Leadership Whānau
Leadership Whānau
Amber King
Principal
About Me
Ki te taha ōku māmā. Ko Tauanui tōku maunga. Ko Punakitere tōku awa. Ko Ngatokimataowharoa tōku waka. Ko Mahuhukiterangi tōku whare tupuna. Ko Ngati Moerewa tōku hapu. Ko Ngapuhi tōku iwi. Ko Tupaea tōku ingoa whānau. Ko Amber tōku ingoa. At school I am known as Ms King. I joined the Papakura Intermediate whānau in 2016 and I am still exactly where I want to be. I was born and raised in South Auckland and cannot imagine teaching or leading anywhere else. South Auckland is a place of immense pride and potential and I am privileged to teach and lead in such a place. I have been in education for a number of years and I believe it is the best job in the world. In life, I love and appreciate culture, travelling to beautiful places with my whānau, the Arts: fashion, music, theatre, being inspired, leading and learning.
Denise Welsh
Assistant Principal
About Me
Kia ora, kia orana, Ko Denise Welsh tōku ingoa, he uri ahau no Ngāti Whatua me Kūki Āirani hoki. I am Whaea Denise, the Assistant Principal here at Papakura Intermediate. I was born and raised in Otara and Manurewa and have been a teacher serving our South Auckland community for nearly 11 years now. I enjoy making memories with my amazing partner George, our 5 tamariki and our 2 fur babies. I look forward to working with our tamariki and wider school community this year.
Van Lolesio
Assistant Principal, Technology Whānau Leader, and Hogan Whānau Leader
About Me
Tēnā koutou katoa, ko Van ahau. I am one of the Assistant Principals for this year. I have been a kaiako in a reorua/immersion setting for just over a decade now. I was born and bred in Ōtara, and am proud to still be living and working in the South Auckland community. I am looking forward to continue working within the Papakura community. Koia kei a tātou!
Karleena Tangaere-Vui
Learning Support Coordinator
About Me
Ko Hikurangi te maunga Ko Waiapu te awa Ko Ngāti Porou te iwi Ko Karleena Karaitiana Tangaere-Vui tōku ingoa. Kia ora! My name is Karleena and I was born under the bridge right here in the Papakura birthing unit. I am passionate about learning, animals and taking care of Papatūānuku. I started my teaching journey 10 years ago and this is my 3rd year here at Papakura Intermediate as the Learner Support Coordinator. Ngā mihi.
Lillani Hopkins
Kaino Whānau leader
Team 3
About Me
Kia ora koutou, Ko Lillani tōku ingoa.I have been a teacher at Papakura Intermediate for five years. Originally born in Palmerston North, I was raised in the UK. The most important aspects of my life are my family, my faith, and the supportive community I surround myself with. This year, I am excited to be a part of your child's learning journey. My focus is on creating a safe and inclusive space for learning while fostering strong and open relationships with both students and whānau. You are always welcome to visit the classroom or reach out to me via email.
Shobek Singh
Mansell Whānau Leader
Team 11
About Me
Namaste Papakura Whānau. My name is Shobek, and I moved to New Zealand at the age of 14 from India. I have been teaching all around Auckland, and have been privileged to teach every year level. My passion for teaching continues to grow each year as I love working alongside children, and seeing them grow into future leaders. Whenever I am free, I either run to the ocean or enjoy watching movies. Ngā mihi.
Technology Whānau
Technology Whānau
Hannah Rogers
DVC and Visual Arts Technology Teacher
About Me
Kia ora, my name is Hannah Rogers (Whaea Hannah). This year I’m super excited to be teaching Visual Arts and DVC! Originally I’m from the lovely Ipipiri (Bay Of Islands) and have lived in Auckland for 8 years. Whenever I get the chance I love being outdoors, surfing and swimming.
Leigh-Anne Fisher
Food Technology Teacher
About Me
Kia Ora, my name is Leigh-Anne Fisher (Whaea Leigh). Of my 28 years of teaching, 5 of them have been in New Zealand. I was born and raised in South Africa, and in 2020 we made the bold step of moving to New Zealand. My husband and I have 4 adult children, one of which is still in South Africa. I love cooking, baking, swimming in the ocean, watching sports and joining my husband on the C.M.A motorcycle rides. Being in the classroom and connecting with students is my passion, and I have the privilege of teaching Food Technology to all of the students of PI.
Teachers
Teachers
Erica Jones
Release Teacher
About Me
Kia ora, my name is Erica Jones. This year I am going to be a release teacher around the school. I live on the beautiful Pohutukawa Coast with my husband, our 6 children, and our two dogs. We love living at the beach and spend any spare time swimming, kayaking, fishing and anything else on or around the water!
Avni Kher
Teacher
Team 6
About Me
Namaste, my name is Avni Kher. I have been living and teaching in New Zealand for the past seven years. I currently reside with my loving husband and our beautiful 2.5-year-old daughter. Originally, I hail from the vibrant cities of New Delhi and Mumbai, India, which have deeply shaped my values and outlook on life.I strongly believe in empowering children and nurturing their confidence to help them lead fulfilling lives. As an educator, my goal is to inspire and guide students toward becoming the best versions of themselves.“विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयाद् याति पात्रताम्।पात्रत्वाद्धनमाप्नोति धनाद्धर्मं ततः सुखम्॥”(Vidya Dadati Vinayam Vinayad Yati Patratam,Patratvad Dhanamapnoti Dhanad Dharmam Tatah Sukham).This Sanskrit shloka beautifully conveys that education instills humility, which leads to worthiness, prosperity, righteousness, and ultimately, happiness. It is my constant source of inspiration as a teacher. I am excited about the opportunities this coming year holds and look forward to making a positive difference in the lives of my students.
Matua Wiremu
Te Reo Māori Teacher
About Me
Tēnā tātou katoa. Ko Matua Wiremu ahau. Born in Pukekohe, I have lived, schooled and worked in Papakura for most of my life. My mother’s tribal affiliation is here in Tamaki, and my father, Port Waikato and Pirongia, Te Kuiti. My wife, children, grandchildren and wider whānau keep me active and grounded. My faith in Jesus directs my footsteps, aspirations and dreams. Every year brings new things, making a difference in the lives of students and those around us bring satisfaction and encouraging them towards their dreams makes teaching all worthwhile. No need to make an appointment whānau, open policy to come in, you just need to sign in at the office. Mauri Tau, Mauri Ora.
Minky Arora
Teacher
Team 8
About Me
Namaste and Kia Ora Papakura Intermediate Whanau, I am Minky Arora, you can call me Mrs Arora. I was born and brought up in Punjab, India. I have been living in Auckland since 2015. I live in Takanini in our beautiful home with my supportive husband and my 3 years old wonderful daughter Nyra Arora. I have been teaching since 2012. This is my second year in Papakura Intermediate and I am looking forward to meeting my new tamariki and their whanau. I am very passionate about what I do and love to see our tamariki achieving their goals.
Berdine Rickard
Teacher
Team 10
About Me
Kia koutou katoa. Ko Hikurangi te maunga, ko Waiapu te awa, ko Horouta te waka, Ko Ngati Porou te iwi, No te Tairawhiti ahau, Ko Kōkā B toku ingoa. I was born and bred on the east coast, in the beautiful city of Turanganui-a-Kiwa. I have lived in Auckland for the past 9 years and am now in my 5th year here at Papakura Intermediate. I am grounded in my faith, my māoritanga, my whānau and my belief that every child has the potential to succeed and it is my job to champion them in their dreams and create pathways for them to achieve every success. So I look forward to this year as I embark on a new journey of being the kaiako in our Reo Rua unit. You are always welcome in our akomanga and I am excited for what this year will bring. No reira Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena ra koutou katoa.
Rosebean Chand
Teacher
Team 1
About Me
Bula vinaka and Kia Ora! Papakura Intermediate whanau, I am Rosebean Chand, Team 1 teacher. This is my second year at P.I and I am really excited to know about our tamariki and their whanau. I was born in Fiji which is about a 3 hour flight away from New Zealand. I live in Pukekohe with my husband, who is a teacher at Takanini School and two girls. I love being part of the P.I. community and believe that every child shines when it's the right time. I am looking forward to building a strong teaching and learning relationship with tamariki and their whanau. Please feel free to pop in and have a chat.
Quentin Mill
Teacher
Team 9
About Me
Kia ora whānau. Ko Hikurangi te Maunga, Ko Waiapu te Awa, Ko Horouta te Waka, Ko Hinerupe te Marae, Ko Ngati Porou toku iwi, Ko Quentin Mill toku ingoa. Kia ora to our Papakura whānau. Originating from Te Tairāwhiti, I have returned to Tamaki where I lived with my own family 15 years ago. This time I return as an experienced Kaiako having spent many years teaching at Intermediate aged level. I am looking forward to getting to know you all and to provide a space which enables your child to thrive and grow into a great person, leaving here with pride and mana! “He oranga ngākau, he pikinga waiora” Mauri ora!
Whaea Janice
Teacher
Team 4
About Me
Kia Ora and Mabuhay! My name is Janice, and I am excited to join this wonderful school community as a new teacher. I’m originally from the Philippines, and I’m looking forward to not only sharing my own culture and experiences but also embracing the diverse cultures and values that make New Zealand so special. I’m passionate about helping students reach their full potential, both academically and personally, in a positive and supportive environment. I believe in fostering respect, creativity, and curiosity in the classroom, and I can’t wait to work alongside such a dedicated team of teachers and staff. I’m excited to be part of this journey with you all and look forward to what we can achieve together. Salamat po!
Whaea Ella
Teacher
Team 2
About Me
Hi everyone, my name is Ella and I am the new Team 2 teacher! I have recently moved to New Zealand and was lucky enough to spend the last 6 weeks of the year getting to know PI. I am from the UK, and have been a secondary school History and Maths teacher for 3 years. I am excited to begin this new journey with everyone, as well as teaching and learning alongside your children.
Bianca De Klerk
Teacher
Team 5
About Me
Kia ora whānau. My name is Bianca, also known as whaea B. This is my second year teaching at P.I and I look forward to teaching and making memories with my tamariki. I was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa and took the bold move to relocate to the beautiful country known as Aotearoa. I love learning about the diverse cultures in Aotearoa and having my tamariki share it with me. I love working with the Papakura community and making a difference, it is a privilege to be a part of the Papakura intermediate whānau.
Dida Glady Capiendo
Teacher
Team 7
About Me
Kia ora and Kamusta, whānau. I am Dida Glady Capiendo or Whaea Dida, from the Philippines. I have a 12-year old son and a 2- year old daughter. I am passionate about fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where students feel inspired to reach their full potential. I believe in the importance of building relationships with students, their whanau, and the wider school community to create meaningful learning experiences. I look forward to helping our students thrive in their journey at Papakura intermediate School.
Support Staff
Support Staff
Karen Knowles
Office Manager
About Me
Hi Everyone. Welcome to Papakura Intermediate. I am the school Office Manager. I have lived in Papakura most of my life. I attended Kelvin Road School, Papakura Intermediate and Papakura High School. I have worked in the school office for over 20 years. When I first started the school was named Papakura Intermediate School then Mansell Senior School and now we are Papakura Intermediate. My role in the school is as an administrator paying the staff wages, looking after the accounts and helping all the staff with the day-to-day running of the school. I am a big supporter of Rugby League and the Papakura Sea Eagles. I am looking forward to meeting all of our new students.
Jocelyn Coppins
Attendance and Engagement Administrator
About Me
Kia ora koutou katoa, my name is Jocelyn and I have been the School Secretary here at Papakura Intermediate since September 2020. I was born on the East Coast, raised in South Waikato and have lived most of my adult life here in Auckland. I am a mother of 5 and grandmother of 10. I enjoy reading, travelling, food and learning new things. I am thankful to be part of the Papakura Intermediate whānau.
Learning Assistants
Learning Assistants
Paul Tua
Learning Assistant
About Me
Talofa Lava, my name is Paul Tua and I'll be one of your new Learning Assistants for this year. You can count on me to bring positive vibes into our learning environment. I am of Samoan descent and love arts and design. I enjoy challenging myself and finding new outdoor activities to do with family and friends. This is my first year as a learning assistant and my goal is to bring the best out of every student I may come across and I will fulfil that. I have a passion for sharing my knowledge with our youth and am looking forward to creating a fun but safe environment for our students.
Jane Poki
Learning Assistant
About Me
Kia ora, my name is Whaea Jane. I am a learning assistant here at Papakura Intermediate and have worked here for 6 years. I am Ngati Porou from Gisborne, and have lived most of my life in and around different parts of Auckland, before settling down in Papakura. I have 8 wonderful adult humans in my family, and lots of mokos, most of them live in different parts of the moto, and 1 overseas I have worked previously while raising my family, doing machine operating at Griffins, Auto car detailing, and supermarket. I am passionate about working with students in the Fast Forward Program and seeing them thrive, I am going to enjoy working alongside you all.
Te Amoroa Uerata
Learning Assistant
About Me
Tēnā koutou katoa, Ko Te Amoroa ahau. This is my fourth year at Papakura Intermediate, where I have had the privilege of working as a learning assistant. I'm thrilled to continue my journey here, working alongside our amazing students and whānau. This year is particularly exciting for me as I embark on my teaching journey right here at P.I. I am eager to share this journey with you all. I look forward to meeting each of you and making this year a fantastic one together! Kia Kaha, kia māia, kia Manawatu.
Ofa Fotu-Moala
Learning Assistant
About Me
Mālō e lelei, my name is Miss Fotu-Moala and I am excited to be joining Papakura Intermediate School as one of the new Learning Assistants. I am a proud Tongan who loves sharing her culture with everyone and learning about different cultures as well. I love anything to do with music and performing arts and have a passion for science. My goal this year is to have an open mind to trying new things. I can’t wait to work alongside the amazing staff of this kura as well as our tamariiki.
Whaea Mile
Learning Assistant
About Me
Talofa Lava, my name is Mile and it is with great honour and privilege to be a part of the Papakura staff as your new Learning Assistant. I am Samoan Chinese. I love everything related to sports, as I was a 3 year NZ representative in an event called Hammer throw, and have been coaching shot put, hammer throw and discus for the Papakura Athletics club nights at Massey Park. I also have a hidden passion for photography and hope to one day travel to amazing places and capture all the wonders of the world. I am looking forward to meeting everyone and seeing what the year has in store for us!
Whaea Christy
Learning Assistant
About Me
Nau mai Haere mai koutou ki te kura takawaenga o Papakura. Kia Ora my name is Whaea Christy I am one of many awesome Learning Assistants we have here at Papakura Intermediate. I was born and raised in a small town called Waitara. I have 3 beautiful tamariki who are Rekohu, Waimarie and Waiorangi. I really look forward to what this year at Papakura has to bring me and also you as nga akonga! No reira, Kia kaha tatou ki te ako i nga wa katoa. Kia mau. Kia pupiri. “Whaia te ko whiringa tika”
Matua Doni
Learning Assistant
About Me
Hi, my name is Brandon Reid. I'm really excited to be joining Papakura Intermediate! I’m Tongan and Samoan, born in New Zealand, and raised in Māngere. I’m passionate about learning new things and helping others along the way. I also enjoy playing sports and attending church. This year, my goal is to learn as much as I can, and work together with my classmates and teachers. Malo, and God bless!
Matua Dom
Learning Assistant
About Me
Hey there! My name is Matua Dom, I am from a small town in England called Crewe. My biggest passion in life is basketball but I love all sports and everything competitive! I am really excited to start my new journey in New Zealand with everyone here at Papakura Intermediate. I believe that life is all about experiences and taking every opportunity to grow. Back in the UK I worked in a range of schools in a variety of roles that helped me to specialise in de-escalating challenging behaviour. I am looking to continue my professional learning journey whilst also hoping to bring my current attributes with me.