Senior Leadership Team
Senior Leadership Team
Sue Clement
Principal
About Me
Kia ora koutou.
Ko Sue toku ingoa.
Ko au te tumuaki o te Kura nei.
I am extremely lucky to have been the principal here at Te Aro since 2011. Our kura is a place where tamariki, whānau and staff feel a sense of belonging. We strive to uphold the mana, the building up of all learners (big, small, young, older) in our school community.
In my spare time I enjoy walking my dog Molly around the south coast of Wellington where we from time to time see dolphins, seals, and whales. I really love it when my daughters are back in New Zealand so we can spend time together.
Kake tonu Te Aro.
Ever Upwards Te Aro.
Anna Morgan
Deputy Principal
About Me
Kia ora Koutou,
Ko Anna toku ingoa.
I am the Deputy Principal responsible for the Tuatara Syndicate our Year 0-4 whānua.
I also teach in Rūma Nīkau at Y 3 / 4.
Outside of school I am a keen practitioner of Karate.
I train with Seido Karate and have done so for the last 30 years.
I love being outside gardening, swimming in the sea and generally hanging out with my family.
Ray Teahen
Deputy Principal
About Me
Kia ora
Ko Ray taku ingoa.
I am the Deputy Principal and syndicate leader of the senior school syndicate, Te Hokioi.
I have been at Te Aro school since 2005. Before that I worked in London for four years and Gisborne for three years.
Outside of school I enjoy sports with time spent coaching rugby teams and I love mountain biking on Wellington's many tracks. I also visit Lyall Bay and Seatoun beaches often, walking my rather naughty dog.
Teachers
Teachers
Ray Teahen
Year 7 & 8
Rūma Pōhutukawa
About Me
Kia ora
Ko Ray taku ingoa.
I am the Deputy Principal and syndicate leader of the senior school syndicate, Te Hokioi.
I have been at Te Aro school since 2005. Before that I worked in London for four years and Gisborne for three years.
Outside of school I enjoy sports with time spent coaching rugby teams and I love mountain biking on Wellington's many tracks. I also visit Lyall Bay and Seatoun beaches often, walking my rather naughty dog.
Meena Vallabh
Year 7 & 8
Rūma Pōhutukawa
About Me
I am a daughter, niece, wife, aunty, and an extremely proud mother of two awesome kids. I come from a hugely supportive and wonderful family. Family is everything to me! My maternal grandfather came to New Zealand in 1933 from India, and soon after made Wellington his home. I too have called Wellington home since I was born here. The waterfront, south coast, and the Brooklyn hills are where you’ll find my family, that is if we are not at the local hockey turf, cricket pitch or nets!
I have been teaching for more than 20 years. At the end of 2017, I gave up full time teaching and my leadership role, so I could spend more time with my kids and enjoy a better work/life balance! I am very grateful to Te Aro School for taking this somewhat opinionated, highly motivated teacher into their kura. I currently work part time in Pohutakawa alongside Katie and Ray., and have been privileged to work in the garden to table cooking programme with the year 5 and 6 tamariki. I have a wealth of literacy knowledge and love connecting with students, colleagues, and whanau through my teaching.
Outside of teaching, I run Junior hockey for the Wellington Indian Sports Club, I love to read, cook, watch sports, take photos, the South Coast of Wellington, spending time with my family, and travelling although I am not a fan of flying! Go figure!
Mathew Quivooy
Year 5 & 6
Rūma Mānuka
About Me
Kia ora tātou.
Ko Mathew ahau.
I have been teaching at this amazing inner city school since 2016.
I love the diversity of our community and enjoy learning about and celebrating the cultures of our tamariki. I have taught in a number of schools within Aotearoa, as well as Melbourne, London and South Korea. I am very passionate about The Arts and love contributing to our senior kapa haka and providing students with opportunities to express themselves through visual art. In my downtime I love drinking coffee, listening to music, driving, street photography, swimming and spending time with my whānau.
Tess Devereux
Year 5 & 6
Rūma Mānuka
About Me
I tipu ake ahau ki te tawharau o Matairangi.
Ko te Moana o Raukawa te Moana e rū nei tōku ngakau.
Nō Ingarani, nō kotirana, nō Wīwī ōku tupuna, nō reira, ko Te Tiriti o Waitangi te waka e whakatūhono ana.
Kei te noho ahau ki te Motu Kairangi.
He kaiako au ki a Rūma Mānuka.
I'm Tess and I teach year 5's and 6's in Rūma Mānuka with Mathew. I started teaching at Te Aro in 2015 as a relief teacher, and was lucky to be offered a full time job a few years later. I feel so lucky to work at the coolest school in Wellington, with some of the most fabulous teachers and the coolest kids in the city.
When I am not teaching I like doing lots of different things. I'm passionate about learning te reo Māori, and even though learning a language is a challenge, I love it. I love getting outdoors on the weekends when the weather lets me. I like rock climbing, tramping, swimming, and riding my bike.
Anna Morgan
Year 4
Rūma Nīkau
About Me
Kia ora Koutou,
Ko Anna toku ingoa.
I am the Deputy Principal responsible for the Tuatara Syndicate our Year 0-4 whānau.
I also teach in Rūma Nīkau at Y 3 / 4.
Outside of school I am a keen practitioner of Karate.
I train with Seido Karate and have done so for the last 30 years.
I love being outside gardening, swimming in the sea and generally hanging out with my family.
Kristin Holmes
Year 2 & 3
Rūma Tarata
About Me
Kia ora koutou.
Ko Kristin toku ingoa.
I've had the privilege of teaching at Te Aro since 2009 and have been a class teacher in both the Tuatara and Te Hokioi Syndicates in that time.
I am currently the teacher in Rūma Tarata.
When I'm not at school I spend time hanging out with my family, trying to tame both my house and my garden, going to movies and concerts, riding my bike and walking and I do lots of reading.
Ella de Blois
Year 2 & 3
Rūma Kauri
About Me
Tēnā koutou, Ko Ella tōku ingoa. Nō Te Whanganui a Tara ahau. I am lucky enough to be back teaching years 2 and 3 in Rūma Kauri this year. I have previously worked as a Teacher Aide and in government, both guiding me towards a career in teaching. Outside of mahi I love visiting my whānau and friends, reading, drawing, and listening to music.
Eva Stoddart
Year 2 & 3
Rūma Ngaio
About Me
Kia ora! Ko Eva tōku ingoa. I teach in Rūma Ngaio. I grew up in Dunedin, spent some time living overseas, and now feel very happy to be living in this beautiful city and teaching at such a great school. I love my job and am especially passionate about teaching writing and helping my students express themselves creatively. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking, travelling and spending time with my family and friends.
Serah Mehrtens
New Entrants & Year 1
Rūma Tawa
About Me
Kia ora Koutou, Ko Serah Mehrtens tāku ingoa, Nō Te tai Tokerau ahau. My name is Serah and I teach the new entrant students in Tawa. Last year I moved to Wellington from the Far North. I am enjoying being part of the Te Aro School community and learning all about the diverse range of students we have here. I love the schools unique position on the Terrace and I think it is a beautiful setting for us to be working in. I am excited about the year ahead and I look forward to meeting all of you. When I am not at mahi I am usually walking my dog, cooking, being near the water or reading. Mauri Ora!
Cathie Cahill
ESOL teacher
About Me
Kia Ora,
I’m Cathie and my main teaching role here at Te Aro is working with our English language learners, both in their classrooms and in smaller groups. I am responsible for our ‘First Language Time’ programme which encourages students to share, maintain and be proud of their home languages and cultures.
I also help with organising our library and promoting book related events, which gives me the chance to feed my passion for children’s literature!
I love that Te Aro has such a diverse group of learners and I feel really lucky to work with students, whānau and colleagues from around the world.
Katie Norton
Learning support teacher
About Me
Kia ora koutou,
Ko Katie tōku ingoa.
I am a teacher in Pōhutukawa teaching the Year 7/8 students. I have been working back at Te Aro School this year after two years living in the UK. Before that, I worked at Te Aro for 8 years and also taught in London for four years. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the beach and baking.
Daphne Pilaar
Release Teacher
About Me
Kia ora koutou.
Ko Daphne toku ingoa.
I've had the privilege of teaching at
Te Aro on and off since 1998 and taught in a range of classes in that time.
Now, I teach in Nikau on Thursdays and Tawa and Kauri on Fridays. I am
passionate about our tamariki having lots of experience of our amazing
natural environment and fostering curiosity. I highly value Te Aro School’s
vibrant multicultural whanau and our commitment to growing in our knowledge
and understanding of our local and national history. When I'm not at school
I spend a lot of time with my family. I have three grandchildren, 2 in
Norway and one in California. Otherwise, I get out walking, cycling,
gardening, swimming in the sea (in Summer), dancing and going to movies and
concerts.
Kirsty Gardner
Resource Teacher of Literacy - RTLit (based at TAS)
About Me
Kia ora koutou. Ko Kirsty tōku ingoa. I am a Resource Teacher of Literacy, based at Te Aro School. I work and teach in primary schools in Central Wellington and the Northern Suburbs, supporting students, and their teachers, with their literacy learning. I am fortunate to work in a rewarding role that draws on my love for teaching reading and writing. In my leisure time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and two sons, reading, cooking, walking, and watching my boys play sport.
Teacher Aides
Teacher Aides
Adam Hendry
Teacher Aide
About Me
Kia ora my name is Adam.
I feel very lucky to have been able to help out at Te Aro school as a Teacher aid
over the last few years. Many of the Te Aro families might know me from some
of my other roles working at some early childhood centres and the Brooklyn
Community Centre. I enjoy helping Tamariki in learning and play all year round.
Outside of work I love cooking, listening to music (a little too loud I’m told),
sports and supporting local industry such as the Garage Project. My partner
Jennifer and I have two daughters Molly and Lola plus 4 cats and a dog named
Roku.
Jack Pulford
Teacher Aide
About Me
Kia ora, Ko Jack taku ingoa. I joined this amazing school in 2024 and have thoroughly enjoyed my role. Working with the children and families here is incredibly rewarding, and it's a great pleasure to be a part of such a diverse and vibrant community. In addition to my work here, I am in my final year of undergrad, pursuing a double major in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Criminology at Victoria University. This academic journey enriches my understanding of human behaviour and societal dynamics, which I find invaluable in my role at the school. I am also proud to work at the after-school care program for Brooklyn School, where I can engage with students in a supportive and nurturing environment outside of regular school hours. In my free time, I enjoy spending quality moments with my friends and family, participating in various sports, and immersing myself in music and film. These hobbies help me stay balanced and bring a well-rounded perspective to my professional and academic endeavours. Ngā mihi nui
Lola Hendry
Teacher Aide
About Me
Kia ora, my name is Lola and I am lucky enough to have joined the Te Aro school community in 2024. I work here supporting tamariki with their learning and I feel very grateful to have been welcomed so warmly. As well as working here I am studying psychology at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University. Some may also recognise me from up at the Brooklyn Community Centre before/after school care and holiday programme where I have worked for a few years now. (credit to matua Adam). Ngā mihi 🙂
Sumaia Daoud
Teacher Aide
About Me
Kia ora, Assalam alaykum (السلام عليكم), my name is Sumaia. I work at Te Aro School as a bilingual teacher aide, primarily supporting Arab students, but also assisting other students when needed. I completed my undergraduate degree in psychology with a minor in sociology last year. Originally from Palestine, I have been living in Aotearoa/New Zealand since 2022. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, as well as cooking, embroidery, reading, and drawing.
Ella Flannery
Teacher Aide
About Me
Kia ora, my name is Ella. I am a teacher aide at Te Aro school and I am also completing my Masters of Educational Psychology at Victoria University. Through my role at Te Aro school I am able to support, connect, and work with students, all of which I love doing. Before moving to Wellington I completed my undergrad at Otago university which is not far from my hometown of Alexandra, Central Otago. When I am not at work or studying I enjoy spending time with my friends, baking, gardening, traveling, and visiting home.
Support Staff
Support Staff
Georgie O’Connor
Office Manager
Graham Goudge
Caretaker
About Me
Kia ora, my name is Graham. I have been the caretaker at Te Aro School for over a decade seeing staff and students grow. One of my fondest likes is when a past students greets you in a different environment. Te Aro is a great school to work in with lovely outdoor areas. Thanks to my electric bike I'm managing the hills for my part-time caretaker role. I'm still saving to see my beloved Tottenham, it will happen on an extended visit to family in Perth. 'ealth and 'appiness.
Hemi Prime
Kapa Haka Kaiako
About Me
Tēnā koutou katoa. Ko Taranaki whānui, ko Ngai Tūhoe, Ko Ngāti Hine ngā iwi Ko Hemi Prime tōku ingoa. I have been a part of Te Aro School since 2016. Before my time here I worked in Te Kōhanga Reo (te reo Māori preschool) for 12 years. Here at Te Aro school I really enjoy sharing my love for kapa haka. Being part of a team as passionate about kapa haka as I am makes the mahi so much more fun. It's very rewarding seeing the excitement on our kids faces leading up to performances. When I'm at home I love watching sport, kapa haka, or floating away to music. I also love being out in nature and by the water.
Molly
Companion
About Me
Tēnā koutou,
I am Molly. I am a retired service dog. I have been at Te Aro School since 2018 and really enjoy spending time with the students and staff. You can often find me lying in a sunny patch in the staffroom. I enjoy eating fruits and vegetables and going for short walks in the school grounds with the students. When I am not at school I love walking around the south coast with my family.