Our People
Our staff enjoy and celebrate our students. They are knowledgeable in their field and are committed to searching out the latest teaching techniques, strategies and resources to provide our students with the best possible opportunity to succeed.
The staff are fun to be with and creative. They are committed to meeting the individual needs of students and their families. Staff are empathetic and energetic, kind and supportive. Tauranga Special School has a team of specialists who travel to all locations to provide both advisory and hands on service. Together they form our Specialist Team.
Specialists
Speech Language Therapists
Billie Hampton Edwards (Mon to Fri) billiehe@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Edwina Burke (Tue, Wed, Thu) edwinab@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Kit Hardy (Wed, Thu, Fri) kith@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Kathleen Faulls (Mon, Tue, Wed) kathleenf@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Occupational Therapists
Brigid Hitchcock (Mon to Thu) brigidh@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Kate MacLean (Wed, Thu, Fri) katem@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Physiotherapist
Karen Porter (Tue,Wed,Thu) karenp@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Teacher - ASD/Behaviour
Penny Gee (Mon to Thu) pennyg@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Wider Leadership Group
Jo Crean (Curriculum Leader/Professional Support) joc@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Nicky Henderson (Professional Learning Leader) nickyh@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Jay Rotarangi (WSL) jayr@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Penny Gee (WSL) pennyg@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Our Board:
Board Chairperson: Kay Matthews
Parent Representatives: Shane Oxenham, Malcolm Poppe, Tahlia Rikihana, Daisy Togo, Sandra Peter
Staff Representative: Dale Megson
Board Secretary: Barb Turley





Classroom Teachers
Base School
Room 1: Michael Woodnut michaelw@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Room 2: Cat Banks catb@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Room 3: Pip Jonathan pipj@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Room 4: Irene Martin irenem@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Satellite Classes
Brookfield: Cathryn Fox cathrynf@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Welcome Bay: Nicky Henderson nickyh@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Jay Rotarangi jayr@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Tauranga Intermediate: Gayna Paris gaynap@taurangaspecialschool.nz
David Norman davidn@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Papamoa College: Monique Eades moniqued@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Jennifer Banks jenniferb@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Brendon Oates brendono@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Devonport Road Campus: Donna Taylor-Erutoe donnae@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Helen Murdoch helenm@taurangaspecialschool.nz
Community College Class: Sue Padgett suep@taurangaspecialschool.nz