Our People

Staff Profiles
Craig Pentecost

Craig Pentecost

Principal

Kia ora koutou, my name is Craig Pentecost. I have been a Principal for 8 years. I started as the new Principal of Omokoroa No.1 School at the beginning of Term 1, 2018. The opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of the students, staff, caregivers and the wider community at Omokoroa No.1 School excites me as an educational leader. I am a strong believer that by maintaining effective relationships, creating positive attitudes, and promoting community synergy, learning can be maximised across our learning community.

Debbie Rice

Debbie Rice

Special Educational Needs Coordinator - SENCo

I have been involved with Omokoroa No.1 school and it’s amazing community for 20 years.  I have taught at all levels throughout the school and I now teach in the Senior syndicate, Years 7 & 8.  I am excited to work at this end of the school as our team is passionate, creative and totally invested in supporting our learners to achieve success in all areas.  I enjoy offering the students in the Senior Syndicate a rich and diverse curriculum that caters for their different learning styles, their interests and skills. I am dedicated to creating and maintaining a positive classroom culture that upholds the values of the school as well as offering students the opportunities to take on more roles and responsibilities, preparing them for their college years and beyond. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and getting outside with our crazy dog!

Sue Morgan-French

Sue Morgan-French

Year 0/1, Room 7

I believe in the inherent goodness of all children and aim to make their school experience a positive one; a place where they grow not only in learning but in self esteem and social graces. Teaching is my passion.
I also love reading, the outdoors, music and conversation! I have a husband, three grown boys,  I am active in Dog Agility competitions and have been very lucky to have been teaching at Omokoroa No 1 for the last 17 years.

Becks Walls

Becks Walls

Year 1, Room 6

Hi my name is Becks Walls and I feel privileged to work in the junior school at Omokoroa No1 School.
I believe children learn best when they are in an inclusive, safe, supportive and positive learning environment. I strive to create a classroom culture where students’ are motivated to learn through engaging innovative learning  experiences, while catering to their individual social, cultural and academic needs.
Outside of school I enjoy brief gym visits and spending as much time as possible with my husband and family at the beach.

Sharon Herder

Sharon Herder

Year 2/3, Room 9

I have been very lucky to teach at Omokoroa No.1 School for over 20 years.
In this time I have taught from New Entrants to Year 3.
​I was given the opportunity to be the Reading Recovery teacher for three years and I really enjoyed working in the one to one situation. I am now back in a Year 2 class with an enthusiastic group of children who are keen to learn.
I enjoy teaching all areas of the curriculum but my particular loves are reading, art and I.C.T.

Melanie Sloan

Year 2, Room 8
Hi, my name is Melanie Sloan.  I have recently joined Omokoroa No.School after 10 years of living and teaching in Auckland. I grew up in the Bay, so it is nice to be back again!
I teach a lovely Year 2 class and am the Junior Team Leader. I feel very lucky to have joined such a wonderful, talented team of teachers, and to be part of a supportive staff and school community.
I am passionate about creating a rich, fun, and engaging learning environment for our tamariki. I hope to equip students with a strong foundation in literacy and maths, kindness towards others, and a passion to learn.
In my spare time I love to spend time with my family and friends, bake, read, exercise, and head outdoors for a bike ride or a walk.
Charlotte St George

Charlotte St George

Year 0, Room 15

Hello, my name is Charlotte St George. I have been very lucky to be part of Omokoroa No 1 School, as a parent of my four boys and a relief teacher over the past five years.

I have taught in the Waikato, Tauranga, Rotorua and England over the past 20+ years from Year 1 to Year 6.   I am very excited to be part of the Junior school this year teaching New Entrants in Room 15. 

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan

Year 3, Room 14

After teaching many levels throughout the school, I am very excited to be back with a group of enthusiastic junior learners. I endeavour to build positive relationships with each child to enable them to be happy, confident, pro-active and risk taking learners. Primary school is a wonderful time for children to develop not only a passion for life-long learning but a strong sense of self and a respect for others that they need to take into the world.

Susan McRoberts

Susan McRoberts

Year 4, Room 10

I am part of the Senior Management team and the Y3/4 team leader. I have been at this school for over 25 years and have seen a lot of changes during this time. I love the way my job constantly evolves!
I enjoy teaching most subjects, but especially mathematics and writing. I love teaching because every day is different. It is challenging because each child has different things they find difficult and I enjoy finding ways to help them understand. It is rewarding to see children achieve when they have worked hard at something. Also children are fun to be around!
Bobbie Bateman

Bobbie Bateman

Year 3/4, Room 11

I started teaching because I love working with children. I love the interesting ideas and energy they bring to class. I am the third generation of teachers in my family. I started teaching intermediate children, then, took a few years off travelling the world. Eventually I came to Omokoroa No.1 School. I have two children who both went to this fabulous school. I feel very privileged to be part of a very professional and talented staff. I work with Fiona Jackson in the Year 3 & 4 group.

Chloe Stout

Chloe Stout

Classroom Teacher & Specialist PE Teacher

Hi everyone, my name is Chloe Stout and I moved to Tauranga 3 years ago from Wales, UK with my fiance Joe. All in search for warmer water, an active lifestyle and exciting new career opportunities. I have been a qualified primary school teacher for 7 years, however I have had many different jobs along the way including surf instructor, tennis coach and a holiday camp leader. I love to be active and outdoors in the sunshine which is why I am so excited and feel privileged to be working in Omokoroa with your children next year. Over the last two years I have been teaching the ‘Go4it’ fundamental movement skills programme at Omokoroa No.1 School. Next year I will be the Specialist PE Teacher, providing learning support for students, and teaching Year 2 and Year 4 one/two days per week.  

Fiona Jackson

Fiona Jackson

Classroom Teacher Shared Rm11

I have been teaching at Omokoroa No.1 School part-time since 2010.  I really enjoy watching student’s endless energy for learning.
My passion is Digital Technology and I have discovered how powerful it is for engaging motivation and excitement in children’s learning.
Over the past few years I have been developing the schools Digital Technology Curriculum and upskilling the children and the teachers so they become better 21st Century learners and are exposed to a range of different technologies.
Check out my blog to see some of the many exciting lessons the students have experienced.
https://ilearndigitech.blogspot.com/.

Sarah-Jane Little

Sarah-Jane Little

Year 5, Room 5

Kia Ora,
My name is Sarah Jane Little.  I am committed to helping all the children in my class build a solid foundation in reading, writing and maths.  We get there through shared experiences, collaborative tasks, independent work, games, laughter and inquiry.   The arts, science and social studies are my favourite areas to teach where curiosity and exploration are front and centre. I promote honesty, kindness and integrity in my classroom.

Leanne McEwan

Leanne McEwan

Year 5/6, Room 13

I enjoy teaching at Omokoroa No.1 School because it is a fabulous school to work in, with great students, families and staff.  My favourite subjects are Art and English. I love art because I can see how creative the students can be, and reading because there are lots of great novels to study. The great thing about teaching the Year 8’s, is as it is their last year of school, they get to go to interesting camps and do a lot of exciting activities. Every term is always different and challenging. 

Bridget Broadhurst

Bridget Broadhurst

Year 6, Room 4

I am the Year 5 and 6 Team Leader and have taught at Omokoroa No 1 at various levels for more than 20 years. I am passionate about teaching and learning and always look forward to the challenges and rewards teaching brings every day. I enjoy the close knit, supportive community of students, parents and staff. While I enjoy teaching all subjects, I particularly enjoy teaching Mathematics, Literacy and Social Science. In my free time I enjoy spending time with family, reading and biking the trails on my e bike.

Todd Burton

Todd Burton

Specialist Sports coordinator, STEM teacher, EOTC leader, class teacher

I have worked as a teacher in Primary Education for the last 15 years across all year levels. I am passionate about Sports and EOTC (Education Outside The Classroom), STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) and Literacy. Next year I will be the Specialist Sports coordinator, STEM teacher, EOTC leader, class teacher for one day a week in Room 2/3, and provide learning extension support for Year 5-8 students.

I am looking forward to learning from the staff at Omokoroa School and getting to know the students and members of the wider community. My wife Kellie grew up in Welcome Bay, Tauranga and is very much looking forward to being closer to her family and the beach (she has been trying for 10 years!). We have 3 children: Connor (9 years), Elise (7 years) and Max (5 years); who will be attending Omokoroa No.1 School.

My hobbies include trail running, swimming, spending time outdoors and reading.

 Aaron Joe

Aaron Joe

Year 7/8, Room 1

It is a privilege to teach in the Year 7 and 8 team at Omokoroa No.1 School.  My goal is to prepare our Year 7 and 8 students for success in college and in life.  I am also the School Sports Coordinator and I am passionate about ensuring sport and exercise play an integral role in our student’s lives.  Outside of school, I like to pursue my passions in sport, surfing, cooking, and travel.

Jane Haden

Jane Haden

Year 7/8 Room 2

Hello my name is Jane Haden. Making children curious learners is my main aim. I believe they must develop a passion for life and learning. I take pride in the fact that I can be a part of their journey and hope that the children take a little something that can contribute to a successful and happy life.

Rob Maclaren

Rob Maclaren

Year 7/8, Room 3

Teaching Year 7 and 8 students in the Senior Syndicate at Omokoroa No. 1 School is a responsibility that I take seriously. I am passionate, creative and totally invested in supporting our learners to achieve success in all areas. The students in the Senior Syndicate are offered a rich and diverse curriculum that caters for their different learning styles, their interests and skills. Students are given many opportunities to take on more roles and responsibilities, successfully preparing them for their college years and beyond.
Christine Radford

Christine Radford

Step, Stage and Sound

Each teacher from Year 1 to Year 6 has a classroom release entitlement, and during this time each class comes to the Multi Media Room, where throughout the year the children work together on a range of performing arts.  I am also the choir trainer for our school choir. The school has performed for the last five years at either the Kids 4 Kids or the Tauranga Music Festival and are now a regular feature at the end of year prize giving concert.

Our People

Administration and Support Staff
Rae O'Hara

Rae O'Hara

Administration Staff

Simone Williams

Simone Williams

Administration Staff

Shayne Hall

Shayne Hall

Grounds Maintenance

Cushla Nolan

Cushla Nolan

Learning Assistant

Diane Cadzow

Diane Cadzow

Learning Assistant

Lissaire Avery

Lissaire Avery

Learning Assistant

Serena Moreton

Serena Moreton

Learning Assistant

Marianne Tattle

Marianne Tattle

Learning Assistant