Rapaura School

Modern primary school in Blenheim

  • About
    • Rapaura School Staff
    • Board of Trustees
    • Students & Parents
    • FORS
    • Contact Rapaura School
    • Vacancies
  • For Parents
  • Our Learning
  • Our School
  • Calendar
  • Blog
  • Menu Item
You are here: Home / Rapaura School Staff

Rapaura School Staff

Michelle Spencer – Principal
principal@rapaura.school.nz

Tena koutou, greetings to you all. I am excited to lead the learning at Rapaura School, a successful and highly regarded school that engages, challenges and supports students to improve their all-round achievement and interpersonal skills. I aim to build on these strengths and to enhance our reputation as a successful sought-after school. It gives me great pleasure to share with the wider community of our recent 4-5 year ERO report.


Nicola Corbishley – Office Administrator
office@rapaura.school.nz

Nicola is our Office Administrator who is in charge of all areas within the admin area including finance. Nicola is a parent of the school with a daughter in Y6 and son in Y5. Nicola has come with a wealth of experience and we are very fortunate to have her working alongside us here at Rapaura School.


Trish Weaver – Deputy Principal, Teacher Gifford Room, Yrs 7/8
trish.weaver@rapaura.school.nz

Nominated twice for the National Excellence in Teaching Awards, our Y7/8 teacher has over 25 years of teaching experience. Trish nurtures – and challenges – the potential of our senior students by fostering their critical and creative thinking abilities, and their belief in themselves. She has set up the Rapaura Young Leaders Programme which has our Year 8s go on to college as self-motivated, confident, achieving learners.


Debbie Godsiff – Junior Syndicate Leader, Teacher Jellyman Room, New Entrants
debbie.godsiff@rapaura.school.nz

My name is Debbie Godsiff and I am the New Entrants Teacher and Junior Syndicate Leader at Rapaura School. I have come from the Tasman District and bring to Rapaura School eleven years of teaching experience with expertise in Art, Science and Environmental Education. My aim is to foster a love of learning in every child, by teaching creative, engaging and fun lessons that are responsive to the interests and passions of the children in my class. I feel extremely privileged to be trusted with the important job of being a child’s first teacher as they begin their school journey.


Giselle Otway – Teacher Coleman Room, Yrs 1/2/3
giselle.otway@rapaura.school.nz

Giselle has previously taught at tertiary level and has retrained for primary. Full of enthusiasm, Giselle aims to extend our students and build each students confidence in their own abilities.  Keen on sports, Giselle is often found at the weekends on the sideline of sporting fixtures.  Giselle supports the students and families with the organisation of sport codes.


Honour Welbourn – Teacher Coleman Room, Yr 1/2/3
honour.welbourn@rapaura.school.nz

Honour, new to teaching in 2017, strives to get the best from each of her students by really getting to know the individuals within the class and finding out what makes them tick, ensuring authentic learning. Her aim is to nurture curiosity, independence, creativity and the love of learning.


Sophie Shaul – Teacher O’Dwyer Room, Yr 6
sophie.shaul@rapaura.school.nz

I am new to Marlborough and Rapaura School, where I am currently teaching Year 6. I made the move two years ago, from England to New Zealand. I am loving it here and I’m definitely planning to stay. With high expectations for every student and myself, my love for learning is clearly apparent. With a puppy to keep me company, my weekends are enjoyed  outdoors in the Marlborough Sounds.


Mikayla Avant – Teacher Bassett Room, Yr 4/5
mikayla.avant@rapaura.school.nz

My name is Mikayla Avant, being a second year teacher I bring new energy and enthusiasm to Rapaura School.  I come from a small harbour side town in Canterbury. I aim to build relationships with my students and their families alike to work collaboratively within the classroom for the best outcome of the students learning. I am very fitness and outdoors orientated and love to try and bring this into the classroom where I can.


Tania Jenkins – Teacher Bassett Room, Y4/5
tania.jenkins@rapaura.school.nz

I am very happy to have joined the Rapaura School teaching team.
Previously I come from teaching a multilevel junior class at Ward School. Before that I taught for many years in junior and middle school classes, and trained as a Reading Recovery teacher, at Ashhurst School near Palmerston North.
My new role encompasses supporting Literacy across Rapaura School, including overseeing web based Steps programme and this year team teaching in a collaborative space with Miss Avant.


Erin McPhail – Teacher Coleman & Jellyman Room, Y1/2/3
erin.mcphail@rapaura.school.nz

Erin has been at Rapaura School since 2012. Returning from maternity leave for 2019, Erin will be based in Coleman Room job sharing with Honour Welbourn. Erin will also work in Jellyman Room in 2020 on a Friday for Debbie. Erin is an experienced Junior school teacher with a passion for providing quality learning programmes which help children develop foundational literacy and numeracy skills, curiosity about the world around them and creative thinking. She strives to create an environment where a love of learning can grow and all learners can experience success.



Grace Simpson
– Teacher Aide

Grace works mostly with a Y7/8 class supporting and accommodating learning across the curriculum. Grace has a background of working with students in many different areas, eg Oscar and is a make-up artist. Grace brings a step of energy to the classroom and a warm, caring smile.



Trish Hilyard
– Teacher Aide/Librarian

Trish brings many years of experience and knowledge to the classroom and we are very spoilt to have Trish working with us.  Trish helps out in the junior school in all areas and spends time in our library to ensure we have new books, and the area is looking inviting.


Jo Jager – Cleaner & Caretaker

Jo joined the team 2016 initially as school cleaner but now as our caretaker/cleaner and pool supervisor. Jo is passionate about presentation and always ensures our school grounds are looking tidy and looked after. We are very appreciative of the time she dedicates to our school. Jo is always ensuring our school grounds are safe but if there is ever a temporary hazard or something that is of concern please inform Jo or the school office.

Contact Rapaura School

Phone: 03 570 5752

Contact Page

Rapaura School Values

  • R - Respect

    Ourselves, our peers, our families, our culture, our school, our property and our community.

  • E - Excellence

    Attitude towards learning, building skills to achieve as a learner, pride, values, manners, setting expectations.

  • A - Adaptable

    To be innovative, a problem solver, self-managing learner and a creative thinker. Be curious to ask questions and explore the world.

  • C - Collaboration

    Building knowledge and skills, to work constructively with others. To celebrate each other’s strengths, and to share and develop ideas.

  • H - Hauora

    Well - being: physically, mentally and emotionally, socially and spiritually.
    These 4 dimensions represent the four walls of a whare - each is necessary for strength and symmetry. Dr Mason Durie

ERO Report & Charter

Rapaura School ERO Report 2018
Rapaura School Charter 2020 - 2022

Annual Report

Rapaura School Annual Report 2019

Rapaura School Policies

Rapaura School Policies information

Recent Posts

  • New cricket gear for Rapaura School December 15, 2020
  • Crazy hair day for Gus December 3, 2020
  • Spring Show 2020 October 28, 2020
  • Mountain biking at Seddon October 22, 2020
  • Taiopenga 2020 October 22, 2020

Rapaura School

Reach for Success

349 Hammerichs Road
RD 3
Blenheim
Marlborough 7273
New Zealand

Community

  • Rapaura School Staff
  • Students & Parents
  • Board of Trustees
  • FORS
  • History
  • Traditions
  • Our Blog
  • Event Calendar




rapaura_logo-round

Parent Info

  • Rapaura School Policies
  • Enrolments
  • Our School
  • Absences
  • Time Table
  • Emergency procedures
  • Q & As

Contact

Phone: 03 570 5752
Fax: 03 570 5248

Email Office
Email Principal

Contact/Absent form

© 2021 Rapaura School | Site by AS Photo | Your Privacy