Staff – Mokoia Intermediate School

Senior Leadership Team

Matua Rawiri Wihapi

Principal/Tumuaki

About Me

I have a 'Passion' for education, teaching and learning. I have been a teacher for 33 years, and 22 of those years as a Principal. Making Mokoia Intermediate a safe place for students to learn is the key to building a positive environment. Our staff play a huge part in nurturing our students to success. We are Limitless! We are Passionate! We are Mokoia!

E: rwihapi@mokoia.school.nz

Mrs Kathryn McMurdo

Deputy Principal Curriculum

About Me

Kia ora, I started my journey at Mokoia Intermediate in 2015 after moving down from Auckland with my family. I have more than 16yrs of teaching under my belt in middle and upper primary, and intermediate. I enjoy teaching both Year 7’s and Year 8’s and watching them grow as learners in their time with us. I am the lead teacher of Mathematics, specialising in accelerating learners and making maths achievable for all. I am in charge of organising both the inter school Math’s competitions and Cricket. When I’m not teaching you’ll find me on the side of a sports field, walking, biking or swimming with my family or enjoying a good book.

E: kmcmurdo@mokoia.school.nz

Mr Dean Henderson

Deputy Principal - Pastoral Care/SENCO

About Me

Kia ora koutou, I’ve been teaching for almost 30 years in various schools across Rotorua. I have a passion for inclusive education and making sure that all students have access to a high quality education. If your child has additional learning needs feel free to contact me so we can work together toward the best outcome. In my home time I’m a devoted doggy dad to Ripley, my French Bulldog. I love reading grimdark fantasy, pottering in the garden and buying stuff I really don't need.

E: dhenderson@mokoia.school.nz

Kaituna

Whaea Rangihotuana Monaghan

Rumaki Kaiako, Year 7

About Me

Coming Soon

E: rmonaghan@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Tiare Davis

Rumaki Leader, Year 8

About Me

Coming Soon

E: tdavis@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Jess Gibbs

Learning Centre Leader, Year 8

About Me

Kia Ora!! I am so excited to be back at Mokoia Intermediate. I look forward to working with your tamariki here at Mokoia and being a part of their schooling journey! This will be done with lots of fun and learning along the way! I am born and bred in Rotorua and spend my spare time with my husband and 2 boys enjoying all that Rotorua has to offer. I have a personal passion for performing arts and singing, football and generally enjoying the outdoors with our 2 Labradors".

E: jgibbs@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Annie Hutchison

Year 7

About Me

Coming Soon

E: ahutchison@mokoia.school.nz

Matua Richie Cribb

Year 7

About Me

Kia ora koutou, I am Matua Richie and I am the classroom teacher of the wonderfully talented students in Kaituna 1. I believe in creating a supportive and caring learning environment where all my students can feel confident to achieve their best. I love teaching and I enjoy the challenges and rewards the profession comes with. My students will engage regularly in fitness and P.E and experience all sporting codes and movement concepts. I also enjoy teaching literacy such as writing where students can express their ideas across all writing genre. In the weekend and holidays, I love chilling with my beautiful wife Becs, and tamariki Kaya, Keanu, Aria & Eli. "This is the Way" Mandalorian 2019

E: rcribb@mokoia.school.nz

Waiteti

Mr Gareth Upston

Year 8/Sports Co-ordinator

About Me

E: gupston@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Evelyn Lukis

Year 8/Reliever

About Me

Coming soon

E: elukis@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Isabel Katene

Year 8

About Me

Tena Koutou, ko Isabel ahau. I teach in Waiteti 2. I enjoy spending quality time with my whānau, reading, chilling with friends and spending time in some favourite local spots around Rotorua. I have been teaching for a little while now, but every day for me is a learning day... I hope to meet you one day 😊 Nā Isabel

E: ikatene@mokoia.school.nz

Miss Casey Smith

Year 7

About Me

E: cssmith@mokoia.school.nz

Mrs Tineke O'Callaghan

Learning Centre Leader, Year 7

About Me

Kia ora! I’ve been teaching in Rotorua for 22 years, with a brief stint in London along the way. I’m passionate about inclusive education and have a particular strength in supporting students with dyslexia, as well as helping neurodiverse learners reach their full potential. As a proud mum to two beautiful girls, I know how important it is to nurture each student’s unique strengths. I love anything bright and colourful—especially hot pink—and sparkly things always catch my eye! My aim is to inspire all students to push beyond their comfort zones and grow, both academically and personally.

E: tocallaghan@mokoia.school.nz

Puarenga

Whaea Melanie Gordon

Year 8

About Me

Kia ora. I’m Melanie Gordon, and I’ve been teaching in the beautiful Bay of Plenty for a number of years. I live with my husband and our laid-back Labradoodle, Cherry, who keeps us company at home. I’m loving being part of the Mokoia whānau and really enjoy creating fun, supportive learning experiences for my students. I look forward to getting to know our tamariki and helping them grow on their learning journey.

E: mgordon@mokoia.school.nz

Miss Deana Turner

Year 7

About Me

Coming Soon

E: dturner@mokoia.school.nz

Mrs Toni Bocock

Year 7

About Me

Coming Soon

E: tbocock@mokoia.school.nz

Mr Glen Law

Learning Centre Leader, Year 8

About Me

I have been teaching at Mokoia since 2010, and really enjoy being part of the Mokoia community. I have three daughters and a gorgeous, (well I think so) schnoodle named ChewwyBarker.

E: glaw@mokoia.school.nz

Utuhina

Whaea Lisa Te Whare

Technology Leader - Digital/Science Ext.

About Me

I am a 'career change' teacher, who has had previous experience in private sector corporate Sales, Marketing and Account management. I have experience in Project management in the tertiary sector. My qualifications include Fine art, Design, Contemporary Maori Design, and Business Marketing. I have industry sales experience and training in industrial chemical supply. I come from a family of teachers, and finally heeded the call to change careers. My Tribal affiliations are Ngati Hine (Matawaia), Kai Tahu (Kati Huirapa) and by marriage, Ngati Whakaue (Te Roro o te Rangi). As the leader of Utuhina technology, it is my wish for the students to shine in a different light, to be curious, to develop their academic confidence and practical skill base, and take away a positive lifelong memorable experience.

E: ltewhare@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Fiona Wilcock

Technology - Visual Arts

About Me

Kia ora, I am lucky to be the Visual Arts Specialist Teacher at Mokoia Intermediate. A strong advocate for supporting the creative thinking and visual expression of our young people. I hope to inspire and empower your tamariki through creative hands on minds on learning experiences. I love living in Rotorua where the arts are a thriving and rich part of our beautiful rohe. I enjoy living here with my musical husband, energetic son, and three very affectionate cats.

E: fwilcock@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Delina Dibben

Technology - Food

About Me

After 2 years of relieving at Mokoia Intermediate, an opportunity to be apart of Utuhina came along. With my 18 years of experience in the hospitality sector, it was the perfect fit for me. I am the food Technology Teacher and I love to teach children to make dishes they never thought were possible. We focus on using everyday ingredients and lifting these dishes to a cafe standard. I also provide an inclusive environment and adapt the lessons to suit all allergies and cultural food preferences.

E: ddibben@mokoia.school.nz

Matua Jeremy Donnell

Technology - Hard Materials

About Me

Coming soon.

E: jdonnell@mokoia.school.nz

Support Staff

Waengaehe Administration Centre

Support Staff

Mrs Sue Rasdall

Office Manager

About Me

I have four adult children and three grandchildren. I enjoy the outdoors especially camping, walking my dog, swimming and time in the coromandel. I have been at Mokoia for 19 years, starting off in the classroom and then later into the office to gain full time employment. I love the school environment and the relationships that I build with the students. Mokoia is a great place to work, each day brings different challenges and rewards.

E: srasdall@mokoia.school.nz

Mrs Heather Lind

Resource Manager

About Me

Coming Soon

E: hlind@mokoia.school.nz

Jann Kieck

Release Teacher

About Me

Kia ora koutou, Originally from South Africa, I have called New Zealand home since June 2019. My husband, 3 boys and I have fallen in love with Rotorua: particularly the lakes, forest and rich culture. I have been a teacher for just over 13 years, working with students and families from a range of different backgrounds. I am thrilled to be returning to Mokoia Intermediate and the wonderful staff who serve this school community.

E: jkieck@mokoia.school.nz

Matua Renata Clarke

Learning Support

About Me

Coming Soon

E: rclarke@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Donnella Mattock

Learning Support

About Me

Coming Soon

E: dmattock@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Ellen Leach

Learning Support

About Me

Coming Soon

E: eleach@mokoia.school.nz

Matua Hori Hapi

Kaiarahi i te Reo

About Me

Everything I do within the kura is always about the needs of our Akonga. Mauri ora!

E: hhapi@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Karyn Thaine

Learning Support

About Me

I love being part of Mokoia Intermediate School, the staff and students are amazing and I really enjoy helping the students on their learning journey. My family and I have been living in Rotorua for 9 years now and we love the lakes, the forest and the people.

E: kthaine@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Anna Ranginui

Learning Support

About Me

Kia ora, I’m passionate about my role as a Learning Support Assistant, where I get to support both teachers and students. Born and raised in Rotorua, I’ve got a special connection to this place, as a proud past student of Mokoia Intermediate. I’m also a mum to two beautiful girls who keep me on my toes! I genuinely love what I do, and I feel so grateful to be part of the Mokoia community, working alongside such amazing students and staff every day!

E: aranginui@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Cheyla Samuels

Learning Support/Choir

About Me

I am a private music tutor (advanced singing , intermediate drums , guitar and bass and beginner keyboard.

E: csamuels@mokoia.school.nz

Matua Jerome Namana

Learning Support/Band

About Me

Coming Soon

E: jnamana@mokoia.school.nz

Matua Jireh MacFarlane-Roach

Learning Support

About Me

Coming Soon

E: jmacfarlaneroach@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Rika Climo

Learning Support

About Me

Coming Soon

E: rclimo@mokoia.school.nz

Whaea Antonia Wright

Learning Support

About Me

Kia ora, I have been a learning support assistant at Mokoia for 2 years. I love working with the dedicated staff here, and helping Mokoia tamariki get the best out of their time at intermediate. I love all things creative and do a lot of art and sewing in my spare time. I also love spending time with my husband, 2 children (aged 7 and 13), and our dog, Peppa, particularly in our beautiful forest and lakes here in Rotorua.

E: awright@mokoia.school.nz

Matua Rangitaiki Paul

Kaiawhina/Kapa Haka

About Me

Mr Bert Hollis

Caretaker

About Me

Coming Soon

E: bhollis@mokoia.school.nz

Mrs Wendy Mitchell

Dental Therapist

About Me

Coming Soon

E: wmitchell@mokoia.school.nz

Miss Sara Gardiner

Dental Assistant

About Me

Coming Soon

E: sgardiner@mokoia.school.nz