Support Team

Trine came to Ararira from West Melton School, where she spent 6 years as part of the office administration team with a focus on school finance, communications and being that ‘go to’ person.

Originally from Nottingham, Trine moved to New Zealand 21 years ago. Married to Paul, they have 2 boys who now both attend Lincoln High.

During the winter, Trine and Paul can be found supporting the boys with their winter activities (football and mountain biking) and in summer, will usually be found at Mitchells on the West Coast, relaxing with friends, boating and taking part in an ongoing Dept of Conservation initiative to make Te Kinga predator-free for our native birds.

Trine is really looking forward to meeting and welcoming our new families and students to Ararira Springs. Email Trine via trine.spence@ararira.school.nz

Justine lives in Lincoln with her husband Tim and their twin boys who attend Ararira Springs Primary. She loves the warm, friendly atmosphere of the school and the local Lincoln community.

Justine’s began her working life in childcare. Her love of travel led her to the travel industry where she spent over a decade working as a long haul corporate travel consultant. Most recently, and prior to having her children, she enjoyed a long stint working as an office temp for various companies in Christchurch.

In her spare time, Justine loves going to the gym, cooking, spending time with her family, and travelling the world.

Justine is really looking forward to meeting and welcoming our new families and students to Ararira Springs. Email Justine via justine.hogan@ararira.school.nz

Debbie came to Ararira Springs as a teacher aide in term 1 of 2019. She studied and worked as a LA for the two years prior to that, at a school in Rolleston. Debbie lives in Rolleston with her husband and their two children who both attend Clearview primary.

Debbie grew up in Karamea and worked in Nelson at various food businesses before moving to London for two years of work followed by four months of travel before coming home to build a home & get married.

Debbie thoroughly enjoys being a TA and loves the one-on-one teaching with kids. A daily highlight for Debbie is knowing someone has learnt something small while being with her. Debbie enjoys doing online courses to learn more to help our tamariki. Debbie has a cake decorating business which she runs from home and keen to teach the basic baking/cooking to the younger generation. In her spare time, she loves to visit family, have coffee dates with friends, go for walks and plan holidays with her family.

You can contact Debbie via debbie.david@ararira.school.nz

Charlotte has three girls, Lucy, Phoebe and Ella at Ararira Springs Primary and joined the staff in July 2019 after two years at Lincoln Primary School. She loves being part of the Ararira school community and working one on one with our tamariki.

Charlotte grew up in Christchurch and graduated from Canterbury University and the Christchurch College of Education with a Bachelor of Education (Geography) and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning.

Her first teaching position was in Auckland before she decided to use her teaching skills and love of travel to work in the UK. After teaching in the West Midlands, Charlotte was offered a position recruiting teachers from around the world to teach in the UK. Charlotte and her husband Andrew returned to New Zealand in 2008 with their daughter Lucy and she continued to recruit during the next six years.

She has lived in the Lincoln community for the past five years. She is a Cub leader for the Lincoln Scout Group and enjoys coaching and managing junior netball teams in the winter.  In her spare time, Charlotte enjoys tramping, camping and skiing. She loves gardening and cooking for friends and family.

You can contact Charlotte via charlotte.mcmenamin@ararira.school.nz