Teaching Team

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.

Casey has come to us from Paparoa Street School where she has been teaching Year 0-2 for three years. She spent two years teaching in Oxfordshire, UK and prior to her travels, Casey taught at Oaklands School for several years.

Casey has a special interest in play based learning and building children’s curiosity as well as developing strong foundational literacy skills. She is on a journey of deepening her knowledge of Te Reo Māori and enjoys incorporating this into her practice.

Casey grew up in Christchurch and spends her free time showing off our beautiful country to her English partner. Beyond the classroom, Casey can be found on the ski field, drinking coffee, biking and indulging her green thumb.

Casey values strong connections and relationships with students, families and the community and is looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Crystal is really looking forward to beginning her teaching journey at Ararira Springs in 2025!

She has recently completed a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning at the University of Canterbury, where she particularly enjoyed focusing on inclusive education and teaching for diverse learners. She is also passionate about instilling a love for reading and writing in learners.

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

Crystal values positive connections with learners and their whānau, and is excited to get to know the members of the Ararira Springs community!

Deb is a passionate teacher with over 27 years of teaching experience. She came to us at the start of 2020 from Lincoln Primary School where she taught New Entrants and Year 4’s. Prior to Lincoln Primary School, Deb taught at Somerfield Primary for 18 years at Banks Avenue School.

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, enjoys reading, spending time with the family and running. She is often out and about in the community and loves living and working locally.

ia ora. My name is Nikki Western and I am really excited about joining Ararira Springs School in Term 3.

I have been teaching at Christchurch East school for the past year and prior to that I taught for 10 years at Paparoa Street School. In 2014 my family and I moved to Christchurch from Blenheim where I had been teaching for 26 years.

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, 25 and his partner Olivia along with our delightful granddaughter Daisy. We also have 3 dogs and a cat so there is never a dull moment.

Kia ora, I’m Sally and I am super excited to be joining Ararira Springs Primary for Term 4.
I started my teaching journey in Early Childhood Education in 2019 and furthered my studies graduating with a Graduate Diploma in Primary teaching in June this year.
I love teaching in the Primary sector and I have a passion for making learning exciting and an adventure for ākonga.

I moved to Rolleston in July after growing up and living in South Auckland my while life.
I love travelling, having adventures in the outdoors and always continuing to learn.

The core of my teaching is whanaungatanga. Building these strong relationships helps me to understand and cater to the individual needs of the ākonga I teach. I am passionate about s
supporting ākonga to follow their passions and helping them to be the best people they can be.