Kia Ora, my name is Melanie Wakeham and I have been at Pinehaven for a few years now. I am the Assistant Principal and Kereru Team Leader. I have many roles at Pinehaven including running Kapa Haka. I have taught across all age groups from NE-Yr8. This year I will be based in Te Awa in Room 3. My husband and I have 3 boys, Caleb 23, Jake 20 and Max 16. I have rediscovered my interests in Reading and The Arts now that two of our boys have left home. I am originally from Adelaide but have lived in Hutt Valley for many years. I love working with all the tamariki across the school.
Kia ora. I am Nadine Duncalf. I have been working with the youngest learners at Pinehaven school for a number of years and have been teaching in New Zealand and London since 2000. I am passionate about providing tamariki with a smooth transition into school life through our play-based setting. Relationships are key and I love building them with my students and their whānau. My daughter Piper (14) and my son Edward (11) are both ex Pinehaven students. In my spare time I exercise and am a very busy dance mum. I am looking forward to welcoming more new students into our kura.
Kia ora. I am Patricia Hvid and I have been teaching at Pinehaven School for a number of years across years 1-4. My interests are gardening, the environment, crochet, the Arts and my Danish heritage. I enjoy teaching across the full range of the curriculum. My husband and I have two adult sons, Hamish (27) and Martin (23), as well as three miniature Schnauzers, so that keeps me busy! I am looking forward to another exciting year and working in partnership with you and your children.
Kia ora, my name’s Kelsey Smith and I will be Room 4’s Kaiako (teacher) along with Alice. I have been at Pinehaven School for 6 years now and have been teaching for 10 years. I have a daughter named Zara who is 5 years old and a son named Miller who is 3 years old. In my spare time I love being outdoors, bushwalking, playing netball, camping, swimming, arts and crafts and reading. I look forward to continuing to build the connections I have with the tamariki and support them to progress in all areas.
I’m really excited to be working with the Year 4 and 5 tamariki this year. I love Pinehaven School and have enjoyed getting to know the community over the last two years. My daughter Izzy starts here this year and I also have a 17 month old Brodie. This is an exciting year for me as I will be getting married to my partner Pete in the Term 3 school holidays. Between work and
home I don’t have a lot of spare time but when I do I enjoy baking and being outside.
I am very happy to be starting my 26th year here at Pinehaven School. The community,
students and setting here at Pinehaven are amazing. My wife and I have lived in Upper Hutt since 1997 and have an eighteen year old son. I am a huge fan of most American sports and enjoy talking about sports and politics.
