Our People

Our staff consists of a leadership team, administrative and caretaking staff, a counsellor and, of course, our classroom teachers and teacher aides.  The school is divided into two syndicates. The Junior syndicate consists of the Pikiake Team (Yr0-1) and the Tuputupu Team (Yr2-3) while the Senior syndicate is the Whanake Team (Yr4-5) and the Panuku Team (Yr6).

The Leadership Team

BEVAN VERRYT - PRINCIPAL
Bevan Verryt joined the Birkenhead Whanau at the beginning of 2019. He loves to share his passion of Education Outside The Classroom (EOTC) and I.T. to create curious, critical thinkers who are resilient and understand how to take risks. 
ALICE HO
​DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SENIOR SYNDICATE
​Alice has been our DP for eight years. She is passionate about growing curious lifelong learners. She has a particular interest in Mathematics and Science. 

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SAMANTHA KNOWLES
​ DEPUTY PRINCIPAL JUNIOR SYNDICATE
Samantha joined Birkenhead Primary School this year.  She is a keen advocate for learning through play and ensuring all children experience a smooth and successful transition into school.​

Teaching Staff

Pikiake Team Teachers

Kirstin Todd - Team Leader
Room 1 (Transition): Jill Raines  
Room 2  (Year 0): Hazel Hopper
Room 3 (Year 0/1): Kerrie Little & Simone Nair
Room 4 (Year 0/1): Danae Brodie  
Room 5 (Year 0/1): Vanessa Lyle & Fiona Bendall
Room 6 (Year 0/1): Kirstin Todd
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Tuputupu Team Teachers

​​Aimee Anderson - Team Leader
Room 7 (Ye​ar 2/3): Lucy Buckley
Room 8 (Year 2/3): Julie Marshall  & Victoria Meys
Room 9 (Year 2/3): Chikera Atkins
Room 11 (Year 2/3): Samantha Carter
Room 12 (Year 2): Shannon Payne
Room 13  (Year 2):  Aimee Anderson  
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Whanake Team Teachers
Michelle Thompson - Team Leader
​Room 14 (Year 5): Mirela Lapuste
Room 15 (Year 5): Claire Sullivan
​Room 16 (Year 4): Sonia Morris 
Room 17 (Year 4): Rochelle Henry
Room 21 (Year 4/5):  Amanda Hurley
Room 22 (Year 4/5): Michelle Thompson
Panuku Team Teachers
Alice Saunders - Team Leader
Room 18 (Year 6): Imogen Field
Room 19 (Year 6): Sarah McMenamin
Room 20 (Year 6): Alice Saunders 

Specialist Teachers

LSC/ SENCO - Learning Support Coordinator 
Sandra Hanson
​Reading Recovery
​Kerry Jones
Classroom Release Teachers
Melody O'Connor 
Jocelyn Sanders
ESOL 
Nicole Young

Support Staff

Property Manager
Logan Smith
Resources/Librarian
Amanda Davies

Administrative Staff

Office Manager
​Elaine Neville
Office Assistant
Juliet Harper
Admin Support
Elaine Blake
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Teacher Aides

Anna Hill
Asmita Champaneri
Meinita Baker
Nicole Young 
Eser Ay
Jan Gordon-Walters
Sarah Bassett
Victoria Osborne
Debbie Clifford
Ros Slater