The word ‘Atatu' means the beginning of a
new journey in Maori, so this is an appropriate name for the syndicate that children enter from the age of 5 at our
school. This year there are four Atatu classes: Room 1 (New Entrants and Year 1), Room 2 (Year 1 and 2), Room 3 (New Entrants and Year 1) and Room 5 (Year 2).
We have an 'open door' policy at our school. This means you are always welcome to pop down and see us if you have any queries or concerns. If we are not immediately available, we will arrange a mutual convenient time to talk with you.
Atatu class teachers have set up websites for you to keep up with our learning and programmes. These can be accessed by clicking here or on the room number of each teacher listed below.
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Jo Patrick Associate Principal, Team Leader Atatu Jo began her role as Associate Principal, Atatu in 2006. She has a Diploma in Teaching and Bachelor of Education from Waikato University, trained to teach English as a Second Language in London,and has just completed a Masters in Education (Honours) with the University of Auckland. She has been a classroom teacher for many years: in Whakatane for her first year, at Sherwood School, Browns Bay in 1985 and 1986, Aycliffe Drive JMI in Hemel Hempstead in the UK for two years, and Milford and Marina View Schools in Auckland in the early 1990's. Jo developed a particularly strong interest in maths teaching in the 1990's, and worked on a Ministry of Education contract 'Parent Education in Relation to Maths' in 1995. She lectured in maths education at Auckland College of Education and was a Maths Adviser and Numeracy Facilitator based at the University of Auckland Faculty of Education for seven years. Jo currently leads the numeracy curriculum team. Jo has a eleven year old daughter and lives locally. |
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Helen Fairclough Helen Fairclough is an experienced junior school school teacher who has been teaching Year 0 and 1 children at Long Bay Primary since 2007. Helen has been teaching for over thirty years. She trained as a teacher in the UK and has taught a range of classes from nursery aged children (kindergarten) to Year 2. She taught mainly in the North of England. Since migrating to New Zealand, Helen has taught at Coatesville and Kaukapapa School before joining Long Bay. She recently completed her Bachelor of Education Degree. Helen lives on the North Shore with her family. |
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Bonnie Mills Bonnie is an experienced junior school teacher and she joined Long Bay Primary in term 2 2011. With teaching experience in all primary age levels she enjoys the challenges that teaching five year olds presents. Witnessing a child transition from pre-school to school is rewarding as they develop independence and self-confidence while progressing both academically and socially. Bonnie studied at Auckland University for a Bachelor of Education and graduated in 2004. She is also Reading Recovery qualified and has experience with teaching children with Special Needs. |
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Chris Turner Christine Turner has been teaching at Long Bay Primary School for 17 years. Christine trained at Wellington Teachers College and has taught in Wellington, Hawkes Bay and Auckland. In 1999 she completed her Advanced Diploma of Teaching at Auckland College of Education with papers in Art, Reading, Science and Maths and she has a Certificate in Art Teaching. Married with 2 adult sons, Christine and her husband Rob have an 8 acre lifestyle block in Albany where they keep 14 Angora goats and five sheep. In her spare time Christine enjoys reading, sailing, walking her dogs and developing her garden. |
