Carey Huria – Principal
principal@rapaura.school.nz
I am proud to be the Tumuaki / Principal of Rapaura School and feel privileged to work with a Board of Trustees and Staff who are fully committed to doing the best they can for our students, whānau and members of our learning community. Our students are highly engaged and motivated by our school vision R.E.A.C.H. for Success. Our school whakatauki inspires our learners to aim high, do you best and keep trying with a positive attitude and self-belief:
Whāia te iti kahurangi, “ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei”
Seek the treasure that you value most dearly, if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain.
I have high expectations for every child to make progress and achieve, and embrace individuality, encourage respect and work to build a sense of belonging and pride in our school. Our unique cultural history and diversity is valued and encouraged. We believe in the holistic development of each child; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. We recognise each person’s own unique potential. As educators our focus is ‘learning through authentic inquiry’ and students are supported to be active collaborators who ask questions. At Rapaura School we are committed to providing flexible learning spaces to allow for a wide range of experiences and preferences. We are a very well-resourced school and I can see the impact that this has on how our tamariki feel about their school and their success within it. I am fully committed to our continuous improvement through self-review to ensure that every child makes progress and is happy at Rapaura School.
Rochelle Booker – Office Manager
office@rapaura.school.nz
Rochelle is our office manager and the person to see for school information, enrolments, finance, first aid, booking appointments, and any queries you need help with. As an experienced school administrator, Rochelle can answer most questions and if not will advise you on options with a smile. Rochelle enjoys meeting our new families, supporting students and staff, and learning something special about every little person at Rapaura.
Trish Weaver – Deputy Principal, Teacher, Years 5/6
trish.weaver@rapaura.school.nz
Nominated twice for the National Excellence in Teaching Awards, Trish 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 8’s go on to college as self-motivated, confident, achieving learners.
Tracy McCone – Junior Team Leader, Teacher, New Entrant and Year 1
tracy.mcone@rapaura.school.nz
Tracy is our new entrant teacher and Junior Team leader. She is an experienced teacher with special interests in Maths, Structured Literacy, and Play Based Learning. Her experience in a range of schools in North Otago and Blenheim contributes to the wide range of skills and expertise she brings to Rapaura. Tracy loves seeing our 5-year-olds start school and grow into independent, happy learners who are keen to gain and share new knowledge and experiences.
Giselle Otway – Teacher, Years 3/4
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.
Honour Welbourn – CRT Teacher
honour.welbourn@rapaura.school.nz
Honour strives to get the best from each of the students by getting to know the individuals within the class and finding out what makes them tick. Honour allows the opportunity for each child to share and grow authentically which enables each child to succeed. Her aim is to nurture curiosity, independence, creativity and the love of learning.
Rose Shallcrass – Teacher Aide
rose.shallcrass@rapaura.school.nz
Rose is working in our classes supporting the staff and students with their learning.
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Tania Jenkins – Teacher, Years 2/3
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.
Rachael Moran – Teacher Years 7/8
rachael.moran@rapaura.school.nz
Rachael is our enthusiastic Year 7 & 8 teacher. She is a keen learner and loves to create an interesting and challenging programme for our senior students. With years of experience with emerging adolescent learners, Rachael has developed her skills in teaching the core curriculum as well as robotics, digital technologies, science, the arts, and EOTC within real-life contexts.
Erin Giles – Teacher, Years 3/4
erin.giles@rapaura.school.nz
Erin has been at Rapaura School since 2012. 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.
Michelle Parkin – Teacher Aide/Sports Coordinator
michelle.parkin@rapaura.school.nz
sports@rapaura.school.nz
Michelle brings a huge amount of knowledge and experience. Her most recent experience comes from the Kiwican team. Michelle is working in our classes supporting the staff and students with their learning. She is also responsible for organizing all our sports teams. Michelle is brings lots of energy and a warm smile to the team.
Pieter Johnson – Caretaker
Pieter joined the team in 2024 as our caretaker and pool supervisor. Pieter always ensures our school grounds are looking tidy and looked after. We are very appreciative of the time he dedicates to our school. Pieter is always ensuring our school grounds are safe but if there is ever a temporary hazard or something that is of concern please inform the school office.
Sophia Kawharu – Cleaner
Sophia joined the team in 2024. Sophia brings her bubbly personality and attention to detail to Rapaura School. She does a wonderful job of keeping our school clean and tidy.
