Teaching staff
Leadership team
My privilege as the tumuaki is being able to support and inspire our tamariki and kaiako to reach their full potential and to find what makes them passionate about the world around them.
I get pleasure from reading a good book, travelling and spending time with my whānau.
Miriam Gaynor
Maternity Leave for 2025
My passions sit strongly in the areas of literacy and the arts, and I love to see tamariki feeling successful in their learning. Outside of school, I love to garden, read and hang out with my whānau and my dog Lulu.
Nina Hornell
RAKAU ROOPU RANGATIRA / RAKAU TEAM LEADER INQUIRY LEADER - WITHIN SCHOOL LEAD (WSL) FOR OUR KĀHUI AKO
Over the years I have worked with tamariki from new entrants through to Year 8. I currently have the privilege of teaching our Year 6 ākonga and leading our senior team. As tauiwi, I continue to deepen my knowledge and understanding of te ao Māori and te reo Māori and sharing this with our kaimahi and ākonga. I enjoy finding new ways to bring creativity into our learning to help inspire tamariki to dream big and reach their full potential. Outside of school time, I enjoy being out in nature, the arts and spending time with friends and whānau.
My Room is: 4 / Karaka
I teach: Year 6
Kākano team
One of my favourite parts of teaching at Te kura o Haewai is spending my days with fabulous tamariki who are excited about their learning, in particular sharing the creative stories they come up with when writing. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy relaxing with a good book and cup of tea, going for walks around Te Whanganui-a- Tara and spending time with whānau.
I am kaiako for the amazing five year olds as they begin school. We have been an Enviroschool for many years and it’s great to have Green-Gold recognition for our students, staff and community.
Outside of school, I have a love of travel and seeing how other cultures experience the world, the great outdoors, skiing, gardening, singing and the arts which I share with my whānau.
Caiti Miller
caiti@houghton.school.nz
My Room is: 1 / Pohutukawa
I teach: Years 2/3
Charlotte Manthel
My Room is: 2 / Kowhai
I teach: Year 2/3
Symantha Lee-Harkins
symantha@houghton.school.nz
My Room is: 5 / Harakeke
I teach: Year 1
Rākau team
Greg Hornsby
I am a passionate learner of Te Reo Māori and have been involved in the inspiring world of kapa haka over the past few years in Whakatū, Nelson. I look forward to sharing this passion with the tauira in my year 4/5 class and continue learning through teaching and exploring Te Ao Māori. I love storytelling and sharing new pūrakau with the kids. I have two amazing tamahine who I spend a lot of time in the water with and love going for runs with my dog Barry.
greg@houghton.school.nz
My Room is: 10 / Rimu
I teach: Years 4/5
Lucy Brownlee
I am stoked to join the Houghton Valley School community. My teaching philosophy is all about self-confidence, resilience and wellbeing. I love working with kids to unlock their own growth mindsets, communicate clearly, and connect with nature too. In Rātā we'll be bringing learning to life, making it meaningful and FUN!
I grew up on a farm in Canterbury. Some hobbies of mine include gardening, trail running, surfing, skiing, fishing, climbing trees, music events and meeting new people.
lucy@houghton.school.nz
My Room is: 9 / Rata
I teach: Years 4/5
Part time Teachers
Cilla Brough
My Room is: Karaka and Pohutukawa
I teach: Years 2/3 and 6 this year.
Kate Satherley
kate@houghton.school.nz
My Room is: Rata, Rimu and small groups
I teach: All year levels
Jenn Andrews
jenn@houghton.school.nz