I am a proud Nonna and mother. I love to read, knit, build, be in nature and spend time with my whānau. I love Aotearoa - our uniqueness and our love for celebrating our diversity.

I adore being part of the Grey Lynn School team because I believe that the work we are doing to create a school whānau that solves local problems is something that we can be immensely proud of. Our learner values of curiosity, collaboration and confidence are vitally important and I am proud to be enacting these values everyday in my work. I have a passion for reading so you can also find me in our school library, called Ngākau, when not in class.

Tēnā koutou katoa, My name is Nina Simmonds and I am excited to be teaching at Grey Lynn School.

I grew up in Wellington and have now moved to Auckland to join my family, friends and the Grey Lynn community. I love sports, music, and diving into new experiences. I am enthusiastic about teaching and learning, where I value a positive and inclusive classroom environment built on strong relationships.

Tēnā koutou,

I have been teaching for over 20 years and have two children of my own. I teach at Grey Lynn School because we (the staff, families and tamariki) are collaborative, supportive, knowledgeable, inclusive and a whānau. We are all learning and growing together. I love the vibe of our kura. Aroha nui ki te katoa.

Kia Ora whanau! I am Caitlin and I will be joining you in Puriri for the rest of the year.

I am from the UK and I have been teaching as a primary teacher for the last 8 years in both the UK and New Zealand. I have worked in Italy, France, Australia and Hong Kong as an ESOL teacher and despite having been bitten by a Red Back spider, I have yet to receive any superhero powers.

When I am not in the classroom, I can be found tramping across the local countryside, in a swimming pool or playing silly games with my nephews. When out without stickers on me, I can be found reading with a large cup of coffee or eating my way through a huge pizza.

I can’t wait to meet you all in person and look forward to learning alongside you.

Hello everyone! I moved to New Zealand in 2019 from the UK and I feel very lucky to live and work within the Grey Lynn community.

I like to think of myself as an enthusiastic and positive teacher who loves working with children in the buzz of a busy classroom.

Apart from teaching, I'm at my happiest when I'm reading, swimming or relaxing with friends in the warm sunshine.

I have been in education for over 20 years and continue to be challenged and inspired by an ever changing landscape in which schools continue to move through.

In the course of my teaching career I have taught in Year 0  through  to Year 8.   I am one of two Deputy Principals at Grey Lynn.  I  work alongside dedicated staff,  a community that wants the very best for their child and children who dream BIG.  

We are blessed with two children Niualeone and Caleb.  I love all sports but RUGBY is the one game that rules them all.

Mā te kimi ka kite, Mā te kite ka mōhio, Mā te mōhio ka mārama.

Kiaora koutou, ko Sara Jenkins ahau.

I hold a Bachelor of Design specialising in photography and digital design as well as a Post Grad in Education.

I love teaching at Grey Lynn School and feel privileged to teach the tamariki in our care. We thrive in an area that is rich in cultural diversity.

I believe that learning is not about how to do it, but how we did it! I hope to provide a journey for learners that is inspiring and exciting. It may even be a starting point for lifelong passions. Sometimes learning projects can transform both the teacher and the learner, providing an amazing experience for our tamariki and their Whanau.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my own family, travelling, learning new things, and being creative through dance, photography, digital design and music.

Kia ora koutou, I am Kate, I've been at Grey Lynn School since 2019 and have taught across Auckland in Years 3 - 6.

I love what I do and no two days are the same. The best thing about Grey Lynn School is the people, tall and short. Outside of school my time is mostly spent playing with my young son,  Miles.

I was born in Belfast and moved to Canada when I was 2 and emigrated to New Zealand in 1997 and have been here ever since.

My heart has 4 homes, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and Grey Lynn. I chose to work at Grey Lynn School as it was my own children's primary school, as well as it having significance in our longer Fale family history. I love the diversity of learners our community offers and champion students in creating a safe place to be themselves, share their culture and learn collaboratively.

I have been teaching for over ten years now and feel fortunate to have spent this time at Grey Lynn School.

I believe in creating a nurturing, inclusive, and collaborative learning environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered. 

My approach focuses on fostering a growth mindset, critical thinking, and cultivating positive relationships built on respect and empathy. I strive to inspire curiosity, ignite passion for learning, and empower students to become compassionate individuals and active contributors to society.

I have many years experience teaching Year levels 1-4. I am also an experienced reading recovery teacher. I found reading recovery teaching immensely rewarding as I observed children make rapid progress and gain confidence in their ability to learn. I am also a mentor teacher to beginning teachers.

I believe that all children have the ability to learn and make progress regardless of their ability. It is important for children to gain an understanding of how they learn best and to celebrate their new learning. I aim to provide learning experiences to suit different learning styles that are fun and interesting. I actively support children to reflect on their successes and to identify their next learning steps in their learning journey.

I am passionate about teaching and I gain a great deal of satisfaction from being a facilitator of children's learning. It is always satisfying to watch children grow as individuals, both socially and academically.

With a background rich in diverse experiences, I bring a unique perspective to my role at Grey Lynn School. My journey includes working in various administrative positions and teaching English as a second language in South America, particularly in Ecuador. Somewhere in Ecuador, there are people speaking English with a Kiwi twang!

Both of my daughters attended Grey Lynn School, and our family has formed lifelong connections here. Being part of this vibrant community is a privilege I deeply cherish.

I thrive in the dynamic environment of a busy school, where there is never a dull moment. I enjoy the variety that my role offers, from working with wonderful colleagues and amusing children to handling the behind-the-scenes tasks that keep everything running smoothly. Every day brings new funny stories and memorable moments, making my job truly rewarding.

Kia Orana, my name is Tori and I am the Office Administrator at Grey Lynn School.

I live in West Auckland with my partner and two young children.

I find great joy and fulfilment in my role because I like connecting with people. I love our school’s vibrant community and I cherish the diverse cultures and warm relationships with families and colleagues.

I embrace the dynamic nature of my position & appreciate the constant learning opportunities along with the enriching variety it brings.

Above all, interacting with the children who continuously brighten my days, make my work at Grey Lynn School an endlessly rewarding experience.

Talofa Lava! My name is Eleanor Taito and I am passionate about working with children.

I am a learning assistant at Grey Lynn School, where I rotate from one class to the next providing in-class support to teachers and students. It is a unique role with plenty of variety and allows me to exercise – run, hop, and cartwheel between classes. 

You will also spot me in my sKids uniform with my programme manager hat on at school after hours!  Together with my team, we operate an after school care and holiday programme at Grey Lynn School. My weekday sounds full on, but as the saying goes “choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” In my case, I have two! I feel truly blessed working alongside dedicated teachers, and playing a part in our children’s learning and wellbeing. Ia Fala’ia

Fakalofa, Ia Orana, Talofa,

I'm Diana, and I'm a Learning Assistant. I have five kids, and they're all past students of Grey Lynn School.

I assist the class teacher by supporting students with their learning.The staff and students are why I love my job. It's never a dull moment haha..

It's always rewarding to watch the students, learn, grow and overcome the challenges they face each day. Even more rewarding is to see them graduate.

I’m Anthony, and I’m a Learning Assistant. I'm a big fan of basketball, and I've been coaching youth basketball for the past few years. I love helping others learn and grow, and I'm passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, playing basketball, and reading. I'm also a big fan of travelling, and I've been to a few different countries. You might see me around helping out with various jobs around the school and at the holiday program!

I am a Learning Assistant at Grey Lynn School.

You can also find me on the road patrol on Surrey Crescent in the morning and afternoon. I love working at Grey Lynn School and enjoy helping the children and meeting all our families.