Teaching Staff

Tahi Brown

Role

Taituarā/Kaiako o Reorua, Yr 7-8 Rm 2

Qualifications

Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies, Graduate Diploma in Teaching - Secondary, L7 Diploma Te Piinakitanga ki te Reo Kairangi

Email

tahib@koromatua.school.nz

General Information

Whakahoonoretia te Runga Rawa, maa te rire o te rangi taatou e manaaki. Ki te pou herenga waka, te pou herenga taangata, pai maarire. Piiataata mai e aku whetuu arataki, okioki atu ai. Tauaarai o te poo, tiitoko ko te ao maarama tihei mauri ora.
Kei aku nui, kei aku rahi, kei aku whakatamarahi ki te rangi, kei aku whakatiketike ki te whenua, teenaa koutou katoa. Teenei uri o Ngaati Maahanga, o Ngaati Rere me Ngaati Te Kanawa e whakarere atu ana i ngaa aumihi ki a koutou katoa. Ko ahau te kaiako reo rua moo ngaa tuaakana o te kura. Nooku te maringa nui te tau mai nei ki waenga i te whaanau whaanui o te kura o Koromatua. Ko te manako ia, ka eke panuku, ka eke tangaroa ngaa aakonga katoa o te kura. Maa ngaa ao e rua raatou e manaaki e tiaki i taa raatou whiikoi ki te tihi o angituu. Me tiro whakamuri kia anga whakamua teetehi o ngaa tino koorero e aarahi nei i a au me ngaaku mahi. E tuu ana ngaa tapuwae o onamata hei tauira maa taatou e haere ana ki anamata. E tuu whakaiti hoki ahau hei taituaraa moo te tumuaki. Ko te aronga matua ka pono ngaa mahi, ka rongo anoo hoki i te aroha e rere aawhio nei i te kura, i te haapori hoki. Noo reira e te whaanau, koinei te iti nooku. Ko te atua tooku piringa ka puta ka ora ka puta ka ora.
Mauri ora.

Ariana Elmsly

Role

Kaiako/Teacher, Yr 7&8, Rm 3

Liz McCauley

Role

Kaiako/Teacher, Yr 1/2 Rm 5

Qualifications

Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary)

Email

lizm@koromatua.school.nz

General Information

Ko Liz McCauley tōku ingoa.
Ko Te Arawa te waka,
Ko Waitaha Ko Ngāi Te Rangi Ko Ngāti Ranginui Ko Ngāti Rangiwewehi ōku iwi. Nō Tauranga ahau.

Kia ora, it’s an absolute privilege to be teaching and learning at this amazing Kura and being part of such a special community. I look forward to getting to know and work alongside all the tamariki, whānau and the wonderful Kaiako here at Koromatua.
I have a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) and have spent time teaching at various Primary schools in Nelson and most recently at Raglan Area School. I am passionate about teaching and learning and believe all children can achieve success, knowing that I care about them and value them by providing a safe, supportive, fun and inclusive learning environment where we co-construct, adapt and celebrate our learning and cultural identities. I have high expectations for learning in my classroom and encourage all children to strive to achieve their full potential.
I’ve lived in numerous locations both here in NZ and overseas, travelled far and wide and have enjoyed a variety of careers. I have three adult children, Conor, Flynn and Sinead. As a family we love exploring and going on trips. We’ve travelled extensively throughout the North and South Islands, not forgetting a few unforgettable overseas journeys and experiences, but most of all we love swimming and spending time at the beach.
I am passionate about anything to do with art and I paint, draw and create whenever I can. I am fascinated about history, spending time in libraries and museums and love researching and delving into the mysteries and stories from my own family genealogy. Of course, nothing beats reading a great book and a comfy spot with my cat Luna curled up beside me.
Ngā mihi nui,
Whaea Liz.

Katarina Neale

Role

Kaiako/Teacher, Yr 2/3 Rm 4

Qualifications

Bachelor of Education, Diploma of Teaching (Primary)

Email

katarinan@koromatua.school.nz

General Information

I have been a teacher for a number of years both in New Zealand and overseas. I am passionate about teaching and learning and I thrive on the challenges that engage and motivate students through authentic learning opportunities. My belief is that as life-long learners, teachers and students alike are on a journey of discovery together, especially in the digital world that we live in today.
In Ruma Wha, we are working towards being independent learners. As we are a group of different individuals, all students are provided for in a variety of ways. We want the children to be excited about coming to school, about their learning and have fun being with their friends.
When I am not working I love spending time with my whanau and “Face time” with whanau overseas. Reading, art, dance and travel are interests of mine.

Sara Keung

Role

Kaiako/Teacher, Yr 5&6, Rm 12

Email

sarak@koromatua.school.nz

Angela Heley

Role

Kaiako/Teacher, New Entrants Rm 6

Qualifications

Bachelors in Primary Teaching and a Bachelors in Communication Studies majoring in Management Communications

Email

angelah@koromatua.school.nz

General Information

Hi, my name is Ange. I am in my 6th year of teaching after graduating Waikato University with a Bachelors in Primary Teaching and a Bachelors in Communication Studies majoring in Management Communications. I have taught up to year 4 and have been working with New Entrants for 4 and a half out of 6 years. I am originally from Auckland, I moved down to Hamilton to attend Waikato University in 2014. I frequently visit my family who still live there, I am the eldest of 3 kids and my mum is from Poland making me half Polish. I live in Hamilton with my partner Braydon and daughter Gabby. We have a Staffy named Koda, and a cat named Tilly. When I am not at school, I am usually taking Gabby to different activities, at the skating rink, hanging out with my friends or at the beach. I have been a roller skater for 25 years and have represented New Zealand in Oceania Competitions 4 times. I love anything to do with food - cooking, baking and going out to try something new. I love curling up on the couch and watching movies especially in the winter. I love art, science and incorporating different aspects of learning throughout play. I love watching the faces of tamariki light up when they have finally got something they have been struggling with for a while.

Arlette Brown

Role

Kaiako/Teacher, New Entrant

Tish Storer

Role

Kaiako o Reorua, Yr 3,4 & 5 Rm 8

Qualifications

Bachelor of Social Sciences, Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching, Bachelor of Maori Performing Art

Email

tishs@koromatua.school.nz

General Information

Whaia te iti kahurangi ki te tuohu koe me he maunga teitei - Seek the treasure you value most dearly, if you bow, let it be to a lofty mountain.

Mauriora Kia Koutou,

Ko Tish Storer toku ingoa. Ko au tētahi Taituarā o te kura me te kaitiaki o ngā Pōtiki. He kaiako ahau i roto i tetahi ruma Reorua, ara ko te akomanga waru. Ko taku tino mahi, ko te mahi i roto i Te Ao Māori ara ko te kapa haka, kaupapa Maori and matauranga Maori. Kia kaha, kia maīa, kia manawanui. Karawhiua!

Ko Maunga Taniwha me Motatau ngā maunga
Ko Taipa me Taikirau ngā awa
Ko Mamaru me Ngatokimatawhaorua ngā waka
Ko Te Paatu me Ngati Hine ngā hapu
Ko Parata me Nukutawhiti ngā rangatira
Ko Ngati Kahu me Ngapuhi ngā iwi
Ko Kauhanga me Manu Koroki ngā marae
Ko Clint Storer toku hoa rangatira
Ko Hira taku tama

No reira, tena koutou katoa.

My name is Tish Storer. I am one of the Assistant Principals leading our Potiki team. I am the Proud Bilingual teacher in room 8. I love Te Ao Māori especially kapa haka, kaupapa Māori and matauranga Māori. Be strong, be brave, be steadfast.Ngā Manaakitanga.

Fenella Jensen

Role

Kaiako o Reorua, Yr 5 & 6 Rm 9

Qualifications

Bachelor of Sport and Leisure Studies; Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching

Email

fenellaj@koromatua.school.nz

General Information

Tena koutou katoa.
Ko Fenella Jensen (Whaea Nelz) ahau.
He uri ahau no Ngati Porou.
My teaching experience includes relieving for one year at a few schools in Hamilton and Morrinsville and one year of full time teaching at Peachgrove Intermediate School. I began my time teaching at Koromatua School in 2017 with only one son and now Ropata and I have three sons. We enjoy being parents and watching them reach their milestones. We also have a dog, her name is Girl. Girl is an important part of our whanau.
I love teaching and inspiring students to be the best that they can be. I strive to instill a belief in the students that they can achieve to high standards by having high expectations.
I like to keep fit and play sport especially netball, touch and basketball. I grew up in Putaruru and moved to Hamilton to attend Waikato University in 2010.

Sarah Armstrong

Role

Kaiako/Teacher, Year 3 & 4, Rm 7

Qualifications

saraha@koromatua.school.nz

Jessie Grant

Role

Kaiako/Teacher, Yr 4 & 5, Rm 11

Email

jessieg@koromatua.school.nz

General Information

Kia ora koutou,

I am a beginning teacher with a passion for creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where tamariki feel valued. I grew up in Tauranga Moana, surrounded by a strong sense of community, which shapes how I build relationships with tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. I moved to Kirikiriroa to complete my teaching studies and have developed a love for finding creative ways to make learning meaningful and fun, especially through the arts. Being part of a school community means working together to support each other, and I’m excited to contribute and grow alongside everyone.

Desi Walker

Role

Kaiako/Teacher, CRT & AP release, PB4L

Qualifications

Bachelor of Teaching; Diploma of Teaching; Graduate Diploma of Maaori Medium Education

Email

desiw@koromatua.school.nz

General Information

No Waitaha, no Te Tairaawhiti ahau.

He mihi mahana teenei ki a koutou te whaanau me te hapori o Koromatua!

Kia ora, Ko Whaea Desi ahau. I have been teaching part-time at Koromatua since 2009.

This year I am teaching part-time doing CRT, AP release and PB4L. It is a real joy and pleasure working with everyone at Koromatua.

Outside of school I have a very full and enjoyable life supporting my tamariki and their sporting endeavors, my mokopuna are a delight, and I have wonderful whaanau and friends. I love my chickens! Having time to weave or go fishing is a bonus!

He aha te kai a te rangatira? He korero, he korero, he korero.
What is the food of the leader? It is knowledge. It is communication.
Ngaa manaakitanga ki a koutou katoa!

David Leslie

Role

SENCO and ORS Teacher

Email

davidl@koromatua.school.nz

General Information

David Leslie, SENCO and ORS teacher at Koromatua School, has taught primary students from Year 2 to Year 8 (and even survived a couple of years teaching in England!). Known for his knack for making connections with students from all walks of life, David is dedicated to helping young people reach their goals.

When he’s not at school, you’ll find him reeling in fish, outsmarting deer in the bush, or tackling weeds in the garden. He says fishing is a lot like teaching: you have to be patient, keep your line steady, and be ready for surprises