Staff – West Harbour School

Senior Leadership

Anna Smythe

Principal

About Me

Heather Howe

Associate Principal

About Me

I love my job and I LOVE West Harbour School. I have been teaching for over 35 years and enjoy educating children and helping them grow into the best version of themselves that they can be. My passion is mathematics; I get real joy from the faces of children when they finally “get it”. I moved from the classroom into Senior Leadership in 2017. I enjoy the connections we make with the families of the children.

E: heatherh@westharbour.school.nz

Lyn Rameka

Associate Principal

About Me

Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti arahia o tatou mahi
Let the uniqueness of a child guide our work

I have the privilege of teaching at West Harbour School since 1997 with a few years in between where I lived and taught in Australia. I have had the pleasure of teaching many wonderful tamariki over the years and now it is great to see some returning with their own tamariki. I am passionate about supporting all students to be the best that they can be.

E: lynr@westharbour.school.nz

Teaching Staff

Pohutukawa Team

Kerry Tyack

Pohutukawa Team Leader, Room 8 Teacher

Room 8

About Me

Kerry- (Ngati Apakura, Ngati Haua, Ngati Maniapoto) has been teaching at West Harbour for 7 years. His entire tenure has been in the Pohutukawa team teaching and mentoring Year 7 and 8 students. Prior to joining WHS Kerry had his own marketing communications company specialising in organisational change management. His passions are rugby, cooking, gardening and reading. He has authored nine books and continues to write feature articles for leading food and beverage publications.

E: kerryt@westharbour.school.nz

April Dawson

Room 7 Teacher

Room 7

About Me

I have been teaching for more than twenty years across all year levels in primary, intermediate and secondary school. It is a privilege to be part of the West Harbour School community.

Ko Waitākere tōku maunga
Ko Wairere tōku awa
Ko Vineyard Aotearoa Christian kerk tōku marae
Ko West Harbour tōku kura
Nō Waitākere ahau
Ko Dawson/ Drummond tōku whanau
Ko Howard toku tāne
Ko April tōku ingoa

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa

E: aprild@westharbour.school.nz

Sam Fetui

Room 5 Teacher

Room 5

About Me

With 18 years in education, I'm committed to raising student achievement and meeting your child's learning needs. I aim to motivate and encourage all students to excel in every aspect of the curriculum. As a father of four, I'm passionate about seeing children reach their potential. In class, learning is fun, and every child becomes a lifelong learner, equipped to achieve their dreams. Together, we achieve great things.
E vave taunu’u le malaga pe a tatou alo va’a fa’atasi
(Our destiny is within sight when we paddle our canoe together)

E: samf@westharbour.school.nz

Tracey Matthews

Room 6 Teacher

Room 6

About Me

I have been teaching for over 20 years at both intermediate and primary levels. I enjoy supporting students to meet their potential and be the best version of themselves. I believe education is a partnership between home and school.

Ko Puketapapa te maunga te rū nei taku ngākau
Ko Manukau te moana e mahea nei aku māharahara
Ko West Harbour toku kura
No Kaeo ahau
Ko Tracey toku ingoa

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa

E: tracym@westharbour.school.nz

Kowhai Team

Paul Birch

Kowhai Team Leader, Room 4 Teacher

Room 4

About Me

Kia ora, My name is Paul. I am originally a born and bred Wellingtonian. I have been teaching for over 20 years, with 18 years as part of this wonderful community at West Harbour School.

Ko Rimutaka te maunga te rū nei taku ngākau
Ko Kairangi te awa e mahea nei aku māharahara
Nō Upper Hutt ahau
E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o Wellington e noho nei au
Ko Paul tōku ingoa.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.

E: paulb@westharbour.school.nz

Scott Buckingham

Room 15 Teacher

Room 15

About Me

I have been teaching for 20 years and have worked across year levels 4-8. I have been lucky enough that all of them have all been at West Harbour School. I enjoy supporting students and staff to meet their potential and be the best version of themselves. I believe education is a partnership between home and school.

E: scottb@westharbour.school.nz

Daniel Chettiar

Room 15 Teacher

Room 15

About Me

Hello everyone.
My Name is Daniel Chettiar and I have been teaching at West Harbour for 5 years. I'm relatively new to the teaching profession and I wouldn't pick any other job as my career. My teaching philosophy is primarily focused on serving our children so that they have the best possible outcomes in their own lives both personal and academic. I moved to NZ from South Africa when I was 6 years old and have always been a Westie.

E: danielc@westharbour.school.nz

Judith Puch

Room 2 Teacher

Room 2

About Me

I have been teaching for 16 years at West Harbour & have taught all levels. I enjoy introducing students to 21st Century thinking through active learning experiences. Information Systems, Mathematics, Science & Art are my passions. Keeping students' curiosity about their world is very important to my teaching philosophy.

Ko Rangitoto toku maunga
Ko Manukau toku moana
Ko Oteha toku awa,
Ko West Harbour toku kura
No Browns Bay ahau
Ko Judith toku ingoa

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa

E: judithp@westharbour.school.nz

Miah Tagaloa

Room 3 Teacher

Room 3

About Me

Talofa lava!
I’m Matua Miah and like ‘the prodigal son’ it has been a special return back home to West Harbour School.
I have absolutely loved the transition from the corporate world to the education space.
In my 6 years here, I have developed a passion to empower our Māori and Pasifika students to achieve their full potential and understand the impact their choices have on their future. I have the privilege to serve our Tū Fa'atasi culture group and choir alongside Mr Fetui.

E: miaht@westharbour.school.nz

Tash Manako

Room 1 Teacher

Room 1

About Me

Fakaalofa lahi atu, My name is Natasha Manako. I have lived in West Auckland my whole life and have been teaching here at West Harbour School for 5 years. I believe that all children have a right to an education and that school should be a place where children feel safe, secure and empowered.

Ko Waitākere te maunga
Ko Piha te awa
Nō Tāmaki ahau
Ko Cooper tōku whānau
Ko Charles tōku matua
Ko Kristie tōku whaea
Ko Natasha tōku ingoa

No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa

E: natashaco@westharbour.school.nz

Puriri Team

Nicola Allen-Coombe

Puriri Team Leader, Room 10 Teacher

Room 10

About Me

I have been teaching for many years and have taught all year levels. The majority of this time I have spent at West Harbour School.

Ko Maungawhau te maunga e rū nei taku ngākau
Mt Eden is the mountain that speaks to my heart.
Ko Waitemata te moana e mahea nei aku māharahara
Waitemata is the water that alleviates my worries
Nō Tāmaki Makarau ahau
E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o Tāmaki Makarau e noho nei ahau

E: nicolaa@westharbour.school.nz

Tadra Young

Room 9 Teacher

Room 9

About Me

I am an experienced teacher. I have taught both in Whangārei and Tāmaki Makaurau.

Ko Maungakiekie te maunga e rū nei taku ngākau
One Tree Hill is the mountain that speaks to my heart
Ko Muriwai te moana e mahea nei aku māharahara
Muriwai is the sea that alleviates my worries
Nō Tāmaki Makaurau ahau
E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o Tāmaki Makarau e noho nei ahau
Ko Tadra tōku ingoa.
Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.

E: tadray@westharbour.school.nz

Totara Team

Judy Lim

Totara Team Leader, Room 13 Teacher

Room 13

About Me

Kia ora, This is my 15th year of teaching and I have taught Year 0-4 children. I am passionate about education and helping children to develop a love of learning. I believe that every child has the potential to succeed and it’s my job to create a safe environment where children are encouraged to take risks, make mistakes and learn from them. I encourage parents to reinforce this growth mindset and support children to be confident, resilient and successful learners.

E: judyl@westharbour.school.nz

Brad Karsten

Room 14 Teacher

Room 14

About Me

Hallo, Kia Ora!

I have taught from a range of years 3-6 for 7 years now. I am from South Africa and migrated to New Zealand at the age of 7. I finished my schooling life in east Auckland and then moved west.

West Harbour School is just awesome. Being amongst a community with students that bring culture and aroha is absolutely heartwarming and an experience I believe every child should be exposed to.

E: bradk@westharbour.school.nz

Mal Hall

Room 12 Teacher

Room 12

About Me

Kia ora! Ko Hall tōku whānau. Ko Malakhai tōku ingoa.

I identify as non-binary & use they/them pronouns. The children call me Teacher Hall. I am in my 2nd year of teaching & I love my job at West Harbour School. 😄

My teaching philosophy is about working as a team & learning through fun. I strive to create meaningful, exciting learning experiences for my students, & to build a classroom environment where tamariki can feel safe to explore & express their authentic selves.

E: malh@westharbour.school.nz

Rimu Team

Cleone Simpson

Rimu Team Leader, Room 26 Teacher

Room 26

About Me

I have been teaching for over 20 years both in Early Childhood and Primary settings. I love being a part of students' lifelong learning journeys.

Ko Taupiri te maunga e rū nei taku ngākau
Taupiri is the mountain that speaks to my heart
Ko Hauraki Gulf te moana e mahea nei aku māharahara
Hauraki Gulf is the water that alleviates my worries
No Hamilton ahau
I am from Hamilton
Ko Cleone tōku ingoa.
My name is Cleone
Nō reira, tēnā koutou katoa.

E: cleones@westharbour.school.nz

Eva Li

Room 25 Teacher

Room 25

About Me

Kia ora!

I have 21 years of experience teaching young children in Early Childhood Education and Primary settings. For the last 5 years, I have been teaching at West Harbour School, where I have found a supportive environment that fosters student success. My goal is to create a safe and inclusive space for all students to achieve their best.

Ko Rangitoto te maunga
Ko Haihe te awa
Ko Li toku whanau
Ko Li Zigang toku papa
Ko Zhang Yueping toku mama
Ko Li Haiying toku ingoa
Tēnā Koutou, Tēnā Koutou, Tēnā Koutou Katoa

E: eval@westharbour.school.nz

Deb Harris

Room 24 Teacher

Room 24

About Me

Kia ora koutou,
I have been in education for over 11 years as a Teacher Aide. In 2020 I decided to take the next step in my career and study to become a primary school teacher, through the University of Waikato. I believe in making all learner’s feel safe, secure, welcome and wanted in an inclusive environment that nurtures learning and development. Through this approach I believe all children can succeed in their learning journeys, whatever they may look like.

E: debh@westharbour.school.nz

Manuka Team

Carolyn Stewart

Manuka Team Leader, Room 22 Teacher

Room 22

About Me

Kia Ora, in my 30 years teaching career I have developed a passion for literacy teaching. I love supporting our newest school members in their journey to read and write as well as supporting older children learning to read and write if English is their second language.
I have four adult children who I am very proud of. West Harbour has been my home for 23 years and I love walking the local paths and water views.

E: carolyns@westharbour.school.nz

Jude Ayers

Room 18 Teacher

Room 18

About Me

I am in my 7th year of teaching with experience in both Early Childhood and Primary settings. I enjoy helping children and their whanau as they begin school with the belief that a positive start will lead to wonderful experiences and outcomes in their life-long learning journey.
I grew up in Australia, living in Toowoomba, Townsville, Sunshine Coast and Melbourne. My family has also lived in Poland for 10 years and New Zealand for 5 years.

E: judea@westharbour.school.nz

Donna Gray

Room 17 Teacher

Room 17

About Me

Kia Ora! I have been teaching for 25 years focusing on Year 1 and 2. I first started teaching in Christchurch, then Auckland, London, Dubai, Jakarta, Zhuhai (China) Seoul and now Auckland again. I learnt so much while overseas and learnt how to explicitly teach Literacy and Numeracy. I really love being back in New Zealand connecting with whanau and friends. My passion is to teach, I enjoy teaching Year 1 and 0 as they make the most progress. It is so rewarding to create a fun and collaborative space to facilitate our tamariki to grow and learn collaboratively.

E: donnag@westharbour.school.nz

Alice Fenton

Room 23 Teacher

Room 23

About Me

Kia Ora! My name is Alice. I have been teaching for 7 years, recently returning home to NZ from an overseas stint in London. I have a passion for supporting our youngest children and making their first year of school enjoyable, fun and positive.

Ko Rangitoto te māunga
Ko Waitematā te moana
Ko West Harbour tōku kura
Ko Ben tōku tāne
Nō Tāmaki Makaurau ahau op
Ko Alice tōku ingoa

E: alicef@westharbour.school.nz

Other Teaching Staff

Kim Henry

Teacher

About Me

We are incredibly lucky to have a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) programme for Year 4 - Year 8 learners at WH. I run this exciting room where learners discover things about the world around them. I have a background in Technology Education and Gifted and Talented learners. My Masters in Education, focussed on how teams of teachers working together can lift student outcomes. This is my second time teaching at WH, my first was way back in the 1990’s!

E: khenry@westharbour.school.nz

Catherine Koolaian

Teacher

About Me

Kia Ora,
Throughout many years of teaching in New Zealand and Australia, I have met many children and their families. The mutual love and respect we have shown each other has made teaching more than just the job to me. Today I am a member of many families which makes me so proud and grateful knowing all the lives I've been able to touch and make a difference in. The love, joy and happiness I have experienced in my job is beyond words. I have so many memories to treasure and far too many moments of joy and happiness which were shared with me at the end of each year by parents who were content with the development their children have made throughout the year both academically and socially.

E: catherinek@westharbour.school.nz

Learning Support Staff

Learning Support

Jasmyn Allaway

Learning Support

About Me

Coming Soon

Debbie McDade

Learning Support

About Me

Coming Soon

Tina Rangiawha

Learning Support

About Me

Coming Soon

Sue Olsen

Learning Support

About Me

I have worked and been a part of West Harbour School’s family for nearly 30 years. Both my children came to West Harbour, and my husband also worked here until his retirement. I have worked mainly in learning support, and more recently I've been lucky to be our school librarian.

Rebecca Dam

Guidance Counsellor

About Me

I am both an experienced teacher and Guidance Counsellor and have the honour to currently be working in 3 West Auckland Schools as a School Guidance Counsellor. My aim in counselling is to empower my clients to develop their skills and ability to manage the situations or challenges they are faced with in everyday life. In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and making memories wherever I can.

Administration Team

Ruth Withers

Principal’s PA

About Me

Coming Soon

E: ruthw@westharbour.school.nz

Fiona Taniora

Reception

About Me

Coming Soon

E: fionat@westharbour.school.nz

Caretaker

Caretaker/Cleaners

Stephen Byrnes

Property Manager

About Me

Coming Soon

E: stephenb@westharbour.school.nz