Tui Team - New Entrants and Year 1

Francine Whitehead - Room 23

New Entrant/Year 1 Teacher & Team Leader

Kia ora

I am privileged to teach New Entrants and Year 1's in Room 23, along with leading the Tui Team.  

My passion is Early Years teaching, where I thrive on transitioning new students and their whānau into school life.  It is a delight to grow tamariki into independent lifelong learners with a love of learning.  

Outside of school, I like to keep active. I enjoy exploring new places, reading, gardening, and spending quality time with friends and family.  

 f.whitehead@ops.school.nz

Sally Park - Room 20

New Entrant/Year 1 Teacher

Kia ora

My name is Sally Park and I've been teaching for around 17 years, mostly at Junior level.  I am from York in the North of England and have been living in NZ for 16 years. I began my teaching career in London, where I taught for 3 years before moving to New Zealand. I met my Kiwi husband in Auckland and together with our two boys we moved to the beautiful Bay of Plenty 8 years ago. I have taught across all levels at various schools in Auckland and Tauranga. I love being part of the Tui teaching team at Ōtūmoetai Primary School. Outside of school I love to spend time with my family, especially outdoors at the beach or walking/running/biking and exploring this beautiful country we are so lucky to live in. I also love relaxing with a good book or puzzle, listening to music and playing games with my boys. I am looking forward to getting to know my new class in Room 20. 
 s.park@ops.school.nz

Anika Abbott - Room 21

New Entrant/Year 1 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

Kerri Kearvell - Room 22

New Entrant/Year 1 Teacher

Kia ora

My name is Kerri Kearvell and this will be my fifth year teaching at Ōtūmoetai Primary.  I have spent most of my teaching career in the junior school and love helping both students and whanau begin their school journey.  I have three boys who keep me busy with sports and washing in my spare time, but my husband and I do try to sneak off and camping whenever we can.  This year I will be sharing my class with the lovely Marguerite Brown as I am also a Reading Recovery teacher for the first part of our school day. 

 k.kearvell@ops.school.nz

Marguerite Brown - Room 22

New Entrant/Year 1 Teacher

Kia ora
I am very excited to be sharing a class with Kerri Kearvell this year.  I love teaching our youngest learners ensuring they transition into school easily and have an amazing start to their learning journey.  My husband Phil and I have three children.  Emily is here at our wonderful school and our two boys are at Ōtūmoetai College.
 m.brown@ops.school.nz