
Kahutara
School

Katrina Hampton
Principal
I have been teaching, yes teaching for 37 years across the full range of levels from New Entrant to Y8. I love working with children and feel that it is a real honour to help each child to achieve their very best. This is my first position as principal where I do not have to teach my own class each week and then try to fit in my other principal’s responsibilities .
My family come from the Waikato area. There are four of us now, one sister and two brothers. I have spent about eight years teaching in different places around the world. This I found to be a great experience and one which I thoroughly enjoyed. Not too many places that one would go on holiday either.
I have a four legged family of two dogs and one cat. The dogs being Anneke aged three years and Mazie, just one year. Bobby Sox the cat is Mazie and Anneke’s cat who enjoys coming on early morning walks with us.

Liz McCreary
Office Manager
I have been a Kahutara local for 20+ years now and love the awesome Kahutara Community, and all it has to offer. My children all thrived here under Kahutara School’s care, and I look forward to watching many more families do the same over the years as I look after all things admin here.

Michael Munro
Hub 1 Teacher
I have been teaching for nearly a decade in the Hutt Valley at both intermediate and college levels. My beautiful wife and I moved to Kahutara three years ago to start our little family somewhere we could free range parent our daughter Mabel. I am looking forward to joining the team at Kahutara School and helping to guide our ākonga to be prepared for the journey that awaits them at college.

Isabel Bridgman
Hub 2 Teacher
I have been teaching for the past few years in central Wellington and recently moved to the Wairarapa to join Kahutara School in Hub 2. It has been a real pleasure being welcomed into the Kahutara School community.
Teaching is a passion of mine. I believe in teaching through a student centered approach and creating a warm classroom environment.
I am looking forward to the year ahead as I get to know the students and wider community better.

Lara Hooper
Room 3 Teacher
Hello and welcome. I have lived in Wairarapa for 24 years; I live in Masterton as an extended family with my husband Ian, our five children Chris, Georgia, Beth, Ben and Rose, and my son in law Zach along with my grandson Lachie, and my mum Carole. I also have my husband’s family that live in Pirinoa. I love animals – I have 9 cats, a dog and lots of goldfish. I’m really excited to be joining the Kahutara school family and teaching in the year 3-4 classroom.

Inga Munro
Room 4 Teacher
I’m returning to teaching after being off on maternity leave with my daughter, Mabel.
Over the years I have taught in the Manawatu and Wellington regions.
I am originally from South Africa but have been in New Zealand since I was 11 years old.
I grew up in Whanganui and studied for my Bachelor of Education in Palmerston North.
I am passionate about getting kids excited about their learning and achieving their personal best. I am a big believer in exposing children to different learning styles and helping them discover how they learn best, and celebrating their successes.
My husband and I moved over to South Wairarapa to start our family and it has been the best decision we have made! We absolutely love living here and being part of this community.
I am very excited about being part of the Kahutara School team.

Brooke Sims
Room 5 Teacher
I have recently returned from my OE in Canada, where I spent two years living and working in a ski town called Fernie. Before then I was teaching at a semi-rural school in Canterbury for three years.
I was born in Taranaki, and moved to the South Island when I was 8. My parents are Dairy Farmers, so I grew up in the country, racing around on my motorbike, tending to my numerous pets and helping out in the calf pens.
I now live in the hills, on a Sheep and Beef farm with my fianće, who grew up out in Tuturumuri.
Teaching has always been my passion, and all I ever wanted to do since I was 5 years old. I thoroughly enjoy teaching the New Entrant level, there is never a dull moment. I love absolutely everything about Kahutara School and I am excited to make the Wairarapa my home.

Bridget Percy
Senco Specialist Teacher
I have been teaching on and off since 1997 and I live on a lifestyle block near Carterton. I am so pleased to be at Kahutara School and look forward to working as the Senco Specialist teacher.

Mary Mason
Teacher Aide

Shannon Daken
Teacher Aide

Sandie Fletcher
Teacher Aide

Eve Watkins
Teacher Aide

Riki Te Tau
Caretaker