Mark is the Kāhui Ako Lead Principal and is the principal at Papakōwhai School. He  is excited to build on the strong connections and learning opportunities across our Kāhui Ako. Collaboration between our schools is led by the principals’ leadership group and the Across School Teachers. It is a privilege to be part of a strong network of committed professionals across the Kāhui Ako.

Mark's experience and collaborative approach have been built over a long career in education and educational leadership, with a 30 year connection to the North Porirua area.

You can contact Mark at:

mark@papakowhai.school.nz 

Kia ora koutou, ko Toni Kahu-Sweet tēnei.

Toni has been teaching at Rangikura School for 15 years, across all year groups. She has a passion for Māori education, specifically in English medium schools, and has completed a Master of Education majoring in Māori Education. Toni has been leading NPKA Cultural Connections since 2021. Prior to being an ‘Across School Teacher Lead’ Toni had held the role of WST, working with our Rangatahi roopu. As a Kāhui Ako ASTL Toni is looking forward to connecting with schools across our NPKA assisting Cultural Connections while working alongside kaiako, ākonga and other ASTLs in their workstreams. 

You can contact Toni

tonik@rangikura.school.nz 

Sara Watchorn

PapakōwhaiSchool

Wellbeing and Early Learning Network Leader

Sara Watchorn has been a primary teacher for over twenty years across all levels and has been teaching at Papakōwhai School for the past five years.

Sara has a strong interest in the Hauora/Well-being space  and is passionate about teaching children how to notice and regulate the range of emotions that we all experience. 

She is looking forward to supporting ECE’s and schools across the NPKA with well-being. This could include working alongside educators, assisting with student self-regulation, running network, staff and parent professional development around Mindfulness and well-being and also supporting transitioning to school from ECE to primary and primary to college.

You can contact Sara at

sara@papakowhai.school.nz 

Sharon has been at Pāuatahanui School for the last ten years, teaching across the Junior and Middle school. 

She is passionate about developing students' understanding of the Nature of Science in a hands-on approach to develop curious and critical thinkers. She has participated in the Royal Society Te Apārangi Science Teaching Leadership Programme.   

Sharon is leading the Mathematics workstream and is looking forward to supporting ākonga and kaiako with Te Mātaiaho, Curriculum Refresh.    

You can contact Sharon- 

sharong@pauatahanui.school.nz 

Brenda Collins

Aotea College

Pasifika Student Success Network LeaderTālofa lava, Mālō le soifua

Brenda has been teaching in Secondary School education for the past 17 years.  She has a passion for Porirua and Pasifika success.  As a Kāhui Ako ASTL, Brenda will be looking forward to connecting with schools to work alongside ākonga, kaiako and whānau to strengthen and make a difference to the educational opportunities for learners in the North Porirua Kāhui Ako, and to celebrate Pasifika student success.

You can contact Brenda at col@aotea.school.nz 

Shauna 

Cory-Wright

Papakōwhai School

Literacy 

Network Leader

Partner Schools:

Plimmerton and Paremata.

Shauna has been teaching at Papakōwhai School for the past thirteen years. During that time she has taught at a range of levels from New Entrants to Y6 and currently has a Y5/6 class. Shauna has a passion for supporting children’s literacy development and believes in sharing evidence-based best practice. She is a lifelong learner and in 2023 started a Master’s in Literacy Education with Massey University. Additionally, Shauna has an interest in gifted education. Before taking up the position of Across Schools Teacher Leader, Shauna was the gifted co-ordinator at Papakōwhai School for several years. In this role, she supported her colleagues in identifying and meeting the needs of gifted and twice exceptional students. 

You can contact Shauna by emailing shauna@papakowhai.school.nz