Our Staff - Kahutara School

Kahutara

School

Opening the gates to our future.
Huakina nga kuaha ma a tatou ao ake tonu.

Charmaine Taplin

Principal

Hi, I’m Charmaine and I have been a part of the Kahutara community for over 25 years. My three children all went to this school and I now I have my first grandchild here. I feel very lucky to be principal here with such wonderful children.

I live on a sheep and beef farm but we also have a beach house at Ngawi. We love going out there as it is where I can relax with long walks and a spot of fishing.

I have been teaching at Kahutara for many years and I thoroughly enjoy my leadership role in the school, and feel proud to be working alongside the staff here.

Hamish McRae

Deputy Principal, Ngātahi Learning Hub

Hi I’m Hamish. I was brought up here in the Wairarapa, and lived locally until moving away after High School. Long story short after 18 years and countless weekend and holiday trips back to surf, hunt and spend time with friends and family I’m finally back for good.

I have been teaching for just over 12 years, and worked at schools in both Gisborne and Wellington. Having been team teaching for the past 7 years I am excited to be working in the Hub. I value working alongside other teachers as well as developing learning environments that inspire and motivate students. I look forward to continuing to build the collaborative environment of the Hub and developing learner agency.

I enjoy teaching and trying to engage and assist students in their learning. Challenging students to think creatively and critically is something I always strive to do. I’m passionate about the outdoors and getting students outside, active and thinking about their environment. I look forward to many exciting adventures here at Kahutara School.

Ben Milne

Ngātahi Learning Hub

I have moved to the Wairarapa from Wellington to teach in the beautiful surroundings of Kahutara School.

In Wellington I taught at Ridgway school for 3 years and before that I was doing a 5 year OE in London working for a concert promoting company.

I love the wide open spaces and the down-to-earth kids at Kahutara. I’m a big sports fan and I love playing cricket, football, bowls, darts, connect 4.. anything that’s fun. I am Sports Coordinator at Kahutara and I hope to get as many kids enjoying as many different sports as possible. Sport is awesome fun and kids can make heaps of friends and learn some important life-lessons along the way.

My wife Rosie and I were married in 2016 and we have 2 beautiful children, Maggie born, June 2017 and Arthur born, Jan 2019. We have a lovely little house in Greytown and are enjoying getting involved in the community.

Olivia Woodhouse

Room 5 Teacher

Kia Ora, I’m Olivia and I am the New Entrance/Year 1 teacher at Kahutara School. This is my first year teaching in the Primary School Sector, before Kahutara School I was working in Early Childhood with our two year olds. Although I loved working with the younger children, I decided to follow my dreams and become a Primary School teacher. I am enjoying working with the New Entrance/Year 1 class and all the exploring, learning and fun we get to have!

I was raised in a small rural community on a family farm in Pongaroa. I spent most of my Primary years either helping Mum and Dad out on the farm or riding my horse Whiskey. Through spending so much time on the farm I have developed a special love for the land and always enjoy going back to be in the fresh air.

I am very lucky and privileged to be teaching in such a supporting school and community and I look forward to the many adventures ahead at Kahutara School.

Sarah Howe

Room 4 Teacher

Hi, I’m Sarah and I am the Room 4 teacher for Kahutara School.

Originally from South Africa, I have lived in New Zealand for most of my life. My husband and I were married at the start of this year and have lived in the Wairarapa for the past three years. We are so very happy to have left the ‘big smoke’ behind us and moved to the Wairarapa community that has so openly welcomed us.

My aim is to provide a rich learning environment filled with many hands-on, literacy and numeracy rich activities for the children to explore. Through exploration learning occurs naturally. My passions for dance, music and art translate into the teaching experiences that we have in our classroom.

I look forward to seeing how every child will develop in Room 4 this year and into the future Bring on the fun times ahead Kahutara School!

Nycki Proctor

Room 3 Teacher

Hi, I am Nycki and this is my second year here at Kahutara. After teaching for 19 years at schools in the Hutt Valley and Wellington, I am enjoying the change to working in a beautiful, rural setting. The school and surrounding Wairarapa community have been very welcoming.

I grew up in Upper Hutt and live in Te Marua with my husband and some four-legged friends. We have one son who lives at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, where he is training to be an Aircraft Technician.

I love being a teacher and am passionate about finding ways to engage students in their learning, and to challenge them to be motivated and inspired by what they learn.

A lot of my out-of-school life is centred around music. This includes many years of singing backing vocals in covers bands, competing at karaoke, performing in musicals, and entertaining at local cafés and events. My classroom learning programme includes as much music and art as possible because they promote individuality and give students the opportunity for self-expression, creativity and imagination.

I am really excited to have such a keen group of students in Room 3. I can’t wait to see where the adventures of this year take us and what we learn and achieve together.