Rito Team 

Michele Dakers (BEd, DipTchg) - Junior Team Leader - Tahi

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 

Email contact:  sandra@georgestreet.school.nz

Sandra 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 

Email contact: rhian.aitken@georgestreet.school.nz

Rhian is now into her second year of teaching 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) - Rua

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 Rua on Wednesdays.  

Grace Dore - Room 4

Email contact:  grace@georgestreet.school.nz

Grace is a dedicated teacher who strives to create a positive and inclusive classroom where all children can thrive. Her curriculum strengths include literacy and numeracy, and she values the importance of play in the junior years to build confidence, resilience and creativity. Grace believes strong relationships with children and their whānau are at the heart of teaching and learning. Grace teaches in Room 4 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for terms 1 and 2 this year and then returns to full time teaching in term 3. 

Rachael Hanson (BEd, Grad Dip in Ed & Tchg)) - Room 4

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 4 on Wednesdays each week for terms 1 and 2 this year. 

Evie Dore (B.Tchg (Primary) - Room 5

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.

Claire Harper - Room 9 

Email contact:  claire4@georgestreet.school.nz

Paige Wilson (BTchg, Certificate in Tikanga (Māori), Post Grad Cert in Digital and Applied Practice, currently working on MEd (Literacy) - Room 7

Paige has recently moved to Dunedin with her family.  She is an experienced teacher, having taught in Auckland, Russia and Qatar.  Paige is passionate about early literacy, enjoying helping students to develop the skills they need as they begin their learning journey.  Currently she is working towards her Master's in Education with a focus on literacy.  Outside of teaching, Paige is a busy mum of two and loves to travel and explore different cultures and foods. 

Email contact:  paige@georgestreet.school.nz

Joanne Wallis (B.Ed.) - Assistant Rito Team Leader - Room 8

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 8 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Tina Hsu- Science teacher (whole school) & Room 8 teacher

Email contact:  tina@georgestreet.school.nz

Tina joined our team with a wealth of diverse teaching and life experiences and provides leadership release for Keith as well as teaching science to the whole school.  She is passionate about providing tamariki with hands-on science activities and enjoyable music experiences. Tina believes that engaging activities can profoundly impact tamariki’s learning and development. In her classroom, curiosity and questioning are actively encouraged, fostering a sense of wonder and exploration. Moreover, she prioritises collaboration and communication among her students, recognising the importance of these skills for their future success.  Tina teaches in Room 8 on Thursdays and Fridays. 

Farrin Quin (BTcg) - Room 9 

Email contact:  farrin@georgestreet.school.nz

Farrin is a beginning teacher who thrives on building strong relationships with her students. A focus in her classroom is creating an environment where students can be themselves and let their personalities shine. She is committed to making learning exciting and engaging for all her students, with a particular passion for inquiry and visual art. Farrin believes in recognising each student’s strengths and encourages them to approach challenges with a can-do attitude.  Claire Harper teaches in Room 9 on Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Claire Harper - Room 9 

Email contact:  claire4@georgestreet.school.nz

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.  

Georgia Savage- Teaching Assistant Volunteer

Georgia has also recently joined our teaching assistant team in a voluntary capacity, with a view to training as a teacher.    Georgia is getting experience across all levels of our school.  Welcome Georgia.