Teaching Staff

Toby StokesMr  (Toby) Stokes, Principal

Tena koutou!  

Being the principal of Crofton Downs Primary School is an amazing opportunity and I am really enjoying the role I have here.  I have had a lot of recent teaching experience across all levels of primary school and bring with me an interest in Science, Technology and ICT.

I am passionate about focusing on an individual's learning needs and strive to put in place a happy, exciting and challenging learning environment.

Feel free to contact me, (my email is below), if you have any questions, or would like to help out the school in any way.

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Daniel KayMr  Kay

I was born in Wellington but grew up in the Wairarapa. I have eighteen years teaching experience in NZ, the UK and the USA.  My interests include movies, 80’s music, Tottenham Hotspur, and keeping up with my son Ned.  I feel very fortunate to be working in such a fantastic school as Crofton Downs Primary School!

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Louise Gusterson

Mrs Gusterson

I've been at CDPS since 2007 and although I started my career in the UK, most of my teaching experience has now been in Wellington. The school has grown a lot in that time, but our core values and commitment to relationships with children and their families has stayed the same. This is what I love about our school. 
I'm Deputy Principal, spending half of my time in classrooms, working with children and half helping run the school. I am also, currently, the elected staff representative on our Board of Trustees. I wear a lot of different 'hats' at school but enjoy the variety of moving from planning the strategic direction of the school, to working with individual children. 

My teaching passion is Philosophy for Children and I also put a lot of time and effort into our school bush area. I live with my husband in Island Bay and have two older daughters, now both at university.

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Rebecca Lavigne

Rebecca Lavigne

Kia ora, Bonjour!
I am really happy to be extending my work at Crofton Downs School this year into a wider SENCO role. You might see me most often in the Junior classes, but this year I also have the opportunity to support learning programmes across the school, which I am really looking forward to. I have two children at Crofton Downs and am very proud to be part of the wider school community as well as the teaching staff.

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Deja Harrison

Deja Harrison

I grew up in San Jose, California, USA.  From there, I moved to Boise, Idaho with my husband in 1999.  I taught kindergarten, third grade and sixth grade in Idaho.  Prior to teaching I had another career working in administration for technology, medical and academic industries.  I love ICT, technology, character education and using movement, music and meditation in the classroom.  My personal interests include outdoor adventure sports such as whitewater kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, tramping and yoga.  Naturally, we were drawn to New Zealand for the cultural and outdoor opportunities and decided to move here in 2013.  I feel very blessed to be a part of this wonderful community at Crofton Downs Primary School.

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Miss Wood

I am also from Wellington but have travelled and lived abroad.  I am really excited to be teaching at Crofton Downs Primary School as I already know the children and staff really well.  We are so lucky to be at such a fantastic little school with such huge spirit.  There is so much variety here, everyday is full of learning challenges and successes.

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Alice Johnson

Kia Ora. My name is Alice Johnson and I feel very lucky to have joined the Crofton Downs School community. I grew up in Wellington and have returned back from travelling overseas. My passion is working with children and seeing them blossom into individuals. I am excited to share more of my interests with the school such as arts and crafts & music. I also like spending time with my family and going on bush walks with my dog, Bundy.

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Kriss Rose

I'm a Wellingtonian. I've been a primary teacher and an English language teacher for most of my working life. I've taught all levels in primary schools and polytechnics in NZ and I've worked in several other countries, including three years teaching in Japan. I believe that exposure to other languages at an early age has wide ranging benefits in all areas of learning. The children at Crofton Downs Primary School have a rich multicultural environment in which to learn a new language and they are enthusiastic language learners! CDPS is one of the friendliest, most supportive schools I have worked in and I feel privileged to be on the staff this year as the Japanese language teacher.

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Gill Savage

I am a teacher with passion and I feel very lucky to be working at Crofton Downs Primary School. I have almost 20 years teaching experience in a variety of school in the Lower North Island and in the UK.

I have an interest in Philosophy for Children and New Zealand Sign Language, which I use as a regular part of my teaching. I am enthusiastic about helping the children reach their individual excellence and I love to see them progress in a positive manner.

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Liz Martindale

I was born in Hamilton but have lived in many places including Dargaville, Auckland and Wellington. Since completing teacher training in Wellington, I have taught in a variety of schools locally and in the UK. My interests include visual arts, walking, reading and spending time with my children. I love the child centred approach to learning at CDPS and value the positive, caring environment that is at the heart of this school. There is a fantastic team of people working here, who are passionate about encouraging children to become life long learners. It is a privilege to be part of this wonderful community.

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Kate Millner

Kia Ora, I am so pleased to be a part of the Crofton Downs School Community. One of the things I love most about this school is the heart I see from every single child I come across. How lucky we are to have such cool little people here! There is also a fantastic team of staff who I feel very privileged to work alongside.  
I am originally from Hawkes Bay but made the move to Wellington for my teacher training and I've stuck around. My favourite thing about teaching is the enthusiasm and unbridled joy that children have - it is infectious. I also love to sing in my classroom, you will often hear it as you walk by.

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Josh McDonald

Kia ora! I am super happy to be part of the team here at Crofton Downs Primary School! I love that we have such a diverse bunch of learners and especially love how much they enjoy coming to school each day! It makes CDPS a very nice place to be every day. 

I'm a big believer in the idea that I can teach and relate students interests to just about every subject we teach here, and always aim to include those in my lessons to make sure everyone stays engaged in what they're learning.    
I'm a Wellingtonian through and through and love that I can be part of the vibrant and supportive community here at CDPS. 

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Sarah Young

I am so happy to be a part of the CDPS community and I feel privileged to be working at such a supportive, caring and happy school.  I have had the opportunity to meet and interact with many different students and they have all shown themselves to have incredible HEART (as well as the other Spirits).  I am excited to see where my teaching journey, here at CDPS, leads me to next.

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Kirsty Ferguson

I have a passion for teaching and have taught across the northern suburbs and spent 9 years teaching students with Specific Learning Difficulties. I love mathematics and finding ways to inspire and motivate students. I am looking forward to working at CDPS and excited to be woking with my class! 

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Fiona Maddever

 

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Mrs Campbell, Teacher Release

Stacey is our "Jack of all trades!"  Her role sees her working in a range of classes throughout the school, ensuring the students have the highest levels of teaching when the classroom teacher is released for administration work.  Stacey works on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Mrs Stainton, Reading Recovery

Pam is our Reading Recovery teacher and can be found working with individuals to develop their reading skills.