Staff – Tikokino School

Senior Leadership

Hamish Natusch (B Ed)

Principal and Room 4 Teacher

Room 3

About Me

Hamish Natusch grew up locally on a sheep and beef farm. Through school he played a wide range of sports and played rugby and cricket to a representative level. A serious neck injury prevented Hamish from continuing a career in Rugby. He enjoys all sports and working on his parents farm when time allows. He is a keen hunter and fisherman. Hamish and his wife Eve live in the Tikokino community with their 3 young children; Pippa, Wallace and Aubree.

E: principal@tikokino.school.nz

Teachers

Lara Beachen (BTP, Bsc)

Room 2 Teacher (Year 3-5)

Room 2

About Me

Lara has been with us at Tikokino School for the past 5 years. She is a Hawke’s Bay girl, having grown up and attended Ongaonga School. Lara enjoys spending time with her family and friends and getting outdoors.

E: lara@tikokino.school.nz

Anne Frater

Room 3 Teacher(Year 6-8)

Room 3

About Me

I’m Anne Frater and I have the pleasure of taking the literacy programme with our seniors in Room 3, I also run the Booster Programme which provides support for individuals. I’ve taught for many years, with my longest time being at Ongaonga School as Deputy Principal. Recently, I lived and worked in Palmerston North, but am delighted to be back in our home in Central Hawke’s Bay. I’m passionate about helping students become self motivated, resilient learners. I love being in the outdoors with my husband Greg.

E: anne@tikokino.school.nz

Rachelle Birrell (DipT, BEd/BSc Hons)

Room 1 Teacher (New Entrant – Year 2)

Room 1

About Me

Rachelle joined the staff at Tikokino School after travelling and teaching overseas in England and Ghana for ten years, then in Auckland for five years. With twenty years involvement in the education sector, Rachelle has taught across all year groups, including Special Needs, pre-school and secondary. She has spent many years teaching in the junior school and has built specific skills in Literacy, Science and the Arts. She enjoys being involved in assisting new students to develop their knowledge and building a love for learning. Educational skills are as important as social skills, empathy and developing confidence. Rachelle feels very lucky to live in Tikokino with her husband, Eddie and their daughter Nuala, who is a student at Tikokino School.

E: rachelle@tikokino.school.nz

Support Staff

Tania Bennett

Teacher Aide

Room 1

About Me

Tikokino is lucky to have a long serving and committed teacher aide like Tania. Tania and her husband Jeff live on Highway 50 in the Tikokino area Both of their children, Abie and Gus, attended Tikokino School. Tania is always trying new approaches in her teaching to identify how to best help learners who need extra support in their learning. Tania also takes care of our school library.

E: tania@tikokino.school.nz

Kate Archer

Office Administrator

About Me

Kate joined our team over 7 years ago and brings with her over 20 years of office experience. Kate is our office admin and greets with a smile and bubbly hello. She lives in the beautiful Tikokino area with her daughters, Willow and Lilly who attend Tikokino School. Kate lives in the village with her two girls; Lilly and Willow who attend the school. As a family they are keen outdoor people and enjoy the country life that Tikokino and Hawke’s Bay have to offer.

E: office@tikokino.school.nz

Jo Beachen

Teacher Aide

Room 2

About Me

Jo has over 30 years of teacher aide experience. She is kind and caring and the students love working with her.

Victoria Oliver

Teacher Aide

Room 1

About Me

Vic lives in the Tikokino village, with her husband Llloyd and two boys Monte and Reid. Both of her children attend Tikokino school. Vic has such a caring nature with students and is Room 1's Teacher Aide.

Gine Dingle

Music Teacher

All

About Me

We are lucky to have our wonderful music teacher, Gine. Gine is originally from Germany but has lived in New Zealand for many years now. Her two children Moses and Louis attended Tikokino School in the past.

E: rainbowsrest@gmx.com