Secretary

Welcome to Taradale Intermediate, this is the phone greeting I use many times a day as I am often the person on the other end or meeting you when you arrive at the office. I have been Secretary at the School since 1999, yes a long time now, but then why not when you work in a happy environment that provides a varied work load with no two days ever being the same. The major part of my job includes being Secretary to the Board of Trustees and HB Optimist Yacht Trust, attending to the payroll of our 50+ staff and relievers, sorting appointments for the Principal, and assisting in the day to day running of our busy office.

Finance Management, SMS, Admin

Hi there, You will find me in the office working alongside my colleague, Annie. I commenced work here in 2000. TIS really is a wonderful learning and working environment which makes it a pleasure to provide administrative support for our staff, students, parents/caregivers and the wider community. My role is varied, challenging and interesting, and includes financial management, student database management, following up unexplained absences, general sickbay and office duties. I have two children who have spent their intermediate years at TIS and are now at university and high school.

Pastoral Care

I joined the Pastoral Care team at Taradale Intermediate School at the beginning of 2010.
I enjoy meeting, helping out and caring for the students, families and staff at TIS. My husband and I have a daughter and son, both ex TIS students, with our youngest leaving TIS at the end of 2009.
I have been fortunate to have been able to be very involved in the school communities with my children, and have happily volunteered many hours.

Pastoral Care

I started at TIS at the beginning of 2011 and what a great place to be. I have been impressed from day one with the friendly, welcoming culture shown by both the staff and students alike. I have worked in a Pastoral Care role since 1999 when Dennis Coxon first implemented it at Porritt Primary School. Over the years I have trained in many areas including counselling, psychology, behaviour management and special needs. Home and School working together as a team for the good of student wellbeing is my passion and I encourage parents to contact school as early as possible when changes occur in student’s lives.

Librarian

I have been the librarian at Taradale Intermediate for nearly twelve years now, and I still find that each day is different and exciting. My job gives me the opportunity to work with some wonderful young people, and with books - two of my favourite things. I am part of a great team of people who share my conviction that a love of books and reading is an essential part of education. We are very proud of our library which supports classroom literacy programmes, and provides information resources for students' research. Away from school I spend time swimming and cycling, catching up with my children and grandchildren, and reading of course!

Teacher Associate

Hi my name is Jo Woolley and I have proudly been a part of Taradale Intermediate School for 5 years. I consider myself very fortunate to work with a fantastic group of children in a welcoming, warm atmosphere. My interests are; following my own children's activites from soccer to drum lessons, walking, reading, family time and of course the Hawkes Bay climate.

Teacher Aide

I am in my second year at TIS. I work with many students across the school based around special needs and behaviour. You can find me in the office or the playground and sometimes in the sick bay.
I love walking and have recently completed a 28km walk, with 2 other staff members in November 2011.
This year I am beginning a teaching degree. This will take 3 years. I’m looking forward to an exciting year at TIS.

Teacher Aide - Special Needs

This is my first year at Taradale Intermediate. I have worked at Taradale Primary for the last 4 1/2 years with a child who has autism. This year I am working in Room 22 at TIS. I'm very passionate about making a difference in children's lives who have special needs. I strive to get them achieving all they can and not let thier "special needs" stop them from being all they can be. I feel privileged to be a part of this school and the education of the student I work with.

Teacher Associate

Hi, I'm Robyn and I am married with two sons. I hold my sons entirely responsible for my interest in education. During my sons' early schooling I found it extremely rewarding to assist in the classroom as parent help and from there it seemed a natural progression to becoming a teacher aide. Having completed the Massey Teacher Aide course and Napier Literacy Programme I have worked at various schools covering new entrants to Year 11. I strongly believe in the importance of literacy as a foundation for all learning and laughter as a tonic for the flagging spirit.
This is my fourth year at TIS. My role, I believe, is a privileged one enabling me not only to assist the teachers and students in a general way but also supporting the learning of those students at risk of failing. It is vital, I believe, to create a safe learning environment to enable children to take risks, make mistakes and become independent learners.

On a personal level I am seeking to step outside my comfort zone and grow through new experiences.

Teacher Associate - ESOL

Hi. I'm Cherie Loveridge. I have been a Teacher Associate at Taradale Intermediate for 10 years. I really enjoy my role working with a mixture of children. I work with the ESOL and international students as well as teacher aide in class for maths time. I consider it a priviledge to help the international students learn english but also gain confidence and settle into our new culture. I love seeing children achieve! I love reading and writing myself personally and believe my enthusiasm for this flows down to the children I work with.
I have three children and when I started here at Taradale, my eldest son was at intermediate level. A few years later my daughter arrived and finally my youngest had his last year at intermediate in 2009. This has been beneficial as a Teacher Associate to be able to relate to this age group with all the changes they experience. My challenge is always to get the best out of the children I work with and to ensure children see the best in themselves.

Teacher Associate

You may find me in many areas around the school.
I spend some time in the office, library, sport uniforms and I supervise a computer based programme based just inside the library door. This is just a few of the things I occupy my day with at TIS.

Caretaker

School Chaplain

Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley and a Masters of Divinity degree from Western Theological Seminary in Portland, Oregon.

This is my 4th year serving as the Volunteer Chaplain at TIS. The Churches Education Commission (CEC) defines the role of a Chaplain as a “trusted friend” who is there to encourage and support Students and Staff. It is a unique role in that I come not as a teacher, administrator, or parent, but as just “Steve.” Students face many pressures and issues in their lives and I count it a privilege to work alongside the Staff at TIS. CEC directs Chaplains to not initiate conversations with Students or Staff about spiritual matters. I do not and will not approach students or staff to start a spiritual discussion or put pressure on them to head in any spiritual direction. The role of a Chaplain is not to promote any particular Church or denomination, but to facilitate the flow of information about local youth groups. I also serve as Chaplain at Taradale High School, EIT and teach Christian Religious Education at two Primary schools. I am originally from California and have lived in New Zealand for about 7 years. My wife is originally from Taradale and we have three children. Our oldest son started last year at Taradale Intermediate. I have previously taught school and coached many sports. I love film, travel, reading, sports (tennis, golf, mountain biking, basketball, softball and hockey on the turf with the students! ). I spend Interval and Lunch hours at school, attend assemblies and special events, spend time in the Staff room, and help lead a weekly Bible Club (students get permission from their Parents/Caregivers to attend). Taradale Intermediate is a wonderful school and it is a real joy to serve here.