I was born here in our local maternity home and grew up playing on our street with neighboring children, yelling out "cars" when we had to get off the road for cars coming.  

I loved my years here at Featherston School.  We had "windy fort" and the bell was rung by a student with a metal rod and we wore mufti all the time.

I have two teen boys and a very supportive husband.  

I am a volunteer firefighter with our Featherston Fire Brigade - Thanks to Gina, I am able to go to calls  during school hours so sometimes I wont be in the office to help you.

I have lived in Featherston for about 28 years, I have worked or volunteered at Featherston School for the past 20. I am currently the cleaner and the teacher aide in Room 1. I love coming to school each day, it does not feel like work at all. Every day is a pleasure, the children bring such joy to my days. Being greeted by all those happy faces, smothered in hugs is the best way to begin the day. Who could ask for more?

I became a teacher because I wanted to inspire young people. I believe in building strong relationships and learning about the wellbeing of each student, while celebrating diversity and creating a multicultural setting in the classroom. 

I highly value home-school partnerships and believe in shared communication and that collaboration is important to support tamariki and their learning needs. I encourage high expectations and believe the students need to be challenged and have achievable and realistic goals established.  I always treat my students fairly and with respect.

My classroom will be a positive, fun, friendly and safe environment for learning and students need to feel comfortable taking risks.

Kia Ora Everybody!

My name is Michelle, and I am rapt to introduce myself as a teacher at this wonderful school.  I work with the Year 7 and 8 students in Room 4.  I live in Featherston and think it’s the coolest place ever.

Teaching has always been my passion. I believe that education is the key to unlocking the potential within each and every one of us, and I am committed to providing a safe learning environment for our students so they feel confident enough to try new things.

I strive to create a classroom where all student’s feel valued and empowered. 

I am genuinely excited to be part of the Paetūmokai whanau.  I love whanau evenings and seeing you all there!! 

Hi

 I’m Jo Johnson, I have lived in Featherston for about 28yrs.  I have two girls aged 22 and 20, who were both taught at Featherston School. I have been a teacher aide at Featherston School since 2004, I have worked in all classes throughout the school in that time. I am also the library administrator in the school.  I love supporting and helping to teach the kids in this town. I am the Featherston Swimming Club President and have been on the committee for 14yrs.    

I became a teacher because I want to help children realise their true potential. I really enjoy challenging children to become lifelong learners in everything they do. I have had some amazing teachers myself who made learning fun and engaging and made sure school was a wonderful experience for me and I hope to replicate this in my classroom. I have been involved with children sports for most of my adult life through coaching and before teaching I worked in the banking and superannuation industry. 

Ko Hikurangi te maunga

Ko Waiapu te awa

Ko Ngati Puaai te hapu

Ko Ngati Porou te iwi

Ko Horouta te waka

Ko Pokai/Pohatu taku marae

No Ruatorea ahau

Kia Ora

Ko Te Ata Rogers taku ingoa

Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei

Aim for the stars and even if you don't reach them you will have achieved much more in your life than if you hadn't.

I am passionate about helping children become the best they can be in their learning and creating effective learning environments. For most of my adult life, I have been involved in education, from teaching English as a second language in Japan and Wellington, to teaching graphic design at tertiary level. I am a life-long learner and constantly challenge myself to learn new things and develop myself both professionally and in my personal life.

Room 6 class links (some of the websites we use).

I have wanted to be a teacher since the age of 5. When I was 12 years old I was home sick for 3 weeks so I drew individual students and placed them around my room and taught them. My first year of teaching was at Tairangi in Porirua. I had a lovely class of standard one students. 

I like that each child is an individual. A 5 year old has as much character as a 13 year old. They soak up knowledge like a sponge. I have previously worked for IHC and IRD in between teaching jobs. I once asked a student if I had 6 bananas and I ate 2, what fraction would I have left? His answer was “The skins”!

I have an eclectic teaching background which came hand in hand with my other passion – travelling. I taught early childhood in Australia and Canada, English in China and Japan and I was a teacher aide in England. In New Zealand, my favourite of all places, I have taught from early childhood through to intermediate. I now am lucky enough to be a part of the Featherston school community, both as a parent and a staff member.  

I am always eager to learn new ways we can connect with nature while treading as lightly as possible on Papatūānuku. Reciprocal relationships with each other and with the environment are at the heart of the way I teach, live and learn.

One of my favourite things about teaching is being a part of the learning journey with tamariki and seeing their reactions to their own successes in learning.

I became a teacher as I feel that education is important. One of my first memories of being a teacher was riding to school on my motorbike and arriving cold and wet. As a teacher I try to find the best ways to help each student learn. 

I have previously been a bus driver, worked in a gallery, been a researcher and been involved in natural healing. The funniest thing I remember as a teacher was not noticing that some students had glued equipment to the ceiling.