Toko School Staff

Kim Waite

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Principal

Tena Kouto, Tena Kouto, Tena Kouto katoa! I am Kim Waite.  It is my absolute pleasure to be the Principal at Toko School.  We have amazing students, the best staff, a wonderful community and a future focused Board of Trustees.  I have been the Principal of Toko School for coming up nine years. The opportunity to continually learn, make a positive contribution to the education of others and to see our students grow in many ways is extremely important to me and at the heart of what we do at Toko School. I grew up in Hawkes Bay and completed my Teaching Diploma at Palmerston North Teachers College and my Bachelor of Education at Massey University.  Most recently I have completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Educational Administration and Leadership at Massey University and am working towards completing my Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration.  During 2019 I will be on leave on a sabbatical for 10 weeks in Term 1.  Upon my return I will begin a new role as the Lead Principal for the Central Taranaki Kahui Ako.  This means I will be absent from our school two days per week.  Whilst completing my sabbatical and Lead Principal role Sue Fergus will be the Acting Principal.

Sasha Hancock

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Associate Principal - Year 5 & 6 Teacher

Hi, I’m Sasha Hancock and I’m currently teaching Year 7 and 8. I began teaching at Toko School in 2013. Prior to that, I’ve taught in Australia, England and other Taranaki schools. I grew up in Christchurch and completed my teacher training at Christchurch Teachers College before heading overseas to teach and travel for 7 years. While overseas I met my husband, a local Toko boy, and we decided to come home and raise our two boys in Taranaki.  I enjoy incorporating technology into my classroom and seeing where it can take us and am passionate about ensuring students leave Toko School as confident, life-long learners who have the skills to be successful in life.  My areas of responsibilities include leading e-Learning, Literacy, Technology as well as Pastoral Care and Well-being. I am also the staff representative on the Board of Trustees.

Rebecca Jury

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Year 5 & 6 Teacher

Hi! I am Rebecca Jury and this year I am teaching Year 6 in Room 4. This will be my second year at Toko School and I’m looking forward to the year ahead. I grew up within our local rural community and have really settled back in after living abroad. I completed my Graduate Diploma of Teaching at Waikato University. After I completed my studies, I spent some time relieving throughout a number of schools in Stratford, Hawera and Inglewood. I then ventured off to England for 2 years on my big OE and taught in London. I absolutely love to travel and enjoy exploring and learning about new and different countries. Within my 2 years in England, I managed to visit around 34 different countries! I also enjoy sports and play as many as I can! I have also become the crazy bee lady at school and am loving the enviro journey the children and I are on with establishing our own hives.

Kate Fergusson

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Year 3 - 4 Teacher

Nga mihi mahana tena koutou,  Ko Kate Fergusson taku ingoa…..my name is Kate Fergusson and I am very happy to join the Toko Kura Whanau for 2019! I was born and raised in Kaimata, Taranaki and attended Kaimata Primary School and Inglewood High School before completing my Diploma of Teaching and Bachelor of Education at Massey University in Palmerston North. I then headed overseas to live in Honolulu, Hawaii. On my return I spent time  teaching at a small country school in the Manawatu, and then owning and operating a private Swim School in the Waikato for 5 years. I returned to Primary School Teaching in 2004 and have taught since then primarily in Taranaki country schools- which are my absolute teaching passion! In recent years I have taught all levels of primary school, and often all at the same time (country schools are like that, huh?) In 2014 I completed my Tohu Maramatanga (Certificate in Maori Language) focussing in particular on the Taranaki Dialect, and in 2016 & 2017 have completed graduate papers in Psychology at Massey University.  I am married to Matt and have 5 children and 1 whangai (foster) daughter.  I love to cook, and spend time with all our family and extended family- they are my joy.  My focus for teaching is to really ‘see’ each child for who they are, and help them on their way to recognise their learning potential.

Megan Oliver

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Year 5 - 4 Teacher

Kia ora and Hi! My name is Megan Oliver, and I am the teacher in Room 5. This is my first year at Toko School, and I can’t wait to get stuck in. I grew up in the Inglewood area and attended Norfolk Primary, and Inglewood High before heading off to Wellington to do my teaching degree. I have now been teaching 19 years, the last 12 of which have been back in Taranaki. I am married to Craig and we have a son, Cohen who will be starting his education journey at Toko School in Room 1. I enjoy the arts and drama, and have been lucky enough to help backstage as a part of wardrobe for some of New Plymouth’s operatic shows. I enjoy the laughter and buzz of being part of such a huge working team. Because I am new to Toko school and I have a lot to learn ( just like my students do), we will all be learning together this year. It’s going to be fantastic, Im sure.

Alison Eagar

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SENCO - Special Needs Education Co-ordinator

Hi. I’m Alison Eagar. I am the schools SENCO – Special Needs Education Co-ordinator. I have been a part of this vibrant school since 2010. I grew up in a small rural town of Te Kauwhata, North Waikato, spending all of my childhood on a dairy farm. I am the eldest of four, having a sister and twin brothers.  I now live in the Toko Community and am married with beautiful twin daughters. I spent four years at Hamilton Teachers College, completing my Bachelor of Education. After two years teaching I spent two and a half years on my big OE. I was based in London and travelled extensively. I have been teaching in the Stratford area since returning. My strengths in teaching revolve around literacy and physical education.

Sue Fergus

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Acting Principal - Term 1

Tena Kouto, Tena Kouto, Tena Kouto katoa.  I am Sue Fergus. I am the Associate Principal at Toko School and have been teaching here for approximately 5 years.  I grew up in the small rural town of Putaruru (in the Waikato), and for many years was a financial controller, after completing my Bachelor of Business Studies.  I then went on to complete my teaching degree in Whangarei in 2001. Since then I have taught in numerous schools in the Bay of Plenty and now, Taranaki and was the Sole-Charge Principal at Makahu for 3 years.  I have recently completed my Post Graduate Certificate in Applied practice (Digital and Collaborative learning) as well as a certificate in Developing Mathematical Inquiry Communities. My class is in charge of distilling plant material at Toko School which we currently use in cleaning products and in our diffusers.  My areas of responsibilities are Mathematics, Literacy and Assessment.

Jolynne Mancer

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New Entrant/Year 1 Teacher

Hi. I am Jolynne Mancer. I am teaching Year 2 in Room 2. This will be my first year at Toko School and I’m really excited about teaching here. I grew up in New Plymouth. I attended Massey University College of Education in Palmerston North. After getting my Bachelor of Education (Teaching) I moved back to New Plymouth where I taught at a couple of Taranaki schools before moving out of the region to teach in Whanganui in 2005.  I have just recently moved back and I am excited to be back in Taranaki and looking forward to the year ahead.

Maree Stark

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Part Time Teacher

Kathy Wyllie

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Part Time Teacher

Annette Hinton

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School Secretary

Treena Cullen

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Support Staff

Karen Bellamy

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Support Staff

Debbie Stone

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Support Staff

 

Margaret Mason

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Librarian

Stacey Milham

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Support Staff

    

Jed Hinton

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Support Staff

   

Delwyn Taylor

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School Cleaner