Staff
Ngaire Rosoman – B.Ed. Tchg.
Hi, I’m Ngaire and I teach a year 4 class in Room 3. I have enjoyed a number of great years at Russell Street School, which has been such a wonderful place to start my teaching career. RSS is a community where all work together, supporting and encouraging each other to learn, grow and become better citizens in our community. I have a passion for people and other cultures. I love to see children become more aware of those around them, both near and far. I love working in such a great environment and am excited about all we are going to learn together this year. Feel free to come and take a look at the learning happening in our class and take a look on our class blog.
Hi, I am Robin Baker and I teach with Sandi Baldwin in Room 2. Sandi and I have been job sharing at Russell St. School for many years, primarily at the new entrant level. My three children have attended this school. Teaching literacy is my passion and I particularly enjoy helping children to express themselves through story writing. I teach the literacy programme between 9 am and 11.50 am everyday. I feel it is a great privilege to teach five year olds and start them on their journey as life long learners.Email RobinSandi Baldwin – B.A. Dip.Tchg.
Hi, I am Sandi Baldwin and I am the teacher, along with Robin Baker in Room 2. I have a long association with Russell St School as I have taught here since 1997 and prior to that my three children attended this school. I teach the new entrants numeracy, handwriting, theme, physical education, music, art and Te Reo. ICT is incorporated into these subjects. I also run the ESOL programme for immigrant children. I am looking forward to an exciting year teaching children who are so keen to learn and working with a supportive staff.Email SandiFiona Hunter- B.Teaching
Hi, I’m Fiona and I teach in Room 7. This is my second year teaching at Russell Street School and I’m very excited to be coming back to teach at such a lovely, supportive school with the most fantastic students and staff! My curriculum strengths are Maths, ICT and Literacy. This year I look forward to getting to know everyone a little better, while playing my part in further improving learning for all students at RSS.
Nic Mason – B.Ed
Kia ora, I’m Nic. I am passionate about teaching because it allows me to pass on my passions like music, performing arts, art, Te Reo and Writing. I love using ICT to design, create and share learning. I earned a ‘Bachelor of Education’, here at Massey University College of Education in 2005. At home, I have a fiancé and two children and I perform in two bands. I enjoy working with the amazing community at Russell Street School! Naku te rourou nau te rourou ka ora ai te iwi.
Joy Kitt – B.A., Grad.Dip.Tchg., PSTF Alumnus Award Winner
Hi, I’m Joy Kitt. I teach in the middle school and have a passion for science. My classes and I learn to notice things in detail. Becoming accomplished explorers and explainers of the events and artifacts we see and learn about gives us the opportunity to develop our science skills, gives us rich literacy experiences and opens our eyes to the everyday wonders in the world around us. Come and see what is exciting us at the moment.
Kia Ora, I’m Sonita and I teach a Year 1/2 class in Room 8. I have curriculum strengths in literacy, numeracy, and the arts. I love experimenting with new mediums and encouraging creativity. My favourite aspect of working here at RSS is our supportive and enthusiastic team. We are always looking for new ideas to implement in our classrooms. In my spare time I like to find any excuse to be outdoors. I love burying my head in a good book and exercising with friends. I look forward to another fun and engaging year and can’t wait to see more excited faces when new learning is mastered. Come in and say hello!
Ebony Ngatai – B.Ed. Tchg.
Kia Ora, my name is Ebony and I have loved being apart of the Russell Street community for a number of years. It has been really rewarding to be apart of the junior team and in particular supporting some of our younger students in a digital environment. I am passionate about encouraging learners to have a strong sense of self with the confidence and tools to take ownership of their learning. Outside of the classroom I have the pleasure of working alongside a great team as Manager of sports for the school.
James Rea – B.Ed, Dip. Teaching.
Kia ora, it is a great privilege to be part of the Russell Street leadership environment and lead the senior team. Part of my role includes administration and management, eLearning director, team leadership, pastural care and working with groups of students on special projects. I enjoy the responsibilities and opportunities to be creative, innovative and forward thinking that come with the Deputy Principal role in a successful, student focused school.
I am always thrilled by the students ability to interact and achieve at high levels in all sporting, cultural and academic endeavors. The RSS staff are always seeking to engage and develop student capability with student focused, innovative and robust learning programs. What a superb environment to be part of.
Chris Symon -details coming
Kia ora, it is great to be part of the Russell Street School whanau for 2013, after already having a positive connection with the school previously. I am teaching a Year 2/3 group of students and look forward to adding further value to their learning. I look forward to meeting with you all.
Email Chris (link coming)
Rosie Parker – B.Tchg/Lng
Kia ora, my name is Rosie, I have loved teaching at Russell Street School for a number of years. I am passionate about Te Reo Maori me ona tikanga, Kapa Haka, art, being creative, digital learning and instilling self-belief in the akonga I am teaching. I place an emphasis on the essence and importance of teamwork – tuakana/teina. This promotes a culture of learning, a culture of community – where individuals contribute their strengths for the benefit of us all. I look forward to sharing our learning journey with you. Check out the RSS website for our blog, and don’t forget, our door is always open to you all day everyday. Nau mai, Haere mai.
Elly Warnock – B.Tchg, B.Sc.
Kia ora! My name is Elly. It is such a privilege to be a part of the Russell Street community working with our parents and children and alongside an amazing staff. I love having the opportunity to work with some of our youngest children and seeing their eyes light up when they learn something for the very first time. As well as teaching, my role as Assistant Principal includes leadership responsibilities such as curriculum development, transition to school, timetabling and leading the junior team with Julie.
Jacqui Innes – B.Ed (Teaching) Honours
Kia Ora, I’m Jacqui and I teach in Room 14 ‘Class-E – Kaleidoscope’, a 1-1 laptop/ipad/digital classroom. I’ve been part of the Russell Street School team since returning to NZ in late 2009. I am privileged to be part of such an engaging, student centred and future focused community. RSS is a community oriented and supportive learning environment and such an innovative and inspiring place to teach and learn.
Stephen Baker – B.A, Grad Dip.Tchg.
Hi I’m Stephen and I teach Year 4 in a digitally enhanced (1-1) class. This is my 12th year of teaching and my fourth year at Russell Street School. I have a passion for eLearning (check out our Class Blog at http://theinsandouts.co.nz) and sports and believe that learning should be fun and exciting. Russell Street School is a great place for teachers and students and I enjoy working in such an innovative environment!
You are welcome to drop into our class blog (http://rsslittleeinsteins.
Nicole Wilde-Wilson – B.Ed, Dip.Teaching
I am extremely privileged to be back teaching again full-time at RSS. I zipped off for a while to have my own lovely children and now love being part of the team again here. My children, Millie and Charlotte, both come to school here and absolutely love it! I am thoroughly enjoying teaching an energetic, talented group of New Entrant 5 year olds. Their passion for learning never ceases to amaze me – they make my day every day with their enthusiasm and willingness to learn. I have strengths across the curriculum with a strong focus on literacy, numeracy, and health and well-being. Feel welcome any time to come and visit, pop in, view and comment on our class blog or e-mail.
Jennifer Moss – B.Mus, Dip Operatic Art, Grad Dip Tchg
I have the pleasure of working part-time leading the learning in the inspiring area of music. I just love working with children throughout the school and am grateful for the fantastic opportunities working with special groups such as choir, marimba, ukulele and stage challenge groups. Outside of school, I am highly active providing accessible opportunities for all to ‘play’ with music. Being able to give children the tools to colour their lives with music and work with such an enthusiastic learning community is very rewarding.
Suzanne Smith – Dip. Tchg. B.Ed (SpecEd)
I joined the RSS team part-time in 2008 and love seeing everyone get excited about learning! I primarily lead the area of gifted and talented education, but am also fortunate enough to work with the Year 5/6s in Room 14 one day a week. I was formerly a teacher at the Gifted and Talented Education Centre in its first few years of development in Manawatu and before that I taught at all levels around the North Island. I have strengths in special education, literacy, and art, and am passionate about challenging students to be critical, creative thinkers. I’m looking forward to my role in 2013 -a mix of running CREATE classes and supporting classroom teachers in meeting the needs of gifted students in their class. Feel free to pop in and see me or email me at…
Administrative Staff
Principal
David Reardon – Dip.Tchg B.Ed.
Hi, I am David Reardon. I rejoined the R.S.S. team as Principal after having taught here in the 80’s and early 90’s. Russell Street is a positive, forward-thinking school with a talented staff, strong home-school partnership and highly motivated students. It is a pleasure working here with other dedicated people.
I have two school-aged daughters, Leana and Gemma, who keep me on my toes. My wife (and best friend) Justine also works in education. I enjoy sport, particularly racquet sports, but never seem to be able to find enough time to participate as actively as I would hope. I recently took up swimming for fitness and still manage to go for the odd run when the joints can manage it! I really enjoy supporting my own children’s education and involvement in sport.
I have a strong vision for education and keep a firm focus on improving the learning outcomes for students.
Office Staff
Our Office Staff consists of Agnes Allen, who is the Office Manager and Renee Bourke who is the Office Assistant. Agnes and Renee are often the first people visitors, prospective staff and parents will meet when coming to Russell Street School. Their ‘behind the scenes’ administrative work is essential to help the school run effectively.
Support Staff
We have a number of Teacher Aides who work at Russell Street School. Our school believes in the importance of having trained and enthusiastic Teacher Aides working in each of our classrooms for a portion of each day. This allows more small group and one to one teaching of children to take place and has proven to be extremely effective in enhancing children’s learning opportunities. An I.C.T. Assistant, Library Assistants, Caretaker, Cleaners and Dental Therapist are also employed as support staff.
Teacher Aide: Marj Fox
I’ve had the privilege of working with children at our school for many years, enjoying the collegiality and friendship of many people. My passions are sport, literacy and numeracy and it is with pride that I continue to witness the development of students in those areas. My grandchildren attended Russell Street School and have
valuable memories of the education they received. I cannot wait to start each new year, meet new students, staff and parents and work alongside the best.
Teacher Aide: Debbie Bary, -Teachers’ Aide Certificate
Teacher Aide: Lorraine Keefe, – Teachers’ Aide Certificate
Teacher Aide: Charlotte Whitta
Teacher Aide: Moana Lambert
Technical Support: Jeremy Phillips
Library Assistant: Jean Wilkinson
Library Assistant: Rebecca Meade
Caretaker: Ivan Mills
Cleaners: position being filled/Carolyn Jordan
Dental Therapist: Denise O’Brien
Entries (RSS)