Mrs Madelene Field
I have been at Pātoka School since 2017 and along with wearing the Principal's hat, I am responsible for Reading Recovery and Room 1 Learning Support. I have taught at several schools across Hawke's Bay and love being at Pātoka.
Mr. Mike Tolley
Mr Tolley is our Deputy Principal and SENCO and you can find him in Room 2, where he will either be gardening or building with the kids! Mr Tolley brings a vast range of expertise to the team, with a background in IT and he particularly enjoys involving our students in Robotics and the annual DigiAwards Competition. Mr Tolley teaches Years 3-5 in the middle classroom.
Miss Inés Chaplin
Miss Chaplin has joined us this year after completing her studies at EIT. She has taken on the challenge of teaching our littlest students this year and you will find her in Room 1.
Mrs Nina van Rooyen
Mrs van Rooyen joined is partway through the year from South Africa. She has extensive experience teaching in the senior area of the school and brings her sporting expertise to the team. Mrs van Rooyen teaches our Year 5-8 students in the Senior classroom.
Mr Steve Driver
Despite attempts to retire, we have been fortunate to add Mr Driver to the team. As an ex-principal, thespian and musician, Mr Driver brings a specific skill-set to the team. He works across all our classrooms as our CRT and PRT reliever and supports us with productions and the end of year Prizegiving performances.
Mrs Alice Nelson
Mrs Alice has been part of the team since 2018 and you can find her in the office, running the ship and keeping everything on track. She is also usually the first person you will have contact with when calling the school. When not at school, Alice, Tim and their two children are very busy doing jobs in and around their farm.
Mrs Lisa
Lisa joined our team four years ago and works mainly in Rooms 1 and 2, doing learning support. Lisa, and her family live on a lifestyle block close to school and when not involved with school activities, they support their girls' interests outside of school.
Whaea Luana Farquharson
Whaea Lu joined the team after Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 and we haven't allowed her to leave since! She mainly works alongside the Room 2 students, providing learning support both inside and outside the classroom. Whaea Lu is also an amazing Kapa Haka instructor and she makes a mean apple sponge!
Ms Theresa Bug
Theresa is our amazing gardener and she is tasked to keep our grounds looking sparkly all the time. If she's not on the ride-on, you can find Theresa somewhere in the gardens, keeping everything ship-shape.
Brown Bear
Brown Bear arrived at school the same time as Mr Tolley and they are inseparable. His main task is to keep Room 2 on track, and he takes his job really seriously. Usually, he prefers being in class however, he sometimes sneaks out to the sandpit or the playground when no-one's watching to hang out with Cousin.
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