Our Across School Teachers

Ko Scottish Highlands te waka

Ko Rangitoto te maunga

Ko Orewa te awa

Ko Te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa te moana

Ko ngā uri whakatipu o ngā whānau McDougall me Watt ōku karanga hapū me ōku karanga iwi

Ko Shaun Ferris taku whaiāipo, nā māua ka puta ko Jackson rāua ko Ryan

Nō Whangaparaoa ahau, engari kei Paraparaumu mātou e noho ana ināianei

He māhita whakapakari tinana ahau, ā, ko Michelle Ferris tōku ingoa

Tihei Mauri Ora

With many years dedicated to the health and well-being of students and a strong commitment to supporting fellow educators, I am thrilled to have been appointed as an Across School Lead within the Northern Kāpiti Kahui Ako. Over the past 18 years, I have loved being a Health and Physical Education educator in New Zealand, England, and the UAE, holding positions such as head of department, dean, moderator, and member of the NZHEA executive.

Although originally from the north of Auckland, I have called the Wellington region home since returning from my overseas travels in 2011. I have been residing on the Kapiti Coast for the past 18 months with my husband and two sons, who attend Paraparaumu Beach School. We deeply value the sense of community we have found here, and I have enjoyed forming connections with our local schools. I am excited to work on initiatives that will enhance the well-being of all people within our Kahui Ako, including during times of transition, integrating Te Whare Tapa Whā principles into our educational practices, and facilitating opportunities for our teachers to collaborate, learn, and exchange best practices.

Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei

Aim high for what is truly valuable, be persistent and do not let obstacles stop you from reaching your goals.

Ko Kapakapanui te maunga e rū nei taku ngākau

Ko Waikanae te awa e mahea nei aku māharahara

Nō London, England ahau

E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o Kāpiti e noho nei au

Ko Sam Edwards ahau

Nō reirā, tēnā koutou katoa

Kia ora,

 I have lived and worked on the Kāpiti coast for the past 15 years, working as a classroom teacher and leading a performing arts programme at Kenakena School.  I love working with others to provide opportunities for students to watch and take part in singing, dancing, music, acting and classroom drama.  My three children have all attended schools in Kāpiti and as a family we have been part of many sporting and performing arts opportunities here on the coast.

In 2021 I read Dr Perry’s book, ‘The Boy Who was Raised as a Dog’ and it opened my eyes to the importance of educators having knowledge of neuroscience and learning how we can use this to help our students.  I have recently completed a sabbatical which focused on how our school could work to become a trauma informed school, and in 2023 I completed the first year of Dr Perry’s The Neurosequential Model of Education Trainers programme.  I am looking forward to the opportunity of collaborating with others to help all ākonga at our schools thrive.

I am enjoying working alongside a great team of Across School Leads and our co-leaders and look forward to connecting with the Within School Leads over the next few years.  

Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu

Adorn this bird with feathers to enable it to fly