Ruru Team - Years 1& 2

Rachael Rowley - Room 15

Year 1 & 2 Teacher & Team Leader

I love teaching at Ōtūmoetai Primary School. This year, I am the Team Leader for Ruru (the NZ Morepork). I have a Year 2 class in Room 15 and work with a wonderful group of teachers.  Teaching students of this age is very rewarding especially when seeing their confidence, skills and knowledge grow as the year progresses. I like to foster creativity, collaboration and leadership within my classroom. I have a passion for Writing and The Arts along with teaching across the curriculum. 
In my spare time, I like to walk my two dogs, garden and spend time with my family and friends.
 r.rowley@ops.school.nz

Kathy Nicholson - Room 14

Year 1 & 2 Teacher

I am an experienced junior school teacher and love teaching at this level. It is a delight watching my class grow in their independence, self belief and seeing the children challenge themselves to meet new goals. 
I like the children to be engaged in a wide range of hands-on activities and for them to use their wonderful imaginations to create a variety of arts, crafts, models and stories.
Physical activities are a daily part of my programme. The children always feel proud when they develop and master new skills. 
I believe in nurturing the whole child and creating an environment where we learn from each other. 
In my free time, I love being physically active. I enjoy biking, hiking, swimming and exploring new places with family and friends.
 k.nicholson@ops.school.nz

Anika Abbott - Room 16

Year 1 & 2 Teacher

I really enjoy starting children on their school journey and love their curiosity and inquisitive natures. It is really rewarding seeing the gains the children make in their learning in such a short period of time. Children are like sponges and soak up so much new learning through play, social interaction, reading, writing, maths and trial/error with experiments. 

I have a strong passion for literacy and have been a Reading Recovery teacher in the past and have studied Specialist Literacy Education. I taught in Rotorua for a number of years and then moved and taught at Bethlehem Primary for 16 years in years 0-3. Last year I worked for Resource Teachers ofLearning and Behaviour.

I enjoy reading, walking and baking with my children who are 7 and 11. I also spending time with my family and friends.

I look forward to this new exciting journey at Otumoetai Primary school in Room 21.

 

 a.abbott@ops.school.nz

Carolyn Andrews - Room 7

Year 3 Teacher

I am very privileged to be teaching a fabulous year 3 class in Kea team this year. 
I have taught at Ōtūmoetai Primary for a number of years mainly in the junior area. I am passionate about teaching and love being a part of a child's early learning. The enthusiasm they bring is infectious and the growth they make in all areas of their development is so exciting. 
I endeavour to foster a love of learning, developing all aspects of the child as a whole, in my teaching. Relationships are integral to  my teaching and I acknowledge the variety of experiences, values and abilities the children and their whanau bring to our class. 
Outside of school, family and friends are very important to me. I also enjoy following different sports, going to the beach, fishing, reading and socialising with family and friends.

 

 

 c.andrews@ops.school.nz

Melissa Christophers - Room 16

Year 2 Teacher

 m.christophers@ops.school.nz