Dianne Cook
Acting Principal
How long have you been at Riverhead School? 12th year.
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? The people - kids, staff and the parents. The setting.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you? Fair.
If you could change just one thing, what would it be. Nothing
What has been your funniest moment in education? The 'odd' child who has turned up partly dressed to school.
What do you look forward to in the future? The way we are moving - new vision, new buildings, more empowerment of kids and their learning.
Philippa Randell
Room 1
How long have you been at Riverhead School? Since 2009
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? The exciting journey the school is on.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you? She has us moving - all the time.
If you could change just one thing, what would it be? By border collie lounging on my couch.
What has been your funniest moment in education? Watching teachers do the 'WOW' dance.
What do you look forward to in the future? My broody hen producing some chicks.
Darren Mathers
Room 2
How long have you been at Riverhead School? I started week 8 of term two 2008.
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? The supportive staff and creative children.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you? Apparently I am sporty, generous, firm but fair and fun!!
If you could change just one thing, what would it be. My knees!!!
What has been your funniest moment in education? One morning tea a year 0 (5 years old) came up and tugged on my pants and asked me if I was God? It was quite funny at the time.
What do you look forward to in the future? The future direction of Riverhead School. It is going to be a wonderful learning journey for both teachers and students.
Kelly Gaston
Room 3
How long have you been at Riverhead School? Since 2009.
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? Friendly and caring. Great learning environment.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you? Great teacher who is fun and helps us learn.
If you could change just one thing, what would it be. The amount of paper piled on my desk.
What has been your funniest moment in education? The class being spies and spying on other classes in the school.
What do you look forward to in the future? This is a hard one to answer.
Jacqui Lyttle
Room 4
How long have you been at Riverhead School? Full time since 1996.
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? It's a small school and the children look after each other.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you? Best teacher (I asked the class - no treats or anything).
If you could change just one thing, what would it be. People being less materialistic and focusing on more intrinsic values.
What has been your funniest moment in education? Being interviewed by a parent worried about a child then realising the were in my class the year before.
What do you look forward to in the future? Changes.
Hayley Young
Room 6
How long have you been at Riverhead School? Started 2010
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? Friendly children and awesome staff. I came here as a student and it's great to be back.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you? Well one of them told me that I'm the best teacher ever, so I think I'll stick with that.
What has been your funniest moment in education? Nothing yet. But am looking forward to many funny moments.
What do you look forward to in the future? Continuing my teaching career.
Brittany Bray
Room 9
How long have you been at Riverhead School? Since 2010
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? Small, friendly country community. I feel at home here. Lovely staff and fantastic student.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you?Teaches us manners, doesn't yell at us, makes learning fun, a wonderfully good teacher, beautiful...
If you could change just one thing, what would it be? Funding from the Ministry for Education Outside the Classroom. More days/hours during the working week and longer weekends.
What has been your funniest moment in education? Everyday brings new hilarious sayings and goings on in the class - too many to list.
What do you look forward to in the future? A happy, successful class at the end of the year.
Miriam Kamsteeg
Room 11
How long have you been at Riverhead School? Since 2009.
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? The awesome children.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you? She makes us do lots of work.
If you could change just one thing, what would it be. There is nothing I would want to change.
What has been your funniest moment in education? Spilling my drink bottle all over the floor (luckily it was water!)
What do you look forward to in the future? Learning about all the children at Riverhead School.
Sue Shields
Room 12
How long have you been at Riverhead School? 3 years.
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? Working with a neat bunch of people.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you? She always has a story to tell and she always proves her point.
If you could change just one thing, what would it be. Paperwork - much less.
What has been your funniest moment in education? Being called 'Grandma' instead of Mrs Shields - I also get 'Mum / Dad' too.
What do you look forward to in the future? All the changes that are happening next year.
Joelle Brown
Specialist Teacher
How long have you been at Riverhead School? 3 years in January.
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? The great 'feel'. People always take the time to stop and ask you how your day is going.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your class would say about you? Miss Brown always puts important things in safe places. So safe that even she forgets where they are!
If you could change just one thing, what would it be? An automatic filing system.
What has been your funniest moment in education? Seeing Mrs Hughes dressed up as Mrs Incredible!
What do you look forward to in the future? Saying "I knew you before you were famous," to the musicians in our school.
Annette Brown
Teacher Aide
How long have you been at Riverhead School? On and off for 5 or 6 years.
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? The students and staff.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you? They love learning new and exciting concepts.
If you could change just one thing, what would it be? I would love to have a special unit for our special needs students, time out room for them etc.
What has been your funniest moment in education? I was telling this student a real funny joke, we were laughing that much that this student peed themselves and still kept on laughing.
What do you look forward to in the future? Retiring!!
Linda Perkins
Teacher Aide
Karen Young
Administration
How long have you been at Riverhead School? 14 years.
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? The kids, the staff are all fantastic . . . and it's close to home! . . . . great holidays - unfortunately not paid for!
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you? Lots of nice things I hope and not just that I dish out ice packs and plasters! (for all those stubbed toes)
If you could change just one thing, what would it be? Kids would all wear shoes so we had no more stubbed toes! Better pay for all support staff.
What has been your funniest moment in education? Wow . . . after 14 years, as you can imagine, there are many! Too many to mention.
What do you look forward to in the future? Seeing the future development of the school and seeing all Kris' wonderful ideas come to fruition.
Shawn Dyer
Property
How long have you been at Riverhead School? 6 years.
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? Knowing most of the children. Working local.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you? He's cool!
If you could change just one thing, what would it be? To keep Riverhead small (not so many new houses).
What has been your funniest moment in education? Watching the Principal of another small primary school being dunked in water at a country day.
What do you look forward to in the future?
Gaye Sanderson
Teacher Aide
How long have you been at Riverhead School? 20 years.
What do you like about being at Riverhead School? The children and staff.
What do you think is the one thing the children in your care would say about you? Helpful and caring.
If you could change just one thing, what would it be. To make sure all children are happy.
What has been your funniest moment in education? Where do I start. There are just too many to list.
What do you look forward to in the future? A new library.