Staff Profiles
Mark Ellis
Principal
Mark is the Principal of Rakaia School and has been here from the start of 2006. He was previously the Principal at Mayfield School for 7 and half years. He is a member of the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade and turns out for the Rakaia brigade while at school.A keen sportsman training for his Karate Black Belt this year in 2011. Mark was also a member of the New Zealand Principal's' Federation
and was a member of the executive committee during 2005 and 2006. Mark
is married to Dulcie and they have 2 children, Corey and Chelsea.
Pauline Doody
Junior Room Teacher Rm 4
Pauline Doody welcomes the new children as they begin their school journey. She makes the transition to school as less stressful as possible.
She is an experienced teacher at this Year 0 Year 1 level. She is
currently a Tutor Teacher, this gives her the opportunity to mentor
teachers in their first years of teaching. She is also an Associate
Teacher. In this role she gives teachers still in training the
opportunity to come into her class to work with her students under her
guidance.
Mandy Beevor
School Secretary
Mandy is the first person you meet when you come to Rakaia School. She keeps the school running along in a very efficient manner. Mandy is our admin angel, we hope that Solutions Services read this. Mandy has been at Rakaia School for five years and is currently the Board of Trustees Staff Representative. Mandy enjoys working at Rakaia School with the friendly and inspirational team.
Marg Lloyd
School Caretaker
What a treasure! Marg looks after the school grounds with the support of her husband Mark. They do an amazing job winning prizes for the school garden and keeping the place tidy and smart.
Amelia Afu
School Cleaner
Amelia joined the Rakaia team in 2010. She has two children currently at the school.
Simone Stapleton
Simone has worked at Rakaia School for a number of years before leaving to have her own children. Simone currently works as a release teacher in four classrooms and does an amazing job.
Carol Muckle
Teacher Aide/Librarian
Carol is one of our fabulous Teacher Aides and also has her own children at Rakaia School. Carol and her family have been in the Rakaia area for many years and in fact her children are 4th generation Rakaia School students. She currently has one child at Rakaia School.
Nicole Handley-Packham
Room 2 Teacher
Nicole has been teaching at Rakaia School since term 2 2007. Nicole did her teacher training through the New Zealand Graduate School of Education in Christchurch. Since starting at Rakaia Nicole has taught the senior class for two
years before moving to Room 2 to teach the Year 5/6 students. The
children at Rakaia know her as Miss H-P to shorten her surname. Her
strengths include a Bachelor of Music which she uses to run the school
Music programme through interchange.
Nicole is looking forward to another challenging and productive year at
Rakaia School.
Sharon Crowe
Room 3
Sharon has joined the team permanently as our Year 2 teacher. Sharon trained in Christchurch and lives locally farming with her husband and together they have two daughters.
Jo Jackson
Teacher Aide
Jo Jackson is working as a Teacher Aide within the school and has done now for a number of years. Jo works individually and in groups with children to support their learning needs.
Margaret Breen
Room 5
Margaret hails from Te Arawa iwi she has been teaching since the dinosaurs, She has four adult children and one grandchild with the second on the way (due in July). Marg likes travel and seeing new countries, luxury items. She would like to go on a luxury cruise at some point.
Anita Winter
Room 7 Teacher
Miss Winter is in her third year at Rakaia School, After teaching year 4 in 2009 she moved to teach the year 7/8 class in 2010. Her interests are hockey, touch and sports. Anita is currently responsible for administrative
tasks such as Pets Day within the school. Anita trained in Christchurch at the New Zealand Graduate School of Education.
Jess Walker
Room 5 Teacher
Jess has just joined the team and is teaching year 1 pupils in Room 5. Jess has worked previously at Tinwald School and also overseas.
Jamie Fletcher - Deputy Principal
Year 4-5 Teacher
Jamie has joined us from Auckland but is a mainlander at heart. Jamie and his partner Claire have a son, Luca and we are thrilled they have joined us at Rakaia.
Tracey Atkinson
Teacher Aide
Tracey is currently working as a teacher aide in Room 2 and every morning until morning tea she is helping Mandy in the office.
Karen Boag
Teacher Aide
Karen has joined the team and is helping out with Room 4. We welcome Karen to the family.