Our People

Principal / Teacher Years 5 & 6

Kia, ora. I joined Leigh School as Principal in November, 2019. I have lived in Leigh for the past fifteen years and celebrate the diversity, uniqueness and great community spirit that exists. I have a great respect for our local environment, our iwi and tikanga.  A defining characteristic of Leigh school’s curriculum is the relationships that exist between Leigh school and its social and physical environments. Leigh schools Enviroschool journey has just begun and I couldn’t be in a more perfectly suited position to lead this change.  I feel privileged to be in my position and through previous inquiry have gained in-depth knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Sustainability and Kaitiakitanga. I believe these are powerful concepts through which to foster rich and enduring connections and partnerships. In 2018 I completed a Postgraduate Degree in digital and collaborative learning and am a passionate advocate of educational reform and innovation.

Teacher Years 5 & 6

Nadia joined Leigh School in 2020. She teaches within our senior classroom and is loved by her students. Nadia has experience in all primary levels up to Year 8 and is passionate about creating a positive and enjoyable learning experience for students.  She particularly loves teaching drama and literacy and using ICT in the classroom. This year, Nadia is our lead teacher of the performing arts and she is currently working with a local creative to produce a school wide production.

Teacher Years 3 & 4

Dominique has been teaching at Leigh School since 2016 and is teaching the tamariki in Hauturu alongside Bronte. This year she is responsible for the Science curriculum and will work with Bronte on the Mathematics and Reading team. Dominique is our SENCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) in our school, our Teacher Representative on the Board of Trustees, and is our Curriculum Team Leader. Dominique has been teaching for over 30 years both in New Zealand and in Denmark. She is a passionate advocate of lifelong learning and believes that children thrive and grow in a calm and caring classroom environment. Some of the things she loves about working at Leigh are the incredibly beautiful natural resources, such as our school garden, that are incorporated into our learning and the strong sense of community and belonging that is evident the minute you step through the school gate.  

Teacher Years 0, 1 & 2

Bronte joined Leigh School in 2020 and is a dedicated kaiako, teaching our Year 0-1 tamariki. She has two young children of her own, which deepens her understanding and empathy for the needs of tamariki and whānau. Before coming to Leigh School, Bronte spent 7 years teaching in Early Childhood Education, where she built a strong foundation of knowledge that she now uses to help tamariki transition smoothly into their primary school years.

I joined Leigh School in 2021 and have called Leigh home since 2010. With a strong background in administration, I’ve always enjoyed working in dynamic environments, and the education sector is where I feel most fulfilled. Supporting our school community is something I’m passionate about, and I love being part of such a vibrant team.

Outside of school, my husband and I run Thor Charters, a local fishing charter business operating out of Ti Point. Life is always busy and exciting with our four children, and when I have spare time, you’ll find me hiking, running, or travelling with my family.