one that values fun, creativity, risk-taking and mistake making.
Jane Medlicott, Teacher, Kereru Room, Years 5-8
Qualifications:
Teaching Experience:
Profile Statement:
Jane is in her first year teaching with us. She has developed a strong curriculum understanding and classroom management. The children have grown in knowledge and personal development with Jane's guidance.
Personal Teaching Philosophy:
To increase student engagement lesson should be inspiring, creative, imaginative and the motivation to pursue self-initiated learning in students through making learning fun and meaningful.
- Bachelor of Teaching, University of Otago 2015
- 2 years teaching
Jane is in her first year teaching with us. She has developed a strong curriculum understanding and classroom management. The children have grown in knowledge and personal development with Jane's guidance.
Personal Teaching Philosophy:
To increase student engagement lesson should be inspiring, creative, imaginative and the motivation to pursue self-initiated learning in students through making learning fun and meaningful.
Jane Simonsen, Teacher, Piwakawaka Room, Years 2-4
Qualifications:
Teaching Experience:
Personal Teaching Philosophy:
I am a high performing educator who expects and wants to go the extra mile for the students. Teaching is not just a job to me; it is a very rewarding career that enables me to keep learning, while inspiring others and making a real difference in many students’ lives. I have a positive attitude and I am willing to change and be responsive to individual needs. I willingly adopt new methods to enhance the classroom experience and adapt to the student, staff and community needs. Encouraging students to strive to excel and be better than before is the most exciting part of teaching. Effort is everything to me. I expect to work hard and I expect to have fun.
- Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Education and Women’s Studies, University of Auckland, 2001)
- Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary), New Zealand Graduate School of Education, Christchurch, 2006.
- Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership, University of Auckland 2017
- Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Practice (Digital and Collaborative Learning), Unitec, 2019
Teaching Experience:
- 13 years of teaching at all levels in both large city, and small country schools
Personal Teaching Philosophy:
I am a high performing educator who expects and wants to go the extra mile for the students. Teaching is not just a job to me; it is a very rewarding career that enables me to keep learning, while inspiring others and making a real difference in many students’ lives. I have a positive attitude and I am willing to change and be responsive to individual needs. I willingly adopt new methods to enhance the classroom experience and adapt to the student, staff and community needs. Encouraging students to strive to excel and be better than before is the most exciting part of teaching. Effort is everything to me. I expect to work hard and I expect to have fun.
Nicky Caird, Office Administrator
Waituna is a wonderful little community and it is a delight to be a part of that through the school. My husband and I have two young boys, so when I am not in the office I am busy spending time with them.
Sarah Wilson, Teachers Aide
Tiffany Ottley
Alice Shanks
Jane Medlicott
Nicky Caird