Toko School Staff

Kim Waite

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Principal

Tena Koutou, Tena Koutou, Tena Koutou 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 thirteen 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.  Currently I am the Lead Principal for the Central Taranaki Kahui Ako.  This means I will be absent from our school two days per week.  Whilst completing the Lead Principal role Sasha Hancock will be the Acting Principal.

Sue Fergus

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Associate Principal - Year 3 - 4 Teacher

Nga mihi mahana tena koutou, I am Sue Fergus. I am the Associate Principal at Toko School and for the past 3 years have been acting as Principal for two days a week, while Kim lead the Kahui Ako.  I have been teaching at Toko School for approximately 8 years now.  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, and have taught in numerous schools in the Bay of Plenty and the last 20 years in Taranaki including being the Sole-Charge Principal at Makahu for 5 years.  My areas of responsibilities include leading Mathematics, Assessment as well as Learning Behaviours.  I am teaching year 3 and 4’s and look forward to all that 2022 holds in store.  

Shelley Fuller

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Year 6 to 8 Teacher

Tēnā koutou, My name is Shelley Fuller and this year I am teaching Year 6-8 children in Room 5. I spent my childhood growing up in Stratford and attended both Stratford Primary and Stratford High School, with both of my parents also teaching in the region. This year will be my 20th year teaching, in which I did my first two years in Stratford. I left the province in 2004 to teach in the Hawkes Bay and the Manawatu and returned home, with my children, in 2019 to teach at Toko. My partner and I have 4 children between us aged 8-15, my daughter and son love attending Toko School in Room 4 & 6. I have a passion for teaching a balanced programme that has a focus on hands on learning and applying new skills while developing independent, responsible learners. This year I am also looking forward to working as a within schools teacher for the Kahui Ako with a focus on transitions to secondary school. I am looking forward to an exciting and busy 2021.

Gemma Smith

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Year 6 - 8 Teacher

Tēnā koutou, my name is Gemma Smith and I live here in Toko. I am super excited to begin my teaching career in 2022 as the Year 6-8 teacher in Room 6. I have four children: Mackenzie (15), Mason (11), Harper (8) and Jordi (6), who are the 4th generation in our family to attend Toko School. Teaching has always been a passion of mine and was again sparked through my study and journey as a Toko Playcentre mum. After sharemilking for many years, in 2019 I began a Bachelor of Teaching at the University of Waikato, completing my degree in 2021. Throughout my study and practical experience my teaching philosophy has evolved and changed but one thing remains the same and that is the importance I place on developing positive relationships with my students, their whānau and encouraging a united collaborative school community. I believe this is vital to ensure positive learning outcomes for everyone and as the saying goes “it takes a village” which I know to be true for my own children....

Sasha Hancock

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Acting Principal - two days per week/Teacher Release

Hi, I’m Sasha Hancock and I’m currently Acting Principal on Kim’s Kahui ako days. On the other days I release teachers so they can have classroom release time. I also teach in the Year 6-8 team a couple of days a week. 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, Technology, Assessment as well as Pastoral Care and Well-being. I am also the staff representative...

Megan Oliver

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Year 1 & 2 Teacher

Kia ora and Hi! My name is Megan Oliver, and I am the teacher in Room 2. This is my fourth year at Toko School, and I am looking forward to working in the junior area of the school again this year. 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 20 years, the last 14 of which have been back in Taranaki. I have a son, Cohen who is in Room 3 this year, and is enjoying his education journey at Toko School. I am looking forward to working with my amazing bunch of children and seeing where the learning takes us this year.

Tash Coulson

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Year 4 & 5 Teacher

Kia ora Whānau. I’m Tash Coulson and am excited to be teaching in Room 3 for 2021. I am about to embark on my 3rd year of teaching. Previously I have taught at Manaia School and Hawera Primary School. Prior to teaching my husband and I were dairy farming in Opunake. It was during this time that I realised my passion for working alongside children and I began my degree through Waikato University while we were still on the farm. My husband, 2 teenage children and I have since moved to Stratford where we love the easy access to te Maunga Taranaki, mountain biking and the parks and gardens. I have a huge passion for ensuring my classroom is an engaging and purposeful learning environment, while supporting my students to believe in themselves and reach their full potential.

Jolynne Mancer

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New Entrant/Year 1 Teacher

Hi. I’m Jolynne Mancer and this year I am teaching New Entrants and Year 1 in Room 1.  This will be my fifth year teaching at Toko School.  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.  I am enjoying being back in Taranaki.  I’m looking forward to the year ahead.   

Alison Eagar

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SENCO - Special Needs Education Co-ordinator/Teacher Release

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.

Kathy Wyllie

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Part-time Teacher 2 days per week

 Kiaora Koutou. Ko Kathy Wyllie ahau. I am lucky to be job sharing with Sue Fergus in Ruma wha this year.  I completed a Bachelor of Communications and a Post Grad Teaching Diploma, then taught in Auckland for two years. After spreading my wings overseas my husband Brooke and I have settled in Taranaki where I taught at Welbourn School for several years prior to having our two girls Freya (5) and Darcy (4). We completed the full circle returning to Toko, 4 years ago to work on my family farm and are now sending the third generation of our family through Toko School! I am passionate about creating engaging learning experiences in and outside the classroom and I hope this year I can support my students to become critical and creative thinkers within a fun and supportive environment.  

Annette Hinton

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School Secretary

Treena Cullen

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Support Staff

Tracy O'Sullivan

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Sports Co-ordinator

Debbie Stone

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Support Staff

Margaret Mason

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Librarian

Jodene McCowan

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Support Staff

Delwyn Taylor

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School Cleaner