Te Totara Primary School - Growing and Learning Together

Earth Team (Year 3/4)

Natalie Gillies
Thumbnail: Natalie Gillies
Role

Teacher in Earth 34

Email

NatalieG@tetotara.school.nz

General Information

Kia ora!

I have over ten years of teaching experience and have taught at a variety of levels with most of my time working with Year 0-4 students. I began my teaching career in the United Kingdom where I taught at Hathaway Primary School in London. After traveling overseas I returned to New Zealand working at Bankwood Primary School in Hamilton.

I am a passionate, caring teacher and I treasure each child’s unique qualities. I enjoy helping children reach their goals and I work hard to engage students by making the learning fun, meaningful and motivating. I support a collaborative classroom environment and like working in partnership with whanau.

I am married with two school-aged children. As a family we love the outdoors and go camping, to the beach, on bush walks, bike riding and swimming often. I also like reading, art and crafts.
I am a friendly, welcoming teacher so please feel free to come and say hello.

Krissy Tantrum
Thumbnail: Krissy Tantrum
Role

Team Leader, Teacher in Earth 35

Email

KristineT@tetotara.school.nz

General Information

Hello, my name is Krissy Tantrum. It is a pleasure to be part of the team at Te Totara School. I have taught at Te Totara since 2016, the same year I returned home to the mighty Waikato. I grew up on a dairy farm in Fencourt, just outside of Cambridge.

Outside of school I enjoy playing 'old girls' netball and spending time with my gorgeous boys. As a family, we enjoy a variety of sports and camping at Waihi Beach. My personal passions are, as I joke with my classes, all C's (Coffee, chocolate, clothes, cows and custard squares).

I have been teaching since last century (1999) and prior to joining the very special team at Te Totara all my teaching experience was in East Auckland Schools. I have taught across the primary school levels from Years 1-6.

I believe in the process of being a lifelong learner and feel privileged that I get to share my passion for learning with my students on a daily basis.

I look forward to meeting you. Please feel welcome to pop into Earth 35 to chat. I am excited to work with you and your child and enhance their learning journey.

Chantelle Lindsey
Thumbnail: Chantelle Lindsey
Role

Teacher in Earth 36

Email

chantellel@tetotara.school.nz

General Information

I am looking forward to commencing my teaching journey here at Te Totara Primary school. I studied a Bachelor of Education at the University of Waikato.

It is important to me that my students feel comfortable expressing themselves creatively and feel that they belong in our class whānau. I value developing my students' growth mindset so that they can push themselves and become the best version that they can be. I am a passionate musician and I value music for its creative expression, ability to connect people and promote health and wellbeing. This is a curriculum area that I endeavor to include within Earth 38.

In my spare time I find myself playing various instruments with friends and family, cooking, looking after my copious house plants and searching for treasures in op shops.

I am excited to meet you all, please feel free to come and have a chat.

Anna Livingstone
Thumbnail: Anna Livingstone
Role

Teacher In Earth 37

General Information

Kia ora.

My name is Anna Livingstone and I am excited to be with Year 3/4 in Room 37 for 2024. This is my second year teaching at Te Totara Primary School, having returned to study a little later in life and completing my Bachelor of Teaching at the University of Waikato in 2022.

I was born in Hamilton and completed all my schooling here before heading over to Italy where I lived, mainly in Rome, for 8 years. I have a passion for the culture, food, and am fluent in Italian. Now back home, my husband and I enjoy having adventures with our nearly 3 year old and exploring the world through his eyes and sense of wonder. We will often be out discovering new playgrounds and love our weekly swimming lessons.

I believe it is both an honour and a privilege to be a teacher and I look forward to getting to know all the students and working alongside them, learning, growing, and having fun together.

Please feel welcome to pop into Earth 37 to chat.

Ashleigh Campbell
Thumbnail: Ashleigh Campbell
Role

Teacher in Earth 38

General Information

Hello,

My name is Ashleigh Campbell. I graduated from the University of Waikato with a Bachelor of Teaching in 2021 and in 2022 I was a part of the Teaching Staff at Huntly Primary.

I am very passionate about teaching and ensuring that the classroom is a welcoming and supportive learning environment for all students.

In my spare time I enjoy spending time at the beach, reading and being with my family.