Week Two photos

Strong learning begins with strong relationships, built through knowing students well and valuing what matters to them. When students’ interests, strengths, and stories are understood, learning becomes more meaningful and engaging. 

Relationships grow deeper when students also know their teacher as a real person with interests, passions, and a love of learning. Sharing personal passions helps build trust and connection, showing students that learning is lifelong and lived beyond the classroom. 

Through a love of the outdoors, learning is often brought to life through stories of my adventures exploring our backyard in Taupō, hiking, fishing, and camping. Through my passion for dance, expression and movement are woven into everyday teaching, showing students learning can be creative, joyful and full of music and rhythm. These shared parts of life outside school help students see that their teacher is authentic. This makes relationships stronger and helps create a classroom where curiosity, confidence, and connection can grow. 

Growing up with a lifelong connection to Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, my passion for education has been shaped by growing up in a small rural community, surrounded by nature and animals. Wairakei Primary feels like home, reflecting the sense of belonging and community that made school such a special part of my childhood.

Waiho i te toipoto, kaua i te toiroa. Let us keep close together, not wide apart. 

This whakataukī highlights the importance of connection, relationships, and shared journeys. Strong school-whānau partnerships are key to student success and engagement, and being part of the Wairakei community brings excitement for the relationships, learning, and growth ahead.

Fostering a love for learning begins with an environment where every student feels valued, challenged, and inspired. With a focus on high achievement, engaging experiences, and strong relationships, classrooms become spaces where curiosity thrives.

A passion for education drives a commitment to ensuring that all students, each with their own unique strengths and learning journeys. Believing that with support and encouragement, all students will reach their full potential. High expectations, paired with an understanding of emotional regulation and individual learning styles, create opportunities for success in and beyond the classroom.Extensive experience in Wairakei’s unique rural school setting has shaped a deep appreciation for community connections and the role they play in student growth. Whether through hands-on learning, collaborative projects, or memorable experiences, every moment in my classroom is designed to spark enthusiasm, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.

My vision is to be an inspiring and empowering force in children’s lives so they are excited and motivated to learn.

Every child deserves a collaborative learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and exploring their ideas. Critical thinking and problem-solving are fundamental skills, and having the confidence to be expressive is a virtue that needs nurturing.

Growing up on a dairy farm in Lichfield and attending the local primary school, I experienced the value of a close-knit community. This inspired me to ensure my own children had the same privilege and all three of my children have attended Wairakei Primary and thrived. This inspiration for my own children weaves through into my aspirations for my students. When children feel a sense of belonging and have strong, supportive connections with both their peers and teachers, they are best positioned to excel in their learning. 

Outside of  the classroom, my family and I live on a large drystock farm. I enjoy reading, tending to my greenhouse, and going camping with my family. These interests inform my teaching, especially my passion for literacy and encouraging students to explore and engage with the world around them.

Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.

– Anthony J. D'Angelo

My goal is to provide learning opportunities that inspire students to be curious and creative. In a supportive environment students will explore, question and discover elements of the world around them.

Specialising in literacy education has meant I can support students to develop their reading skills. Sharing engaging stories with vibrant illustrations are a stepping stone to creating a range of unique artworks that are displayed with pride.

This hands-on approach is an important part of learning in my classroom. Students discover how words and numbers work using materials. They participate in science experiments, physical activities and creative pursuits. By accepting challenges, taking risks, making mistakes and problem solving students develop an understanding of their capabilities and develop resilience.

When I am not in the classroom I can be found in the garden. It is my connection to the natural world. The time taken to nurture and care for plants is rewarded by experiencing the beauty of flowers blooming and the taste of fresh fruit and vegetables. The sensory connection I have when gardening inspires many art projects in my class. It is important that students believe their ideas and opinions are valued and they have the opportunity to share their personal experiences.  I believe that classrooms  are successful when a collaborative learning environment is created by students, teachers, whānau and the school community working and celebrating progress together.

Ko Tauhara te maunga e rū nei taku ngākau.

Ko Taupō-nui-a-Tia te moana e mahea nei aku māharahara.

Nō Kōtirana ratou ko Ingarangi ko Ōpōtiki ōku tipuna.

Nō Rongotea ahau.

 E noho ana au ki Taupō-nui-a-Tia.

 Ko Adam Matthews tōku tāne.

Ko Victoria Matthews (Browne) tōku ingoa.

He manu hou ahau, he pī ka rere." (I am a new bird, a fledgling ready to fly.) 

The earliest years of learning are the most powerful and the most precious; watching the youngest ākonga (learners) find their wings and build a lifelong love of learning is what makes this work meaningful. A background in early childhood education offers a unique perspective on building the crucial foundations that set ākonga up for lifelong success.

He tangata, he tangata, he tangata." (It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.) 

Strong, respectful relationships with ākonga, whānau (family), and colleagues are central to a teaching practice focused on connection and community. Learning thrives best when the classroom is a place where everyone belongs. Ako, the reciprocal exchange of learning serves as the foundation; knowledge and inspiration flow freely between tamariki (children) and kaiako (teacher). A personal love of cooking, reading and exploring the outdoors naturally find their way into the classroom.

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini." (Success belongs not to the individual, but to the collective.) 

That collective is the Wairakei whānau and it is together that the greatest potential of ākonga is unlocked. I look forward to working alongside ākonga, whānau, and colleagues in building a classroom and community where all tamariki and whānau belong, feel inspired, love learning and are known.

Passion, creativity, and belonging. Three words that shape the learning experience and create a classroom where students feel inspired to explore, grow, and express themselves.

Classrooms thrive when students are encouraged to ask questions, engage in hands-on learning, and discover their interests in meaningful ways. Whether through storytelling, art, or interactive projects, creativity is woven into every lesson to make learning both engaging and memorable.

A strong focus on literacy helps students become confident, independent learners, while creative approaches foster self-expression and problem-solving. In a supportive and dynamic environment, students are empowered to take risks, embrace challenges, and develop a sense of belonging within the school community.

Outside the classroom, time spent playing the guitar, crafting, painting, or exploring the outdoors inspires new ideas and possibilities, which are brought back to the classroom to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence in students.

Creating a safe space for children is essential to learning. They need to know that they are able to be themselves, take risks, make mistakes and try again. That is why ‘free to be me’ is such an important part of my classroom culture. 

Born and raised in Cape Town, I taught for ten years in wonderfully diverse, multicultural South African schools. Specialising in learning support and educational psychology, I am excited by the inclusive nature of our school. Working as a team to best support our students through relationship-based, creative, inquiry-driven learning programmes is incredibly rewarding. 

As an avid animal lover, I enjoy volunteering with animal welfare organisations on the weekends. Painting, drawing, embroidery or any other creative pursuits are also important to me. These interests are often something which I share with my students and we incorporate into our classroom or learning.

Every student has a voice, a strength, and a unique path to success. As teachers, our role is to listen, empower, and guide them toward their fullest potential.

Being a teacher is more than just imparting knowledge. It requires passion and dedication. Creating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to take ownership of their learning journey is crucial. 

With a student centered approach, I recognise and celebrate the diverse strengths, backgrounds, and learning styles of each individual in my classroom. Academic content is taught alongside skills of collaboration, problem-solving, empathy, and resilience. 

Teaching is not just my profession, it is my passion. By encouraging students' curiosity, critical thinking, questioning and risk taking, students become lifelong learners.

Beyond the classroom, I find inspiration in nature through gardening, where I see parallels between nurturing plants and nurturing young minds. Both require patience, care, and the right environment to flourish. Time spent with my whānau is deeply valued as family is at the heart of my personal and professional values.

Every child thrives in an environment where curiosity is encouraged, confidence is built, and learning feels meaningful. With over 12 years of teaching experience across international and New Zealand settings, a strong focus is placed on creating an inclusive and engaging Year 2/3 classroom where every learner feels supported and valued.

Learning experiences are shaped through inquiry-based and hands-on approaches, helping students build independence, think critically, and develop strong foundations in literacy and numeracy. Differentiated learning ensures that each child is supported and challenged to reach their full potential.

Positive relationships with students and whānau are at the heart of the classroom, creating a sense of belonging where learners feel confident to take risks and celebrate their progress. Storytelling, creativity, and real-world connections are woven into daily learning to make each experience meaningful and engaging.

A passion for wellbeing, nature-based learning, and creativity continues to inspire classroom experiences beyond the curriculum.

Developing confident, capable, and resilient learners remains central to teaching practice, alongside a strong commitment to the Wairakei Primary School community.