I joined Tahatai Coast School as an experienced Tumuaki (Principal) in 2016, moving from Wellington, where I was a tumuaki at a school in the Hutt Valley. 

Born and raised in Hawkes Bay, I was excited to begin my teaching career in Flaxmere, Hastings, in 1994. Since then, I have taught in the UK and Wellington, eventually being appointed to senior leadership in 2004. As Deputy Principal, I quickly discovered my passion for educational leadership and was appointed to my first principalship a few years later. 

In my capacity as a Tumuaki I am responsible for driving the strategic intent of Tahatai Coast School, working collaboratively alongside an incredible team. As an educational leader, I am here to support and enable quality teaching and learning. Ensuring our kura (school) is a great place for tamariki (our students), kaiako (our staff) and whānau (our community). 

As a board member, I offer strategic education insight and leadership to the board, in addition to serving as the board's CEO, reporting on all aspects of operational life and management at school. 

I am a parent-elected board member who has been serving on the Tahatai Coast School Board since March 2018 and have been Presiding Member since November 2019.

All three of my children have attended TCS but the older two are off to their respective intermediates and high schools. During our time here we have really enjoyed the sense of belonging and the great community feel that this school brings.

My working life began in education with thirteen years teaching experience, eleven of these I was a teacher/team leader at Tahatai Coast School. Since leaving the teaching profession I have started a successful business in the construction industry. These two different skill sets have complimented my time on the board in being able to seek information from both an educational and business perspective.

I find it a privilege to be serving on a board that really values providing clear governance which enhances the educational outcomes for ALL tamariki. The collaboration of our team is a highlight for me in the way that we are all able to commit our time to build on the solid foundation that has been set before us. As we continue to strive for excellence, I know that we are applying some clear strategic intent to all of our decision making, future proofing decisions that provide clear direction for ongoing years.

Kia ora,

I am Gemma Tebble and I am the staff representative for our Board. I have worked at Tahatai since 2019, in the junior school. I have a passion for developing young students' minds and giving them the best start to their schooling. Tahatai is such a great place to work, we are a collaborative staff and we all put our students' needs first.

Outside of school I can be found on the beach, at a restaurant or walking my two dogs through the beautiful Pāpāmoa neighbourhood I am so fortunate to call home

Kia Ora – I have been a parent elected trustee for the past 8 years, starting when my son and his friends first started their education journey.

I also was employed on a fixed term basis for 11 years at Tahatai in Special Education as a Learning Assistant until late last year.

I am back working in financial accounting and employment and to this I have always been on the finance committee at Tahatai.

I believe in the school and parents being in a partnership to empower, include and grow young minds to become lifelong learners and enjoy all that school and the wider community have to offer. 

I am always excited to enable the school to achieve its goals and help create a supportive school environment for staff and all children who are lucky enough to attend this great school.

Outside of work – I enjoy my family and life in this beautiful area we get to call home.

I am a parent representative on the Tahatai Coast School Board, serving since October 2022.  I also serve on the sponsorship committee.

I currently have one child in year 5 at Tahatai, however she is my third daughter to attend the school and so I have been in the Tahatai community for nearly nine years.  I have seen it grow and blossom into the heart of the community it is today.

I am a self- employed Physiotherapist and currently work across 3 centres in the community, Pacific Coast Village, Ocean Shores Avida Village and from the Audika clinic in Papamoa. I work part-time so I can support my girls with their afterschool activities and have time to assist with Board matters.

Tahatai Coast School is a wonderful school with fantastic team of passionate and exceptional teachers and staff. I have come to know many teachers and children through the years and have seen the growth and development of the children enhanced steadily by their care and skill. I am proud to be a member of the Board of Trustees and will continue to support the future development of the school.

Kia Ora Koutou,​

I am the proud father of Tye and Maia Sweeney and husband to Karla. I have been involved with Tahatai since 2017 with my son who has since completed his time at Tahatai and now supporting my daughter Maia who is in Year 6. Our family have had a great experience throughout our kids time at Tahatai and I am honoured to be a member of the schools Board of Trustees over the last 2 years supporting the school as it continues to play a big part in growing our special young people.

I am currently the Head Coach of the Black Fern 7s Rugby team and previous to this role spent time as a High School Teacher and an organisational leader in the Water Safety sector specific to drowning prevention, along with my many years as a rugby and cricket coach.

During my down time I enjoy water sports and mountain biking but most of all I enjoy spending time on any sports field / court supporting my kids and their teams enjoying the sports they play and the people they meet.

I believe school is a place of nurturing talented young people through experiential learning and building strong relationships with self and others. I understand the importance of relationships with people, the creation of positive learning environments which creates the space for young people to explore their potential and live authentically.

School is such a short period of time in our kids’ lives so being able to support Matt and the school is a privilege.

I am a parent representative on the Tahatai Coast School Board of Trustees, I have been extremely lucky to have grown up in Pāpāmoa for the majority of my life and to be part of the outstanding community we have here. 

I have a daughter currently in year 4 at the school. She loves all aspects of school so much that you will generally find us at the school over the weekend making the most of the great sports facilities.   

I am a Police officer by profession currently working as a supervisor in the criminal investigation branch.  My profession requires me to be task oriented, concise, and approachable with good communication and problem-solving skills while still having the common-sense approach.  

Tahatai Coast School is an excellent school with outstanding teachers.  Education has always been important to me, and I think children need to learn in a positive and fun school environment that reflects the school’s culture and diversity.   I am committed to building on the school’s values and strategic foundation, so our children are given every opportunity to achieve their full potential and development for years to come.

Mai i ngā kuri ā Whārei ki Tihirau
Ko Kōpūkairoa te maunga
Ko Waitao te awa
Ko Rongomainohorangi te tipuna
Ko Tahuwhakatiki te marae
Tēnā tātou katoa

As a makau and pāpā of 6 tamariki, I hope to build and grow a healthy and happy whānau.

Our whānau are privileged to serve on our marae, where I have been a kaikōrero for the past 14 years.

Being hāpori orientated, I have also been fortunate to serve on school boards and currently as chair of the Te Whakaroputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa - NZSBA Waiariki regional executive.

It has been enjoyable to reconnect with the whānau at Tahatai Coast school and we look forward to learning and sharing how we can help our tamariki, our mokopuna, have the best education experience, exploring as they ride their wave for learning.

I am a co-opted trustee of the Tahatai Coast School Board and have been a parent of the school for the past 9 years.  Two of my children are beginning their Tahatai journey, while my oldest child was a previous student and is now in high school.

I am a Portfolio Manager in the corporate office of ACC. I work remotely from home in Pāpāmoa, with some travel to Wellington. I lead a team that looks after a series of NZ-wide rehabilitation contracts. My work involves health service design, contract negotiation, team management and strategic planning.

Our family has a passion for sports and the outdoors, with most of our activities based around this. We also enjoy the school community we belong to, many of our friends being made through our Tahatai Coast connection.

I look forward to working with the other board members and management team to support all students to achieve their best and grow as actively involved learners.