Staff – Tikokino School

Senior Leadership

Hamish Natusch (B Ed)

Principal and Room 3 Teacher

Room 3

About Me

Hamish Natusch grew up locally on a sheep and beef farm. Through school he played a wide range of sports and played rugby and cricket to a representative level. A serious neck injury prevented Hamish from continuing a career in Rugby. He enjoys all sports and working on his parents farm when time allows. He is a keen hunter and fisherman. Hamish and his wife Eve live in the Tikokino community with their 3 young children; Pippa, Wallace and Aubree.

Teachers

Lara Beachen (BTP, Bsc)

Room 2 Teacher (Year 3-5)

Room 2

About Me

Lara is our newest staff member at Tikokino School, she is a Hawke’s Bay girl, having grown up and attended OngaOnga School. Lara enjoys spending time with her family and spending time outdoors in our beautiful area.

Anne Frater

Room 3 Teacher(Year 6-8)

Room 3

About Me

I’m Anne Frater and I have the pleasure of taking the literacy programme with our seniors in Room 3, I also run the Booster Programme which provides support for individuals. I’ve taught for many years, with my longest time being at Ongaonga School as Deputy Principal. Recently, I lived and worked in Palmerston North, but am delighted to be back in our home in Central Hawke’s Bay. I’m passionate about helping students become self motivated, resilient learners. I love being in the outdoors with my husband Greg.

Rachelle Birrell (DipT, BEd/BSc Hons)

Room 1 Teacher (New Entrant – Year 2)

Room 1

About Me

Rachelle joined the staff at Tikokino School after travelling and teaching overseas in England and Ghana for ten years, then in Auckland for five years. With twenty years involvement in the education sector, Rachelle has taught across all year groups, including Special Needs, pre-school and secondary. She has spent many years teaching in the junior school and has built specific skills in Literacy, Science and the Arts. She enjoys being involved in assisting new students to develop their knowledge and building a love for learning. Educational skills are as important as social skills, empathy and developing confidence. Rachelle feels very lucky to live in Tikokino with her husband, Eddie and their daughter Nuala, who is a student at Tikokino School.

Support Staff

Tania Bennett

Teacher Aide

About Me

Tikokino is lucky to have a long serving and committed teacher aide like Tania. Tania and her husband Jeff live at Smedley Station, where Jeff is a block manager. Both of their children, Abie and Gus, attended Tikokino School. Tania is always trying new approaches in her teaching to identify how to best help learners who need extra support in their learning. Tania also takes care of our school library.

Kate Archer

Office Administrator

About Me

Kate joined our team for the last term of 2018 and brings with her over 20 years of office experience. Kate lives in the village with her two girls; Lilly and Willow who attend the school. As a family they are keen outdoor people and enjoy the country life that Tikokino and Hawke’s Bay have to offer.