Support Staff – details current June 2010.

The best teachers are ineffective without a range of support staff who work as a team to keep the school going.


Office Staff: Mrs Josje Bertram (left) and Mrs Kathy Optland (right), both part time, collectively adding up to 1.3 full time equivalent, are the administration and first aid specialists of the school. The office staff don’t do any teaching (although Josje does have classroom teaching experience and on rare occasions may be called upon for classroom supervision). But the office workers do just about everything else needed to make a school run smoothly from day to day including reception, uniform sales, finance, photocopying, and general secretary work. Given the male dominated teaching staff, the office ladies also have an important role in the pastoral care of the girls.


Clockwise from top left: Joshua Vergunst , cleaning; Rebecca Bertram, cleaning; Mr Brian Castle, brass band tuition; Mrs Muriel Heyward, cooking; Mr Bernie Tolmie, caretaker; Mr Eggert Holl, grounds and lawns; Mr Russel Geange, swimming instructor; and Mrs Emily Van Rijn, teacher aide.


6 Howard Street, Carterton 5713, New Zealand : Phone: (64 6) 379 8840 : Fax: (64 6) 379 8807 : Email: office@ponatahi.school.nz