Carmella McKay
With several years teaching experience under my belt in the UK and NZ, I began working at SPS last August and after personally graduating from Manata, I’m thrilled to now be working at the opposite end of SPS with the older children in Kawarau. In te ao Māori, ako refers to a reciprocal learning relationship whereby each member of the classroom brings knowledge with them, from which we are all able to learn. With this in mind, I’m excited to foster strong relationships amongst the kaiako (teachers) and tamariki (children) alike, within a learning environment that enables new knowledge to grow from collaboration and shared experiences.
My husband and I arrived in Queenstown in 2018, and our intended 12 month working holiday visa has long since expired! Naturally, we fell in love with the place and after officially becoming residents, we decided to make Queenstown our home. In my spare time I can often be found somewhere on the trails - hiking, biking, ski touring… or torturing myself by attempting to run. I love to adventure, but also enjoy a bit of downtime too; the libraries here are awesome and I often head there to borrow a book or 2!
With several years teaching experience under my belt in the UK and NZ, I began working at SPS last August and after personally graduating from Manata, I’m thrilled to now be working at the opposite end of SPS with the older children in Kawarau. In te ao Māori, ako refers to a reciprocal learning relationship whereby each member of the classroom brings knowledge with them, from which we are all able to learn. With this in mind, I’m excited to foster strong relationships amongst the kaiako (teachers) and tamariki (children) alike, within a learning environment that enables new knowledge to grow from collaboration and shared experiences.
My husband and I arrived in Queenstown in 2018, and our intended 12 month working holiday visa has long since expired! Naturally, we fell in love with the place and after officially becoming residents, we decided to make Queenstown our home. In my spare time I can often be found somewhere on the trails - hiking, biking, ski touring… or torturing myself by attempting to run. I love to adventure, but also enjoy a bit of downtime too; the libraries here are awesome and I often head there to borrow a book or 2!
Alison Walker
I am delighted and excited to be teaching in Manata this year. I’ve been in the teaching profession for a number of years and I love that I learn everyday, from my colleagues, my students and of course my own family too. I am passionate about my job and the children I get to spend everyday with. I love seeing the ‘lightbulb moments’ when they discover and learn new things.
I have lived in Queenstown for the last 30 years, having done as so many others have, travelled here with a backpack, fallen in love with Queenstown and never moved on.
I have 2 children of my own, who are now living in other parts of New Zealand on their own journeys in life.
I love getting out and about in Queenstown and it’s beautiful surroundings. I enjoy walking, biking and a bit of running! I love drawing and painting and mostly being social with my friends and hanging out with my lovely family when I can.
Kim Bartley
Originally from the King Country, some of my fondest childhood memories are exploring the Waipa river with my siblings. So, having moved to Queenstown at the end of 2021, I absolutely love the extreme beauty of our area and all the many opportunities to get out and enjoy it with my family.
I began teaching in Tauranga in 2016. Prior to that, studied business and psychology, travelled, worked in hospitality, and as a photographer and photographic lab technician/art printer. In 2021 I completed my Masters in contemporary education, and am currently having fun studying towards my Certificate in Nga Toi - an opportunity to practise harakeke raranga (flax weaving).
It’s a complete privilege being part of the Shotover Team with the mission to grow great humans. I love the messy human nature of learning, working with ākonga to develop their knowledge, skills and dispositions to be curious, agentic learners.
Originally from the King Country, some of my fondest childhood memories are exploring the Waipa river with my siblings. So, having moved to Queenstown at the end of 2021, I absolutely love the extreme beauty of our area and all the many opportunities to get out and enjoy it with my family.
I began teaching in Tauranga in 2016. Prior to that, studied business and psychology, travelled, worked in hospitality, and as a photographer and photographic lab technician/art printer. In 2021 I completed my Masters in contemporary education, and am currently having fun studying towards my Certificate in Nga Toi - an opportunity to practise harakeke raranga (flax weaving).
It’s a complete privilege being part of the Shotover Team with the mission to grow great humans. I love the messy human nature of learning, working with ākonga to develop their knowledge, skills and dispositions to be curious, agentic learners.
My Linh Narayan
Ni Hao everyone.
My name is My Linh Narayan and I am a mentor in the Hays team. I was born in Vietnam but have lived in New Zealand for most of my life. At the beginning of this year my husband and I moved from Auckland to beautiful Queenstown.
I have mainly taught in New Zealand schools but had the wonderful opportunity to teach at international schools in China and in the Philippines. I am passionate about providing quality education that nurtures character values and the love of life-long learning in students. I believe it takes a village to raise a child and greatly value the partnership of working alongside parents and whanau.
My husband and I love travelling, hiking and exploring new places. My other hobbies include writing, drawing and cooking.
I feel very privileged and excited to be a mentor at Shotover Primary School and look forward to our new journey here in the South Island.
Alyssa Ubsdell
I am so excited to be a part of the Shotover primary school team. I have recently joined Shotover Primary in 2022 and I am fortunate enough to be working with the amazing mentors and students of the Kawarau Habitat. I have felt the warmth and care of this community which has made the transition into this new venture real easy.
I grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa where I studied and trained in education at the University of Johannesburg. My family and I moved to New Zealand at the end of May 2018. I spent some time in Auckland teaching in an Intermediate school before making the move to Queenstown in 2022.
Teaching has been one of my many passions for a very long time. My philosophy is built around the importance of relationships. I believe that having open communication, trust, mutual respect and risk taking creates a nurturing learning environment. I am a lover of reading and writing and I hope to bring this passion into the classroom. You can often find me reading an interesting book or trying to write my own stories. I am really excited to be a part of this community and working with the Year 6, 7 and 8’s of 2022.
I am so excited to be a part of the Shotover primary school team. I have recently joined Shotover Primary in 2022 and I am fortunate enough to be working with the amazing mentors and students of the Kawarau Habitat. I have felt the warmth and care of this community which has made the transition into this new venture real easy.
I grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa where I studied and trained in education at the University of Johannesburg. My family and I moved to New Zealand at the end of May 2018. I spent some time in Auckland teaching in an Intermediate school before making the move to Queenstown in 2022.
Teaching has been one of my many passions for a very long time. My philosophy is built around the importance of relationships. I believe that having open communication, trust, mutual respect and risk taking creates a nurturing learning environment. I am a lover of reading and writing and I hope to bring this passion into the classroom. You can often find me reading an interesting book or trying to write my own stories. I am really excited to be a part of this community and working with the Year 6, 7 and 8’s of 2022.
Julia Schist
Kia Ora
I was born and raised in Christchurch, studied nutrition for 4 years in Dunedin, then moved back home to do my postgraduate diploma and masters in teaching. I moved to Queenstown to start my teaching career in 2021 and have loved every minute in this beautiful town and school.
My daily mission is to ensure that myself and my students find joy in small things and appreciate the space we are in.
Outside of my teaching life I love spending far too much time in cafe’s planning future world travels, painting, and exploring the outdoors whether that be skiing, running, walking, biking or swimming
Ngā mini nui
Julia
Kia Ora
I was born and raised in Christchurch, studied nutrition for 4 years in Dunedin, then moved back home to do my postgraduate diploma and masters in teaching. I moved to Queenstown to start my teaching career in 2021 and have loved every minute in this beautiful town and school.
My daily mission is to ensure that myself and my students find joy in small things and appreciate the space we are in.
Outside of my teaching life I love spending far too much time in cafe’s planning future world travels, painting, and exploring the outdoors whether that be skiing, running, walking, biking or swimming
Ngā mini nui
Julia
Karyn Wallis
I’m stoked to be a part of the Shotover team. I like to call myself a semi local. Being brought up in Southland and having the family ‘crib’ in Arrowtown from when I was born I have a good knowledge of our area and am enjoying bringing our family up here with all it has to offer.
My teaching experience spans the globe for the past 18 years. I’ve worked in Japan, Australia and NZ. Even doing a stint as Principal. Just ask me about it. I took a few years break after moving back to NZ with our young kids but somehow found my way back into the classroom. I enjoy teaching a range of ages, developing good relationships with the children and aim to provide some fun along the way.
Outside of school, you might see me taxiing my kids around to their multitude of after school activities, gyming, hiking, biking, skiing, running (or more recently shuffling), boating or having a quiet drink with family and friends at the local.
I’m stoked to be a part of the Shotover team. I like to call myself a semi local. Being brought up in Southland and having the family ‘crib’ in Arrowtown from when I was born I have a good knowledge of our area and am enjoying bringing our family up here with all it has to offer.
My teaching experience spans the globe for the past 18 years. I’ve worked in Japan, Australia and NZ. Even doing a stint as Principal. Just ask me about it. I took a few years break after moving back to NZ with our young kids but somehow found my way back into the classroom. I enjoy teaching a range of ages, developing good relationships with the children and aim to provide some fun along the way.
Outside of school, you might see me taxiing my kids around to their multitude of after school activities, gyming, hiking, biking, skiing, running (or more recently shuffling), boating or having a quiet drink with family and friends at the local.
Ella O'Reilly
Ko ngā pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, ko ngā pae tata, whakamaua kia tina.
The potential for tomorrow depends on what we do today.
I feel privileged to be a part of the team that works so hard to grow great humans, as I embark on my teaching career at Shotover. I have always been an interesting mix of left and right brain; at university I studied both design and psychology - I have spent the last 14 years working in graphic and web design, and am excited now to reignite my passion for education, for how children learn, and to now implement this in igniting their potential.
My husband and I have two boys at the school, and so have been a school parent aswell as a mentor.
I’m a New Zealander and have been in Queenstown for over 15 years now, but am a global citizen - I spent my high school years living in England and exploring Europe. We were fortunate to travel as a family in 2018, working in Zambia for a short time, and exploring my husband’s Irish ancestry, creating some amazing memories.
I love life, embrace joy and am continually thankful for this beautiful place that we are so fortunate to live, and raise our children in.
Ko ngā pae tawhiti whāia kia tata, ko ngā pae tata, whakamaua kia tina.
The potential for tomorrow depends on what we do today.
I feel privileged to be a part of the team that works so hard to grow great humans, as I embark on my teaching career at Shotover. I have always been an interesting mix of left and right brain; at university I studied both design and psychology - I have spent the last 14 years working in graphic and web design, and am excited now to reignite my passion for education, for how children learn, and to now implement this in igniting their potential.
My husband and I have two boys at the school, and so have been a school parent aswell as a mentor.
I’m a New Zealander and have been in Queenstown for over 15 years now, but am a global citizen - I spent my high school years living in England and exploring Europe. We were fortunate to travel as a family in 2018, working in Zambia for a short time, and exploring my husband’s Irish ancestry, creating some amazing memories.
I love life, embrace joy and am continually thankful for this beautiful place that we are so fortunate to live, and raise our children in.
Karina Coles
Kia ora, my name is Karina Coles (Miss Karina at school) and I feel very privileged to be part of the Shotover team.
I grew up in Arrowtown for the majority of my childhood, before relocating to Dunedin with my family when I was 11. I completed my bachelor of teaching at the University of Otago, and then boarded a jet plane to start my teaching journey in England. I spent almost 4 years teaching in the UK before returning to New Zealand and settling in Queenstown.
I have been teaching for several years and have experience teaching a variety of age groups, however I have been mainly based in junior school and preschool. My inspiration to become a teacher grew from my own experience as a pupil in primary school. I was fortunate enough to have a very engaging and nurturing teacher. It had such a positive impact on my learning and my experience at school.
In my spare time I enjoy exploring Queenstown and going on family adventures with my husband Joe and my 3 year old son Ollie.
Chris Heald
I completed my teaching degree and continued on with post-graduate studies in the field of literacy, numeracy and the education of gifted and talented students. I have had teaching experience in Perth in Western Australian and Alabama in the USA and taught full time at several primary schools in the Manawatu and, this year, Queenstown.
Kia ora whānau,
Originally from Yorkshire, I have been calling Tāhuna, Queenstown home since 2018. Like most who visit this beautiful whenua, I instantly loved the active lifestyle, friendly people, and opportunities to get out into the backcountry. During my time here, I have connected with our awesome community through various hobbies and teaching the valuable life skill, swimming. After completing my teacher training in 2023, I am very excited to start my career at Shotover Primary School which played a vital role in my studies. The school values of "1% better" and "growth mindset" align perfectly with the culture I hope to foster in the classroom.
Being dyslexic, I am very passionate about connecting with tamariki to understand how each individual learns, ensuring they feel fully supported on their own journey. Whanaungatanga is at the heart of my practice and I am excited to get to know the ākonga in Kawarau as we learn and grow together. Teaching for me is about celebrating each student's successes and helping them see the mana-enhancing potential in working together. In my free time you will likely find me on the golf course, tramping, swimming, or playing cricket.