There are 15 teachers working within the school, including the Principal. The Principal is the leader of all three strands, however a number of other teachers have leadership responsibilities as well that support school management. Most teachers can be contacted via email - write the teacher's first name, then @otari.school.nz.
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT
Principal/Tumuaki: The Principal is Clifford Wicks. Clifford is responsible for the day to day management of the school, curriculum leadership and pastoral care of students. He also provides teaching support, where needed, in literacy and art. Clifford also enjoys teaching singing and assists with school productions. Clifford has taught all ages, from new entrants to year 8, in a range of schools, throughout the past thirty years. He thoroughly enjoys being Principal of Otari School, a position he has held for 21 years. Clifford's email is principal@otari.school.nz.
Deputy Principal: The Deputy Principal is Susan West. Susan is also the SENCO (Special Needs co-ordinator) and the Original Strand leader. Susan teaches years 2 and 3 in Kākāriki classroom.
Assistant Principal: The Assistant Principal is Erana Bouzaid. Erana is also the Māori Immersion Strand leader and teaches Yr 6, 7, 8 in Kaikōmako class.
Montessori Strand Leader: Deborah Sorensen is the Montessori Strand Leader. Deborah teaches year 5 to 8 in Ngaio class.
Year 1 and 2 Syndicate leader: Britta Martini has particular organisational responsibilities pertaining to the education programmes for year 1 and 2 students. Britta is also responsible for facilitating environmental education. Britta teaches year 1 and 2 in Kākano.
Original Strand: (Strand Leader: Susan West)
Years 0 & 1: Britta Martini & Rebecca McKenzie-Pollock teach Kākano class.
Years 2 & 3: Susan West teaches Kākāriki class.
Years 4 & 5: Sacha Fell teaches Kererū class.
Years 6, 7 & 8: Johanne Wicks teaches Tōtara class.
Teaching support throughout strand: Tom Wild provides support and release days.
Maori Immersion Strand: (Strand Leader: Erana Bouzaid)
Years 1 & 2: Lynette Franklin teaches Kōwhai class.
Years 3, 4 & 5: Tania Panepasa teaches years Yr 3, 4 and 5 in Tūī class.
Years 6, 7 and 8: Erana Bouzaid teaches 6, 7 and 8 in Kaikōmako class
Teaching support throughout strand: Nichole Craig provides support 4 days a week. Tom Wild teaches in Kāikōmako on Thursdays.
Montessori Strand: (Strand Leader: Deborah Sorensen)
Years 1, 2, 3 and 4: Paula Crisp teaches Pōhutukawa class.
Years 5, 6, 7 and 8: Deborah Sorensen teaches Ngaio class.
Teaching support throughout strand: Catherine Hope
OTHER TEACHERS
Reading Recovery Teacher: Ann Kendon and Britta Martini are Reading Recovery teachers, working one to one with children throughout the day.
Classroom Release Teacher: Tom Wild and Catherine Hope provider release time for teachers.
Teacher Librarian: Johanne Wicks is responsible for managing the school library.