Staff – West Harbour School

Senior Leadership

Anna Smythe

Principal

About Me

Coming Soon

E: annas@westharbour.school.nz

Heather Howe

Associate Principal

About Me

I love my job and I LOVE West Harbour School. I have been teaching for over 35 years and enjoy educating children and helping them grow into the best version of themselves that they can be. My passion is mathematics; I get real joy from the faces of children when they finally “get it”. I moved from the classroom into Senior Leadership in 2017. I enjoy the connections we make with the families of the children.

E: heatherh@westharbour.school.nz

Chris Egan

Associate Principal

About Me

E: chrise@westharbour.school.nz

Sam Fetui

Associate Principal

About Me

With 18 years in education, I'm committed to raising student achievement and meeting your child's learning needs. I aim to motivate and encourage all students to excel in every aspect of the curriculum. As a father of four, I'm passionate about seeing children reach their potential. In class, learning is fun, and every child becomes a lifelong learner, equipped to achieve their dreams. Together, we achieve great things.
E vave taunu’u le malaga pe a tatou alo va’a fa’atasi
(Our destiny is within sight when we paddle our canoe together)

E: samf@westharbour.school.nz

Catherine Koolaian

SENCO

About Me

Kia Ora,
Throughout many years of teaching in New Zealand and Australia, I have met many children and their families. The mutual love and respect we have shown each other has made teaching more than just the job to me. Today I am a member of many families which makes me so proud and grateful knowing all the lives I've been able to touch and make a difference in. The love, joy and happiness I have experienced in my job is beyond words. I have so many memories to treasure and far too many moments of joy and happiness which were shared with me at the end of each year by parents who were content with the development their children have made throughout the year both academically and socially.

E: catherinek@westharbour.school.nz

Teaching Staff

Phase 3 Team

Jude Ayers

Teacher

Room 6, Year 7

About Me

I am in my 7th year of teaching with experience in both Early Childhood and Primary settings. I enjoy helping children and their whanau as they begin school with the belief that a positive start will lead to wonderful experiences and outcomes in their life-long learning journey.
I grew up in Australia, living in Toowoomba, Townsville, Sunshine Coast and Melbourne. My family has also lived in Poland for 10 years and New Zealand for 5 years.

E: judea@westharbour.school.nz

April Dawson

Teacher

Room 7, Year 7

About Me

I have been teaching for more than twenty years across all year levels in primary, intermediate and secondary school. It is a privilege to be part of the West Harbour School community.

Ko Waitākere tōku maunga
Ko Wairere tōku awa
Ko Vineyard Aotearoa Christian kerk tōku marae
Ko West Harbour tōku kura
Nō Waitākere ahau
Ko Dawson/ Drummond tōku whanau
Ko Howard toku tāne
Ko April tōku ingoa

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa

E: aprild@westharbour.school.nz

Miah Tagaloa

Learning Leader, Teacher

Room 9, Year 7/8

About Me

Talofa lava!
I’m Matua Miah and like ‘the prodigal son’ it has been a special return back home to West Harbour School.
I have absolutely loved the transition from the corporate world to the education space.
In my 6 years here, I have developed a passion to empower our Māori and Pasifika students to achieve their full potential and understand the impact their choices have on their future. I have the privilege to serve our Tū Fa'atasi culture group and choir alongside Mr Fetui.

E: miaht@westharbour.school.nz

Tayla Francey

Teacher, Kahui Ako Within School Lead

Room 5, Year 8

About Me

E: taylaf@westharbour.school.nz

Dan Chettiar

Teacher

Room 10, Year 8

About Me

Hello everyone.
My Name is Daniel Chettiar and I have been teaching at West Harbour for 5 years. I'm relatively new to the teaching profession and I wouldn't pick any other job as my career. My teaching philosophy is primarily focused on serving our children so that they have the best possible outcomes in their own lives both personal and academic. I moved to NZ from South Africa when I was 6 years old and have always been a Westie.

E: danielc@westharbour.school.nz

Phase 2 Team

Phillipa Lee

Teacher

Room 16, Year 4

About Me

E: phillipal@westharbour.school.nz

Brad Karsten

Teacher

Room 11, Year 4

About Me

Hallo, Kia Ora!

I have taught from a range of years 3-6 for 7 years now. I am from South Africa and migrated to New Zealand at the age of 7. I finished my schooling life in east Auckland and then moved west.

West Harbour School is just awesome. Being amongst a community with students that bring culture and aroha is absolutely heartwarming and an experience I believe every child should be exposed to.

E: bradk@westharbour.school.nz

Judy Lim

Learning Leader, Teacher

Room 15, Year 4/5

About Me

Kia ora, This is my 15th year of teaching and I have taught Year 0-4 children. I am passionate about education and helping children to develop a love of learning. I believe that every child has the potential to succeed and it’s my job to create a safe environment where children are encouraged to take risks, make mistakes and learn from them. I encourage parents to reinforce this growth mindset and support children to be confident, resilient and successful learners.

E: judyl@westharbour.school.nz

Joel Taranchokov

Teacher

Room 2, Year 5

About Me

E: joelt@westharbour.school.nz

Paul Birch

Learning Leader, Teacher

Room 4, Year 5/6

About Me

Kia ora, My name is Paul. I am originally a born and bred Wellingtonian. I have been teaching for over 20 years, with 18 years as part of this wonderful community at West Harbour School.

Ko Rimutaka te maunga te rū nei taku ngākau
Ko Kairangi te awa e mahea nei aku māharahara
Nō Upper Hutt ahau
E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o Wellington e noho nei au
Ko Paul tōku ingoa.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.

E: paulb@westharbour.school.nz

Emma Bjorklund

Teacher

Room 1, Year 6

About Me

E: emmab@westharbour.school.nz

Mal Hall

Teacher

Room 3, Year 6

About Me

Kia ora! Ko Hall tōku whānau. Ko Malakhai tōku ingoa.

I identify as non-binary & use they/them pronouns. The children call me Teacher Hall. I am in my 2nd year of teaching & I love my job at West Harbour School. 😄

My teaching philosophy is about working as a team & learning through fun. I strive to create meaningful, exciting learning experiences for my students, & to build a classroom environment where tamariki can feel safe to explore & express their authentic selves.

E: malh@westharbour.school.nz

Phase 1 Team

Jeanelle Rundle

Teacher, Kahui Ako Within School Lead

Room 21, Year 1

About Me

E: jeaneller@westharbour.school.nz

Leisel Inglis

Teacher

Room 18, Year 1

About Me

E: leiseli@westharbour.school.nz

Carolyn Stewart

Learning Leader, Teacher

Room 25, Year 1/2

About Me

Kia Ora, in my 30 years teaching career I have developed a passion for literacy teaching. I love supporting our newest school members in their journey to read and write as well as supporting older children learning to read and write if English is their second language.
I have four adult children who I am very proud of. West Harbour has been my home for 23 years and I love walking the local paths and water views.

E: carolyns@westharbour.school.nz

Cleone Simpson

Learning Leader, Teacher

Room 26, Year 2

About Me

I have been teaching for over 20 years both in Early Childhood and Primary settings. I love being a part of students' lifelong learning journeys.

Ko Taupiri te maunga e rū nei taku ngākau
Taupiri is the mountain that speaks to my heart
Ko Hauraki Gulf te moana e mahea nei aku māharahara
Hauraki Gulf is the water that alleviates my worries
No Hamilton ahau
I am from Hamilton
Ko Cleone tōku ingoa.
My name is Cleone
Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.

E: cleones@westharbour.school.nz

Deb Harris

Teacher

Room 24, Year 2

About Me

Kia ora koutou,
I have been in education for over 11 years as a Teacher Aide. In 2020 I decided to take the next step in my career and study to become a primary school teacher, through the University of Waikato. I believe in making all learner’s feel safe, secure, welcome and wanted in an inclusive environment that nurtures learning and development. Through this approach I believe all children can succeed in their learning journeys, whatever they may look like.

E: debh@westharbour.school.nz

Tadra Young

Teacher

Room 14, Year 2/3

About Me

I am an experienced teacher. I have taught both in Whangārei and Tāmaki Makaurau.

Ko Maungakiekie te maunga e rū nei taku ngākau
One Tree Hill is the mountain that speaks to my heart
Ko Muriwai te moana e mahea nei aku māharahara
Muriwai is the sea that alleviates my worries
Nō Tāmaki Makaurau ahau
E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o Tāmaki Makarau e noho nei ahau
Ko Tadra tōku ingoa.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.

E: tadray@westharbour.school.nz

Nicola Allen-Coombe

Teacher

Room 13, Year 3

About Me

I have been teaching for many years and have taught all year levels. The majority of this time I have spent at West Harbour School.

Ko Maungawhau te maunga e rū nei taku ngākau
Mt Eden is the mountain that speaks to my heart.
Ko Waitemata te moana e mahea nei aku māharahara
Waitemata is the water that alleviates my worries
Nō Tāmaki Makarau ahau
E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o Tāmaki Makarau e noho nei ahau

E: nicolaa@westharbour.school.nz

Scott Hindman

Teacher

Room 12, Year 3

About Me

E: scotth@westharbour.school.nz

Alice Davies

Teacher (Maternity Leave)

Room 23

About Me

Kia Ora! My name is Alice. I have been teaching for 7 years, recently returning home to NZ from an overseas stint in London. I have a passion for supporting our youngest children and making their first year of school enjoyable, fun and positive.

Ko Rangitoto te māunga
Ko Waitematā te moana
Ko West Harbour tōku kura
Ko Ben tōku tāne
Nō Tāmaki Makaurau ahau op
Ko Alice tōku ingoa

E: alicef@westharbour.school.nz

Other Teaching Staff

Scott Buckingham

PE Specialist

About Me

I have been teaching for 20 years and have worked across year levels 4-8. I have been lucky enough that all of them have all been at West Harbour School. I enjoy supporting students and staff to meet their potential and be the best version of themselves. I believe education is a partnership between home and school.

E: scottb@westharbour.school.nz

Judith Puch

Specialist STEAM Teacher

Room 20

About Me

I have been teaching for 16 years at West Harbour & have taught all levels. I enjoy introducing students to 21st Century thinking through active learning experiences. Information Systems, Mathematics, Science & Art are my passions. Keeping students' curiosity about their world is very important to my teaching philosophy.

Ko Rangitoto toku maunga
Ko Manukau toku moana
Ko Oteha toku awa,
Ko West Harbour toku kura
No Browns Bay ahau
Ko Judith toku ingoa

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa

E: judithp@westharbour.school.nz

Carolyn Hakiaha

Teacher

About Me

E: carolynh@westharbour.school.nz

Deb Shaw

Teacher

About Me

E: debs@westharbour.school.nz

James Tevaga

Teacher

About Me

Learning Support Staff

Learning Support

Jasmyn Allaway

Learning Assistant

About Me

Coming Soon

Debbie McDade

Learning Support

About Me

Coming Soon

Tina Rangiawha

Learning Assistant

About Me

Coming Soon

Annie Akai

Learning Assistant

About Me

Tahana Baker

Learning Assistant

About Me

Administration Team

Ruth Withers

Principal’s PA

About Me

Coming Soon

E: ruthw@westharbour.school.nz

Fiona Taniora

Reception

About Me

Coming Soon

E: fionat@westharbour.school.nz

Suzanne Armistead

Student Services

About Me

E: suzannea@westharbour.school.nz

Zoe Bridgman

Library

About Me

E: zoeb@westharbour.school.nz

Caretaker

Caretaker/Cleaners

Stephen Byrnes

Property Manager

About Me

Coming Soon

E: stephenb@westharbour.school.nz