SUPPORT STAFF

 

There are a number of staff in supporting roles at Papakowhai.  The support staff play a vital part in the running of Papakowhai school. Our support staff work in the school office and library.  They also provide quality learning programmes and work closely with students with special needs and abilities.

Office Manager - Valerie Cook 

Valerie is Papakowhai School's Office Manager from Monday to Thursday. Valerie produces the school newsletter and other notices, handles payments, orders and messages to and from the school.

Librarian - Judy Munro

Judy is responsible for the school library and works with children to develop a healthy interest in reading.  Judy promotes literature throughout the school and provides a comfortable and stimulating library environment.  Judy updates systems and resources throughout the school and also works in the school office. She also a first point of call for first aid needs.

Reading Recovery - Mary Jones

Mary is a teacher in Rata Block. She also provides our students with a Reading Enhancement Programme. 

Special Needs - Hetty Boonen

Hetty is a teacher in Rata Block. As well as this she works with teachers and parents in her role as coordinator of the Special Need's programmes.

Caretaker - Chris Crowe

Chris Crowe is the school Caretaker, maintaining the school grounds and buildings. 

Financial Assistant - Heather Turner

Heather maintains the accounting systems for the school, and edits the website.

Teacher Aides 

Our teacher aides are Diana Parker, Ann Apperley, Molly Goh, Suzie Rowat, Karen Kennedy, Debbie Spinks, Amanda Walters, and Kathy McKenzie.  All teacher aides work part-time or job-share.

Some of the  teacher aides work with the classroom teacher to provide individual educational programmes (IEPs) and support for students with special needs, abilities or behavourial needs.  Much of the emphaisis is on learning life skills, social skills, building the students' independence and confidence and integrating them into the classroom programme. The students are with their peers but are provided with learning tasks at their own level. 

There is also a pogramme for the gifted and talented children which a teacher aide will support.

Other teacher aide time is to assist those with English as their second language (ESOL) and also to assist the teachers by providing additional learning opportunities on a particular subject, usually maths or spelling.