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How long have you been an educator, and where did you train?
I have been teaching for 32 years and have been a local principal for seven years. I trained at Auckland Teachers College after spending a couple of years working when I left high school.
When did you become the principal of Pukekawa School?
I was lucky enough to win the position as the principal at Pukekawa School in 2022, after my first principalship at Maramarua School.
What’s the best thing about being an educator and principal?
I love my job as no day is the same. There are a multitude of challenges which range from teaching, mopping up wee from the boys’ toilet floor, speaking to contractors, talking to agencies about behavioural/learning support, playground duty to cooking smash burgers at our fundraiser.
Is there anything you’d like to see improved in the education/school management sector?
I would love rural schools to have more equity in funding and access to resources from the Ministry of Education. We have completely different challenges in small rural schools compared to our urban colleagues.
What’s special about Pukekawa School?
What I love about our small rural school is our students; the range of personalities of these young humans is a joy to experience as we teach them. Their enthusiasm and what they bring to our school enrich everyone.
Visitors to our school, whether they are prospective parents, education agencies, or business partners, often comment on the warm and welcoming atmosphere they experience here. This friendly environment is something our staff value deeply, and we strive to ensure every visitor feels that sense of manaakitanga (hospitality/kindness) when they walk through our gates.
At Pukekawa School, every child, every whanau, and every visitor is part of something special – a welcoming, connected community where learning and relationships go hand in hand.
How is the relationship between Pukekawa School and its immediate local community?
At Pukekawa School, we are proud to be the heart of our community. The connections formed through school events, whanau support with transport for sporting activities, and even friendships built through playdates, all contribute to a strong sense of belonging. Our school is more than just a place of learning – it’s a place where relationships are nurtured and our community thrives together.
We know that many of our whanau have busy lives, often commuting for work, which can make it harder to be physically present at school. To help keep everyone connected, we share regular updates, stories, and photos through our online school platform. This ensures whanau can still be part of their children’s learning journey and feel engaged with what’s happening at school, no matter where they are.
Fundraising is another example of how our community spirit shines through. Recent initiatives have included raising funds for a school van (a two-year journey of applications and persistence), smash burger evenings, a hugely popular bingo night at the local hall, and raffles.
We are also fortunate to have an incredibly dedicated Calf Club Committee, who put countless hours into organising and running our much-loved Pukekawa Calf Club Day.
Their efforts in gathering sponsorship and support from local businesses mean we can fund important projects and resources that directly support teaching and learning. None of this would be possible without the generosity and commitment of the wider Pukekawa community, whose support ensures our school continues to grow and thrive.
