Our People - Puketapu School

Senior Leadership Team

Principal: Katherine Pascoe

Katherine’s core focus is on nurturing and growing students into future leaders who can achieve their full potential.

An experienced Principal, Katherine’s passion lies in innovative and strategic thinking and she is committed to lifelong learning.

Katherine has a keen interest in digital technologies and a deep commitment to te reo Māori and cultural identity, recognizing the importance of connecting education with students’ backgrounds.

As a Principal she is engaged, available and an active communicator, so you will see her on duty at the gate, visiting classes, chatting with staff, parents and tamariki and at numerous community events.

Email: principal@puketapu.school.nz

Deputy Principal: Micaela Westrupp

Micaela believes passionately that building curiosity and using a strength based approach helps to build a foundation that ākonga can feel safe to explore and take risks.

Having previously worked as an outdoor education instructor, Micaela sees the value in all of us being in nature, using our bodies, collaborating and supporting each other through challenge by choice.

Email: mwestrupp@puketapu.school.nz

Deputy Principal: Avon Lewis

Senior school team leader Avon became Deputy Principal in 2025.

A former professional rugby player with international experience in Russia and Ireland, Avon is committed to student empowerment, having established a student council, a Kai Mahi team, and student representatives, as well as organizing events like the fluro colour run and whānau sports days.

Known for being approachable and supportive, Avon prioritises strong relationships with students, staff, the Board of Trustees, and whānau.

Email: alewis@puketapu.school.nz

Associate Principal: Alisha Kerr

Alisha brings extensive experience in education. She worked as a Resource Teacher: Learning and Behaviour (RTLB), supporting students with additional learning and behavioural needs alongside whānau and schools and as a Special Education Advisor with the Ministry of Education.

Alisha holds a Master’s degree in Specialist Teaching: Learning and Behaviour.

Outside of education, she is active in the sporting community and currently manages the JWSX Team.

Email: akerr@puketapu.school.nz

Year 6, 7 & 8 Team

Andrea Tait Andrea understands that each child has unique abilities and she is skilled at building meaningful relationships with students.

Jemma Garcia With a passion for netball, Jemma believes in fostering teamwork and confidence among her students. She loves being creative and brings innovative ideas into the classroom to inspire her ākonga.

Birte Ahlhaus With a PhD in international law and relations and 12 years of teaching experience at all ages, Birte loves sharing her enthusiasm for learning and real world related problem solving. Her passion is to create a positive, creative and inclusive classroom environment where students feel engaged, connected and valued.

Molly Remihana Molly, originally from Auckland and now loving life in Taranaki, is a passionate educator dedicated to supporting all learners, with a special focus on Māori students, literacy, and fostering creativity in the classroom.

Cassie Thomson A recent arrival to Aotearoa after teaching for several years in England, Cassie believes that consistency, strong relationships and embracing humour are imperative to creating a positive and productive learning environment.

Our Senior School Team

Absent: Flo Gibson-Harris

Year 4 & 5 Team

Milly Tuheke

Vicki Pihama

Kelly Harvey

Michelle Swan

Our Middle School Team

Year 2 & 3 Team

Kennedy Cleland

Mel Lane

Louisa Sharrock

Leanne Fa’aea

Our Junior Team

Year 1 Team

Moana Te Waaka

Prishlena Kumar

The friendly faces meeting our youngest and newest learners

Learning Assistant Team

Michele Oldfield

Sandra Fonoti

Jody Hall

Siale Liddicoat

Yugi Kosuru

Supporting learning and learners across our kura

Absent: Krystal Read Gray, Tash Cambie

Kai Team

Charlotte McGoldrick Sous Chef, Kitchen Team A Bell block local, Charlotte brings over a decade of cheffing experience to provide delicious and nutritious kai to our tamariki. Enviromentally minded and passionate about nature she spends her spare time gardening, preserving, tending to the orchard and perfecting her bread baking skills.

Kayla Mason The latest addition to our team, Kayla joined the team when Charlotte took some time off – and she is so great we decided to keep her!

Teresa Julian Head Chef, Kitchen Team Teresa’s passion and love for cooking started back when she was child watching her Mum in the kitchen, who said “the secret ingredient for anything you make is love.” Teresa has lived by this philosophy ever since and is now carrying this into providing healthy, nutritious lunches for all our tamariki every day.

Sharron Arbuckle A familiar face in Bell Block, Sharron joined our kitchen team at the start of 2022 and helps to provide healthy, delicious lunches to our tamariki and always with a smile.

Keeping every student fed, every day – and always with aroha

Office Team

Schar Kettle

Kerie McLeod

Paula Martin

Your friendly office team, ready to help with everything from enrolment onwards.

Caretaking Team

Nicola Gorrie

Raymond Quince

Frank Brockhill

Keeping our buildings and grounds looking great!

Board of Trustees

Katherine Pascoe

Steph Julian

Paora Rauputu

Hayley Adams

Doug Keith

Meg Corin

Our elected Board for 2025

Absent: Cara Knuckey