BALMACEWEN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Hard Materials Technology Teacher
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
For over 15 years Alex has been teaching at Balmacewen and has found her calling in the Foods Room. She is the Teacher in charge of Touch and will also coach the League Team in 2018. Alex also teaches Green Island and Columba students on a Friday.
Job Titles:
- Classroom Teacher
- Year 8 Classroom Teacher
Ally teaches Year 8 in Room 23. Ally is in her 5th year of teaching. Ally is passionate about technology and loves to incorporate it into all aspects of her class. Outside of school she loves to play sport.
Andrew is the principal of Balmacewen Intermediate. He has had 35 years of teaching experience including 30 as principal. Andrew has been the principal of Balmacewen for the last 22 years and thoroughly enjoys working with the staff and students. Andrew is passionate about the place of Intermediate Schools in our schooling system. Andrew strongly believes in our school vision of "Learning is Forever".
Job Titles:
- Special Needs Coordinator and Learning Support
Kia ora. I am happy to be the Balmacewen Learning Support coordinator and Senco. We are a team of lovely people who work with a lot of students throughout Year7 and 8. Outside of school I enjoy meeting friends, having morning tea with friends after the gym, reading books and puzzles. My husband and I like visiting local destinations, cafe visits with family and friends, our cat and dog family, staying home and love catching up with our children.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Assistant Dean and Year 7 Classroom Teacher
Charlotte is the classroom teacher in room 1.
Charlotte has been teaching at Balmacewen for 17 years in numerous roles.
Charlotte loves teaching this age group and enjoys watching the students develop and mature over the two years that they are in the school.
When she is not at school she enjoys the outdoors, gardening, DIY and hanging out with her two boys.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Classroom Teacher
- Year 8 Classroom Teacher
This is Hannah's 4th year teaching at Balmacewen and she loves it! "The kids are presented with many amazing opportunities at Balmac, it's great to see them thrive and to be a part of their journey." Hannah teaches in Room 26. She comes from a farming background but is now a city girl! Hannah loves sport and fitness.
Job Titles:
- Classroom Teacher
- Year 7 Classroom Teacher
Jake teaches a year 7 class in Room 25 this year. He has a variety of strengths including coding, coaching football, playing the ukulele and guitar. Mr Scott also helps to produce our school video segment called Bal Air.
Janne Miller runs the Maths Extension programme at Balmacewen for both the Year 7 and 8 pupils. Although initially trained in Phys Ed, Janne is now very passionate about maths, and thoroughly enjoys seeing the success of her pupils in outside competitions like O'Mathlalon, ICAS and AMC. She can often be found working as a relief teacher in the afternoons.
When not at school, Janne is heavily involved in athletics in Otago, and thoroughly enjoys all sports, cooking, and spending time with friends.
Job Titles:
- Classroom Teacher
- Year 7 Classroom Teacher
Job Titles:
- Music Teacher
- Music Teacher / Learning Support
Jo Brusse is a key part of the music team at Balmacewen. She coordinates our special needs music programme. Jo also leads our school orchestra, helps lead our school singing and teaches cello
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Classroom Teacher
- Year 7 Classroom Teacher
Kirsty is teaching in Room 2 this year and it is Kirsty's first year teaching at Balmacewen. She is an experienced teacher who has taught in Auckland and the USA. Kirsty is inspired by the children to find out more and challenge herself. She particularly enjoys fostering a love of books and teaching children to feel confident in their reading, opening them up to new ideas and knowledge through the written word. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, baking, boating, and spending time with her family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Assistant Dean and Year 8 Classroom Teacher
Leia has 19 years teaching experience across years 2 - 8 having taught in both the Primary and Intermediate sectors. She has taught in Auckland, Peru and in Dunedin and brings her diverse experiences to Balmacewen.
Leia's areas of interest include mathematics, Gifted education and student driven Project Based Learning. She considers herself a life- long learner who is always looking for the next challenge.
In her spare time Leia enjoys spending time with her family and running.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Principal
- Dean
- Member of the Staff
Lisa has a wealth of experience in all levels of primary school education but Balmacewen holds a special place for Lisa as a former student she has now worked here for the last 20 years.
Lisa is a busy member of the staff involved in many sporting and extra-curricula activities. She coaches Netball, Waterpolo and her class Rippa team and she co-ordinates the highly popular and successful Wearable Arts show every second year. She also helps with school productions. Lisa loves teaching students of this age because of the energy, enthusiasm and personality that they bring to the classroom.
Job Titles:
- Dean of Specialist Subjects & Art Teacher
Mary will be continuing the high quality art programme that the school is so proud of. The recently painted murals and pieces that hang in the foyer are a testament to her teaching ability. Mary was once a general classroom teacher but "saw the light" and retrained at art school to be an art teacher.
Mel is our school librarian. This is our first year with us at Balmacewen. Mel has previously been an english teacher in secondary schools and she is also a fitness coach.
Job Titles:
- Student Services Administrator
Penny makes up the dynamic duo with Sue in the frontline operation of the office.
Balmacewen and the grounds are a testament to how hard Mr Friend works when he isn't busy getting tennis balls off the roof or creating custom made trophies for various occasions and celebrations! If there is anything in need of being fixed or repaired Pete is the man to speak to.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
Job Titles:
- Classroom Teacher
- Year 7 Classroom Teacher
Rachel is teaching in Room 9 this year and is in her 9th year at Balmacewen. She is an experienced teacher who has taught intermediate aged children in Dunedin, Wellington and London. Rachel is in charge of our student leaders and runs both the School Council and House Leaders. She assists them in planning a variety of school projects and events.
Rachel's passion lies in the area of Health and PE. She is a keen sportswoman and has played touch, soccer, rugby, volleyball and softball herself, and helps out with many of the sports teams that Balmacewen has to offer. Rachel also loves any outdoor ed activities and particularly enjoys this aspect of our school programme. Her other interests include: travelling, coaching touch, playing football, mountain biking, running/walking, going to the beach and spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Classroom Teacher
- Year 7 Classroom Teacher
Richard Olsen is in his 5th year of teaching. He has teaches Year 8 coaches basketball, touch rugby, rippa rugby and cross country. In his spare time Richard can be found out on the golf course or out for a run.
Sara is Deputy Principal at Balmacewen Intermediate School. She has 16 years teaching experience in Intermediate schools and she is a strong believer in the value of Intermediate Schools for meeting the diverse needs of our emerging adolescents. Sara has taught year 7, year 8 and she has also been Year 7 Dean and Head of Sport in her time at Balmacewen Intermediate School.
Sara enjoys the diversity that comes with teaching and leading at an Intermediate school. Every day is different. "I love the fact that we offer such a wide range of cultural, learning and sporting experiences at our school, and that our students take these opportunities with such positivity and enthusiasm. Sara is one of the teachers in charge of hockey at Balmacewen. She also coaches Waterpolo and coordinates hip hop.
When she is not at school, Sara enjoys spending time with her family. She enjoys art, baking, running, shopping and spending time with her family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Classroom Teacher
- Year 8 Classroom Teacher
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Trustees
An Army marches on its stomach and school operates on its office staff, and Sue and Penny are some of the best. The face of Balmacewen is a friendly one with Sue welcoming all to the office with a great smile!
Sue Mepham is a music teacher at Balmacewen Intermediate School, who works alongside Jo Brusse and a team of itinerant music teachers. Sue teaches marimba (all classes) and leads the school choirs, school singing and bands, and works with Jo leading the special music class. Outside of school, Sue leads a community choir and teaches piano.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Principal - Year 8 Dean