Teaching Team

You can contact Abigail via abigail.sykes@ararira.school.nz

My name is Ally Lee-Coll and I am really excited about joining Arariria Springs School in Term 2.  I have been teaching for 16 years across a range of schools, year levels, and varying cities in New Zealand.  I began my teaching career in 2009 after finishing my Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) and Postgraduate Diploma in Education at Waikato University in Hamilton.

My family and I moved to Lincoln in 2023 after living and teaching in Auckland for 14 years.  Since arriving here in Christchurch, I have been relieving across a range of schools and am really looking forward to settling into Ararira Springs School and becoming a part of this wonderful community.

Along with my husband Josh, and our children Rhylan (20), Indianna (15) and Theo (10), I have really enjoyed settling into Christchurch and making this wonderful city our new home.  We particularly enjoy the beaches, mountains, and all the lovely nature walks in and around Canterbury.

We currently spend a lot of our spare time completing our landscaping.  We enjoy time together as a family and when I do get time to myself, you can find me reading, travelling, spending time with friends and family and exploring new places.

I really value building strong and long lasting relationships with my students and their whanau.  I believe that when you create a supportive, encouraging and welcoming learning environment then children will thrive.  This encourages a sense of belonging and pride within a shared learning space.

My teaching passions include literacy and science. I believe that fostering and helping to develop curiosity in children is a wonderful way to navigate learning.

You can contact Ally via ally.lee-coll@ararira.school.nz

Anna has over 15 years experience teaching all year levels, with over a decade of experience working in the junior school. Anna has an unwavering commitment to nurturing the potential in every child and is a passionate advocate for student success and cultivating a love of learning.

Anna has enjoyed her own personal journey of learning Te Reo and incorporating it into her teaching practice. Raised in Christchurch, Anna briefly lived in England before returning to Hoon Hay with her husband Nick and three children Eva, Eddie and Estelle. In her spare time Anna is often on the sideline of the sports field or coaching a team. Anna will often be found at different  campgrounds around the motu, especially if they are close to the beach.

You can contact Anna via anna.grigor@ararira.school.nz

Angela comes to Ararira Springs with more than 10 years of teaching experience and a special interest in developing literacy in the junior school. She loves it when children’s faces light up and believes in sparking curiosity by providing engaging, fun learning opportunities. She is committed to ensuring holistic growth in each child so children can reach their full potential through meaningful learning experiences while developing necessary skills in a growing digital world. 

Angela grew up in Dunedin and, prior to moving to Canterbury, lived and taught English in Japan for 4 years. It is there that she met her husband, Patrick, with whom she has two children, Sophie and Michael. She enjoys spending quality time with family, travelling, reading, singing and watching the latest productions at the Isaac Theatre Royal. 

You can contact Angela via angela.shea@ararira.school.nz

Annabel joined the Ararira Springs Whanau in 2024 as part of our group of CRT Specialist Teachers. She lives in Lincoln with her husband Kent and their 3 children, Emma, Charlotte and Hayden. They also own a small business; Macrocarpa Supplies supplying Firewood and Timber to the Selwyn area.

Annabel is a passionate Performing Arts teacher who has spent the past 18 years working in the Secondary School Sector teaching  Year 9 through to Year 13 Drama students. Her qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Art History and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching a Learning. 

Annabel encourages her students to immerse themselves in collaborative creative play and use their imaginations to create practical Drama work. Annabel builds strong relationships with her students and is always encouraging them to challenge themselves and take risks.  By creating a supportive and positive environment within the classroom students are willing to share work with others and build their confidence.

When she is not teaching Annabel can be found at the gym, immersed in a good book or enjoying spending time with family and friends. 

You can contact Annabel via annabel.renall@ararira.school.nz

April has been working in a part-time capacity at Ararira Springs since it opened in 2019. This year she is teaching year twos and threes in Hikuwai.

April likes to create a space that is welcoming, positive and inclusive, where all students feel safe to contribute their thoughts and ideas. She wants her students to be active and engaged in the learning process. April likes teaching all subjects but she especially enjoys teaching maths, writing and art.

April is originally from Southland and has previously taught for two years on Great Barrier Island in New Zealand, four years in England and six years in Alaska. 

She currently lives in Springston with her husband, Paul, and their three children Isla, Abel and Eben. She loves spending time with her family, exploring the outdoors. When she has spare time she enjoys gardening and reading.

You can contact April via: april.tougas@ararira.school.nz

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You can contact Casey via casey.spink@ararira.school.nz

Crystal kicked off her teaching career at Ararira Springs at the beginning of 2025.

Crystal is passionate about instilling a love of literacy in ākonga, and enjoys creating meaningful learning experiences that build confidence in reading, writing, and oral language. She also places a strong emphasis on wellbeing in the classroom, fostering a safe, supportive environment where learners feel valued, connected, and ready to learn.

She lives in Rolleston with her whānau and border collie named Ace. She loves playing netball, doing yoga, reading, and watching movies.

Crystal values positive connections with ākonga and their whānau, and loves being a part of a wonderful, friendly school community.

You can contact Crystal via crystal.edminstin@ararira.school.nz

​Kia ora e te Ararira whānau, Ko Dan Horwell tōku ingoa. My whānau has been a part of the Ararira hapori from day one with both my daughters attending the kura.

I am a highly motivated and passionate kaiako who is ready to inspire the future of Aotearoa. Curious by nature I love learning about the world around us and sharing this learning with others.

I am passionate about providing equitable learning experiences for all my ākonga that are fun and engaging and that get them to explore new things. All ākonga are unique and are at the centre of learning, by working with them and their whānau we

can empower them to become caring and capable citizens.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my beautiful whānau and friends, supporting the Warriors, and playing disc golf. I also love exploring our beautiful country whether it be paddling our waterways, running the trails, or by bike.

You can contact Dan via dan.horwell@ararira.school.nz

Deb is a passionate teacher with over 30 years of teaching experience. She has been at Ararira Springs Primary since 2020.

Deb believes in the best outcomes for all students by having high expectations. She seeks to inspire students through authentic, innovative and rich learning opportunities, particularly through play. She encourages children to be brave and take risks with their learning. Deb can often be found learning alongside children and their passions. Māori values are very important in the spaces where she teaches- aroha, manaaki, and children learning with and from each other are the norm.

Deb is originally from Southbridge, grew up in Halswell and attended Lincoln High School. She has lived in Lincoln with her husband Cary and their two children Leah (20) and Henry (15) for the last 20+ years.  When Deb is not at school, she is a regular at the Lincoln Rec Centre. She enjoys reading, spending time with the family and hiking. She is often out and about in the community and loves living and working locally.

You can contact Deb via deb.wesley@ararira.school.nz

You can contact Jamie via jamie.gunby@ararira.school.nz

Kia ora my name is Javier Langley. I am very excited about joining Ararira Springs school in 2026. I have been teaching for 2 years now and am very excited to continue my teaching journey here in 2026. I began teaching in 2024 after finishing my Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) degree.

I am from Dunedin and have grown great connections down here, which has helped shape me into the person I am today. I am very much looking forward to transitioning into life in Christchurch and in particular Lincoln. I am eager to get started, and continue to grow, and create fantastic learning opportunities for my students. I really value forming strong professional relationships with my students and their whanau. I have a strong belief that understanding your students as people, and as learners is essential for creating relevant and enriched learning experiences that helps students grow as learners, and as individuals as well. I believe in each student feeling valued and appreciated within the classroom environment, and I am a big believer in creating positive and supportive learning environments.   

I am a very social and energetic teacher. I have a significant sporting and Māori background which translates into the way that I teach in a professional setting. I encourage all of my students to express themselves and to be the best that they can be, as this is something that I have always been encouraged to pursue and it has led me to experience some amazing opportunities particularly in my sport. I have played football, which is my main sporting passion across New Zealand, and I have also experienced overseas opportunities as well. I am very excited to explore football opportunities in Christchurch. It is a big passion of mine and is something I will always look to continue to explore. 

My teaching passions include P.E. the arts, numeracy and social sciences. I enjoy creating curiosity and investigations in the classroom, and enjoy the amazing questions and knowledge that forms from these opportunities. 

You can contact Javier via: javier.langley@ararira.school.nz

Jordan has 3.5 years of experience teaching intermediate students, an age group he finds especially rewarding as they thrive on a balance of challenge, independence, and responsibility for their own learning. Born and raised in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, Jordan has lived in New Zealand for the past nine years. His passion for mathematics and sport began early and continues to shape how he teaches and connects with students.

Jordan’s teaching philosophy focuses on creating engaging, supportive, and challenging learning environments where students feel confident taking ownership of their progress. He is a continuous learner who enjoys collaborating with colleagues to refine practice and share ideas. Jordan is also passionate about fostering strong community connections and giving students opportunities to engage in meaningful, real-world learning.

Outside of school, Jordan enjoys spending time outdoors, staying active, and catching up with friends and family. Whether he’s playing sport, exploring new places, or relaxing with a good coffee, he values balance and time to recharge.

You can contact Jordan via: jordan.hansen@ararira.school.nz

 Leonie grew up in the Manawatu and moved to Lincoln with her family 7 years ago. She has been teaching at our kura for the past 4 years. Leonie has over 20 years of teaching experience, having taught across all ages in the Manawatu, Auckland and Selwyn, including working alongside Harold the giraffe at the Life Education Trust. 

She is married to Cam and they have 2 busy girls and 2 very lazy greyhounds. Leonie enjoys walking, reading, gardening and spending time with her family.

Leonie believes building strong relationships is the key to a successful partnership between home and school. She fosters a positive learning environment where children contribute and feel genuinely valued. Leonie works alongside children to foster their needs and interests, developing their independence and curiosity. 

You can contact Leonie via leonie.pengelly@ararira.school.nz

Maree joined the Ararira Team in May 2023.

Growing up in Oamaru, then training at the Dunedin College of Education, Maree started her teaching career in Blenheim. From here like many New Zealanders overseas beckoned and Maree spent time in the USA, London, and Singapore. During this time, she was fortunate to combine her passion of teaching with her lifelong love and passion for sport, progressing into secondary school teaching of Physical Education.

Maree has had the privilege of working with many students from all walks of life and is honored to have on many occasions not only been the teacher but the learner. Maree believes being open to seeing and being shown there is more than one way to
learn and finding what ignites that passion in a child is what makes this job special.

Maree and her family now call Lincoln home and are always looking for that next exciting adventure that life brings.

You can contact Maree via maree.cronin@ararira.school.nz

Meeghan comes to Ararira Springs from Lincoln Primary School and prior to that West Riding Primary in Cape Town, South Africa. She has many years of teaching experience across different age groups in South Africa as well as in the United Kingdom. She relocated to Christchurch in 2018 and lives in Lincoln with her family.

Meeghan is passionate about teaching and learning and creating a positive learning environment.  She encourages her learners to get involved, ask questions and always do their best.

 Meeghan enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors and exploring New Zealand whenever possible. 

You can contact Meeghan via meeghan.herbert@ararira.school.nz 

Megan came to Ararira Springs in 2021 from Halswell School and prior to that, Lincoln Primary. She has taught in a variety of collaborative environments and enjoys working with children of all ages. 

In 2023, Megan’s role changed from having her own Ako class, to being a CRT teacher (Classroom Release Teacher) working in spaces across the school. She really enjoys connecting with a wider group of learners in this role. Megan loves learning new things and challenges herself to teach subjects she is passionate about, such as visual art, while also stepping outside of her comfort zone to provide science and STEAM based learning experiences.

Megan grew up in Christchurch and is a big animal lover! She enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, gardening, walking and reading.

You can contact Megan via megan.newton@ararira.school.nz

Megan has over 15 years teaching experience from year 2-6. She enjoys hands-on discovery learning that reflects real-life experiences and fosters the development of curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. Megan’s commitment to developing and maintaining strong relationships with students and whānau ensures she knows her learners and understands their needs.

Megan grew up locally in Greenpark on a dairy farm, spending her time riding horses and helping on the farm. She moved back to the local area a few years ago and is lucky enough to have a big garden where she can indulge her love of the outdoors. She also enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephew, catching up with friends, reading, riding and recycling. 

You can contact Megan via megan.stewart@ararira.school.nz

Having completed his first year of teaching back in his hometown of Masterton, Michael is excited to move back to Christchurch to be reunited with his wife, and get actively involved in the Lincoln community. His first year of experience at Lakeview School has only increased his passion for teaching and he is excited to join our school and continue to support akonga in a centred approach to teaching and learning.

He has a strong passion for building positive relationships with akonga, kaiako and whanau and strives to give the akonga a safe positive learning environment, where every child feels valued and they can explore their cultural identities.

He is an enthusiastic teacher who enjoys getting competitive when it comes to sporting activities and the students love when teachers take a step out of the teaching role and engage on their level both inside and outside the classroom. Michael has developed his knowledge of the Maori language and culture, so that he can better provide akonga with a learning environment that embraces te reo Māori.

Michael grew up in Masterton and enjoyed playing various sports including football, softball, and basketball. In his spare time, he enjoys going to the gym and playing sports.

You can contact Michael via michael.mcdermott@ararira.school.nz

I have over 30 years of teaching experience.

In 2014, my family and I moved to Christchurch from Blenheim.

I am passionate about teaching and learning, and love that no two days are the same and no two children are the same. For me, school is all about relationships and connections and working together. I see learners as active partners in their learning journey, creating a space where every voice is valued, and curiosity is encouraged. I have a passion for play-based learning, which allows tamariki to explore, wonder, and make sense of the world in meaningful ways.

When not at work, I spend time with my husband James and our children Hannah and Grace, 22, our son Jack, 26, and his partner Olivia, along with our delightful granddaughter Daisy and her baby brother Jimmy. We also have 3 dogs and a cat, so there is never a dull moment. 

You can contact Nikki via nikki.western@ararira.school.nz

You can contact Sally via sally.davey@ararira.school.nz

You can contact Shelley via shelley.smith@ararira.school.nz