Years 1-6 Staff Directory

Kia ora Koutou,

Ko Philippa Surtees tōku ingoa. Kō Brody tōku tama.  
I have taught here at Mercury Bay Area School since 2003! I have had the privilege of teaching many tamariki and to see them grow and thrive into young adults!  

Tēnā koutou katoa!  Hey everyone!

He uri ahau nō te waka o Tainui. I am a descendant of the Tainui waka.
Ko Karioi, ko Taupiri ngā maunga. Karioi and Taupiri are my mountains.
Ko Wainui, ko Waikato ngā awa. Wainui and Waikato are my rivers.
Ko Whaingaroa te moana. Whaingaroa is my sea.
Ko Ngāti Tahinga, Ko Ngāti Whāwhākia ngā hapū. Ngāti Tahinga and Ngāti Whāwhākia are my people.
Ko Waikato te iwi. Waikato is my tribe.
Ko Poihakena, ko Kaitimutimu ngā marae. Poihakena and Kaitimutimu are my marae.
Ko Jean Hira Waretini-Paul tōku ingoa. My name is Jean Hira Waretini-Paul.

Kia ora koutou.  

Ko Tenneille Collins tōku ingoa. I'm Tenneille Collins and I teach in the junior school.  

I love getting to know my students and helping them to learn and grow. 

Kia ora koutou

Ko Graeme Eady tōku ingoa

I have 6 nearly grown children and as many grandchildren. I was born in Wellington, spent a lot of time in Auckland, and have been at Mercury Bay since 2013. I am passionate about music and can play a quite few instruments.

I try to build learning engagement through fun, games and some healthy competition. At the end of the day building an open and positive relationship with each child is the key.

Year 2 Teacher 

Kia ora koutou

Ko Kate Edwards tōku ingoa.

I have a year 5-6 class this year but have taught throughout the primary. I have had a variety of roles here at Mercury Bay Area School and have a particular interest in pedagogy and mathematics teaching and learning.

Hi my name is Jo Saward. I am a teacher aid in the primary school. 

I have lived in Whitianga for the last 28 years and have been part of the MBAS staff for 20 years. I love supporting children in the classroom and being able to encourage them to believe in themselves and inspire them to try new things. It is a joy and privilege seeing them grow from their first day at school until the end of their schooling. 

Kia ora koutou, 

My name is Rahira and I am one of the foundation teachers. I am passionate about literacy and taking care of our environment. I am a strong advocate of learning through play and acknowledge the benefits of this by scaffolding students' learning through building relationships, resilience and fostering their strengths. This foundation helps me to incorporate positive engaging learning activities throughout our day.  I have been teaching in ECE and at a new entrant level for 14 years.

I am a kiwi from Tairawhiti where I grew up. I have lived in Cooks Beach for over 20 years. I live with my husband Vaughn and we have three children. We enjoy spending lots of time at the beach and in the water, always being mindful of having a positive impact on our environment. 

Kia ora, the children call me Mrs Lidgard and I am famous at Mercury Bay for being the ‘Garden Teacher’ and the ‘Play Leader Teacher’. 

Due to these roles, I get to know children at all levels of the primary school, which I love. I started my teaching career here at Mercury Bay Area School, then taught at two of the other local primary schools before returning in 2016. 

I have strong whanau connections in Whitianga, Kūaotunu and Whangapoua and am lucky enough to have close family members also living in the area. 

In my class, I teach children to have a positive growth mindset, and that “mistakes are opportunities to learn.” 

Kia ora!

Ko Te Urewera te maunga        The mountain that I affiliate to is Te Urewera

Ko Waimana te awa                   The river I affiliate to is Waimana

Ko Tūhoe te iwi                           My tribe is Tūhoe

Ko Freya Marra tōku ingoa        My name is Freya Marra

I am currently a year 3/4 teacher. I have been teaching for 13 years, at MBAS for 7 of those. I look forward to meeting you.

I'm proud to say that I've had the privilege of being a part of the Mercury Bay Area School community for the past 12 years. Throughout my time here, I've developed a deep-seated passion for nurturing young minds and witnessing the remarkable transformation of students as they embark on their educational journey.

For me, teaching is not just a profession; it's a calling. I firmly believe in the power of education to ignite curiosity, inspire creativity, and instil a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. My classroom is a place where students are encouraged to explore, question, and discover, all while fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where each child can flourish.

Kia ora koutou,

Ko Moehau tōku maunga - Moehau is my mountain

Ko Taputapuātea tōku awa - Taputapuātea is my river

Nō Whitianga ahau - Whitianga is my home

Ko Edwards tōku ingoa whānau - Edwards is my family

Ko Rebecca Edwards tōku ingoa - My name is Rebecca Edwards

I was born and raised here in Whitianga and have returned to raise my two children here with my husband.  As a teacher I bring with me local curriculum knowledge and a passion for the arts, sciences and education for sustainability. 

Tēnā koutou,

Ko Miriam Mikkelsen tōku ingoa. 

I am a mother of 4 children, aged from 12 - 20. I grew up on the Coromandel Peninsula, my whānau all live here, and I love being close to the ocean. 

Teaching is my passion! I have a relationship based pedagogy and am all about getting to know my students and using this as a foundation for teaching and learning. 

I teach year 5 & 6 and absolutely love it. 

Kia ora 

My name is Rebecca Berry. 

I have two girls aged 6-12. I am originally from Rotorua and relocated to Whitianga 7 years ago. I have experienced a fair bit of travel overseas and enjoyed the time and experiences I was lucky enough to have.

I have been a primary school teacher since 2015 and have always considered it my dream job. 

I have a very kind and caring relationship based philosophy when it comes to teaching.

I enjoy watching students grow into confident caring individuals.

I am currently a year 3-4 teacher in M5. 

"Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti arahia o tatou mahi."

Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work.

The idea that everyone learns differently and brings to the classroom a range of cultural and social tools means that I will aim to have an inclusive learning environment where students are appreciated and celebrated for their differences. 

Through their journey in education I strive to empower children by developing autonomy, ownership, resiliency and purpose.

Kia ora koutou,

Ko Ellie ahau. I live in Whitianga with my husband and daughter.

I am privileged to work in the foundation class at MBAS. 

Transitioning to school is a very exciting time, but with it may come with some worry. Navigating this transition in a positive way can allow tamariki to confidently overcome other challenges in the future

I believe a successful transition and positive start to school creates life-long school enjoyment. 

I look forward to meeting you and your whānau!

Kia ora koutou,

I joined the MBAS whānau in 2021 after moving from Te Awamutu. 

I am passionate about literacy and catering for the needs of all of our ākonga. 

Ngā mihi nui Marie 

Ko Rachael tōku ingoa. Ko Pete tōku tāne. Kō Will tōku tama. Ko Poppy tōku tamāhine.  

Kei Whangapoua mātou e noho ana. 

I feel privileged to be living in this beautiful part of the motu and all that it has to offer. I'm currently studying Educational Psychology and when I get some "spare" time I enjoy the gym, being in nature with my whānau, listening to live music and travel. I have taught in  ECE and Primary both here in Aotearoa and internationally. Teaching is the best and I truly love my job! 

Ko Tainui tōku waka.

Ko Taupiri tōku maunga.

Ko Waikato tōku awa.

Ko Pukaki tōku marae.

Ko Te Akitai tōku hapū.

Ko Te Akitai Waiohua tōku iwi.

Ko Montana Taogaga tōku ingoa.

Kei Māngere tōku kāinga.

Kia ora,

I originally come from Taranaki although I now consider Whitianga to be home.

I have a background in early childhood education and in horticulture.  

My main passion is helping young learners recognise their uniqueness and to give them the skills they need to unlock their full potential.  

I am passionate about nature and strive to instill in tamariki the importance of being kaitiaki of their own environment and of noticing the amazing life that surrounds them.

Kia ora, my name is Jeni.  

I work as a teacher aide in the primary school.  I love the process of learning that children go through, and I'm passionate about all students reaching their potential.  In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family - usually at the beach or in the ocean, and I love traveling and exploring new places. 

Ko Claire Wilson tōku ingoa

I began my teaching career in 2012, in country Victoria, Australia, where I am originally from. I have been in New Zealand since the beginning of 2015 and taught in Hamilton, before my whānau and I relocated to beautiful Whitianga in 2022. 

I am currently teaching Year 3 and 4. I am passionate about learning and believe we are all life long learners. I also believe in nurturing the development of the ‘whole child’ by celebrating individual strengths and successes and helping every child reach their full potential.

Kia ora koutou

Ko Laura tōku ingoa.

I have been lucky enough to spend a lot of my life on the Coromandel and moved here permanently in 2016. I live locally with my partner, young family and two dogs.

I have been a teacher for 15 years, with experience in early childhood education and psychology.

I believe in empowering young children to realize their unique potential. Building relationships with learners and whānau in a respectful and responsive way is an integral part of my teaching philosophy.