Our Staff
Meet the people that make Weedons School a great place to learn
ROB NAYSMITH
Principal
Kia ora, It is my privilege to be the Principal of Weedons School
Te Kura O Karamū.
I have been working in education for the past 21 years, working across all year levels as a classroom teacher, a specialist Performing Arts teacher and a Digital Technology teacher.
Previously I have been a Deputy principal in two different schools in Christchurch.
Tracey Wilson
Office Manager
Kia ora, I am Tracey, the Office Manager here at Weedons School.
I am originally from Ireland and have been living in New Zealand for over 12 years. My background is administration, having worked in various University and ECE environments over the years. I moved to Rolleston last year with my husband and two younger kids. Having spent most of our time in Dunedin, we are enjoying exploring our new surroundings. I enjoy walking adventures with our dog, camping and making the most of having the ski fields close by.
I am excited about my new role at Weedons and look forward to getting to know more of the Weedons School community.
MAREE FORD
Teacher Totara Years 7 & 8
Kia Ora. I am new to Weedons in 2022 and am privileged to be teaching the Year 7 & 8 learners in Totara - Room 1 this year.
I have been teaching in the Rolleston area for the last 15 years and in England before that. I enjoy challenging young minds to think outside the box and to gain the skills to follow their dreams.
I had 2 daughters and we live in Rolleston. I enjoy playing netball and swimming. We love to go camping and boating and in the winter we love snowboard and have movie nights.
I look forward to working with the children and their families over the coming years.
JANE ADCOCK
Deputy Principal / Teacher Harakeke Years 5 & 6
Hi, my name is Jane Adcock and I am fortunate enough to have been at Weedons School since 2013.
In that time I have worked in a wide range of teaching roles (initially part-time and then full-time), with a variety of age groups and within different learning environments. I have thoroughly enjoyed them all and this year is certainly no exception as I am delighted to be teaching the Year 6 students in Harakeke Room 2.
I have always loved teaching and consider myself extremely privileged to be working with such wonderful students within such a great school community.
HAYLEY CURRIE
Teacher Kowhai Years 4 & 5
Hello, my name is Hayley Currie and I excited to be the Year 4/5 teacher this year at Weedons School.
I trained in Christchurch but majority of my career has been spent teaching in Singapore and the UK where I have taught a wide range of age groups.
Along with my husband Fergus and two children - Oscar and Scarlett, I moved back to New Zealand 2 years ago and now call Lincoln home. In my spare time I love exploring the many walkways Lincoln has to offer on foot and bike.
I love the community feel Weedons School has - it is very special. I am looking forward to a fantastic year!
PAT WYATT
Teacher Kowhai - Study Leave 2023
Hello, my name is Pat Wyatt and this is my first year back at Weedons School since 2015.
I have recently spent two years abroad teaching ICT in London, travelling Europe in a campervan and backpacking through Central America.
I am very excited and lucky to be back teaching at such a fantastic school.
RACHAEL G
Teacher Kauri Years 3 & 4
Kia Ora, Ko Rachael tōku ingoa.
Hello, I am Rachael and it is my privilege to be the Year 3/4, Kauri Room 4 teacher here at Weedons this year. Weedons is such a special school with such a big sense of community and an even bigger heart.
I bring to school a genuine love for learning. I love to inspire the children in Kauri room to love learning alongside of me. I am a dedicated, resourceful and innovative teacher who is committed to providing a well balanced, supportive and engaging learning environment for all of my students.
I am excited to be a part of your child's learning journey this year.
MICHELLE D
Teacher Rimu Years 1 & 2
Presently I am job sharing in Room 5 with Emma Wright.
We are responsible for a delightful group of mostly year 2 children, and occasionally some Year 1s and 3s as well.
I am passionate about helping children reach their full potential, particularly those who have specific learning difficulties.
Outside of the classroom, I maintain the junior school reading resources.
Weedons School is a wonderful place to teach because of the amazing support we receive from the students' parents and other community members.
EMMA WRIGHT
Teacher Rimu Years 1 & 2
Kia ora, I am Emma Wright, and I am a teacher in room 5 (on a Friday) alongside Michele D who is the main teacher (Monday to Thursday)
I organise our bi-annual pet and craft day in October. I always look forward to seeing the great array of pets that come through our gate on the day and the creativity of the children's classroom exhibits- it's definitely a highlight of our wee country school!
MEL ANNGOW
Teacher Rata New Entrant
I currently work four days a week with the New Entrants in Room 6 at Weedons.
After being at Weedons for several years, I still find it a fantastic place to work.
The children are so keen and eager to work hard and learn, and as a staff member, you feel like part of a supportive and fun team.
ANNA MCLEISH
Teacher Rata New Entrant
Kia ora, my name is Anna McLeish and I work alongside Mel Anngow. I'm a part-time teacher in the New Entrant room, teaching 1 day a week.
As a New Entrant teacher, I'm part of the beginning stages of a child's learning journey at our school and it's such a privilege. It is incredibly rewarding to support children as they settle in and begin to thrive in our school.
APRIL FITZJOHN
Release Teacher
Hi there! After 14 years of full-time teaching at Weedons, most of it in Room 4, I have slotted into a part-time role which I love.
I cover the teachers’ classroom release time two days a week, keeping me in touch with all the students whom I know well.
I run an enviro club at lunchtime and have overseen a number of initiatives over the years; the planting of fruit trees and natives, the building of a plastic bottle ‘greenhouse’, the running of veggie gardens and the installation of a rainwater collection tank.
Weedons is a special school with a truly unique character. It’s also a happy and friendly school with many caring and empathetic students; parents are hugely supportive and fully involved with the life of the school. We have lots of fun, especially on dress-up days (my personal favourite!)
JACQUI NEWELL
Release Teacher Harakeke
Kia ora, I have been around Weedons School for many years now, first as a relief teacher, then one day a week in Harakeke.
I am the release teacher for the Seniors, and work with groups of middle school students, in both Science and Digital Technology.
Most of my teaching has been in the senior school, although I am enjoying with the younger students.
Weedons is a lovely school; the children are very lucky to have such a wonderful staff, supportive community, and a fantastic environment for their education!
SARA PARKER
Reading Recovery | Learning Support Coordinator
Hi, I'm Sara Parker.
I have been involved with Weedons School since 2011, in a variety of relieving and part-time teaching roles, mainly with New Entrants – Year 4.
This year my role is as the Learning Support Coordinator and Reading Recovery Teacher. I am passionate about Literacy, Numeracy, The Arts and ICT. I support learners, and their parents and whanau, and thoroughly enjoy elevating the skills and talents of our students in collaboration with my colleagues.
TEACHER AIDES
JO BAIN
TONI CHARMAN
JUDIE JACKSON
KERSTY MCCKENZIE
LYNLEY SHORT
MINAMI TAINUI
Weedons School board of Trustees
Left to right
Jimmy Banks - Presiding Member
Tim Pow - Property
April Fitzjohn - Staff rep
Ewan Cheng - Treasurer
Rob Naysmith - Principal
Richard Briggs - Health and Safety
Alex McGrath - Curriculum