Staff
Staff
Mark Ellis
Mark is the Principal of Rakaia School and has been here from the start of 2006. He was previously the Principal at Mayfield School for 7 and a half years. He is a member of the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade and turns out for the Rakaia brigade while at school. A keen sportsman achieving Karate Black Belt in 2012. Mark was also a member of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation and was a member of the executive committee during 2005 and 2006. Mark is married to Dulcie and they have 2 children, Corey and Chelsea, and beautiful grandson Kyas.
Morgan Platt
Morgan has just joined the team. He has experience overseas teaching in England and Dubai. He is joined by his family, his wife, and daughter with another new addition of a baby boy to the family. A professional musician and talented communicator, we are thrilled to have Morgan on the team.
Mahi Tahi
Natasha Jenkins
Mahitahi Team Leader- Year 7/8 Teacher
Natasha joined us from Mayfield School in 2015 and has made huge impressions with her ICT knowledge and dedication to literacy. Natasha leads our senior team and also is a valuable member of our Senior Leadership Team.
Melanie Marr
Team Teacher- Year 7/8 Teacher
Mel has been a part of the Rakaia School community since 2008. Mel has teamed up with Tash to team-teach throughout the school weeks and dedicated herself in planning and coordinating our Emotional Regulation programme that has had such a positive impact on our children
Shane Dawson
Mr Dawson has joined our team from West Melton. Shane brings his love for the outdoors and sport with strengths in numeracy and fast bowling.
Alissa Anderson
Alissa has joined us from Methven and also had a 2-year job teaching in Rarotonga. She is covering a maternity position and living in Ashburton. Alissa will be looking after sports at Rakaia School.
Whanau Team
Morgan Platt
Morgan has a wide range of teaching experience from across the globe. He has great passion for music, performance, IT and a love for learning inside and out of the classroom. Morgan and his family have settled happily into the Rakaia community and think it is truely a piece of paradise in Aotearoa. He is excited to a part of the team and to continue to make Rakaia School the heart of the community.
Simone Stapleton
Simone has worked at Rakaia School for a number of years before leaving to have her own children. Simone has teamed up to be a release teacher for Mr Platt and also across our school doing an amazing job with our students. She is a valuable member of the team and may even treat us to some of her amazing baking. !
Linda Gosling
Rakaia Wai Pakahi
Linda has joined us in 2021 and comes with a wealth of experience from the UK and New Zealand. She also brings with her a passion for drama and singing which can be seen throughout her classroom. With her experience in New Zealand, Linda has developed her knowledge of Te ao Maori and is eager to work alongside our Kapa haka leaders.
Ako Team
Bridget Grant
Ako Team- New Entrant Teacher
Bridget joined us in 2017 from Tinwald school and after 6 months in Mahi, tahi has joined the junior team where she taught at Tinwald. Bridget is the new Special Needs teacher and works together with a successful and caring junior team. She is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team
Alisha Hall
Ako 2
Jenna McNeur
Ako 2
Natasha Baxter
Is one of our fabulous release teachers supporting the school programmes and staff with her release time. She is also the lead for our School Support Group who continuously supports the school in events and fundraising to make it extra special for our tamariki.
Amanda Smith
Amanda has taught for 10 years in South Africa and has gained experience throughout New Zealand. She is teaching in Ako 3 and doing a fantastic job developing our tamariki. Amanda was the driving force behind our pet day and is looking forward to another successful event
Pauline Doody
Relieving Teacher
Pauline has been a wonderful part of Rakaia School for many years and has now retired. She is working for the school as a reliever and we are thrilled to still have her influence with us.
Support Staff
Rebecca Wiseman
Carol Muckle
Carol is one of our fabulous Teacher Aides and also has her own children at Rakaia School. Carol and her family have been in the Rakaia area for many years and in fact, her children are 4th generation Rakaia School, students. She currently has one child at Rakaia School.
Vanessa Davidson
Vanessa has been a part of the team since 2018 and continues to play a big part in Rakaia School. Vanessa joins us with 3 of her children who are at school and are able to witness her efforts as she helps deliver learning experiences across all learning areas.
Tracey Atkinson
Tracey is a corner stone of our Rakaia community. She plays a key role in developing those interpersonal skills for our tamariki to be able to relate to themselves and others in order to successfully learn. Her passion towards learning is infectious and create that magical vibe around our kura.
Office & Maintenance
Mandy Beevor
Mandy is the first person you meet when you come to Rakaia School. She keeps the school running along in a very efficient manner. Mandy is our admin angel, we hope that Solutions Services read this. Mandy has been at Rakaia School for five years and is currently the Board of Trustees Staff Representative. Mandy enjoys working at Rakaia School with a friendly and inspirational team.
Lara Harrison
Office Admin, Sports coordinator, and Kapa Haka Leader
Lara has been a big part of the Rakaia school community and now joins us in the office. With her expertise, she is also dedicated to coordinating and delivering sports lessons. Along with this, Lara is eager to develop our Kapa haka team and bring together our enthusiastic children.
Dave Eddington
Dave joined us in 2018 and does an amazing job looking after school. We are thrilled to have him on board. He has been the Rakaia townsman before and has pride in our school and the wider community.
