RANUI SCHOOL STAFF 2023
Ranui Primary Staff are dedicated, passionate and fun loving. They are here to work with you and your child to ensure they reach their fullest potential.
Teachers and senior leaders are always willing to talk about your child’s progress with you and help you with any concerns.
It’s always best to make an appointment if you can to make sure we are available for you.
You can do this through the office or with the staff member directly.
We are committed to productive learning focused partnerships with all.
Our Team
Leadership Team
Leadership Team
Teressa Smith
Principal
Ko Hineraki te maunga
Ko Ngatokimatawhaora te waka
Ko Whanagpe te moana
Ko Morehu, Ko Ohaki, Ko Taiao nga marae
Ko Te Rarawa te iwi
Ko Te Uri o Tai te hapu
Ko Teressa Smith ahau
I am lucky to be Principal at Rānui Primary. I hold close this school to my heart. I was a student here many years ago and my children also came.
I am passionate about our children's learning and having positive experiences.
Allisa Holbrow
Deputy Principal
Whangai ka tupu ka puawai
That which is nurtured blossoms then grows.
Kia ora, Talofa lava and hello.
I am Whaea Allisa, and I feel privileged to be Deputy Principal at Ranui Primary.
Ranui Primary is a special place, that is welcoming and really has the learner of the centre of all thinking. I love our Ranui tamariki, they are fun, have character and passion, and make me smile every day!
New to Ranui Primary in 2017, I have 16 years prior teaching and leading experience. I have lived in West Auckland all my life, and am proud to be working in this community.
I enjoy working with people to create success for all students, and making a difference for every learner. I am passionate about working together in partnership, in order to prepare our tamariki for their future.
I am looking forward to getting to know all of you and your whanau, and also look forward to being part of your journey at Ranui.
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
Dr Seuss
Cindy Pile-Wetere
Deputy Principal
Tena koutou katoa
Ko Pouerua ko Putauaki nga maunga.
Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua, ko Mataatua nga waka
Ko Waitangi, ko Rangitaiki, Ko Orini, Ko Ohinemataroa nga awa
Ko Ngapuhi, ko Ngti Awa nga iwi
Ko Ngatikawa, ko Ngaiterangihouhiri nga hapu
Ko Cindy Pile-Wetere ahau.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa.
My teaching journey at Rānui Primary School began in Te Whakatipu Kākano during the third term of 2016. Previously, I taught in a variety of schools within Auckland extensively at Richmond Road Primary School with the English medium and Rumaki reo Maori classes.
Four years of teaching in Queensland Australia within the Gold Coast and Brisbane regions, reinforced my appreciation of how schools in New Zealand are student driven learning environments. Currently, I'm excited to be part of Rānui School staff and a strong team within Te Whakatipu Kākano as a highly competitive and quality Rumaki reo Maori/bilingual unit for Maori whanau within the community.
Maori whanau who strive for quality Maori education, te reo Maori and tikanga Maori as the vehicle for high student achievement and wellbeing.
Ma tatou nga kakano e whangai
Me tipu nga kakano o Te Whakatipu Kakano.
Learning Support
Learning Support
Shelley Couper
Learning Support Coordinator
Ko Ngāti Whatua te iwi
Ko Māhuhu-ki-te rangi te waka
Ko Rāhiri te Marae
Ko Wairoa te awa
Ko Tu-ta-moe te maunga
Kia ora! My name is Shelley Couper and I feel very blessed to be part of Ranui School in the role of Learning Support Coordinator. Most of my teaching has been in London England where I lived for 10 years. After having our first child there we moved back home to raise our growing whanau. Last year I was lucky enough to be appointed in this role at Ranui and so far have loved every minute of it. I am passionate about education and love to see children flourish in a happy, positive environment where we are all learning from each other. The staff, children and their whanau have been fantastic to work with and I look forward to getting to know more of you as time goes on.
Administration Whānau
Administration Whanau
Lesley Mackie
Administration / Te Whakatipu Kakano Kaiawhina
Ko Manaia te maunga
Ko Mamari te waka
Ko Te Renga Paraoa te moana
Te Puke Kauri te awa
Ko Takahiwai te marae
Ko Rangiora te whare
Ko Ngaphui te Iwi
Ko Patuharakeke te hapu
Ko Lesley Mackie ahau
Kia ora. I have worked at Ranui School for 20 years, I have been a volunteer reading person, a teacher aide in the mainstream school and also a cleaner for the school. I am a kaiawhina in Te Whakatipu Kakano, and I absolutely love what I do, all the tamariki in the Maori unit are my children and to them I am Whaea Lesley. I also now work in the School office, which I enjoy as I get to meet a lot of the mainstream parents and children. Both of my children have been through Te Whakatipu Kakano and are now both fluent in the Maori Language. It is a joy to work with the staff at Ranui School, the most caring and loving people you could know, we are all there for one purpose and that is the children of Ranui Primary School.
Tania Vano
Office
Ko Taupiri te maunga, Ko Tainui te waka, Ko Waikato te awa, Ko Mangatangi te marae, Ko Waikato te iwi, Ko Ngati Tama Oho te hapu, Ko Tania Vano ahau!
Kia Ora/Orana my name is Tania. I work in the school office alongside Whaea Les. I started working here at the beginning of 2021 but with all this covid nonsense going on it feels like I haven't been here long at all. I've really enjoyed my time here so far, meeting the tamariki and whanau who come through the office as well as the staff who are all lovely! I have two children of my own, my eldest goes to Waitakere College but used to come here, and my youngest is here now. Although we have only lived in Ranui for 5 years I love being apart of this community and I am looking forward to many more years here 🙂
Te Whakatipu Kakano Whānau
Te Whakatipu Kakano Whanau
Ernest Harris
Te Whakatipu Kakano Teacher
TWK 4
TWK 4
Ko Rakau Tapu te maunga,
Ko Tapuwae te awa
Ko Hokianga te moana
Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua te waka
Ko Te Rarawa te iwi
Ko Ngai Tupoto te hapu
Ko Ngai Tupoto te marae
Ko Ngahuia te tupuna whare
Ko Ernest Harris ahau
Tihei mauri ora!
I am in my second year of teaching at primary school level, having graduated with excellence from Te Wananga Takiura o Nga Kura Kaupapa Maori o Aotearoa with a bachelor degree in teaching in kura kaupapa Maori.
After two decades in the construction industry and having reached the highest levels of management within my organisation, I decided to set our on a new career path that would enable me to combine my love of reo Maori with my passion for developing the potential of rangatahi.
I have enjoyed my experience at Ranui Primary School and have learnt a lot during my time here and I believe I have a lot of skills to contribute to our kura and I am looking forward to continuing to develop my teaching skills within Te Whakatipu Kakano.
I believe my work throughout this year has demonstrated that I am reliable, resourceful and inventive kaiako, who is committed to providing tamariki with a kaupapa Maori educational environment that supports them to become creative and critical thinkers.
My goal is to use my knowledge of te reo Maori and tikanga to benefit our tamariki in Te Whakatipu Kakano.
"Ko te manu e kai ana i te miro, nona te ngahere, ko te manu e kai ana i te matauranga, nona te ao".
"The bird that consumes the miro berry navigates the forest, the bird that consumes knowledge navigates the world".
June Paratene
Te Whakatipu Kakano Senior Teacher
TWK 1
TWK 1
Te Rarawa te Iwi e tu atu nei
Whangatauatia te maunga e tu iho nei
Te Tai o Wharo te moana e
nei ra te reo karanga
i te ao...
i te po...
Kia ora my name is June Paratene, or around here Whaea June. Born and bred Kelstonian.
In our whanau Te Whakatipu Kakano I teach in Waka Tahi Year 0,1 & 2, Matua Ernest Waka Rua Year 3 & 4, Whaea Cindy
Waka Toru Year 5 & 6. The glue of our unit is Whaea Lesley.
I love being able to bring our language to life and to practice our customs in our everyday environment. To prepare our tamariki to be spiritually, mentally, physically ready to learn with our school and whanau partnership to make it happen. Here's some handy tips to help me out
communication - from us, with us, with the school, with one another
commitment - from us to teach your child from you to help your child on their learning journey
connections - are for life, with our learning, with one another, with our community...
Nga mihi kia koutou
Whaea June
Monica Pile-Marsters
Te Whakatipu Kākano Teacher
TWK 2
TWK 2
Kia ora e te whānau o Rānui.
Ko Pūtauaki te maunga
Ko Mataatua te waka
Ko Rangitaiki te awa
Ko Ngāti Awa te iwi
Ko Te Rangihouhiri II te hapu
Ko Monica Pile-Marsters taku ingoa.
I am excited to be part of the Te Whakatipu Kākano whānau 2023.
We have such a ray of sunshine from each corner of our rooms.
When the time is right. Pop in and see us. We love to display your children’s work in class. If you have a Facebook Profile connect with our class. It’s under Whaea Monica Pile-Marsters.
Katene Howe
Te Whakatipu Kākano Teacher
TWK 3
TWK 3
Tēnā tātou katoa ko Katene Howe tōku ingoa and I descend from Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Wai, me Te Whānau-ā-Apanui. I am extremely excited to be a part of Rānui Primary School. I believe that understanding and embracing Māori culture is crucial for our tamariki in their learning and I am honored to have the opportunity to help shape the next generation of young Māori leaders. In addition to my role as a kaiako, I am deeply invested in the areas of health and fitness and I make it a priority to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. I believe that staying active and healthy is essential for both physical and mental well-being, and I enjoy incorporating this into my teaching regimes. I also have a strong interest in Māori performing arts, such as kapa haka and mau rākau and I firmly believe that these forms of expression not only provide an outlet for creativity but also help to maintain and strengthen cultural traditions. I subscribe to the philosophy that education is a lifelong pursuit, and as a teacher, I make it my personal mission to continuously strive for excellence. I am constantly seeking opportunities to further my own education and professional development, both within and outside of the classroom, in order to ensure that I am providing the best possible support for our tamariki to succeed. “Poipoia te kākano, kia puāwai”- “Nurture the seed and it will blossom”.
Kāhu Whānau
Kahu Whanau
Courtney Soole
Kāhu Whānau Teacher
Kāhu 3
Kāhu 3
Tena koutou katoa
Ko Tongariro te maunga
Ko Te Arawa te waka
Ko Taupo-nui-a-Tia te roto
Ko Ngati Tuwharetoa te iwi
Ko Kauriki te marae
Ko Ngati Hinemihi te hapu
Ko Courtney Soole taku ingoa
Kia ora whānau,
Some of you may recognise me while I worked with the amazing Tūī Whānau. I spent three years working in this fantastic team and now I have made the jump into Kāhu where I am excited for new learning, opportunities, and challenges.
Since joining our community, I have been blessed to meet so many talented and awesome tamariki. I love hearing them have their “a-ha” moments and discover new things about themselves and their world. My students know that I have high expectations as I push them to achieve to the best of their abilities. In our class, we like to look at how we can become responsible and respectful problem solvers, so we can always help and support others.
My door is always open, so feel free to pop into Kahu 3!
Caryn Daly
Senior Teacher
Kāhu 2
Kāhu 2
"Whaea Caryn has been a teacher at Ranui Primary for 3 and a half years. She started teaching juniors in Kereru but has made the big leap to the Kāhu seniors and she loves it! Whaea Caryn loves sports and is very competitive, so Kāhu 2 has been under a lot of pressure to win (and we have).
She has high expectations of her learners. She believes that each student has unlimited potential. Whaea Caryn encourages us to do our best. She is firm but fair and we like her Canadian accent".
Kuara and Mema
Johlene Gilbert
Kāhu Whānau Teacher
Kāhu 1
Kāhu 1
Ko Pukekaramea me Panekire nga maunga
Ko Waiau me Waikaretaheke nga awa
Ko Horouta me Mataatua nga waka
Ko Ngai Tuhoe me Ngati Ruapani nga iwi
Ko Ngai Taraparoa me Te Whanau Pani nga hapu
Ko Pareroa me Waimako nga marae
Ko Johlene Gilbert toku ingoa
Tena Koutou,
My name is Johlene Gilbert and have been the teacher in Kahu 1 for the past 3 years.
I have 3 sons that are past pupils of this kura and currently have 1 in Te Whakatipu Kākano.
I love teaching and learning along-side our tamariki and I look forward to meeting new and old whanau.
I have a huge passion for sports and physical education. This passion stems from seeing our tamariki develop self-confidence in their skills that they did not know they had.
In the classroom, I ensure that we have a safe learning environment and that we are trying our best to make sure all needs are met.
He aha te mea nui o te ao? (What is the most important thing in the world)
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata (It is people, it is people, it is people)
No reira,
Chris Kell
Kāhu Whānau Teacher
Kāhu 4
Kāhu 4
Ko Emi Emi te maunga,
Ko Mangāiti te awa
Ko Matātua te waka
Ko Ngā Puhi te iwi
Ko Mangāiti te marae
Ko Chris Kell ahau
Tihei mauri ora!
Kia ora, Mr Kell here, teaching Kāhu 4, a Year 4-5 class in the Senior School… Wow, can you believe that I am now in my 17th year of teaching at Rānui School and still love teaching our wonderful Rānui Tamariki. Throughout my time here I have been involved in ICT which led me to coaching our Robocup (computer programmed robotics) team who did amazingly well representing the school. We were even in Christchurch for the nationals when the first earthquake struck in 2010 and our team was seen on CNN worldwide TV. I have also been involved in coaching numerous sports teams that have done well winning trophies in our Henderson Sports Cluster. Some of these teams have gone on to play in the Auckland Championship, playing curtain raisers for the Auckland Blues, with our rippa rugby girls winning the Auckland Championship in 2019 at Eden Park!
In the classroom I am passionate about building relationships and developing students' intelligence through learning. I love teaching math and exploring how best our tamariki learn.
This is what one of my students once wrote about me. “Mr Kell is a kind, jolly teacher, just like Santa. He cares for others and is one of the best teachers ever at teaching difficult math strategies including how to understand and solve decimals, fractions and percentages. Also he is an awesome sports teacher. Having him for the last 2 years has helped make me become smarter and the happy person I am today and I will miss him when I leave Ranui at the end of the year. But it was fun while it lasted, Mr Kell would win the Number 1 teacher in my book.”
Karen Hammond
Kāhu Whānau Teacher
Kāhu 5
Kāhu 5
Ko Te Aroha te maunga
Ko te kei o waka o Hauraki
Ko Waihou te awa
Ko Tikapa te moana
Ko Tama a Ariki te Tupuna Whare
He mokopuna a Ngati Rahiri Tumutumu ahau
Ko Karen Hammond ahau
Kia ora, my name is Karen I started at Ranui Primary this year and am in my second year of teaching. I grew up out West and love teaching here. Our kids are so special and I feel so privileged to teach them.
As a teacher I try to provide opportunities to foster their unique talents, of which they have so many. And to ensure they have high expectations of themselves, the same way that I do.
Delishia Naidoo
Kāhu Whānau Teacher
CRT Reliever
CRT Reliever
Hi everyone I'm Miss Naidoo, you'll find me in Kiwi! I'm originally from South Africa but I moved to New Zealand when I was younger. I'm not from Ranui but feel right at home with all the support and advice I get. Also those smiles and cuddles from the kids make everyday brighter. I'm so excited to be teaching at Ranui and living out my childhood dream of being a teacher. I hope to pass on some of the great things I have learnt onto our kids so that they can also live out their dreams.
Kererū Whānau
Kereru Whanau
Laura Puru
Kererū Whānau Teacher
Kererū 1
Kererū 1
Ko Maungataniwha, ko Tongariro nga maunga
Ko Hokianga Whakapau Karakia, ko Taupo-nui-a-Tia nga moana
Ko Ngapuhi, ko Ngati Kahungunu, ko Ngati Tuwharetoa nga iwi
Ko Nukutawhiti, ko Korohe nga marae
Ko Ngatokimatawhaorua, ko Takitimu, ko Te Arawa nga waka
Ko Laura Puru ahau
Born in Whakatane, raised in Turangi, married in Rotorua and part of the Ranui community now for 23 years, I am thrilled to make the move to Ranui School this year. My own children were educated through Te Whakatipu Kakano and I am privileged to reconnect with the kaiako and whanau. Kia kaha, kia maia, kia tutuki pai ai o koutou mahi katoa.
I am teaching the Tui 4 students this year and the door is always open for whanau. Nau mai, haere mai, welcome.
Sheree Hodge
Kererū Whānau Leader
Kererū 3
Kererū 3
Hello my name is Sheree Hodge. I have taught at Ranui School since 1996. I have seen a lot of children go through the school. Ranui is a fantastic place to work, hence why I have been here for so long.
Darlene Clements
Kererū Whānau Teacher
Kererū 4
Kererū 4
Kia Ora whanau. I am the kaiako of Kēreru 1. This is my second year at Ranui Primary. I grew up in Kelston and have always live in West Auckland. I have two sons. My oldest has just finished at Unitec and my youngest is Yr 13 at Kelston Boys High. I enjoy coaching and watching sports. I've coached netball, Tag and basketball. I have been teaching for 7 years in the Ranui Community and enjoy my time in the community.
Tilot Naidu
Kererū Whānau Teacher
Kererū 2
Kererū 2
Hi, Kiaora and Namaste from Tilot,
I am a teacher at Ranui Primary School and at present teaching in Kereru 2, which is a Year 1/2 class. This is my fourth year at Ranui. Originally I am from Fiji Islands and I have been teaching in NZ for the last nineteen years in other different schools.
As a teacher in Kereru 2 I believe that it is a very important responsibility for me of shaping the lives of young, impressionable children in my class. I am a teacher who always pushes students to want to do their best while at the same time trying to make learning interesting as well as creative. I define myself as a good teacher who gives tools to help other people succeed. I am always there for my students who respect me and make my everyday life very interesting. If pupils remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honor for me!
Amanda Marsden
Kererū Whānau Teacher
Kēreru 5
Kēreru 5
Kia ora everyone! My name is Amanda Marsden and I am excited to be teaching within the Kererū whānau this year. I developed a passion for teaching when I became a teacher aide in 2011. I then moved into ESOL where I worked with children who had English as their second language. This motivated me to become a teacher. I love a classroom to be filled with respect, laughter, learning and discovery, and I enjoy watching students develop and grow. I believe every student is unique and has something special to offer.
Lisa Milner
Kererū Whānau Teacher
Kererū 6
Kererū 6
Coming Soon
Toloa Ao'ao'ina Whānau
Toloa Aoaoina Whanau
Chantal Arona
Toloa Ao'ao'ina Teacher
Toloa Ao'ao'ina 1
Toloa Ao'ao'ina 1
Kia Ora everyone!
My name is Chantal, I am currently in my first year of teaching and have been blessed to be working in Ranui Primary School with great support and learning. I have a strong interest in education because it allows me to connect with young learners, whanau, and coworkers. I believe that making a difference in the lives of students entails valuing their learning ability, sharing life experiences, excellent communication about their learning, and remaining optimistic. Looking forward to what this year has installed for our tamariki! Fa’afetai Lava.
Brenna Lambert
Toloa Ao'ao'ina Teacher
Toloa Ao'ao'ina 2
Toloa Ao'ao'ina 2
Talofa Everyone.
My name is Brenna Vaiula and I am a new teacher here at Ranui School. Two of my children attend the school and I am a former student myself. I have taught English in Japan for many years and have returned to the area to live with my father. I'm so happy to have the opportunity to teach in a community I grew up in. I look forward to getting to know you and your children this year.
Fa'afetai lava.
Support Staff
Support Staff
Louise Henry
Teacher Aide
Kia ora koutou, Ko Louise Henry ahau,
I am a teacher aide and I have worked at Ranui School for over twenty years. My sons,Jason and Dale were students in Whakatipu Kakano.
I work with the senior children helping with reading, writing, sports lunches, Kids Can jackets and shoes.
Through my years at Ranui School I have been privileged to work with amazing people.
We have had many changes through the years but as a community we have stayed strong and I believe the school has had a big part to play in that and the whanau have always come to support us,I thank you for taking the time to read about me.
Elizabeth Wharetohunga
Teacher Aide
My name is Elizabeth Wharetohunga,
I have worked at Ranui primary for a little over a year. Both my daughter's attend Ranui primary and are in the Tui classes. My role here at Ranui is a teacher aide mainly looking after a young man with physical needs. You may also see me in different classes around the school helping different children. I love working here at Ranui the staff and children ROCK!!
Verlene Ruru
S.L.S Team & ELA
Kia ora. My name is Verlene Ruru.
I have been working at Ranui Primary School for many years.
I am part of the S.L.S team supporting students that need extra help. I am also an English Language Assistant(ELA) working with students from different cultures adding to their 1st language.
I am committed to provide and support my students to be confident learners.
Both my children came to Ranui Primary. This school has a awesome working environment and amazing staff and students.
William Adams
Teacher Aide
My names William and I'm apart of the mighty Ranui Primary teacher aides. I'm currently fresh off my first Support staff of the year award and am trying to defend my title once again this year against the other conniving T.A's. The real reason I'm here is Whaea Heather wanted a bit of eye candy around the school but that's okay I'm trying to prove I'm more than just a pretty face.
(On Leave)
Other
Vanessa Talamahina
Hello, Kia Ora and Fakalofa lahi atu, my name is Vanessa Talamahina and I am of Māori and Niuean descent. I grew up in the Ranui community since I was about 4 years old. I only moved out of Ranui last year, and I have a lot of positive memories of my time as a student at Ranui Primary School.
I am looking forward to providing your children with a positive and welcoming learning environment and to support them with their educational journey and confidence. This is my first year at Ranui Primary and I can’t wait to meet our tamariki and whanau.
My door is always open at Tui1, please feel free to come and visit anytime.
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