Cindy Walsh
Areas of leadership: School Vision and Strategic Direction
Cindy is an experienced school principal. She is passionate about leading Freemans Bay School to engage, empower and enrich students’ learning to prepare them for their journey into the twenty-first century. Through her leadership the school is well placed to deliver quality education outcomes for learners at Freemans Bay School.
Helen Armstrong
Areas of leadership: Professional Learning, Staffing, Partnerships, Literacy
Helen is an experienced leader. She has previously been Deputy Principal, SENCO and Literacy Leader at Oranga School, and prior to that, was a Team Leader, Literacy Leader and acting Deputy Principal at Kohimarama school. She has experience teaching at all levels, from Year 0 – Year 8. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Literacy Education (with Distinction), a SPELD certificate, and has recently completed her Master of Education. Helen’s passion is in empowering students to make a positive difference in our world, and developing confident, resilient life-long learners. Helen is a mother to three children, and in her spare time, she loves to garden, read, knit and camp and explore beautiful remote parts of New Zealand with her husband.
Chelsea Moncur
Chelsea is an experienced Senior Leader. She has led curriculum and collaborative practice in a range of settings and environments.
She has a passion for child centred learning design that uses play, passion and real-life problems to engage, enrich and empower. Chelsea is our SENCO at Freemans Bay School.
Jenny Bell
Jenny is a highly experienced educator who has worked in both primary and secondary sectors, in both mainstream and special education settings. She is trained Resource Teacher of Literacy and has years of experience as a Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour. Jenny established and ran a private practice for many years in the Waikato, supporting students who struggled with anxiety, social skills and emotional challenges. She remains passionate about supporting the students of Freemans Bay School to thrive in all aspects of their learning.
Loren Wihone
Ko Panguru ko Papata ko te rākau tūpatapata i tū ki te Hauāuru
Ko Ruarei Ko Raparapa ngā uri i Wharewhare ki te rangi
Tū te rā, Tū te pō
Tīhei Mauri Ora!
Nō ngā pito maha tēnei o Te Rarawa, Ngāti Kuri, Tūwharetoa, Tainui e mihi ana.
Tata iwa tau kua tū au hei kaiako ki rō ngā kura tuatahi o te rūmaki, kura kaupapa, anō hoki te whakahaere i te reo me ōna tikanga ki rō ngā kura auraki.
Ko taku taha māmā e poipoi ana i ēnei tamariki, heoi, ko taku taha auaha, taha mōhio ki te ao matihiko, taha mātau ki te ao tūroa, taha mārama ki ngā mahi o te rēhia e whakaputa ana ngā hua mā ēnei iti kia tupu.
I runga i te karanga o ngā whānau, nōku te whiwhi hei kaihautū mā rātou, te rūmaki reo o whānau Ata ki Waiatarau.
Ko te hā o kui te hoe o tēnei waka, kia rere, kia Māori te reo ki rō ngā uri whakaheke. Tau ana!
Anne Cawley
Nō te tai raki-mā-uru o Aerani ōku tūpuna.
Nō Sligo, nō Areani ahau.
I wehe ahau i Aerani ki Aotearoa i te tau kotahi mano iwa rau iwa tēkau.
I te nuinga o ēnei wā, kua noho ahau ki te puku o Tamaki Makaurau.
Claire Andrews
Ko Pukerangatira te maunga whakahirahira o ōku tūpuna kua ngaro i te ao nei
Tauheke atu ki Hokianga Whakapau Karakia, te wai kaukau o ngā mātua tūpuna
Ko Te Rarawa tōku taura ihorei, tōku mana tuku iho
Kia whai te mana o tō mātou tūpuna waka Ngātokimatawhaorua
Hei whakaoho i taku moe! E kō koia e ara e!
I tērā tau, i tutuki i ahau i taku tohu paerunga hei kura māhita. Ko te puna reo ōku wheako mahi o mua, he māmā hoki ahau e taute ana i āku tamāhine tokorua nei.
Ko tōku wawata nui, kia whāngaia e au ngā tamariki i te reo Maōri me ōna tikanga.
Otirā, te tohatoha i ōku kete mātau kia poipoi a rātou haerenga ako me ō rātou wheako i te kura.
Nāu te rourou, nāku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
Mauri ora!
Pāpara Richards
Ko Moehau te Maunga
Ko Tikapa te Moana
Ko Mataatua te Waka
Ko Ngāti Pūkenga ki Manaia te iwi
Ko Manaia ki Pare Hauraki te whenua
Ko Te Kouorehua te Wharetipuna
Ko Ngairihanga te Wharekai
Ko Pāpara Richards tōku ingoa
Nga mihi aroha nui.
My name is Pāpara Richards also known as Whāea Pāpara. I am a Kaiako in Whānau Ata Māori unit. I have been teaching in Māori Medium schools across Tamakimakaurau for over 10 years now. My experience as a Kaiako has been that of enjoyment, challenge, but most of all very rewarding, to see our tamariki thrive and grow in our culture and customs of Te Ao Māori and that our language lives on for future generations to come. I am very passionate about Te Reo Māori and the major benefits that come from knowing who you are and where you come from. The identity of a child and being surrounded by a loving and supportive environment is what we practice as a whānau in Whānau Ata. I look forward to meeting and greeting whānau throughout the year.
Caroline Cels
Areas of leadership: Whānau Rau – Co-Team Leader
Over the last 20+ years, Caroline has had a diverse educational career having worked in both rural and urban schools in Taupo, Auckland, Napier, Northland and Waiheke Island. She has taught across all year levels and has developed a passion for supporting younger tamariki to thrive in their early schooling years. Her previous school was a shared space school and she strongly believes in the positive impact collaboration has on accelerating student learning. Caroline strives to ensure every child feels safe and valued through meaningful relationships. She loves to support each child to develop their own positive learning story. Poipoia te kākano, I puāwai – nuture the seed and it will blossom.
She is fortunate to have a very supportive family, and they all enjoy reading, sailing and other outdoor adventures.
Jo Watson
Areas of leadership: Whānau Rau Co-Team Leader
Jo is an experienced teacher who has worked in many levels. She is currently a team leader as well as a classroom teacher in the Year 1 and 2 area. Jo is passionate about children’s learning and strives to help them experience success while also having fun.
Helen Stewart
Helen has a Post Grad in Primary Teaching and a Bachelors’s in Visual Arts. She encourages ākonga to be critical thinkers, persistent, and to embrace a growth mindset. Helen supports safe, creative, diverse classrooms that celebrate ākonga as individuals in a collaborative collective setting.
Kay Stables
Kay graduated with a Bachelor of Education from Auckland University of Technology. She is a beginner teacher who is passionate about teaching and enjoys teaching in our junior school. She started at Freemans Bay School with Kawariki in term 3 of 2023. Outside of the classroom, Kay enjoys spending time with her friends and family, reading, doing arts & crafts and being at her local beach.
Natalia Sussex
Areas of Leadership – ICCS Co-ordinator
Natalia graduated with a Bachelor of Education from Auckland University of Technology in 2019 and has spent her teaching career in the junior school, teaching years 0-3. She started at Freemans Bay School with Kawariki in Term 4 of 2023 and thoroughly enjoys working closely with other teachers and being part of a diverse school community. Natalia is devoted to building strong relationships and knowing the students individually as learners, fostering a respectful and inclusive learning environment. She is passionate about Literacy, Art, and Physical Education. This year, Natalia is working closely with Year 5 & 6 students in ICCS and supporting our FBS sport teams. Outside of the classroom, Natalia enjoys baking, going for runs, relaxing at the beach, and spending time with her friends and whānau.
Se Yeon Han
Se Yeon graduated with her Bachelor of Education from the University of Auckland. Previously, she taught keyboard and theory classes at a children’s music centre to share her love for music. Se Yeon believes in the importance of helping children develop confidence in themselves as learners and to build a positive self-esteem. Se Yeon is dedicated to helping children flourish with the strengths that they have and support them in becoming lifelong learners. Outside of teaching, Se Yeon enjoys playing the piano, doing arts & craft, and spending time with her family.
Waseem Kousar
I have a Post-Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching from Waikato University as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Education from AUT. During my education, I worked in FBS, supporting students in enhancing their knowledge of numeracy and literacy. As a teacher, I am passionate about promoting inclusive learning in the classroom by celebrating cultures and working with students to stimulate their learning.
During my free time, I enjoy cooking, baking, watching movies, and shopping.
Briana Chapman
Briana is the Whānau Puna (Year 3 & 4) Team Leader and teacher at Freemans Bay School. She has a genuine passion for nurturing young minds and igniting the spark of curiosity within each student, and she is committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment. Briana values holistic development, recognising the importance of nurturing social-emotional skills and fostering a love for lifelong learning.
Briana loves dancing, as well as anything outdoors. She enjoys going for runs, spending time at the beach and walking her dog, Dakota.
Julia Bradshaw
Area of Leadership – Education for Sustainability Co-Leader
Julia has taught across various age groups since 2014. She believes that a strong sense of belonging and emotional security is the foundation for an effective learning environment – an environment where children want to be, one where they are valued for who they are, where their strengths are celebrated, and where both their academic progress and social/emotional development is closely nurtured. Julia is passionate about evidenced based approaches to learning, as well as the importance of play based pedagogy to facilitate holistic child development.
Shital D’Rozario
Area of Leadership – Co-Leader of Cultural Capabilities
Shital was a teacher in India for 11 years before she moved to New Zealand 4 years ago. She is a fluent speaker of Hindi and Marathi. Shital completed the Teacher Refresher Course in NZ and was a relief teacher in a number of Early Learning Centers and Primary Schools before she started teaching at our school. The inquisitiveness in children motivates her and keeps her passionate about teaching.
Susan Hong
Susan has experience teaching all levels of children since 2009. Susan is an approachable and open minded person who is passionate about supporting children with diverse backgrounds. The most exciting aspect of working with children for her is their energy and enthusiasm for exploring new things and seeing growth in their learning and confidence.
Chander Kumar
Chander is an experienced teacher. She is passionate about literacy and brings a wealth of experience in this area to her students. Chander provides support to our library programme as well.
Catherine Minogue
Catherine has a passion for “mindfulness” and how to encourage our learners to strive to achieve their best through persistence and self belief. She brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge in meeting the diverse needs of our learners.
Sara Oliver
Area of Leadership – Co-Leader of the Arts
Sara is a teacher in the Year 3 and 4 area and has a Graduate Diploma of Learning and Teaching and a Bachelor’s in Design. She believes all ākonga are capable and creative and is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive classroom environment where learners can express themselves. Sara is thrilled to have joined the Freemans Bay School team and continue her teaching journey.
Sara enjoys drawing, painting, and making polymer clay earrings. She also loves baking, books, and cats. Sara is excitedly anticipating the possibility of adopting one or two of her own this year.
Nina Richards
It’s a privilege to be a teacher!
Nina would definitely describe herself as a life long learner.
Nina loves the fun of learning for all tamariki and it is her passion.
Nina is a believer of collaborating and sharing experiences with learners and other teachers in our wonderful diverse school community.
Outside of school Nina spends time with her family and friends and being out in nature rain or shine.
Nina has always found a positive attitude goes along way, so look out for her smiling face!
Lisa Imm
Areas of Leadership – Whānau Wai Team Leader / WSL Wellbeing
Lisa is an experienced teacher who understands and caters for the diverse learning needs of all her children. She has a BA /Graduate Diploma in Education and a Postgraduate degree in Digital and Collaborative Learning. In her classroom, Lisa engages her students in the inquiry process and incorporates digital technologies in her teaching. Her strength is in teaching literacy, and she enjoys working collaboratively in an ILE. She is passionate about motivating children to become empowered, self-directed, life-long learners.
Junia Cuellar
Junia is a dedicated and passionate teacher. Born and raised in Texas, USA, she is a proud Mexican American Latina with a strong commitment to education. She pursued her studies at the University of Worcester in England, earning a bachelor’s degree in Primary Initial Teacher Education (Later Years, 5-11 years old). Junia began her teaching career in London, where she taught for two years at an inner-city primary school, focusing on Year 3 and Year 4. Throughout her career, Junia has been a strong advocate for collaborative and restorative teaching practices, believing that a cooperative and inclusive classroom environment fosters meaningful learning and personal growth. In 2024, Junia and her partner Ted decided to embark on an adventure, moving from England to Auckland, NZ. Junia aimed to further her global teaching career and has been warmly welcomed by the students and staff at Freemans Bay School. When she isn’t teaching, Junia enjoys painting and drawing, exploring nature, playing the drums, and spending time with friends and family.
Annette Hollis
Annette has been teaching since 2008. During this time she has taught both in New Zealand and in North Carolina, USA, where she was based for three years. Outside of school Annette plays hockey at a representative level. She is passionate about travel and likes to bring a broad worldview to the students that she teaches across the school.
Kuldeep Kaur
My greatest strength is love for learning and dedicated to help young learners discover the same. I have completed Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Education and retrained as a school teacher after a career in business management where I honed my skills in communication and problem-solving. I am fluent speaker of Punjabi and Hindi and passionate about supporting young learners with diverse background. Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my son, watching movies, reading books and being out of nature. I am thrilled to bring my enthusiasm for education and commitment to tamariki success.
Shelley Duncan
Areas of leadership: Digital Technology Specialist Teacher, Digital Technology and eLearning Leader
Shelley is skilled in the area of Digital Technologies and elearning and loves to share these skills with her students across the school. Shelley co-leads the school in this area and supports staff and students with their learning. She also enjoys outdoor education and loves to stretch her students with their thinking.
Daniel Merrill
With nearing 20 years teaching experience, Daniel is now in his 4th year here at Freemans Bay, enriching the Year 5 & 6 students with his skills and knowledge. He believes that engaging with students individually, and creating a safe and caring relationship is essential to learning. Daniel strives to empower his students to be resilient, self-managing and respectful life-long learners. Outside of school Daniel appreciates the simple pleasures of walking, music, cooking and napping on the couch while reading a book.
Poulami Bhandari
Poulami is a part of the learning support team. She works with small groups and individual children on specific programmes developed to support their needs.
Ya Chen
I hold a my undergraduate diploma in Mathematics education. I was working as math teacher from 2009 to 2016 in China. I am passionate about children’s learning and strive to help them experience success while also having fun.
Stella Hart
Stella enjoys working with our tamariki in our Pōhutukawa hub as a learning assistant. Not only does she love the day to day interactions with our wonderful students, she’s also mum to Eli who is in Whānau Wai. Stella enjoys being active with her son and taking time to enjoy shopping at Auckland’s best op shops and finding some real bargains.
Farah McQueen
Farah has joined the Freemans Bay School teaching staff as a teacher aide. Her passion for supporting the emotional wellbeing of our tamariki was a key driver for Farah to join us at FBS. Farah brings enthusiasm and problem solving skills to FBS as well as her down to earth approach to working with our children and staff. She is well resourced having had 3 children attend our school. Farah enjoys sports chauffeuring in the weekend and having great sideline banter with other sports parents while watching her kids play all sorts of sports. Her smile and sunny nature ensure our children and parents feel welcome and comfortable at Freemans Bay School.
Vinodini Vinod
I’m Vinodini. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and a master’s degree in Business Administration. I am a mathematics tutor with 5 years of experience in handling little master minds after school. I am eager in making kids work independently which gives them the confidence to grow. I am passionate about learning new things and sharing my experiences and knowledge. My favorite pass time is badminton, basketball, knitting and crochet.
Radha Rani
Radha is part of our learning support team in Tōtara Hub. She loves to work with young children, helping them grow and learn about the world around them. She is glad to be part of FBS. Radha has a diploma in Dress Designing. Also, she likes sewing, cooking, baking, and exploring new things.
Deepshikha Deepshikha
I’m passionate about supporting our young learners. Pursuing ECE studies has deepened my understanding of child development and learning theories. My background in Health and Wellbeing has taught me the importance of nurturing students’ physical, emotional, and mental health. I find serenity in meditation and love baking with my son. I’m excited to be a part of this team!
Neelam Upadhyay
Neelam is a part of the learning support team. She works with small groups and individual children on specific programmes developed to support their needs. She was a teacher in India before moving to New Zealand. She has a Bachelor in Economics and a Masters in Political science. She also has a Diploma in computer application.
Sharon Yap
Sharon is part of the learning support team in Whānau Wai . She is also a fluent mandarin speaker and can be relied on to translate information to children and parents when needed.
Nik Edwards
Nik is thrilled to be working as a performing arts specialist at Freemans Bay Waiatarau, combining his passions for performing arts and teaching rangatahi. His goal is to engage students with storytelling where they contribute the ideas, empower them to have self-confidence, and enrich their days with an enjoyable experience.
He has worked with young people in a range of settings – as a primary and intermediate classroom teacher, as an educator at MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology), running the youth program onboard a cruise ship, and as a drama teacher for Covert Theatre and Tim Bray Productions.
Nik has trained and performed Improv drama/comedy for over 10 years, and is still regularly performing shows with Covert Theatre and Improverished. He has also worked as a full-time theatre actor with Tim Bray Productions, starring in The Santa Claus Show and Pippi Longstocking. Nik has a wide range of performing arts interests, including dance, acrobatics, juggling, singing, songwriting, and playing baritone ukulele.
Sarah Marino
Sarah is an experienced teacher, having taught students across all primary year groups, both in New Zealand and in the United Kingdom where she lived for 10 years. Building strong and positive relationships with students and the wider school community is key for Sarah and she enjoys working with learners from diverse cultures.
Sarah has a particular passion and expertise in using the arts, particularly drama, as a way of enhancing learning across the curriculum. She has worked as a music, dance and drama specialist in schools and was a lecturer and advisor in the arts, helping other teachers to implement the arts curriculum.
Her love of the arts is reflected in her interests outside of school where she enjoys going to the theatre and music performances, reading, writing and being creative in other ways. Spending time with family and friends is also essential.
Shelley Duncan
Areas of leadership: Digital Technology Specialist Teacher, Digital Technology and eLearning Leader
Shelley is skilled in the area of Digital Technologies and elearning and loves to share these skills with her students across the school. Shelley co-leads the school in this area and supports staff and students with their learning. She also enjoys outdoor education and loves to stretch her students with their thinking.
Lucy McAlpine
Lucy is a Specialist Teacher focusing on the ARTS, working with students across all year levels. Her expertise in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) allows her to deliver a fun and engaging specialist programme that supports students at any level of English proficiency.
Richard Naidu
Richard has a bachelor’s degree in English and Media Studies, a Graduate Diploma in Teaching, and a Master of Management from the University of Auckland. He has held various teaching roles, including full time teaching, short term contracts and relief teaching within various levels at primary school. He is very passionate about and excited to be teaching STEM.
Trina Saxon
Trina is an experienced, innovative, creative teacher who has worked both in New Zealand and Cambodia. She has a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning and has vast experience in creating and working in ‘play-based’ learning environments.
Trina has taught extensively in both Kindergarten and New Entrant settings. Her strength is creating spaces and environments that are safe, inclusive, nurturing for all tamariki and whānau.
Teaching in international settings has accentuated her unwavering belief that all children are individual learners who deserve learning experiences that are adapted to offer support and extension at differentiated levels to reach their full potential.
Laura Tucker
Laura has been a dedicated Learning Assistant at Freeman Bay School for seven years, where she passionately embraces the diversity of the community. Now working in ESOL, she applies her holistic approach to support the learning and well-being of our ESL students, collaborating closely with teachers and families. Laura loves seeing students progress at their own pace, fostering a supportive environment that nurtures both academic growth and personal development.
Susan Maddren
Susan has taught all year levels both in New Zealand and the UK, but most of her experience is with the juniors. Susan loves being a part of the rich diversity here at Freemans Bay School. She gets great enjoyment out of the successes the children make in their learning, and finds it really rewarding watching the ESOL students’ language develop as they become bilingual learners.
Anne Cawley
Nō te tai raki-mā-uru o Aerani ōku tūpuna.
Nō Sligo, nō Areani ahau.
I wehe ahau i Aerani ki Aotearoa i te tau kotahi mano iwa rau iwa tēkau.
I te nuinga o ēnei wā, kua noho ahau ki te puku o Tamaki Makaurau.
Lucy McAlpine
Lucy is a Specialist Teacher focusing on the ARTS, working with students across all year levels. Her expertise in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) allows her to deliver a fun and engaging specialist programme that supports students at any level of English proficiency.
Priyanka Mathur
Priyanka is the IT Administrator at FBS. I play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth operation of all technological systems within the school. With a Postgraduate Certificate in IT from the University of Auckland it brings advanced knowledge and expertise to the role which provide essential support to both staff and students. I ensure that all digital resources are secure, up-to-date, and functioning optimally, enabling a seamless educational experience. I’m passionate about dancing.
Mike Knight
Mike has been the caretaker of the school for over 30 years. He works tirelessly to make sure that the school grounds are kept clean and safe. Mike can be seen every morning and afternoon on the school crossing ensuring that the children of Freemans Bay are kept safe on the roads.
Renee Ikitogia
With previous experience in admin and accounting, I look after the schools finances to help facilitate the smooth and effective running of the school but am also happy to give a helping hand wherever needed. Freemans Bay School is a great environment for me to see the enjoyment and growth in students which is something I have joy in and am happy to be a part of.
Nicky Ogilvie
Nicky has worked with people in a variety of careers – with previous roles in radio, events and sports within schools. She loves an ever changing work day which is exactly what Freemans Bay School offers. Nicky works with our new domestic enrolments and is also handy with a plaster and icepack in the sick bay.
Catherine Tyrrell
Catherine has a wealth of knowledge that she uses to make certain that the school office runs smoothly. She is also always on hand to help the children. Catherine is reponsible for ensuring the school’s attendance records are kept up to date.
