I have been the proud Principal of Hokowhitu School since July 2012. Previous to this I was the proud Principal of Bulls School, my first principalship of almost 7 years. I have admired Hokowhitu School since my teacher training days! I used to cycle past the school on the way to PNTC (Palmerston North Teachers College) and ask myself if I might ever be lucky enough to teach in such a beautiful setting.
As I think about Hokowhitu School, what strikes me as most special about it is our cultural diversity, which gives such a unique flavour to the classrooms and community. I also greatly value the informed, supportive parent community, and the experience of working with the teaching team to STRIVE to provide the best for our learners. My particular passion lies in exploring ways to “engage” children in learning: finding out what it is that brings out the best in them, what “smokes the tyres” for each individual learner. This is one of the reasons that I am so excited with our current modernisation projects, where we’re creating flexible learning spaces that suit a range of learners needs, and where teachers can collaborate to personalise the learning for the students.
Out of school time, I am passionate about family. Being the 7th child of 8 has meant that family has been an extremely important part of who I am. Some of my fondest memories ever are the many, simple pleasures we had as a family with our children growing up - fishing, camping in tents and caravans, sharing challenges and successes in their chosen team/individual sports, just to name a few. With our own children now grown up, we are lucky enough to have grandchildren to share the next generation of family togetherness. I am also an avid follower of sports - almost any sport takes my interest.
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