Nicola Couch
Associate Principal, Team Leader Akoranga
Teacher Room 9

Nicola joined the Long Bay Primary School staff in Term three, 2007.

In the years prior to working in her current role as Associate Principal and syndicate leader, Nicola held the position of team leader and curriculum leader at Gulf Harbour Primary School, Primary School Facilitator for the Performing Arts based at the Faculty of Education, University of Auckland, classroom teacher and curriculum leader at Sunnybrae Normal School, itinerant music teacher at Carmel College and specialist teacher at the Belmont Music Centre. She has had teaching experience across all levels of the primary school.

At present Nicola leads the literacy curriculum team and is responsible for delivering the music specialisation programme for all classes. She has lectured in music and dance for the Post-Graduate Diploma of Teaching course at Massey University and is involved in taking professional development workshops for beginning teachers.

Stephanie teaches a Year 3 and 4 class this year. She has been part of the staff for eight years in various roles. She has filled the role of Associate Principal and syndicate leader, taught in both Atatu and Akoranga and has had the role of Music specialist for the school.

For eight years prior to this she was an Early Intervention Teacher working in both the Waikato and West Auckland regions. Stephanie takes responsibility for managing and coordinating the continued development of Inquiry for Long Bay Primary.

Stephanie completed her Graduate Diploma of Primary Teaching at Massey University  after having completed a Masters of Special Education with first class honours at Waikato University . She has interests in music, drama, literacy and working with children with special needs. Stephanie developed and co-ordinates the school environment and garden group.

Ann Grayson
Teacher Room 8 (shared with Stephanie Masefield, Dance Specialist)

I have been a part-time teacher at Long Bay for 16 years working at all syndicate levels and in many different roles including beginning teacher, management release and job sharing. I enjoy working with and supporting children to achieve in all ares of the curriculum. My special curriculum areas of interest are the arts, PE and dance. I am currently the specialist dance teacher plus am involved in organising and taking a variety of dance groups. This year I will be teaching in a job share situation along side Stephanie Masefield. I am married with 3 sons and have recently become a proud grandmother. I enjoy painting, bad golf, walking my large energetic dog, reading and boating.

Tracey came to New Zealand in 2002 from South Africa where she had been a new entrant teacher for 8 years. Tracey studied at Cape Town Teachers Training College for three years to receive her teaching Diploma and then studied a further year receiving a Diploma in Remedial/Special Education. She has settled on the North Shore with her family.

Tracey completed a 6 month Retraining Course through Auckland University in 2005. Shortly after completion on this course and registered with the Teachers Council she relief taught on the North Shore until being employed at Long Bay Primary.

Briar Parker
Teacher Room 7

This is Briar's seventh year at Long Bay Primary.

Briar completed a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology in Wellington and a Postgraduate Diploma in Primary teaching at Massey Albany. She has also lived in Japan for two years, teaching English to both adults and children.

Briar really enjoys teaching at Long Bay Primary. She eagerly takes on new opportunities around the school and is enthusiastic and positive about her teaching career. She believes humour and fun are essential elements in the classroom as they help create a close knit and supportive class atmosphere enabling the students to achieve their best.

Briar is a trained Waterwise instructor and enjoys the days out sailing with the students at Waiake beach. She currently has the role of the Health curriculum coordinator at school.