Our People
Our staff enjoy and celebrate our students. They are knowledgeable in their field and are committed to searching out the latest teaching techniques, strategies and resources to provide our students with the best possible opportunity to succeed.
The staff are fun to be with and creative. They are committed to meeting the individual needs of students and their families. Staff are empathetic and energetic, kind and supportive. Tauranga Special School has a team of specialists who travel to all locations to provide both advisory and hands on service. Together they form our Specialist Team.
Specialists
Speech Language Therapists
Billie Hampton Edwards (Mon to Thur) billiehe@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Rebecca Scott (Mon to Fri) rebeccas@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Kathleen Faulls (Mon to Fri) kathleenf@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Kit Spurgeon (Wed to Fri) kits@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Occupational Therapists
Erin Connolly (Mon to Fri) erinc@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Kate MacLean (Wed, Thur, Fri) katem@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Amy Prouse (Mon to Thur) amyp@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Physiotherapist
Megan Munro (Mon-Fri) meganm@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Specialist Assistants
Awhina Brown - Physiotherapy Assistant
Kim Harris - Physiotherapy Assistant
Amy Bisley - Occupational Therapy Assistant
Wider Leadership Group
Nicky Henderson (Professional Learning Leader) nickyh@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Administration
Naomi McDonald - Executive Assistant
Jillian Peck - Finance Officer
Michele Hughes - Office Administrator
Serena Stock - Resource Assistant
Our Board:
Presiding Member: Sandra Peter
Parent Representatives: Daisy Togo, Mike Nuku, Maria Veronese
Other Members: Malcolm Poppe
Staff Representative: Amy Bisley
Board Secretary: Barb Turley
Classroom Teachers
Base School
- Room 1: Sara Thorburn sarat@taurangaspecialschool.nz
- Room 2: Michael Woodnut michaelw@taurangaspecialschool.nz
- Room 3: Hayley Howard hayleyh@taurangaspecialschool.nz
- Room 4: Hayley Goodger hayleyg@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Satellite Classes
Te Kuro o Manunui:
- Cathryn Fox cathrynf@taurangaspecialschool.nz
- Jo Harvey joh@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Welcome Bay:
- Kirsty Chambers kirstyc@taurangaspecialschool.nz
- Angela Kasper angelak@taurangaspecialschool.nz (maternity cover for Anna Mangos)
Tauranga Intermediate:
- Jolani Jordaan jolanij@taurangaspecialschool.nz
- Mike Sytema mikes@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Papamoa College:
- Jennifer Banks jenniferb@taurangaspecialschool.nz
- Shane Bradstreet shaneb@taurangaspecialschool.nz
- Brendon Oats brendono@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Devonport Road Campus:
- Vicky Raspin vickyr@taurangaspecialschool.nz
- Yasumi Kobayashi yasumik@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Community College Class:
- Helen Murdoch helenm@taurangaspecialschool.nz
- Margaret Briasco margaretb@taurangaspecialschool.nz
