Shirralee is a warm, welcoming and vibrant classroom teacher at Merivale School who has been part of their progressive leadership team. 

She is passionate about embracing culture as this has been a part of her whole life. It began with studying Aboriginal culture in Australia, followed by being immersed in the Filipino culture including speaking Tagalog when she lived in the Philippines for a year and a half, and being part of the Māori culture through marriage for the past 18 years. This has culminated in her strengths in localised curriculum, whakawhanaungatanga and actively listening to and communicating with others. Shirralee has a background in Early Childhood Education, which she worked in  Australia and New Zealand prior to having her own children. She knows the importance of collaborating and working as a team to effect change and to work towards shared goals. Literacy and Inquiry are curriculum areas that Shirralee has strengths in. 

Shirralee’s weekends are filled with transporting her children to their sporting commitments. She loves to watch them as they learn and excel in the sporting arena. Shirralee enjoys spending time with her family, laughing, having fun and building memories for life.

Workstream: Te Marau-a-rohe/Localised Curriculum
Liaison Schools: Merivale School & Greerton Village School

Whanaungatanga sits at the forefront of Melissa’s teaching philosophy, and she believes that relationships based on respect, empowerment and kindness sit at the heart of her teaching practice. In order to reach their full potential, Melissa believes that all ākonga, regardless of their age, must feel that they are part of a culture that invites and values their place within the learning community. In order to create this culture Melissa see’s her role as working in partnership, where learning is co-driven and mutually responsive, ensuring at all times that the mana of all parties are not only upheld, but broadened and deepened.

Melissa has three children who are all part of Tauranga Peninsula Kahui Āko kura. Zavier now attends Te Pukenga in Hamilton, Peyton and Eva attend Te Kura o Maraawaewae. Her husband Gareth is a teacher at Tauranga Boys College. Melissa has also served the Greenpark School Community as a Board of Trustee Member from 2010 - 2016 and 2019-2023. 

Workstream: ECE

Liaison: All ECE Centres and New Entrant Pathways for all Contributing and Full Primary Schools

Melissa's skillset: 

• Robust Assessment Practices: Weaving community aspirations into assessment, writing learning stories. 

• Planning: Embedding Tauranga Peninsula Kāhui Ako ‘Aspiration Statements’ into annual/centre planning. 

• Professional Growth Cycles: Using inquiry to deepen and broaden professional knowledge for teams and individuals. 

• Localised/Local Curriculum: Accessing and embedding locally relevant resources to support our unique settings. (Te Tai Whanake)

• Whakawhanaungatanga: Connections/introductions to other kaiako and professionals leaders within our rohe (region)

• Transition to kura/school support: Wise transition practices, contact details and resources. In Centre Professional support visits.

Rachel is an experienced educator who has worked across the education sector both as a teacher and a Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour. Currently, she works at Pyes Pā School. She is passionate about inclusive and holistic education; always striving to improve student outcomes. Her strengths include literacy, numeracy and working with diverse learners.

As an Across School Leader within the Kāhui Ako, Rachel’s focus is implementing the Learning Support Delivery Model within our Early Learning Centres.

In her spare time, Rachel enjoys connecting with whānau and friends. She loves reading, baking sourdough and anything beach related.

Workstream: Hauora, Learning Support

Anna is an experienced educator who has taught across the English and Social Science learning areas.

Most recently Anna has been involved with Pastoral support as a dean and she has developed school processes to further the establish and build a sense of whanaungtanga within the Kura.

Having developed Sociology in the kura, Anna has supported many akonga outside of the classroom by coaching and managing teams such as cricket, netball, softball and golf. She also is passionate about conflict resolution using a restorative approach and being proactive to supporting akonga and whanau find positive outcomes for learners. 

She enjoys her time outside of kura spending time with  her whanau, including her three boys, being active, watching sport and supporting the arts, bands and theatre. 

Workstream: Hauora, Attendance and Transition