Our Staff

I have been involved with international students for many years and I am very lucky to work in a happy, caring and well-informed school.  

Tēnā koutou,

 My name is Jodi Morris. I first starting working in schools in 2003 in London. I enjoyed the feeling of being part of a school community and being able to positively engage with parents, students and teachers. In 2020 we moved to New Zealand and we enrolled our 4 children at Newton Central. We were warmly welcomed by all. In 2021 and 2022, I was the kitchen specialist for the Garden to Table programme here at Newton.  And as of 2023, I accepted a role as part- time administrator. I continue to enjoy working at Newton Central in my new role.  

My name is Julie McGrail. I started working at Newton Central School when my two children started school as a teacher aid in 2006.

I started my current role as receptionist in 2007. I am your first point of contact at the school.

I enjoy my job working with the staff, children and community.

Kia orana! I started working at Newton Central School in 1990 as a Kaiawhina and am now Office Manager. I have worked under 3 Principals.

I enjoy my job and am privileged to be working alongside enthusiastic staff, wonderful children and a great community. 

My husband John attended Newton Central School and our four children also attended, and it’s a pleasure to see our grandchildren now attending.

Hello Newton Central School whanau!  I’m a mum to Ariki, sister and friend to many.  I’m also a leader of learning and change, an advocate for inclusive education, learner voice, whanau engagement, and passionate about supporting our learners, their whanau, and our teaching teams into the future.  

I’m thrilled to have recently made the move back to Auckland after living in the Manawatu for over 15 years and then again recently for a year.  I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching, leading, and learning alongside my colleagues, peers, and friends!   Throughout my professional career, I have been able to take on various roles within leadership teams and special education.  I have supported learners, their whanau, and educators in both mainstream and specialist school settings, in rural, small town, little city and major city areas.  

It’s so exciting to be back living in Grey Lynn and now a part of the Newton Central School whanau!  I’m really looking forward to meeting and supporting you all while learning with, from and about you all!  

Nga mihi

Trudi

Anne-Maree has lived in the Bay of Islands for the last twenty-five years and is proud to be a part of the Paihia/Waitangi Community. She has worked at Paihia Primary School for the last seventeen years, and as an experienced teacher, Anne-Maree is excited about making the transition to Auckland to be closer to family.  Anne works in the Junior area of the school and loves her job. She believes that education is the key to success in life and that learners should be valued for the divergent skills they arrive at school with. She is constantly assessing her own practice and strives to keep up with current thinking and research. 

Kia ora Newton Central School whānau! Originally from Christchurch, I have been teaching in Auckland for 6 years. I have recently completed a Master of Education degree at AUT. Outside of school I am into sports, music and reading. I’m looking forward to teaching at a community-oriented school and improving my Te Reo Māori. 

“The potential to change the world. This is the power that I see in all of my ākonga. I enjoy working with my colleagues and each learner’s whānau to develop this power, which fuels my passion for child-centred teaching. “Mā te whiritahi, ka whakatutuki ai ngā pūmanawa o tāngata” – Together, we will weave the realisation of potential”

Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi; engari he toa takitini

Success is not the work of one, but the work of many

Kia ora. I am thrilled to be joining Newton Central Primary School. I grew up in Waitākere and after teaching there for several years, I spent 6 years teaching in London. Since returning to Tāmaki Makaurau, I have taught in Titirangi for 14 years. I have recently moved to the area and I am excited to be part of a diverse and vibrant learning community. I look forward to building strong relationships and belonging to a community where we support each other to grow and develop.

Outside of school, I ​enjoy yoga, walking, swimming and stand up paddle-boarding. I love spending time with my parents, sisters, niece and nephew and extended family, here in Tāmaki Makaurau, Rotorua and Ruakākā.

Kia ora Newton Community,

I am passionate about child-centered education that celebrates self-expression, positive relationships, and cultural inclusivity. Underpinning my teaching is a belief in the importance of kaitiakitanga and the power of creativity. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Art History, and before pursuing my teaching qualification I worked on regenerative farms overseas. When not at school, I like to read, swim, walk, and spend time with loved ones. I am community-oriented, and feel incredibly fortunate to have joined the Newton whānau.

Proud to be part of the Newton Central School whānau, I bring with me my years teaching within our community, at The Toy Maker’s Cottage Preschool, as well as my years teaching Year 0-1 overseas. Originally from Chicago, U.S.A., I lived and worked in Istanbul, Turkey, being Turkish myself, before coming to NZ with my husband to live permanently. Underpinning my teaching philosophy is my value of care: to be caring to ourselves, each other, and Papatūānuku. I am passionate about science and nature as well as music and storytelling, rooted in te ao Māori. I am a strong advocate for tamariki well-being – helping them express themselves, develop empathy for others and practice problem solving.  

Marie has an interest in film, music, the arts and increasing her knowledge of tikanga and te reo Māori. She welcomes diversity in the classroom and enjoys establishing positive, productive relationships with tamariki and their whānau. 

I empower tamariki to play, work, learn and grow together.

Kia Orana koutou katoa, my love for Newton began when I was a student during the 80s-90s. My oldest daughter also attended and I plan on having my second child enrol when she turns five. I’ve been working here for 10 years now and still believe it’s the best little school in the world. Kia manuia koutou katoa.

Helen is an ex-student, former Newton parent and long-time staff member at Newton Central. She thoroughly enjoys sharing her talents in art and music with the children, and finds joy in seeing them succeed.

“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try” – John F. Kennedy

I have been involved with international students for many years and I am very lucky to work in a happy, caring and well-informed school.  

Kia Ora,

Ko Hikurangi te Maunga

Ko Waiapu te Awa

Ko Horouta te Waka

Ko Puketawai te Marae 

Ko Ngāti Porou te Iwi 

Ko Nadia Ahau 

I have been a Kaiawhina for 6 years and have been apart of the Newton Whānau for 1 of those years.

I’m so lucky to be apart of Te kura a rito o Newton, the best little school in the world. 

If you can’t find me in the classroom then you will find me on the courts coaching Netball & Basketball 🏀 

Kia ora, Talofa Lava, Bula Vinaka, Malo e Lelei, Fakalofa lahi atu, Nihao, Namaste, Chao, Kia orana and greetings to you all. 

Ko Horouta te waka 

Ko Tokatea te maunga  

Ko Kiekie to awa 

Ko Ngati Porou te iwi 

Ko Te Whānau a Raikairoa te hapu 

Ko Bryan Rehutai ahau 

I am delighted to be a part of the Newton Central School Whānau and start as your new Tumuaki. Our school community has dedicated, talented educators committed to uplifting our tamariki.

My professional background is rooted in building relationships, education, and leadership. For the past twenty years, I have worked in education as a leader and teacher in Aotearoa and Dubai.

As leader of our Kura, I am responsible for ensuring the progress in learning for every ākonga. We strive to ensure all students understand the values Whanaungatanga, Kaitiakitanga, Rangatiratanga and Manaakitanga as they enter our world as lifelong learners.

Aroha mai. Aroha atu. Mana mai. Mana atu. 

Kia ora. I feel extremely fortunate to be working at Newton Central School alongside an incredibly diverse and dedicated team in a vibrant natural oasis amidst Auckland’s CBD.  I enjoy what the city has to offer from island getaways, beaches, parks and entertainment.

Kia Orana, I’ve been working at Newton Central for 39 years now, making me the longest staff member within the school community. I started back in 1979, having taken over the cleaning services as well as being a board of trustees member for several years. All three of my children have attended Newton when they were young, as well as my grandchildren. I find it a true blessing to work in such a family oriented environment, and have enjoyed watching the many changes our school has gone through in the past three decades.

Long-time staff member, local resident & former Newton parent (x3). It’s not just what you do, but how & why you do it.

“Whāia te iti kahurangi, ki te tuohu koe, me he maunga teitei.”

 After retiring from full time teaching I have spent time relieving and working part time in different schools.  When we bought a house in the Auckland area I discovered Newton Central School and was fortunate to make this friendly school the only one in which I relieve.  My time is spent between Auckland and Waihi Beach where my husband and I live in our beach house since retiring from the King Country.

I always value that our parents and families are a child’s first teachers. By the time they come to school, I love it when we see a child continue to grow in confidence as they learn to read, write, do maths and make friendships and develop in other areas.

Aden believes teaching and learning is reciprocal, by responding to the aspirations of the school, iwi, hapū and whānau (i.e. whanaungatanga, manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, kotahitanga and wairuatanga), all of our tamariki/learners can thrive. Our learners are our treasure/taonga.   

Aden is proficient in Te Reo Māori and versed in tikanga Māori. Between 2016 to 2017 he successfully completed two Te Reo Māori programmes, one at Te Wānanga o Takiura and another at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa.  

Kia Ora,

Ko Hikurangi te Maunga

Ko Waiapu te Awa

Ko Horouta te Waka

Ko Puketawai te Marae 

Ko Ngāti Porou te Iwi 

Ko Nadia Ahau 

I have been a Kaiawhina for 6 years and have been apart of the Newton Whānau for 1 of those years.

I’m so lucky to be apart of Te kura a rito o Newton, the best little school in the world. 

If you can’t find me in the classroom then you will find me on the courts coaching Netball & Basketball 🏀 

‘Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti arāhia ō tātou mahi’

 ‘Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work’

A passionate teacher who relishes scientific inquiry and pursues creative innovation for all student learning.

He ika ki te moana! Ko au ki te whenua! Ko Tīkapaoneone hokinga kāinga e kō, kō, i a e ara e! 

Eke panuku, eke Tangaroa i ngā ngaru taioreore o te mātauranga. Hī! Hā! Hī! 

Kia Ora,

Ko Hikurangi te Maunga

Ko Waiapu te Awa

Ko Horouta te Waka

Ko Puketawai te Marae 

Ko Ngāti Porou te Iwi 

Ko Nadia Ahau 

I have been a Kaiawhina for 6 years and have been apart of the Newton Whānau for 1 of those years.

I’m so lucky to be apart of Te kura a rito o Newton, the best little school in the world. 

If you can’t find me in the classroom then you will find me on the courts coaching Netball & Basketball 🏀