Our Staff

I truly value the work and responsibilities of the position I am in and I am surrounded by a bunch of friendly and dedicated professionals here at Moanataiari School. I have always had a passion for tutoring and supporting young people which makes my job that much more rewarding.

Education provides many different challenges for both the student and the teacher, and I advocate for building strong relationships together to endure the many difficulties life sends our way. I am a husband and father of three, so I understand the worries and concerns of the students from the lens of their teacher and a parent, which better equips me to deal with any situation presented.

Moanataiari School carries the same values that I believe and these are consistent throughout the school and the staff. I am very grateful towards the school board of trustees and the other organisations who help to improve our school. The value and respect to the diverse range of cultures that are a part of our school is a testament to the love and respect that is fostered by the staff and the families of students. This is only my second year in the classroom, however the support offered to me has been invaluable to me and my family, which I only hope to repay through the dedication in my work.

There are lots of reasons why I love working at Moanataiari school! Firstly, the fabulous students I have the privilege of teaching and the families I get to know and work alongside.

I so appreciate the wonderfully supportive staff I work with and the high professional standards and work ethics we all share.

There is such a wide range of learning opportunities available to students at our school including sports, the arts and exciting classroom programmes.

Included also, is our vital school gardening programme, which enables our children to learn valuable lessons regarding sustainability and protecting our environment for future generations.

Our exceptional school values permeate every area of school life. They are very evident in our students behaviour and set a high standard for our students at school as well as providing a great foundation for their futures.

To provide administrative assistance, when required, for the Board of Trustees which includes:

• Board meeting minutes

I am the New Entrant teacher at Moanataiari School. I love getting to meet our newest students and their whanau when they join our fantastic school community. 

This supports and nurtures our newest students transitioning from their pre-school environment into school. We are the only school in Thames with these facilities.

I am passionate about teaching literacy and numeracy along with the arts and physical education.

Kia Orana. My name is Laura Pooley and I feel very lucky to be part of the Moanataiari School whanau.

I have had the privilege of teaching tamariki in the junior school since 2015 and getting to know them and their families. 

What attracted me to Moanataiari School were the School Values and how staff and students demonstrate these on a daily basis.  

The teachers here strive to create nurturing environments in which tamariki feel safe, secure and happy - supporting them to grow and become confident, independent, lifelong learners.

“Popoia te kakano

kia puawai”

Nurture the seed and it will blossom

Kia Ora, I am Louise Hinds-Haye and I have the privilege of teaching our Year 3 & 4 students.

2019 was my beginning year as a primary school teacher, graduating from Waikato University the previous November. I started in the Year 1 class.

I have loved returning to Thames as a teacher at Moanataiari School and feel very lucky to have been welcomed into such an enthusiastic, supportive and caring learning community.

Kia ora,

My name is Lucy Barrier, and I am excited to begin my teaching journey in 2025. After completing my degree in Christchurch, I have returned to the North Island to start my career at Moanataiari Primary School.

I am passionate about building positive relationships with the school whānau and the wider community, and am committed to creating an inclusive learning environment for all tamariki.

I have had the privilege of teaching at this school since 2009. The people make this school what it is - students, staff, parents and whanau.

People here are supportive, helpful and kind. Our school values play an important part in who we are here at Moanataiari School.

Walking into the school you will be made to feel welcome by our friendly school family.

I am currently Deputy Principal (DP) and over the years have taught in both the senior school as well as in the junior school. Teaching is my passion, and I love my job.

I am currently teaching a year 4 and 5 class. I was fortunate to return, from teaching overseas over seven years ago, to take up a teaching position here at Moanataiari School.  There were three key things that attracted me to this school.

Number one was the emphasis on promoting the school values of: Teaching and Learning (Ako), Caring (Manaakitanga), Connecting and Including (Whakawhanaungatanga), Respect (Whakaute), Grit and Determination (Manawaroa) and Doing our Best (Tino Pai Rawa).

Moanataiari students thrive in the warm, supportive learning environment that has these values firmly embedded into everything they do.  

Secondly living and learning between the mountains and the sea, everyone has a role to play in developing our sustainability. Kaitiakitanga (guardianship of our natural environment) is an important feature of our local curriculum.

Finally the mission of learning and growing together is the essence that binds this special community together.

Teachers, parents and students learning together as they grow new knowledge makes coming to this school an uplifting experience for everyone.