Kiwi Team

ROOM 18 - Hilary Milne (Team Leader)

Miss Hilary Milne is excited to begin her 12th year at Pukete School. She loves teaching BSLA, Better Start Literacy Approach, and seeing the awesome progress of our tamariki. In her spare time she is usually looking for her next travel adventure or concert. Her door is always open, so feel free to pop in. Nau mai, haere mai.

Room 19 - Kirsty Cathcart

In Room 19 we have Miss Kirsty Cathcart. This year is Miss Cathcart’s first year teaching at Pukete and she is very excited to be working alongside the awesome tamariki in Room 19! Miss Cathcart is an experienced teacher who loves to create an engaging and fun classroom environment for children to flourish in. In her spare time Miss Cathcart enjoys exploring the outdoors, travelling and spending time with her whānau.

Room 20 - IRINA KOROLEVA

Mrs K. moved to NZ from Russia 16 years ago. After graduating from Waikato University she started relieving in Hamilton. She is excited to continue her teaching journey at Pukete school. In her spare time, Irina enjoys travelling around New Zealand with her husband and two children.

Room 21 - andrea Ray

Mrs Andrea Ray has been at Pukete since 2006 and is excited to be teaching Year 2’s in Room 21 again in 2023. She enjoys teaching art, literacy and technology. Her room is a fun and creative place to learn in. She enjoys spending time with her many pets, husband, and two teenage children, reading, crafting, photography and watching the latest TV series.

Kiwi Teacher Release

Jackie Phillips

I have been teaching at Pukete for over 19 years. I have taught in all areas of the school, and my last full time position was as the Kea team leader. I now teach for 2 days of the week and am privileged to be able to work in a lot of wonderful classes across the school as the curriculum release teacher. Outside of school, I am kept busy living on a lifestyle block in Tauwhare with 3 grandchildren, 4 cats, 5 sheep, a cow and numerous chickens.

Mrs Michelle Tomlin

I have been teaching part time as a release teacher at Pukete School for over 15 years in all levels of the school, occasionally working full time in my own classroom when opportunities arise that suit my own family needs. My most recent full time experience was taking the year one class in term 4 2023. I will now be working 1 day a week releasing classroom teachers across all levels and enjoy doing this to become familiar with all children in our school. My strengths are in Art, Reading and Writing. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family at the beach, and travelling to create new memories. I have two daughters who are both attending university, one doing her Masters in Dietetics, and the other beginning her degree in Architecture.

Donna Barker

I have been teaching at Pukete School for over 20 years. My own children did their primary schooling here and now my grandsons are following suit. I have begun a new era in my career as a curriculum release teacher and feel very privileged to be able to teach across the school. At home I live with my husband, daughter and cat. I have three grandsons who I love to spend time with. I love to relax with a good book!