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Senior Management
Senior Management
Melissa Bell
Principal
Melissa I am very privileged to be the Principal at Maniototo Area School. I am new to this area, and have spent most of my adult life in Dunedin. Professionally I have worked in a range of primary and secondary schools, most recently at John McGlashan College as Specialist Classroom Teacher and at St Hilda’s Collegiate School as Principal. I believe this is one of the most beautiful parts of the country, and I enjoy spending time walking and exploring the area with my husband Nigel, and black lab Bella. My teaching passions are the humanities, especially History, English and Social Studies. My Master’s degree is in Mathematics education and I am part way through a PhD examining the teaching of local histories. Nigel and I have two adult children. Nico is a primary teacher in Auckland, and Max is a painter in Dunedin.
Lucia Dowling
Deputy Principal (Primary), Year 7/8 Teacher
I am a local lass - born and bred here in the Maniototo. I attended St John's for my Primary schooling then came to MAS for my Secondary education. I have travelled throughout and worked in, many countries but came home to the stunning Maniototo where most of my family live. In 2017 I was awarded an Area Schools Study Award which gave me a year away from the classroom to complete my Masters in Education. I am currently the Deputy Principal of the Primary School and I team-teach with Katrina Hunter for Literacy and Maths. I am also the BoT rep on the Board of Trustees. I love my job, and I am a proud member of the MAS team.
Nikki Meyer
Deputy Principal (Secondary), Business Studies, Science & Chemistry Teacher
I am lucky enough to be the Deputy Principal for the Secondary School at MAS. I grew up on the Kapiti Coast and attended Massey University where I did a double degree in Science and Business ( BSc/BBS). I majored in Chemistry and Management. I then went on to do my Graduate Diploma of Teaching. I have taught at Wairarapa College, Hawera High School and East Otago High School before coming to Maniototo Area School. My husband Mark and I moved here after a rail trail trip with friends in 2012. We own an accommodation business and pub on the Otago Central Rail Trail.
I live in Patearoa with Mark, our two dogs Spot and Gilbert, a sheep called Frank, a goat called Brownie and 6 alpacas - Kevin, Percy, Cyril, Tina,(also a boy) Gordon, and Louis.
Teaching Staff
Secondary School
Secondary School
Izzy Perkins
HOD PE
Kia Ora, I am Izzy and I completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in 2021 and Masters of Teaching and Learning in 2022. I grew up on a farm in Raes a Junction and have absolutely love getting my hands dirty with farm work. I was rugby player for a large number of years, and played for Varsity at Otago up until I had some ankle injuries. I have co-coached and assistant coaches multiple rugby teams for Dunedin schools. I am a very keen sports player. I am very excited to to be taking over the role as P.E and health teacher and I look forward to getting to know everyone and becoming apart of the Maniototo community.
Amanda Graham
Art & Health
Art
Art
Hi, I’m Amanda Graham. I am a part time teacher sharing the year 6 and 7 class with Gemma Hore and I am also teaching Art from years 4 - 10 this year. I have a Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching). I moved to Ranfurly in 2008 as a beginning teacher and have been teaching at Maniototo Area school since other than a year stint in London where I taught at Lyon Park Junior School and enjoyed traveling through Europe. My family includes my husband Nic and our three daughters, Abbie (7), Briella (5) and Kaylee (3). Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family, shopping, keeping active and being creative.
Kate Dowling
HOD Science, Biology & Horticulture & Yr 7/8 Science Teacher
Kia ora, I am Kate Dowling a mother of four wonderful children, and live locally in Gimmerburn on a sheep and beef farm. I currently teach Sciences, Biology, and Horticulture at Maniototo Area School. I completed my Bachelor of Science at Canterbury University and attended Canterbury Teachers College to gain my Secondary Teaching Diploma. I have taught at various Secondary, Primary, and Area Schools within the South Island and also had a stint teaching in London and nannying in Shropshire. After having my first child when back in New Zealand I studied through distance learning at Victoria University and gained my Primary Teaching Diploma, which has been a great asset when teaching at an Area School. I am currently the Head of Sciences and the Dean of the Secondary School and I thoroughly enjoy working with an excellent staff and wonderful rural students.
Nigel Pacey
Maths, Science & Careers
Clement Lind
Hard Materials Teacher
Michelle Dowling
Technology, Social Studies
Coming Soon
Joanna Brooks
HOD English
Primary School
Primary School
Celine Ferdinands
New Entrant/Year 1 Teacher
Room 1
Room 1
I have been the New Entrant teacher at MAS since 2013. I have a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early years 0 - 8, from Massey University. I have taught in schools in India, Dubai and Sharjah. My family includes my husband Joe, and my daughters Candice and Abigail. We moved from Dubai to New Zealand 16 years ago and we have loved living in the mighty Maniototo!! I enjoy cooking, sewing, drama and playing table tennis and badminton.
Ann-Marie Paterson
Year 2 Teacher
Room 2
Room 2
I have a Bachelor in Education, endorsement in Teaching and teach Year 2. I grew up in the Bay of Plenty before my family moved to South Canterbury, where I met my husband and now live in Gimmerburn with my husband, Craig and our three children, Charlotte, Vanessa and Nathan. I enjoy being creative and spending time with my family.
Pip Sutherland
Year 3 Teacher
Room 3
Room 3
Hello, my name is Pip Sutherland and I am teaching in the Year 3 classroom this year. I grew up in Owaka and attended The Catlins Area School before studying for my Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Dunedin College of Education. Following graduation I started my teaching journey at Cromwell Primary in 2005. After that I moved to the Northern Territory with Sandy, and taught 3 children through Mt Isa School Of The Air while living on a remote Station near Kununurra. After living in Canada working with horses, I returned to Cromwell Primary in 2010. I started at Maniototo Area School in 2012 until having our first child, Archie, in 2015.
Following our time in North Canterbury we were very excited to return ‘home’ to the Maniototo as a family of 4 with Blake joining our family while we were living up there. I was extremely grateful to be able to rejoin the MAS junior team full time again last year with the Year 3 class.
Erica Phillips
Year 4/5 Teacher
Kia ora koutou, my name is Erica Phillips, the beginning primary teacher at MAS. Last year, I graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) from the University of Canterbury. That makes me a Cantab supporter (and a very proud one at that) as my hometown is Timaru. Before studying I did a stint on Linnburn station and solo traveled around Europe. I am a dog mum to my chocolate lab Tilly. My spare time is spent going on adventures, playing sports, and spending time with my family. I am looking forward to working alongside the MAS kaiako, tamariki, and whānau.
Gemma Hore
Year 5 & 6 Teacher
Room 5 (Mon-Wed)
Room 5 (Mon-Wed)
Donna Mapley
Year 5 & 6 Teacher
Room 5 (Thur-Fri)
Room 5 (Thur-Fri)
Fiona Dowling
Year 7 & 8 teacher
Room 7
Room 7
I have taken on a variety of part-time roles while being Mum to three busy boys; 12, 10 and 8. I am thrilled to be in the classroom in a full-time capacity as the Year 8 teacher. I began my teaching career in South Auckland, Manurewa, to be specific. The pull of Otago and family brought me home in 2006 where I taught in Dunedin before heading to Maniototo to teach Year 7 and 8, and marry Logan (another Dowling boy who married a teacher)! Farming in the Pigroot, chasing kids sport, keeping fit and teaching keep my cup filled.
Sarah Paterson
Part time
Support Staff
Support Staff
Anne Kirk
Office Administrator
A Southlander at heart I moved to the Maniototo in July 2006 and started working at the school soon after this. My children Simon, Matthew and Lucy all attended MAS. My interests include my family, patchwork, art, travel, drama and socialising with friends. I am also a registered Marriage Celebrant. My husband Ewan and I run a B&B at our home near Oturehua, we enjoy living in the country with our family of fur-babies!
Jude McMillan
Executive Officer
I’m excited to be back at the Maniototo Area School. Over the years I’ve been a pupil at MAS, my children attended the school and I’ve previously been on the staff. I’m married to John and we have two adult sons, Tim is a secondary teacher at Paraparaumu College and Hamish works for Coca Cola in Sydney. My interests are golf, walking, drama and spending time with family and friends.
Donna Owens
Sports Administrator
Sue Scott
Teacher aide
Coming Soon
Jenna Huddleston
Teacher aide
Maniototo born and bred. I completed all my schooling years at Maniototo Area School and then went on to do my training in Beauty Therapy. I've been married for 14 years and we have 3 children who keep us very busy. I have worked at Maniototo Area School as a Teacher Aid since 2020 and I thoroughly enjoy everything about my job. I enjoy the outdoors, sports, fishing, tramping, hunting and love to follow my children's interests.
Karenne Davis
Teacher aide
Coming Soon
Kimberly Hope
Teacher aide
Sarah Smith
Teacher aide
Danielle Mihill
Teacher aide
Currently on leave
Kerrin Mulholland
Caretaker
Coming Soon
Sandra Kreft
Cleaner
Coming Soon
Tania Cromb
Cleaner
Coming Soon
Murray Morice
Cleaner
Coming Soon
Current Vacancies
Primary: kura tuatahi, Certificated teacher. 0.4, Fixed term (Job Share)
English, The arts, Te reo Māori, health and physical education, learning languages, Mathematics and Statistics, Science, Social sciences, Technology
Maniototo Area School is in search of an enthusiastic and creative teacher to join our dedicated team of Junior teachers. A wonderful community atmosphere, supportive and collegial staff, and a beautiful Central Otago setting are major attractions.
The successful applicant will begin at the start of Term 1 2025 and will teach at upper primary levels. They must be willing to work collaboratively with the rest of the junior team and be comfortable in flexible learning environments. Experience in structured literacy is an advantage.
Suitable for beginning teachers.
A school house can be provided.
Please complete the application form (below).
For any enquiries please email office@maniototo.school.nz or phone the school office on 03 444 9341.
Closes: Tuesday 3rd December 2024
Teacher Position Application Form
Support Staff Application Form
