Kāhui Ako Teams

Kia Ora Koutou

I am really enjoying being back as Lead Principal for the Ruahine Kāhui Ako. I was previously in this role in 2019/20/21.

I am in my eighth year as Principal of Takapau School and am lucky to live at Te Paerahi beach, Pōrangahau where I have lived for most of my life! I have worked at Pōrangahau School, been Principal of Mangaorapa School and Deputy Principal of Raureka School in Hastings.

I really enjoy leading the collaboration of Educators and other agencies in CHB. I believe that  working collectively to provide the best opportunities for our tamariki is the way to go!

I look forward to working with you all.

 Ngā mihi Biddy 

Buddy Kāhui Support for:

Porangahau School

My name is Samuel Kordan and I am a math teacher at CHBC. I have previously worked as the

Numeracy Specialist for the Cayman Islands Government where I developed strategies for delivering

the math curriculum within the primary, senior and special schools. I also worked for the Cayman

Islands University College where I ran the Primary Maths Teacher Training course. My other school

experiences have included 7 years as the mathematics lead in a school for students with moderate

learning difficulties. I am very passionate about supporting all students, from those who find learning is more difficult for those who benefit from further challenges. I also really enjoy working with teachers and look forward to collaborating within the CHB Kāhui Ako.

Buddy Kāhui Support for:

Ongaonga School

Kia ora,

I am in my eighth year of principalship at Argyll East School. This is my third principalship and my 19th year as a principal.  It is also my second tenure as the Lead Principal for Te Angiangi Kāhui Ako. I love my work and the opportunities I have to collaborate with educators across CHB.

I am originally from Australia and have been living in NZ for 28 years. I began teaching in NZ as an itinerant teacher of music and met so many great teachers, students and families. Now I am teaching the children of my original students and it gives me a real sense of belonging to our community.

I’m excited about our 2023 mahi and look forward to our team growing together to support learners and educators throughout CHB!

Currently teaching year 0-2 at Pukehou School I have also taught a range of levels at Frimley and Pakowhai Schools.  My passions include literacy, numeracy and the visual arts along with nurturing interests and curiosities through play and structured learning of students as they settle in to their school learning journey.  My children, Lucy and George,  also attend Pukehou School.

I am excited to contribute to our community with many opportunities to support kaiako, whānau and tamariki in our Kāhui Ako.

Buddy Kāhui Support for: Waipawa Kindergarten; Waiapu Abbortford; Scallywaggs Kinikātene.

Kia ora koutou, 

I was born and raised in CHB. After moving away to study and completing my first 5 years of teaching I moved home to CHB. This is my fourth year as the New Entrant  teacher at Takapau School. I have always taught Juniors and NE is my favourite. I enjoy helping new students settle into school life. I am really looking forward to being a part of the Ruahine Kahui Ako this year.

Buddy Kahui Support for:     

Hunter Park Kindergarten

I am currently teaching at Waipukurau School but have been teaching in the Bay for the past 14 years. Historically a senior primary teacher, this year I am teaching Year 3-4. With invested interest in this community as I also have my two children attending Otane School. I was a founding member of the Hastings East Kahui Ako whilst working in Hastings, and hope to bring my experiences here to our Kahui team.

I look forward to continuing to work with the team this year to develop strong community bonds across Central Hawkes Bay.

Buddy Kahui Support for:

 Otane School

I have worked as a teacher since 1989 and worked at CHBC since arriving in New Zealand in 2004.

I specialise in the teaching of all the Sciences and working within the pastoral framework. This is my 3rd cycle on the Kahui Ako.

I am keen to be involved in the design of Science in the curriculum from ECE to Y13 and would be keen to participate in whatever way possible.

Tēnā koutou katoa, 

Ko Vanessa O’Keeffe toku ingoa.

I was born and raised in CHB, attending St. Joseph’s primary school and then CHB College.  I love the community we live in and feel extremely grateful to bring my family up in this beautiful part of NZ.  This is my second year in my role as a kaiako for years 7 & 8 at Waipukurau School. My passions include literacy, music and arts. In my spare time my husband and I run around after our 3 children and 4 dogs!

I am looking forward to jumping into the Kāhui Ako to collaborate with other kaiako to ensure we have the best learning supports in place for our local tamariki.

Buddy Kāhui Support for:

 Scallywaggs Waipukurau

Kia Ora, I am a local born and bred, primary school teacher who has taught from new entrants right through to Year 8. I have taught in both C.H.B and the UK experiencing the widely contrasting curriculums. Having experienced the transitioning of students from early childhood providers into primary school and primary school students transitioning into high school, I look forward to working with other teachers at both ends of the primary school sector and with junior high school teachers.

Buddy Kāhui Support for:

Hunter Paark Kindergarten

Kia ora, my name is Kathryn Donnithorne. I grew up in beautiful CHB where I was a student at Waipukurau School and then attended CHB College. I am currently teaching at Waipukurau School in the New Entrant classroom and I am the Year 1-2 Lead teacher. I am passionate about making transitions from Early Childhood to School easy and comfortable for all children and their whanau. I have enjoyed working with the Kahui Ako team and look forward to working with them again this year.

Buddy Kahui Support for:

Launch Active; Lakeview Kindergarten

Kia Ora, 

I am the Year 6 - 8 teacher at Argyll East School. I have been a member of the Kahui Ako for the last 5 years where I have enjoyed meeting and working with inspiring teachers and educators in our district. 

Buddy Kāhui Support for:

Sherwood School

In 2019 my husband and I made the biggest and best life’s decision yet to move to New Zealand from South Africa. 

This will be my fourth year teaching Mathematics amongst the great teachers at Central Hawke’s Bay College. I am also part of the DMIC programme at the college where we deepened the focus on culturally responsive pedagogy and ambitious teaching. The challenge I am taking on this year is to create a pathway for our students in intermediate school, to smoothly make the transition into high school with a focus on Mathematics. I aim to bring an open mind, a positive attitude and high expectations to the classroom each day. I believe that I owe it to my students, as well as the community, to bring consistency, diligence and warmth to my job in the hope that I can inspire and encourage such traits in the tamariki as well.

Buddy Kahui Support for:

  Tikokino School

I am a WST from Central Hawkes Bay College. I moved to NZ nearly five years ago from Canada and haven’t looked back. I spent a little over two years relieving across nearly all of our CHB schools, then last year started in the English Department at the College three years ago. 

When I’m not at school, you can find me pottering around our farm that my husband manages near Te Hauke. I love nothing more than spending time outdoors, with our animals, in my garden, or hiking/biking/swimming across all of Hawke's Bay's wonders.

Buddy Kahui Support for:

 Omakere School

This is my third year of teaching a year 1/2 class at Waipukurau School. Prior to that I taught at Hunter Park Kindergarten and various early childhood centres before that. I live in Waipawa with my Husband Shane and three sons, two of which are at Napier boys, and the youngest is a year 7 at Waipukurau School. I love what I do and am very much looking forward to collaborating with other kaiako to achieve positive outcomes for all akonga.

Buddy Kahui Support for:

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori Takapau

Kia Ora I am Nikki one of the WST at the College. I was born in Wellington, grew up in Auckland, lived in Palmy and now I'm in Waipukurau. This is my 10th year of teaching and I absolutely love it. When I'm not in the classroom you can find my on the beach with my dog or in the garden. 

I care about supporting our kaiako to be the best they can be in order to support our ākonga. 

I'm really looking forward to getting to know our community and whānau better. 

Buddy Kahui Support for: 

St Joseph's School CHB

I'm Shaye Andersen, and I've been immersed in the world of secondary education for the last 15 years. I kicked off my career in the classroom, teaching Physical Education and Mathematics. Eventually, my passion for supporting students in unique ways led me to explore Learning Support Roles, and for the last eight years, I've been deeply involved in Gateway and Star programs at Central Hawkes Bay College.

Home for me is now is rural Pōrangahau, where I live with my husband and our three kids, attend Flemington School. Witnessing the evolving landscape of educational opportunities, I can't help but be excited for the rangatahi today, considering the incredible support and opportunities available.

I'm passionate about helping rangatahi find their passions. Building strong connections in the community and wider sector is my thing, ensuring the best opportunities for our rangatahi. I pride myself on creating an inclusive learning environment, emphasizing holistic development.  I'm looking forward to been apart of the CHB Kāhui Ako and further building my relationships across our community.

Buddy Kahui Support for:

Flemington School