Rito Team (Juniors)

Michele Dakers (BEd, DipTchg) - Junior Team Leader - Room 1

Email contact:  micdak@georgestreet.school.nz

Michele offers a really warm and friendly welcome to our newest students.  She is highly experienced and is passionate about ensuring our youngest children get a good start to their learning.  She enjoys getting to know children and their families and introducing them to school life.  Michele has a special interest and strength in teaching literacy and numeracy.  She enjoys singing and music and is working on improving her guitar skills.  Michele likes to teach science and PE and is a learner of te reo Māori.  She is currently investigating aspects of the Learning Through Play teaching and learning approach. 

Sandra Gordon (BSc, Dip Tching, Grad Dip Ap Theo, PGDip Theo) - Tahi (Room 1)

Email contact:  sandra@georgestreet.school.nz

Sandra is relatively new to 'The Mainland', after shifting here in mid 2019. She is an experienced Junior School teacher having taught in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington. Sandra has done 5 years as a Reading Recovery Teacher and is passionate about ensuring children get the best possible start to their school journey. Recent areas of professional study include Play Based Learning, Student Agency and Te Reo Maori.  Sandra releases Michele (our Junior Team Leader) each Thursday. 

Rhian Aitken  (MTchg, BSc (Hons))  - Rua (Room 2)

Email contact: rhian@georgestreet.school.nz

Rhian is a beginning teacher with a genuine passion for both art and science. She strives to create a classroom where creativity and curiosity are at the heart of everything the children do, and where every student feels supported, valued, and inspired. Rhian believe that strong, positive relationships with her students and their whānau are essential for building a space where everyone can thrive. She loves encouraging her students to explore, experiment, and express themselves, fostering an environment where learning is fun, hands-on, and full of possibilities.

Kate Atchison  (B.A., PGCE Primary) - Room 2 

Email contact:  katea@georgestreet.school.nz

Kate brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to teaching, having worked as a Health School teacher for many years.   Her strengths include relationship building and inclusive communities.  She has a strong interest in curriculum design, classroom adaptions and environment.   Kate teaches in Room 2 on Wednesdays.  

Kate Clydesdale (BA, DipTchg, TESOL Cert) - Room 4

Email contact:  kate.clydesdale@georgestreet.school.nz

Kate is an experiecned teacher having taught in many schools across Dunedin, Queenstown and Auckland.  She brings a love of literacy, numeracy, and the arts to the classroom and is super excited to be working with the Junior children.  

Bronwyn Macgregor (BA, DipTchg, Dip Sec Tchg, ATCL) - Room 7

Email contact:  bronwyn@georgestreet.school.nz

Bronwyn believes in creating a warm, friendly and welcoming environment at school so that all children feel happy, safe and ready to learn.  She values parents partnering with her to support their children's learning.  Bronwyn is an experienced Junior teacher and has strengths in literacy and numeracy and special interests in music and art.  She enjoys playing the piano and guitar and singing with the children.  Bronwyn believes in the importance of learning Te Reo Māori and uses it everyday in her class.  She is beginning to research the Learning Through Play philosophy and how it can benefit children's learning.  Bronwyn teaches in Room 7 on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays (on the even week) 

Joanne Wallis (B.Ed.) - Room 7

Email contact:  joannew@georgestreet.school.nz

Joanne joins us after moving from Auckland in 2024. She is an experienced teacher and leader, having taught across a range of year levels. Joanne particularly enjoys integrating e-learning in the classroom and igniting a passion for reading and writing. She is committed to building a positive and collaborative learning environment where students will thrive. Joanne teaches in Room 7 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays (on the odd week) 

Aleigha Butcher- (B.Tchg) Room 8

Email contact:  aleigha@georgstreet.school.nz

Aleigha joins us after moving from Gore, Southland. She is a passionate teacher who is dedicated to creating fun, kind classroom where every student is valued. Aleigha has a warm and welcoming personality and enjoys building strong relationships with tamariki and whānau.  Aleigha has a passion for literacy, physical activity and visual arts. Aleigha shares Room 8 with Sarah Mackenzie and teaches on a Monday and Tuesday. 

Sarah Mackenzie (BEd (Tchg)) -  Room 8 

Email contact: sarah@georgestreet.school.nz

Sarah has many years of experience teaching junior children. Her number one focus is helping children to feel happy and safe in their classroom; setting them up for a year of fun and learning. Sarah has a warm and friendly personality and enjoys building relationships with both students and their whānau. She has a passion for Literacy, Visual Arts and creating engaging learning programs. Sarah shares Room 8 with Ruth Pereira and teaches on Thursdays, Fridays and Wednesdays (on the even week). 

Evie Dore (B.Tchg (Primary) - Room 9

Email contact:  evie.d@georgestreet.school.nz

Evie is  a passionate and enthusiastic beginning teacher who is dedicated to creating a creative, fun, and caring classroom where every student feels valued and celebrated. She believes in building strong, positive relationships with both students and their whānau, ensuring a supportive and nurturing environment for all. Her love for music and the Arts brings energy into the classroom through singing and playing instruments.  Evie fosters a love of learning through creativity and having fun.

Rachael Hanson (BEd, Grad Dip in Ed & Tchg)) - Room 9

Email contact:  rachael@georgestreet.school.nz

Rachael is an experienced teacher, having spent many years in Early Childhood Education before returning to Primary last year.   She is really passionate about visual art and literacy, and loves finding fun, creative ways to explore these in the classroom. One of Rachael's favourite parts of teaching is getting to know each student—what they’re interested in, what they’re great at, and how they learn best.  Rachael will be teaching in Room 9 on Thursdays each week. 

Michelle Whelan - Teaching Assistant

Michelle qualified as an English Learner Assistant in 2010. She loves working with the children in all areas of the curriculum. Children enjoy working with her as she has a friendly personality and establishes a strong rapport with them.

Aki Poor - Teaching Assistant

Aki is a fabulous teaching assistant working in both our Junior and Middle Teams.  Aki loves working with our children and has a real strength in building positive relationships with them.  You will often see Aki out in the playground during break times spending time and playing with our children.

Janna Kyle - Teaching Assistant

Janna works in our Junior Team.  Janna has a lovely warm manner with every child she works with.  She has expertise in a computer application called Story Maker that is enabling children to gain great success with their reading and writing.  She is a great asset to our team!

Lisa Deed - Teaching Assistant

Lisa comes to George Street Normal School bringing a wealth of teaching experience.  Lisa is presently working with some of our younger children and enjoys seeing them experience success on a daily basis.  Nothing is ever a bother for Lisa!

Deanna Leyden - Teaching Assistant

Deanna assists young learners in our Junior team.  She has a wealth of experience working with children with a range of needs and is always keen to develop her knowledge, having gained a certificate in Teacher Aiding.  

Kate McCracken - Teaching Assistant

Kate is passionate about learning and helping children to learn.  She loves the diverse cultures in our school and enjoys working with children who are learning English as a second language.  Kate is trained in English language learning and has spent the past few years studying Te Reo at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.