Teaching Staff

Who are we?

Koru Team - Years 0-2

Sydney MacKenzie smackenzie@milson.school.nz

Room 3, Years 0/1

Kia ora koutou, my name is Sydney and this is my 2nd year of teaching here at Milson School. I am based in the new entrants space. I am very passionate about inclusion in my classroom and hope to create a safe and welcoming environment for the tamariki. I am a mother to a toddler who I spend a lot of time chasing her around.

Hannah Kirk hkirk@milson.school.nz

Room 4, Years 0/1

Kia ora, my name is Hannah and I am currently working with the new entrants in Koru Team.

Before moving to the Manawatu I lived and studied in Christchurch, where my family are based. I live

on a farm in the Pohangina Valley where I like to take walks with the dogs and ride my horse.

For myself teaching is about building strong connections with students and their whānau, to empower students to see how capable they are. I love to see children believe in themselves and have a go at

new and exciting learning. I enjoy teaching art and seeing how one activity can inspire so many

different and beautiful perspectives from the children.

Charlotte Long clong@milson.school.nz

Room 5, Years 1/2

Sherry Fink sfink@milson.school.nz

Room 7, Years 1/2

Sarah Stephens sstephens@milson.school.nz

Room 8, Years 1/2, Koru Team Leader

Kia ora koutou, I am excited to be the team leader for the Koru Team. I have had many wonderful experiences teaching junior children both within New Zealand and internationally. I thrive on working collaboratively with students, teachers and whanau and I am committed to providing meaningful and exciting learning experiences. In my spare time I enjoy walking my dogs, spending time with my partner and friends, and being an Aunt to my wonderful nieces and nephews.

Manawatū Team - Years 2-4

Arsha Ignatius aignatius@milson.school.nz

Room 1, Years 2/3

Namaskaram,

My name is Arsha and I will be working with the amazing children in Room 1 this year. I am originally from India and moved to New Zealand in 2023. Teaching has always been my passion and I truly enjoy working with children.

My educational philosophy is centered on reciprocal teaching and learning, and the whakatauki "Nau te rourou, naku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi." Every student, no matter their background, brings something valuable that helps everyone to grow.

In my free time, I like to read thriller novels or go for a long walk outdoors with my husband, Deen Joseph. I also have a sweet tooth for marshmallows in hot chocolate on cold winter days and I enjoy travelling.

Jay Duxfield jduxfield@milson.school.nz

Room 2, Years 3/4

Kia Ora.

My name is Jay Duxfield. I am originally from Whanganui. I am married to Denise, and we have two children (Charlie and Amelia). As a whanau, we love getting out to explore the area. We often spend our weekends at the beach or going for walks in the park.

My big passion in learning is finding my students’ strengths and incorporating them into my lessons. I love it when students are excited about their learning, and I hope that I can be a part of facilitating this.

I have a background in English language teaching and love learning about different languages and cultures.

This is my fourth-year teaching at Milson. I teach year 3 and 4 students in Room 2.

Kita Clare nclare@milson.school.nz

Room 12, Years 2/3

Kia ora koutou,

Ko Kita tōku ingoa. My name is Kita Clare and I have the privilege of being the kaiako in Room 12 for 2025. Last year, I spent time working in the Koru and Manawatū teams as a release teacher. This means, whilst this is my first time having a class, you will have seen me around. Having grown up in Hawke’s Bay, I moved and attended Awatapu College. I am looking forward to 2025 and all the learning that will happen in, and outside of the classroom. Please feel free to pop in at any time and see me.

Mai i te kōpae ki te urupa, tātou ako tonu ai - from the cradle to the grave, we are forever learning.

Marie Flynn mflynn@milson.school.nz

Room 13, Years 3/4, Manawatū Team Leader

Kia ora, my name is Marie Flynn and this year I am teaching Year 3 and 4s in Room 13. I have been involved with Milson School for a number of years, as a parent Board of Trustees member and now as a teacher. All three of my children have attended Milson School and my youngest is currently in the Huia Team.

I live in Woodville with my family and our dog Poppy Sparkles.

I love being a teacher, I find it incredibly rewarding building relationships with students and being part of their educational journey. Please always remember to contact me if you need to discuss any aspect of your child's education.

Sangeeta Sharma ssharma@milson.school.nz

Room 14 Year 3/4

Huia Team - Years 4-6

Jarrod Campbell jcampbell@milson.school.nz

Room 9, Years 4/5

Kia Ora. I was born and bred in Palmy and proud to call it home. I attended Milson School as a child, returned as a teacher aide in 2020 and started my teaching career here in 2023. In my spare time, I enjoy an array of outdoor activities and follow a number of sports, predominantly rugby and cricket. Above all though, I love spending quality time with family and friends.

I see teaching as a career where I can make a difference by being a positive role model for the tamariki I teach. By helping children to be the best leaders, innovators and learners that they can be, I strive to play an integral role in developing lifelong learners. I endeavor to create an environment where children feel safe, culturally secure, and happy to be in my classroom.

Ramudhi Samarasekara rsamarasekara@milson.school.nz

Room 10, Years 5/6

Kia Ora,

My name is Ramudhi, I am the teacher of room 10! This is my second year as a teacher and I am super excited to be back teaching year 5/6s. A bit about me, I am originally from Sri Lanka but grew up in New Zealand. I live on a dairy farm with my whānau and pets. I have a cat named Flake and a dog named Tesla.

Billy Walker bwalker@milson.school.nz

Room 11, Year 5/6

Kia ora koutou,

Ko Ruapehu te maunga e rū nei taku ngākau

Ko Whanganui te awa e mahea nei aku māharahara

I tipu ake au ki Whanganui

E noho ana au ki Papaeoia

Ko Jenna tāku wahine

Ko Billy tōku ingoa

Tēnā koutou e te whānau. I am very fortunate to call the Milson community my whānau. My passion for teaching was created by working closely with Milson students and staff, which led me to complete my teaching studies and become a teacher at this amazing kura, where I am now in my fifth year of teaching. I am passionate about building a positive and safe learning environment where students have the opportunity to gain independence while engaging in activities that are fun yet challenging.

"Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti arahia o tātou mahi":

Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work.

Liam Colman lcolman@milson.school.nz

Room 15, Years 5/6

Kia ora,

I'm Liam and this is my second-year teaching at Milson School. I am very excited to be teaching in the Huia Team this year in Room 15. I love teaching as it allows me to form strong relationships with students and whānau as they progress academically and socially.

Outside of teaching I enjoy being physically active outdoors as well as playing golf and fishing as much as I can.

Ian Eaton ieaton@milson.school.nz

Room 17, Years 5/6, Huia Team Leader

Kia ora,

I’m Ian and it is my pleasure to be teaching in Room 17 as well as leading the Huia Team this year. This is my 8th year teaching, all of which have been here at Te Kura o Miritana. I love teaching at Milson. My teaching philosophy is based upon forming academically powerful relationships with both ākonga and whānau.

Outside of teaching, I enjoy spending time with my whānau, building electric guitars and ukuleles and making art and music.

Teachers

Christina Wingfield-Smith cwingfield-smith@milson.school.nz

Tautoko & Literacy Specialist

Kia ora I’m Christina and I enjoy working with children in their first few years of schooling. I love to see the progress they make and the enthusiasm they have for learning.

I am married and have 3 children who are currently at high school, university and one is working. I’ve been connected to Milson for many years with all three of my children being past pupils of the school. In my spare time I enjoy reading and going for walks. My favourite place is the beach where I spend as much of my spare time as possible.

Fiona Jensen fjensen@milson.school.nz

Literacy Specialist

Hi, I'm Fiona Jensen.

I have had a lifelong passion for teaching and enjoy seeing the progress the children make. I strongly believe relationships are the key to help families and children on their learning journey.

I have lived in Palmerston North for many years. My partner and I have two teenage sons. In my spare time I like to read, garden and walk my dog.

Daniel Hodgetts dhodgetts@milson.school.nz

Release Teacher