Meet Kiwi Team

The Kiwi team are a bunch of wonderful Year one, two, and three learners.

Our main focus is Literacy and Numeracy; as well as developing the Key Competencies; Managing Self, Relating to Others, Participating and Contributing, Thinking, and Using Language, Symbols and Texts. We encourage independence and self-management in everything we do.

We are passionate about teaching BSLA, the Better Start Literacy Programme. This is a structured approach delivered by the University of Canterbury, and funded by the Ministry of Education. It focusses on phonics, reading, writing, and oral language. We have seen the results for ourselves and are excited to deliver this learning with your tamariki.

 

ROOM 18 - Hilary Milne (Team Leader)

Miss Hilary Milne is excited to begin her 11th year at Pukete School. She enjoys teaching literacy and maths. In her spare time she is usually looking for her next travel adventure. Her door is always open, so feel free to pop in.

Room 19 - Lee-Ann Riddington

In Room 19, we have Lee-Ann Riddington joining us in the Kiwi team.  Lee-Ann has been teaching at Pukete since 2018 and is excited about teaching Year 2 this year. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time in the outdoors and exploring.

Room 20 - IRINA KOROLEVA

Mrs K. moved to NZ from Russia 15 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, camping, reading, crafting and photography.

Kiwi Teacher Release

Jackie Phillips

I have been teaching at Pukete for over 18 years. I have taught in most areas of the school, and my last full time position was as the Kea team leader. I now teach for 3 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 10 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 3 days 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, one who is completing her university degree this year at Otago, and the other who is in her last year at high school.