Our People

Our staff consists of a leadership team, our teachers, administrative, caretaking staff,  and teacher aides.  The school operates in 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).

All our teaching and learning practices are guided by our school vision of "growing active learners who make a positive difference." All staff members are integral in supporting our learners to achieve a shared vision. ​

The Leadership Team

BEVAN VERRYT - PRINCIPAL
Kia Ora, Ko Bevan Verryt tōku ingao and I am the proud tumuaki of BPS. Over the past few years, we have established what success looks like for children with the input of our community, students and staff. This has led to our vision of ‘growing active learners who make a positive difference.’ We want our tamariki to have a growth mindset, be resilient, seek knowledge and support while being good people who make a difference for themselves, friends, whanau and the environment. We live this vision through our BPS kaupapa (principles and ideas which act as a base or foundation for action). 

Outside of education, I enjoy being active. My career started in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, followed by outdoor education in the UK, USA, and here in NZ. In summer, I love skiing on water and in the winter snow; snow skiing is a passion I like to share with the children during passion projects at Snowplanet. My other little interest is racing a ‘Lemon racecar’ with a group of my old Airforce colleagues, providing me with a very different set of challenges from teaching. 

The children and community make BPS a unique and amazing place it is to be a part of.
ALICE HO
​DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SENIOR SYNDICATE
Tena koutou katoa, Ko Alice toku ingoa. I have been happily married for more than 35 years. My husband Simon has recently sold his engineering business.  He is working at Auckland University while pursuing a doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering.  Both our children are living away from home.  Our daughter Wing is a junior architect in Auckland, and our son Fung is a researcher in Sheffield.  No mokopuna yet, instead we have two energetic and mischievous cats, Leia and Hazel, adopted since they were kittens.
In 2014, I was lucky enough to receive a science fellowship grant to work alongside a scientist at Massey University studying tui songs.  Ever since then, one of my favourite hobbies is to go on walks and hikes around New Zealand, spotting birds and recording their songs.
I trained as an occupational therapist and had worked in the mental health sector in different countries, including New Zealand, before settling in Dunedin to teach in the School of Occupational Therapy.  My mental health work underscores the importance of childhood experiences.  Consequently, I entered primary school education wanting to set our tamariki up well to become well-adjusted young adults who are ready, willing, and able to make a difference to the world around them.  I am also passionate about nurturing children’s innate curiosity and eagerness to learn, broadening their horizons through active, hands-on discovery learning, and supporting them to become lifelong learners.
Birkenhead School is a talented and caring community, and I am pleased to be able to serve this wonderful hapori.
​
SAMANTHA KNOWLES
​ DEPUTY PRINCIPAL JUNIOR SYNDICATE
Tena koutou katoa. I am Samantha Knowles, and I have been part of the BPS team since 2020.  

I am originally from the UK and have been in NZ for over ten years. Before moving to New Zealand, I gained a BSc in Psychology, followed by my Teacher Training. I believe it is important to challenge yourself and continue learning, and I am currently completing a Masters in Educational Leadership at the University of Auckland.

I am the mum of a young son (and two dogs), and my partner follows his interests and manages a golf club. My passion and experience is that of Junior School teaching, and I am excited by our school's vision of 'growing active learners who make a positive difference’.  For young children to be successful in this way, we need to provide them with a wide range of learning activities that foster inquiry; something that BPS does well in the Junior School through Learning Through Provocations. Teachers engage the children through their personal experiences and interests while expanding their knowledge and understanding of the world. 

I love being part of the BPS community; the children, staff and families make it a welcoming and supportive place to be and are great examples of the BPS Kaupapa. 

Teaching Staff

Pikiake Team Teachers

Simone Nair - Team Leader
Room 1 (Transition): Jill Raines  
Room 3 (Year 0/1): Kerrie Little & Simone Nair
Room 4 (Year 0/1): Danae Brodie  
Room 5 (Year 0/1): Fiona Bendall
Room 6 (Year 0/1): Melody O'Connor​

Tuputupu Team Teachers

Aimee Anderson - Team Leader
Room 7 (Ye​ar 2/3): Olivia McLean
Room 8 (Year 2/3): Julie Marshall  & Imogen Pirangi
Room 9 (Year 2/3): Aimee Anderson
Room 11 (Year 2/3): Samantha Carter & Anna Robison
Room 12 (Year 2): Shannon Payne
Room 13  (Year 2/3):  Nathaniel Milnes​​
Whanake Team Teachers
Claire Sullivan - Team Leader
Room 15 (Year 4/5): Claire Sullivan
​Room 16 (Year 4/5): Ben Nathan
Room 17 (Year 4/5): Rochelle Henry
Room 21 (Year 4/5):  Kelly-Anne Foskin
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 
Vanessa Lyle
Imogen Pirangi
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
​

Teacher Aides

Anna Hill
Nicole Young 
Sarah Bassett
Debbie Clifford