Our People
Staff of 2022
Hannah
Principal
Tena koutou katoa
I have the great privilege of leading learning here at Kaikōura Primary School. I am passionate about ensuring high expectations for all our learners and maintaining our caring and inclusive school culture, where everyone belongs. On a personal note, I live on a dairy farm with my husband and our five children and I really enjoy helping out on the farm in my spare time.
Deb
Office Manager
My family and I moved to beautiful Kaikōura 18 years ago. I have worked for Kaikōura Primary School for nearly 14 years. Our family has a strong association with KPS – both our children attended and my husband was board chair for 5 years. I feel very privileged to work at KPS, where everyone is valued and included. When I’m not at school I like reading, gardening, the outdoors, and spending time with our adult children and new grandbaby.
Jacqui
Pohutukawa Teacher
Kia ora.
I am one of the Pohutukawa teachers for Kaikōura Primary School where I teach Year 2 children. I enjoy art and craft activities so you can guarantee there’s always something creative going on in our classroom. I love the friendly atmosphere of Kaikōura Primary and the strong sense of community within the school – in fact, I absolutely love my job! Outside of school, I like to go cycling and tramping, and I also have a passion for animals, birds, and the natural world.
Kelly
Pohutukawa Teacher
Kia ora koutou!
My name is Kelly and I have the pleasure of working with all the fantastic tamariki in Pohutukawa. I am a newly qualified teacher and have a background in Speech and Language Therapy so I am passionate about oral language, reading and early literacy.
My family roots lie here in Kaikoura and after living and studying in different parts of the world my husband and I now have the privilege of raising our own children in this beautiful part of Aotearoa.
Ngā mihi nui
Karen
Harakeke Teacher/Assistant Principal
I believe teaching and learning are things we all do every day of our lives. As a teacher it is my privilege to find teachable moments where I can use the children’s passion to build their knowledge and confidence.
We have a busy family, our children are almost all grown-up and we have 2 precious granddaughters. I love animals and have horses and dogs with who I share a very outdoors life with.
Nicky
Manuka Teacher
Kia ora.
My name is Nicky. I love teaching and working with tamariki of all ages. No two days are ever the same. I love teaching at Kaikōura Primary School, it feels like home and is my turangawaewae. When I’m not teaching, you will find me at the farm, playing sport or training for another adventure race.
Willie
Rimu Teacher
Kia ora koutou
Ko Willie Manuel toku ingoa
No Kaikōura ahau
I enjoy fishing, surfing and rugby. I am a Father of two and grandfather of 3. I have been teaching for over 20 years. Before that, I worked at Whale Watch Kaikōura and was a fisherman employed by Virgo Fisheries in Kaikōura. My favourite subjects to teach are Mathematics, Kapahaka, and The Arts.
Naku noa
Nick
Totara Teacher/Deputy Principal
I am originally from Cornwall in the UK and have been teaching for almost 10 years. Since becoming a teacher, I have worked with a range of ages and in a range of settings across the world, including a jungle school in Costa Rica! I am passionate about teaching music and working with my Year 6’s to help them learn how to make music together. I love the outdoors and keeping healthy in body and mind. I encourage a positive attitude towards everything that we do and hold creativity in the highest regard.
Kelly
Relieving Teacher
I am a release teacher in the juniors and I love to see all the smiling faces when I come into school.
Sue
Resource Teacher of Literacy
I have had a VERY long association with KPS. I started school on the same site as a five year old, attending through to age 17. My three children attended KPS and I taught in the Year 5/6 area for several years. Now, as Resource Teacher of Literacy, I enjoy working in all local schools. However, I am so lucky to be based at our awesome Kaikōura Primary. Home and family are most important to me. I have four grandchildren in Christchurch and Melbourne to keep me busy as well.
Gwen
Teacher’s Aide
Kia Ora I’m Gwen
I moved to Kaikōura almost 32 years ago. I have been at Kaikōura Primary for 27 years as a Teacher Aide and I still love everything about my job! I work with individuals and groups and I have good rapport with all the children. I believe that school should feel like a fun, safe place to be.
Sarah
Teacher’s Aide
I love being a teacher aide at KPS where every school day is vibrant, full of smiling faces and opportunities to grow a love of learning in young lives. I feel lucky to be part of a caring school where everybody is supported to do their best.
Nigel
Caretaker/Groundsman
I have been the caretaker for going on 4 years at November 2021 and both my children attended KPS. I have a long history with the school from my time working as a local builder and being on the BOT during the rebuild of our school. I enjoy my work here because it is so varied and on a fine day you couldn’t ask for a better office because of our location.
Board of Trustees
- Board Chair – Daniel Stevenson
- Principal – Hannah Simpson
- Staff Representative – Nick Plant
- Elected member – Amy Heger
- Elected member – Corinne Lister
- Elected member – Mani Smith
- Co-opted member – Vicki Gulleford
- Co-opted member/Runanga – Mel Ford
Friends of Kaikōura Primary
The school is extremely well supported by its community, and a major proportion of that support comes through the activities of the Friends of Kaikōura Primary. The Friends of Kaikōura Primary meets once a month as well as arranging new parent morning teas and social events. For newcomers to the district, the Friends of Kaikōura Primary is a good way to become involved in the activities of the school and to meet some new faces.
The Friends of Kaikōura Primary has contributed hugely to the provision of resources and facilities largely through our Schoolyard Market. If you are prepared to help in any way -sausage sizzle, fundraising, setting up a morning tea or wish to take part in a market day stall please phone our school office.
Contact
19 Torquay Street
Kaikōura
7300
Phone 03 3195440
Email Office office@kaikoura.school.nz
Email Principal principal@kaikoura.school.nz
Job Vacancies
There are currently no job vacancies.