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Room 3 Year Ones I started teaching at Western Heights as a reliever in 2016 and was lucky enough to join the year 1 team at the end of the following year. I have two children and both of my children have enjoyed their primary school years at Western Heights but 2022 is my daughter’s final year before moving on to intermediate school next year. I love teaching our brand new children and watching them grow in confidence over their first years of schooling. I am passionate about reading and love to see their enjoyment as they learn to read through our structured literacy programme. I also enjoy our learning through play in the junior school and seeing them develop their social skills and relationships with new friends. I love teaching at Western Heights, we have such a great team and supportive community. |
Room 4 Year Ones I grew up in West Auckland and came to Western Heights as a primary-aged child! I loved it here so much that I came back to start teaching here in 2016! Prior to this, I taught in an early childhood centre so I'm really passionate about the transition to primary school. I love seeing the progress children make in their first year of school as they gain a sense of belonging here at Western Heights. It is so special to help build their confidence and independence and to inspire a passion for learning. I help coordinate the sport for the Junior team and enjoy getting outdoors with my class for a game. It is such a privilege to be a part of the Western Heights whanau again. |
Room 5 Year Ones I was born and raised in the local area and came to Western Heights School as a child. I have a son Noah who has loved life at WHS and all of his teachers. I joined the WHS whanau in 2017 and have loved working in the junior syndicate ever since. I love the inclusive and supportive culture at our school. We are like one big family! I am passionate about child development and learning through play. It is such a great privilege to be a child's first school teacher and support them as they learn and grow. I enjoy building positive relationships with my children and getting to know them as individuals and help them reach their full potential. |
Mele James Room 6 Year Ones Donec ullamcorper nulla non metus auctor fringilla. |
Room 7 Year ones I was born and raised in West Auckland and have one adult daughter who I love spending time with. I joined Western Heights in 2011 and love teaching Year 0/1 where I get to see the tamariki’s growth and sense of belonging develop as they transition in their first year at school. I love mentoring student teachers and am the school liaison teacher and mentor for student teachers for Auckland University. I am passionate about building positive relationships with the tamariki and their whanau. I feel so lucky to be teaching at a school that is so inclusive of cultures and whanau. |
Ellen Manson Room 8 Year One |
Isla Noakes Room 9 Year One |
Room 11 Year One I have been a teacher for 20 years and am very lucky to have joined the Western Heights team in 2019. My beautiful daughters attend Western Heights and love coming to school every day. I also enjoy coaching my youngest daughter's netball team. During my teaching journey over the last few years at Western Heights, I have been fortunate to explore the benefits of learning through play. Children’s learning is enriched when they lead with their interests. My passion is teaching year 0/1. I love watching the smiles and excitement in their faces when they problem solve and take risks in their learning. I feel very privileged to be one of the first teachers to teach our Tamariki and watch them grow in their first year of school. |
Room 28 year Ones I was fortunate to be selected to come here as a student teacher and even more fortunate to stay here with a permanent job after completing my post graduate degree in teaching. |
Annette Pram Team Leader Room 29 Year Ones I am passionate about young children and love being a teacher and part of the learning process especially since each day is different and exciting. I believe that every child has to enjoy school and that is a motivational factor in itself. |
Dana Taylor Team Leader Room 10 Year Twos I have lived in West Auckland for over 40 years now, and started my teaching journey at Western Heights School in 2006. My husband Dave and I live close to school with 1 of my daughters, my mum, 2 cats, 1 dog, and a fish!! My step-daughter is a grown up now and in her own house! We love football, cross-fit, puzzles, crosswords, cooking, going to the beach, and spending time with family. I have been team leader of the Year 2 Syndicate for 4 years, and LOVE teaching the junior kiddos! I always try to create a classroom of learning through creativity and fun, and a celebration of the amazing children’s talents, and my aim every year is to build the children’s belief in themselves! |
Room 31 Year Twos I am born and raised in West Auckland. I have a teenage son Kalanei who attended Western Heights School and loved it. We have a cat called Chloe and a puppy called Kai who has been to school on numerous occasions. He has taught the kids about empathy and kindness and my class adore him. Kai will continue to visit the class from time to time and the kids are always excited to see him. I have been teaching since 2005 and have taught at Western Heights School since 2010. I absolutely love the inclusive culture our school provides and how it feels like your second family. I am particularly passionate about Mathematics and Education Outside the Classroom. My class can often be found exploring the Mud Kitchen, our Loose Parts Shed and the bush area where such imaginative play and inquisitive learning takes place. I consider myself extremely fortunate to work at such an incredible school. |
Vicki Nabete Room 32 Year 2 I am married with 4 wonderful active sons. I have taught full time in New Zealand and China for the past 23 years in a variety of schools and roles. I have enjoyed the opportunity of being a part of many childrens’ and teachers' lives. I believe that my passion and enthusiasm for teaching is reflected in my classroom environment and curriculum delivery. My goal is to help nurture and develop a love for learning and for children to understand the importance of a growth mindset in their learning journey. |
Room 33 Year Twos I have been teaching at Western Heights in Year 2 for 3 and a half years and I love it. I have a 16 year old son, Ethan, who like me, is a bit of an adrenaline junkie and we both enjoy doing outdoor recreational activities. |
Room 34 Year 2 I started teaching in 2018 and I love being a part of the amazing team at Western Heights. I have a Bachelor of Science and enjoy sharing my knowledge of Ecology with my students at every opportunity. My partner and I have two teenage children and enjoy spending the weekends in our boat fishing and swimming. I feel very privileged to work with our younger learners at Western Heights and to help children progress in all areas of their development both socially and academically. |
Sudeera Perera Room 12 Year 3/4 Originally from Sri Lanka, I moved to New Zealand in 2011 to complete my studies in Accounting and Finance. After working as an accounts administrator for two years, I decided to change my career path to teaching in 2018 and I absolutely love it! I have been part of the amazing Western Heights whānau since 2019. I always loved juggling with numbers and I particularly enjoy teaching maths in the classroom. During my spare time, I love working in my little garden at home. I also enjoy watching stand-up comedy, live theatre and plays. I have been part of the Middle School team since I joined the Western Heights School. I am passionate about creating a classroom that is based on building positive relationships. I want each child to have a safe, fun and a friendly environment that will enable them to be confident learners. |
Room 13 Year 3/4 I was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, and I have lived in New Zealand since 2009. I was fortunate to have my last Practicum at Western Heights in 2014. Following this, I worked here for 4 years in the Junior and then Middle School, before switching to another school to be close to my daughter’s Intermediate. Once she went to High School, I was lucky enough to be able to return to Western Heights in Room 13 in the Kereru Syndicate. I like to teach in a relaxed environment where children are allowed to make mistakes and learn from them. I enjoy playing and coaching sports, particularly football (soccer). The caring, fun, and supportive environment at Western Heights makes it a pretty special place to teach. |
Room 14 Year 3/4 I joined the Western Heights team in 2020 and have been enjoying the supportive, uplifting and respectful culture ever since. I have lived in West Auckland for 33 years and previously taught at Henderson Valley School for 25 years. I have two adult sons and am a grandmother to two beautiful granddaughters. I have been teaching since 1980 both in New Zealand and in England. I have taught all levels and am presently teaching in the middle school. At Henderson Valley I was a team leader of the middle school, previous to that of the senior school. My real passion is in teaching writing. I have a lot of experience and have absorbed plenty of different methodologies over the course of my teaching career. The enjoyment from seeing children progress as they learn and the success they feel is a true motivator. |
Stefanie Tipi Room 15 Years 3/4 I have been lucky to be a part of the awesome Western Heights whanau since 2010. I have taught in both the Middle and Senior school during this time. I have two beautiful children who both attend Western Heights. Our newest family member Nala, a trained St John’s Therapy dog, joins my classroom every Thursday. I speak English, German and a little Samoan. My passions include Languages, Mathematics, and Sciences. I aim to have an inclusive classroom, where every child can feel confident to be themselves and feel accepted and safe in their learning environment. Due to popular demand, I run the school lunch Chess Club once a week. |
Aaron McGreal Maori Language Teacher Room 15 Year 3/4 I began teaching at Western Heights a number of years ago. My passion for teaching I suppose began with alongside my good wife, watching our own three children make their own way through education and life in general. Western Heights has always been a hardworking community, with like all parents wanting the best for their children. Our school ethos and teaching pedagogy nurtures a spirit and willingness to find the best in yourself, not an easy feat. I am passionate about trying to incorporate Tikanga Māori in our school setting. It is one of my roles at Western Heights alongside my colleague Jessie Eyre, as well as looking after our kapa haka rōpu. I am currently an Across Schools Leader amongst our Kahui Ako, helping with the new Aotearoa New Zealand Histories curriculum and it’s eventual delivery. I am our school board of trustee representative, whereby I get to see the behind the scenes workings that happen in a school of our size. I very much enjoy our school environment and alongside my colleagues hope to keep contributing the best that we can. |
Room 16 Year 3/4 In 2005, I began my teaching career. I’ve taught in a variety of Auckland primary schools at all year levels before joining our Western Heights whānau in 2018. My husband, Sheik, and I live near the school, and we have three lovely daughters who all attended Western Heights. In my spare time, I love biking or walking with my family along the Opanuku Stream Cycle and Walkway. I also enjoy experimenting with new baking recipes in my kitchen. I love teaching year 3/4 and being part of the Kereru Syndicate. Western Heights is a diverse, supportive and inclusive community. I can honestly say that I look forward to coming to school each day. I love witnessing students in my class have those special ‘lightbulb’ moments. I encourage my students to believe that we learn from our mistakes, and that with a positive mindset, GRIT, and resilience, ANYTHING is possible! |
Room 17 Year 3/4 I began working at Western Heights in 2015 as a teacher aide, then as a full-time classroom teacher in the Kereru Syndicate (Middle School) in 2017. Born and raised in Fiji for the first ten years of my life, I now reside in Swanson with my two sons - both of whom attended WHS - my husband, and three cats. Aside from my obsession with the feline species, I also have a fondness for plants, having amassed nearly a store's worth in what I call my own indoor jungle. You will also see many plants in my very colourful classroom. Literacy and the Arts are my passions. I work as an in-school literacy leader alongside my wonderful colleague Jessie. Making a positive difference and assisting my students in developing, learning, and having fun is why I love this job.Teaching is my passion, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to be working in such a diverse, inclusive, and creative school. The staff, children, and larger community truly make this a wonderful place to be! |
Jenna Aalbers Team Leader Room 18 Year 3/4 I grew up in West Auckland and attended Western Heights School. I have been teaching at WHS since 2009, and have taught in the Junior and Middle School. I am the Team Leader of the Year 3&4 Kereru Syndicate and have the privilege of teaching in Room 18. I love getting to know the unique qualities of every student in my class, and helping them to believe in themselves as learners. I am passionate about anything to do with dance, and have enjoyed coaching our Jump Jam teams since 2011. I now coach our Middle and Senior school teams alongside Rebekah. Seeing them compete at Nationals is always a highlight each year. |
Room 19 Year 3/4 Born in India, also lived in Dubai and since 2001, am truly blessed to call Auckland (New Zealand) my forever home. I live with my beautiful family (Husband & 2 teenage daughters). My girls are Ex-Western Heights students and till date cross their hearts that WHS was their dream school to be in. I have been teaching at Western Heights since 2010. Teaching is my passion, my calling and I am privileged to be part of this wonderful family called Western Heights Primary. I have been a Junior Teacher and currently I am teaching in the middle school. I also run the Indian Cultural Unit once a week, focussing on Indian dance, food & culture. I organize the Diwali & Holi celebrations at our school and love the aroha from our community as we collaborate to make it a success every year. Lastly, as an educator and a teaching professional my firm belief always has been; “‘Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. - Aristotle” |
Room 20 Year 5/6 I was born and raised in Northern Ireland. Growing up in a family of educators, teaching is my forte. I attended Bangor University in North Wales where I completed my teaching degree. I am married to Jay and have two sons in their late 20s. I was first introduced to New Zealand in 1987 as part of a one year Teacher exchange programme. During that year I was teaching in a multicultural school, having had the best teaching experience as my passion is celebrating different cultures and languages within my class and our school. In 2000 I joined the awesome Western Heights staff and have taught all year levels. I currently teach in the Senior MLE. I have also been a Beginning Teacher’s mentor and presently an Associate Teacher mentoring University Graduates on a yearly basis. My focus is to build a positive rapport by developing strong relationships with the tamariki and whanau. I endeavour to help each child reach their full potential in academic, social, cultural and physical areas. |
Room 21 Year 5/6 Born and bred in West Auckland, I attended Western Heights Primary School as a child. My husband and I now live near Muriwai beach, where I enjoy being creative through photography. I started teaching at Western Heights in 2018 and have absolutely loved being a part of this amazing team. Currently, I also work alongside Jenna in training the Jump Jam teams. We are lucky enough to qualify for Nationals each year and travel down to Tauranga to perform! I love being able to build confidence in my students, both academically and socially. My students know they can always be themselves in Room 21! |
Jessie Eyre Literacy Leader Room 22 Year 5/6 Joining the Western Heights School whānau in 2010, I have taught in all the year levels and syndicates from Year 0 to now with my Year 5 and 6 class. My passions are Literacy and te reo Māori, and I love celebrating languages and cultures within our school. Along with Julie Grant, I run the Whare Pukapuka/Library and hold Book Weeks and the Scholastic Book Fair, whilst always updating our amazing library collection with new and interesting books throughout the year. I help Aaron McGreal with the Kapa Haka and promote Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori each year in September, and everyday te reo throughout the year. I love teaching at Western Heights School as our students, staff, and community are incredible, and it is such a special place to work. |
Room 23 Year 5/6 I joined the WHS whānau in 2018. My daughter—who is in her final year and off to intermediate next year —has grown to be a strong, resilient student and I will be a bit lost without her in 2023. I enjoy being a part of the many facets of WHS. I have coached Netball and Gymnastics. I work with Year 5 & 6 students, teaching the EPro8 (Engineering, Problem Solving & Innovation) programme. In 2022, two teams made it to the semi-finals competition. It was an amazing achievement! I am an advocate of our fantastic teaching and learning practices and our excellent teachers who teach these programmes; WTB, PR1ME, Structured Literacy, & Play-based learning to name a few. Our school has a shared language and strong embedded values; just look to the rocks out the front of school. If you look very closely, you will see some hidden gems! |
Alannah Lupe-Houben Team Leader Room 24 Year 5/6 I grew up in Tokoroa and began my teaching career in 1998, at Henderson Valley School. I started as a Junior teacher and have taught all Year levels from NE to Year 6. All of my teaching experience has been in West Auckland schools and I love working and living in the West. I have the privilege of being the Kakapo Team Leader and love supporting our Year 5 and 6 students to develop resilience, respect, responsibility, and self-management skills, over the last 2 years before they head to Intermediate School. My husband Chris and I have been married since the year 2000, we have 1 teenage son Austin (an ex-WHS student) and an English Bulldog named Neo. Western Heights is a very special place and I wouldn’t want to teach anywhere else. |
Room 25 Year 5/6 My name is Tim Taura, and I have been teaching at Western Heights since 2015. Before teaching here, I taught at Sunnyvale Primary for nine years, being a team leader for five of those. Besides being a classroom teacher, I am also one of Western Heights' Sports Coordinators. This role helps me to connect with and positively influence children across the senior school. It allows me to show the positive role sports and physical activity can have on learners' physical, social, and emotional well-being. I have one son, and I spend much of my free time supporting and coaching him in his many sporting adventures. I think Western Heights is a fantastic place, and I love teaching in such a supportive, caring, and kind school. |
Room 26 Year 4/5 I have been teaching for 26 years now and still absolutely love it! My dream was always to be a teacher. I am married to James and we have two gorgeous daughters, Hayley and Sophie. I used to represent New Zealand in 400m and 800m on the track. Running is still a huge part of my life and I am now an Accredited Coach with Athletics New Zealand. I feel very blessed to be teaching at Western Heights Primary School. We really are one big family. |
Pippi Davis ReleaSE TEACHER Being a Classroom Release Teacher at Western Heights is the best job I’ve ever had! I love the staff and students here and the caring, flexible approach to learning, and pastoral care. Everyone is encouraged to be who they are and are celebrated for it. My passion is and always has been, teaching Art and I’m lucky enough to be able to do a lot of this with my students. I also enjoy teaching Growth Mindset and am developing my interest in play based learning in the Junior School. Living locally with my husband and our own two primary aged children, it’s awesome to be part of such an amazing community. |
Part Time Teacher I have been a teacher for 25 years now, the last 15 being at Western Heights School. I work part time as a release teacher so you will see me working in many different parts of the school. I love the variety my job brings and I am passionate about helping children to be the best version of themselves. I love seeing and feeling the sense of pride a child feels when they have accomplished something. Apart from a few years living in London, my husband and I are both born and bred West Aucklanders and own a busy Structural Engineering Company in Henderson. We also have offices in Tauranga and Queenstown. We have two sons, in their late teens, who both attended Western Heights in their primary years and have very fond memories of their time here. |
Julie Grant Release Teacher I am a born and bred West Aucklander who has been teaching for the past 25 years. I have enjoyed teaching children a part of many extended families in that time, helping them grow personally and develop into confident learners. The last 3 years I have been teaching part time and really enjoy being in different classes bringing my creativity to each class. I feel so privileged to be a part of the Western Heights family. When I'm not teaching I enjoy knitting baby bits for different charities, making quilts for myself and charities, baking, gardening and reading. |
Music Maestro Music has been in my blood forever. I want children to experience music in all they do with me: listening, singing, playing, creating, moving, reading and recording. I follow the Orff approach to music education. This means always starting with the words and ideas of the children themselves, then finding the rhythms, melodies and harmonies that emerge out of those. I play various instruments, write songs and listen to a wide variety of musical styles and genres. |
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