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 the Pikiake team (Year 0 - Year 2),  the Whanake team (Year 3 and 4) and the Panuku team (Year 5 and 6). 

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 and I.T. to create curious, critical thinkers who are resilient and understand how to take risks. 
ALICE HO - DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
​Alice has been our DP for seven years. She is passionate about growing curious lifelong learners. She has a particular interest in Mathematics and Science. 

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Teaching Staff

Pikiake Team Teachers

Rachel Grant - Associate Principal
Room 1 (Year 1): Kristin Todd
Room 2 (Year 1): Vanessa Lyle & Fiona Bendall
Room 3 (Year 1): Kerrie Little & Simone Nair
Room 4 (Year 0): Amanda Hurley
Room 5 (Year 0): Danae Brodie
Room 6 (Year 1): Jill Raines
Room 7 (Year 2): Lucy Buckley
Room 8 (Year 2): Aimee Shaffrey
​Room 9 (Year 2): Rachel Grant & Victoria Meys
Whanake Team Teachers
Angela Teague - Associate Principal
Room 12 (Year 3): Chikera Atkins 
Room 13 (Year 4/3): Lisa Biddick 
Room 18 (Year 4): Olivia Raston
Room 19 (Year 4): Ange Teague ​&  Kylie Allard
Room 21 (Year 3): Aimee Anderson &  Kylie Allard
Room 22 (Year 3): Shannon Payne
Panuku Team Teachers
Room 14 (Year 6): Sarah McMenamin
Room 15 (Year 6): Anna Robison
Room 16 (Year 6/5): Claire Sullivan
Room 17 (Year 5): Mirela Lapuste
Room 20 (Year 5/4) Alice Saunders 

Specialist Teachers

SENCO - Special Education Needs Co-ordinator
Sandra MacLean
​Reading Recovery
​Kerry Jones
Classroom Release Teachers
Melody O'Connor (CRT & ESOL)
Jocelyn Sanders
Christie Houghton

Support Staff

Property Manager
Logan Smith
Resources/Librarian
Amanda Davies
Counsellor
Carol-Anne Begbie

Administrative Staff

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

Nicole Young
Sarah Bassett
Anna Hill
Meinita Baker
Victoria Osborne
​Debbie Clifford
Asmita Champaneri
​Jan Gordon