The Principal's Perspective: Annual Cross Country

Marriene Langton Principal/Tumuaki

Welcome back to a new year in our lovely kura. Our goal is to be a locally based school that partners with and is supported by our local community. Everyone who knows us and the last 2 decades of the school's history remarks on the exceptional local community who are a central point for our development and growth. The community is changing in terms of housing and we are now part of the intensive housing projects that have developed across Christchurch City since 2011. We thrive on our close relationships with whanau and local organisations who want to be a part of our journey as a school. Generosity is the key word that we see in action every day to make life better for our tamariki. We do have high expectations for learning and behaviour. Our achievement data over the past few years has been amazing and this is a direct reflection on the relentless work of our kaiako to deliver great teaching programmes every day. Our teachers work closely together and they cross check planning and data. That's why we made it to the Gazette in 2024. We are child development/attachment based and our staff is well trained in how children's brains develop and how we can build amazing relationships with the children in our care. There's a lot of laughter and fun in the classrooms (and in our office with The Fab Five) every day . Please make a point of stopping for great coffee on Friday mornings and take the time to connect with other parents. Haere mai. Welcome to our little corner of paradise

Monday, May 11, 2026

Annual Cross Country

Cross Country

Who said the Cross Country was a chore?

The weather turned up and so did a huge number of whanau. Thank you. It was party time with the racers racing and the music pumping. Lots of parents were dancing too. It takes a lot of organization so I do want to acknowledge the planning team led by Amy.

As always we saw our students supporting other students so everyone had the opportunity to compete.

It is a race just for the tamariki. Parents are welcome to cheer everyone on from the sidelines but please, please, please do not run alongside your child.

We are so proud of the stamina and commitment of our tamariki and their determination to complete a really tough event . Great job everyone.

Who knew that there was a babies' race? And the winner is...

Matua Harvey the consummate supervisor.

Always ready to party on. Great moves Whaea Carli

Is this the time for Highland Dance moves Whaea Kaitlyn?

Don't mess with Flo when she's ready to go.

Weight lifting was clearly an optional extra this year. Mmmm

No event is complete without a call out to 111. Thanks guys for your help and best wishes to our wee lad who fell on the track.

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Amber Quigley Part Time Release Teacher

Kia ora! Ko Whaea Amber ahau. I’ve been a release teacher at TAKWSS since term 2, 2025, and this is my second year of teaching. I feel very lucky to work across the kura and build relationships with so many of our wonderful ākonga. I was born and raised in Ōtautahi and love being part of our local community. In my free time, I enjoy going for walks with my headphones on, watching a good movie or series, reading, baking, indoor bouldering, and spending time with my little sister and friends.This term, I’m excited to be a part of our kura's Ukulele Club! If you see me around kura, please come and say hi!

Keriata Kurene Years 3/4 Teacher

Kia ora, Talofa lava ! Ko Whaea Keriata ahau. I am thrilled to be teaching in Te Pāhuri, with the year 3 /4s this year! I did my last teaching placement here at Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School last year in 2025, with Whaea Denali’s class and instantly fell in love with the community and wairua of this kura. I grew up in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Samoa and call Ōtautahi home. I am a part of our Cultural space, and Enviro club. When I am not teaching, I am out finding the best walks and swimming spots in Canterbury, catching the sunrise, eating good kai and having a good laugh with my friends and whānau/ aiga. I look forward to working with your tamariki this year ! Mauri ora!

Senior Leadership Team after Campbell and Before Clara

Once upon a time there were Marriene, Marina and Hannah in the Senior Leadership Team. THen the baby Fairy visited and Hannah left to have Campbell. After a while Hannah came back, and for three weeks all was calm, all was bright. Then Marina left to have baby Clara. The magic stays though because Glen has been Acting Assistant Principal and quite content to be shifted around the Chess Board of Leadership. It is reassuring to know that neither Glen, nor Marriene are planning on having any babies now or in the future. And they all lived happily ever after.

2025 Cultural team

Kia ora, talofa lava, malo e lelei, nisa bula vinaka, kia orana and warm pasifika greetings. We are your friendly Māori and Pasifika cultural team for Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School. We are responsible for leading cultural opportunities during the school year, including Hāngī, Fono/Hui in terms 1, 2 and 3 as well as the Success Celebration in term 4. We are here to serve and support your whānau throughout the year and we look forward to working alongside you in 2025. Ngā mihi, Fa’afetai lava.

Carli Gwynne

Kia ora koutou, I'm Whaea Carli and this is my second year teaching at Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School. I am excited to be teaching in Raupō with the amazing year 1 and 2s. This year, I am a part of the Maths, Sports, I.C.T. and Literacy Club for the kura so you will definitely see me around. I encourage the akonga to get involved in these opportunities and many others like it in the school community. When I am not teaching, I enjoy getting outdoors and spending time with friends and whanau. Although, I do love taking the family dogs for a big adventure. I am so grateful to be a part of such a vibrant community and get stuck into the year!

Milli Sullivan Scale A Beginning Teacher Puna Paranui Rima

Kia ora koutou, I’m Whaea Milli and I have the absolute pleasure of teaching in Puna Paranui again this year. I’m super excited to spend another year with our seniors and to see what we can achieve together. A little bit about me — in my spare time I love netball and the gym, and I’ve recently bought myself a surfboard, which I’m very excited to learn how to use. I also enjoy socialising and spending time with my family in Ashburton. I’m really looking forward to the year ahead and to working alongside our awesome new team. Bring on 2026!

Phil Law Puna Scale A teacher Paranui Toru

Tēnā koutou katoa, ko Phil Law toku ingoa. I am a second year beginning teacher and excited to be in Puna Paranui Toru this year. My wife and I have two daughters, one at Cashmere High School and the younger one at South Intermediate. It was through coaching them in junior sports that I decided to make the switch to teaching. On my weekends you will most likely find my on the sideline at a sports ground, coaching cricket in the summer and football in the winter. I'm looking forward getting to know people in our school community so feel free to stop by and say hi.

Megan Smith Part Time Structured Literacy Teacher and Release teacher

Kia ora! Ko Megan tōku ingoa. My name is Megan and this is my second year at Te Ara Koropiko. My role is release teacher at the kura. I have recently moved down (but we like to think we moved up!) to Ōtautahi from Tāmaki Makarau with my husband and my 12 year old daughter. I am madly passionate about the arts, my former role was as a full time dance teacher in secondary school. We are all excited for the production this year, I hope you can all come along at the end of Term 2 to see it! You might see me on road patrol Monday mornings and Thursdays after school and your students will see me in class or at Ukulele with Whaea Ashleigh on Thursday lunchtimes. Im looking forward to continue to get to know you, all of the students and exploring all the amazing things about Ōtautahi. We absolutely love it here!

Kaitlyn Hall Puna Hao Rua

My name is Whaea Kaitlyn, and I have the privilege of being the kaiako for Puna Paranui Rua this year. After spending last year in the Year 0/1 space, I am so excited to begin this new journey with our senior ākonga. Outside of school, you’ll often find me doing Highland Dancing, which is a big passion of mine. I love sharing my interests and bringing creativity and energy into the classroom wherever I can. I’m really looking forward to the year ahead and can’t wait to see all that we learn, achieve, and experience together. It’s going to be an awesome year!

Dennis Nuberg

Hello, I am Matua Dennis, and have had the pleasure of joining the TAKWSS team a year ago. Trained in Europe as a Gardener, I am loving the diversity of work that school maintenance brings with it. The interaction and information sharing with the curious minds of active children is a true bonus to the work environment. I have also been busy in the world of dogs for many years running a dog walking and training business.. This remains a part of my working week to this day. Fun fact : Owned the only half wolf (hybrid) in NZ that came with us, to NZ, under the guise of a Husky!

Jo Finch ESOL ORS Part Time Teacher

Kia ora koutou. I’m Whaea Jo. I am a release teacher and I work with children who have extra needs. That makes me an ESOL and ORS specialist teacher. (the last sentence was written by Marriene) I am thrilled to be back on the Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon staff having had a break from teaching last year to further my knowledge around how to help our neurodiverse ākonga. I love getting out in nature, geocaching with my family, walking my lovely dog, baking and doing amigurumi crochet. We employed Jo on a fixed term basis a few years ago and we were delighted to get her back on the team as ORS and classroom release. She is always a happy camper and always willing to go the extra mile.

The Senior Leadership Team

Hannah Assistant Principal, Marina, Deputy Principal and Marriene Tumuaki. We work in the same office space “Tuna” in the admin block “Kīwai.” We have adapted a scrum system to ensure that we address strategic work and don’t get caught up in administrivia. Helen and Rachael are essential to our operation, and between the 5 of us, we oversee the safe and smooth operation of the school. We laugh a lot, even on the most difficult days. It’s a pleasure coming to school knowing that we have a great team working for a great team.This is us. Hannah Gardiner Assistant Principal, Marriene Langton Principal, and Marina Shehata Deputy Principal.I'd love to say that we are the Dream Team but there is no time to dream in our day. We share an office so we are accountable to each other and able to share workloads when a job needs to be completed urgently. There are a lot of laughs and even a few tears in our day. We keep a watching brief on the big picure and love being able to see classes in action across the school. We are very proud of our teaching team and support staff. keep

Marina Shehata Deputy Principal

Epenesa Iva Scale A BT Puna Hao

Talofa lava, o lo’u igoa o Whaea Nesa. I am super excited to be teaching in Harakeke with the NE/Yr 1 this year. I am a New Zealand born Samoan and I love to share my knowledge, culture and background with those around me. I started working as a teacher aide here at TAKWSS in 2017-2019 and truly found a passion for teaching. Four years later and I’m back as a qualified teacher. Yay! When not at school, you’ll find me with family and friends most likely eating somewhere. I also love all things music. worked here as a kaiāwhina before she completed her degree and trained as a teacher. She is classroom teacher in the Years 0-3 area and specifically teaches Year 0. Oh my. She is a singer musician and has the most fantastic eyelashes. Nesa has expertise in Pasific culture and is a mesmerising dancer in traditional Samoan dance.

Amy Duckmanton Team Leader Puna Hao Puna Hao Tahi in Year 0/1

Kia Ora koutou! I am Whaea Amy from Puna Hao Tahi. I have the privilege of teaching the year 0/1 tamariki in Harakeke. I am team leader for Puna Hao, (our wonderful junior team) and I am also the sports coordinator. I am so excited for another year of teaching, building relationships and having fun with my beautiful students and their whanau. I love the strong sense of community we have at Te Ara Koropiko. In my spare time, I love socialising with my friends, going for a run and spending time with my family! I look forward to seeing some old faces and meeting some new faces this year ❤️

Janice Krammer Puna Hao Whitu Maths and Oecologista Lead Teacher

I am teaching a lovely bunch of year 3 children in Te Pahuri this year. I have a small list of jobs I do around the school. The breakfast club runs each morning from Te Pahuri kitchen. All children are welcome for a chat, drink and/or breakfast. The enviro group or gardening club is great fun as the children really shine when outside getting dirty. This involves the planting, watering and harvesting of different foods in the school. We try each year to grow the veges for the hāngi but they often disappear as they ripen. The younger children have no worries about the bugs when they are digging or ones they find in the apples they eat. I am lead teacher on the implementation of the new maths curriculum. With all the staff on board we are slowly and carefully implementing changes. I am staff rep on the WWSFW and support the fundraising within the school. Look out for the cheese rolls.

Denali Lord Co Team Leader Puna Hao Rima

Denali Lord Puna Hao Rima Hi, I am Whaea Denali. This year I am teaching in Tī Kōuka and have a wonderful class of Year 1 and 2 tamariki. I am sharing the roles of Puna Hao Team Leader and Sport Coordinator with Whaea Amy. Outside of school I am a wife and mum to three children, two girls and a boy. Our youngest has just become a teenager, so having little ones at school is a delightful change of pace. I love being out and about exercising and enjoying the views from the Port Hills. They are my happy place and I love that you can see them from my classroom. I enjoy pottering in my garden and reading in my spare time as well as spending time with family and friends.

Glen Campbell. Puna Paranui Team Leader Years 4/5/6.

Puna Paranui Wha Kia ora koutou, Ko Glen Campbell ahau. This is my sixth year as a kaiako in Puna Paranui, I am also the lead teacher in performing arts and am enjoying stepping into leadership roles. Born in Gore, raised in Christchurch, I have taught all over New Zealand and abroad. I am a family man, love sports and music and learning alongside the tamariki in the classroom. You'll find me relaxing by spending time with my family in the outdoors, listening to a range of bands and music and reading up on the latest news in the educational world. Old sports injuries have slowed me down, but I still like a run around the park with the children. Ngā mihi nui.

Tamara Kepa Puna Paranui Team Leader Years 4/5/6. Te Kouka 1

My name is Tamara, or Whaea Tam to our TAKWSS Whanau. I've been a familiar face around the school for quite some time – over 17 years, to be precise! I feel incredibly fortunate to be teaching in this amazing community. This year, I have moved from the senior team to the middle team. I have a year 3/4 class this year, which I am excited about. I am also Head of ICT. It's a whirlwind of energy, creativity, and constant learning, and I wouldn't have it any other way. I have lived in Christchurch my whole life. I've always been drawn to creative pursuits, particularly art. From painting and drawing to sculpting and digital design. I spend most weekends with my extended whanau and take the title of 'Favourite Aunty' for my two nieces and six nephews. Year 3/4 Kaiako Leader of ICT

Libby May McColgan. Puna Hao Rua Part Time Teacher.

Kia ora my name is Whaea Libby and I work in Harakeke, job sharing in Puna Hao Rua with Whaea Nesa. It has been just over 10 years since I first started working at Te Ara Koropiko and I love this school and community. I hold the Student Leadership Unit within the school where I work alongside our student leaders. We create exciting events throughout the year and run assemblies. I love house days and thrive on setting challenges and activities for the children to complete together in their houses - I love seeing the school come together for days filled with so much fun! When I am not teaching I am kept very busy with my four children Isla 8, Archie 5, Gracie 2 and Fergus who is 7 months old. I love to spend time with family and friends and I enjoy reading, cooking and shopping!

Helen Ross Personal Assistant to the Principal.

Kia ora I'm Whaea Helen PA to the Principal and you will find me in the school office. I support the leadership team with the day-to-day running of the school. I enjoy working with such positive and vibrant colleagues who are inspiring to be around. Our school has a very special community connection. Outside of work, I am a wife and busy Mum of two teenagers. My interests are travel, exploring other countries and cultures, camping, skiing, arts, cooking and op shops. I love a renovation or upcycling project. Coffee is a good friend of mine too. If you are new to the school please come say hello. I look forward to meeting you!

Megan Hilton

Kia Ora I am Whaea Megg, I am one of the fabulous teaching assistants here at TAKWSS. I have been here since 2021. I have 3 children of my own and ever since my daughter was 4 years old (now 12!) I have been helping with coaching and managing all of her sporting teams alongside my partner. I love working with children and supporting them with all their needs. I don’t have much spare time outside of working and playing taxi to my kids but if I do I love hanging out with my family friends, shopping and Netflix!

Margaret Smart Teacher Assistant extra extraordinaire and Library Assistant

Kia Ora, My name is Whaea Marg (Margaret is too long!!) and I have been at Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School for a very long time!! Originally from the West Coast I came to Christchurch to train as a School Dental Nurse and worked in a number of Primary Schools. I have also worked at Fendalton Library and began working in schools with Learning Programmes after doing a Certificate in Special Needs at Teachers College. I am in charge of our School Library and keeping an up to date selection of books is a major goal of mine. Outside school I enjoy gardening, spending time with our family and reading a good thriller.

Angela Fridd, Teacher Assistant.

Hi, I'm Ange. I began working part time at West Spreydon School 12 years ago on February 22nd 2012. Then went full time with my variety of roles increasing. Behaviour support, RTLB / ORS. A selection of reading, maths, phonics programmes, working alongside teachers with students when and where required throughout the curriculum. I was fortunate to grow up in Oxford on a farm. A particular pet lamb I had would walk to the corner down from my school and wait for me to leave school some afternoons. I played netball, softball and volleyball. I began a career in nannying that included working for an All Black Physio. My dad was a shearer. I followed in his footsteps living life in the shearing sheds. After four years I left, to pursue more nannying. Dad taught me how to shear sheep. Climbing Mount Oxford was a feat I accomplished with dad. Baking, cake decorating, jigsaws, diamond art, gardening, playing my vast music collection, road trips on our Harley Davidson, Ruapuna Speedway occupy my spare time. Last, but not least, it is a huge honor and privilege being part of and contributing to, a highly successful, experienced and supportive teaching assistant tribe.

The Principal's Perspective

Marriene Langton Principal/Tumuaki

Monday, May 11, 2026

Annual Cross Country

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