Amy Howley: Leader of Supported Learning

Mauri ora ki te koutou
I whānau mai au ki Birmingham
Ko Aoraki te maunga whakaruruhau
Ko Waimakariri te awa o te rohe
Kei Kirwee tōku kāinga
Ko Amy Howley tōku ingoa
Tēnā koutou katoa

My name is Amy Howley and I am the Leader of Supported Learning at Rolleston College. I have enjoyed being a part of the kura since its establishment through my role in the satellite school onsite. Since moving across to Horoeka Haemata I have been able to experience working alongside ākonga with a range of different needs and continue to develop our learning support area within the kura. Prior to this I worked in a specialist school for seven years working with ākonga with high needs.

My time outside of the kura is focused around my whānau. Spending time with my two young daughters is my happy place! We enjoy getting out and about to the local forest, river and library.

I am excited by the continued growth of our learning area and continuing to expand on the opportunities we can provide for our ākonga to flourish.

I can be contacted directly at amy.howley@rollestoncollege.nz.

Donna Nichol: Special Needs Coordinator (SENCo)

Tēnā koutou katoa, 

My name is Donna Nichol. I am new to the learning support team at Rolleston College in 2024 as the SENco. I have a special interest in students who are neurodiverse with ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia. 

I started my teaching career in 1998 in the primary sector. I have taught in different regions such as the West Coast, Nelson, Canterbury and Otago teaching all year groups from 1 to 8. In previous roles I have been TiC ESOL, junior team leader and assistant principal in Christchurch, collaborative learning lead as well as mentor and associate teacher.

Recently, I have returned to the Canterbury area from Otago where I was an RTLB for the last 4 years. I have earned a degree from Lincoln University in management, a teaching diploma and more recently, a postgraduate diploma in learning and behaviour with distinction. I am a qualified ESOL teacher, bilingual assessor and trained group facilitator in behaviour management.

I have a passion for teaching children and seeing them come into their true identity of who they are and the strengths they have. I love to eliminate barriers to learning and behaviour and build capacity in teacher practice using evidence-based strategies. 

Outside of work, I enjoy mountain biking, time with friends, travelling and being with family. I am on the Board of Governance for Freeslaves.org and in a previous life, used to run a business as a colour image consultant.

You can contact me at donna.nichol@rollestoncollege.nz.

Sam Gimblett: Kairuruku Tautoko Akoranga | Learning Support Coordinator

Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Ingarangi te whakapaparanga mai
Ko Tamaki-nui-a-rua te whenua tupu
Ko Ōtautahi te Kāinga
Kei Ōtautahi au e noho ana
He Kairuruku Tautoko Akoranga au i te kura o Horoeka Haemata
Ko Sam Gimblett taku ingoa 

Tēna tātou katoa

My name is Sam Gimblett and I am the new Kairuruku Tautoko Akoranga - Learning Support Coordinator (LSC) at Rolleston College. I am a foundation staff member of Rolleston College and have been working in the pastoral care area of our kura as a Ako leader and then Whānau leader in Kōanga whānau for the last 6 years. I am very excited to now be working in Learning Support and working to remove the barriers to learning, engagement and wellbeing so that our ākonga can flourish.

Tūngia te ururua kia tupu whakaritorito te tupu o te harakeke. 

Clear away the overgrowing bush so that the new flax shoots will spring up.

I have a beautiful five-year-old daughter and we live with my partner in the Selwyn area of Canterbury. Our favourite place to go is the beach. I enjoy music and dance and have been the TIC of dance at Rolleston College for seven years. I have a particular interest in creative works and have directed and choreographed a number of school productions and musicals.

I am looking forward to working alongside you and your whānau. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions: sam.gimblett@rollestoncollege.nz.

Jess Love: Specialist Teacher

Tēnā koutou

My name is Jess Love and I will be teaching Senior WANA helping with South Pacific education courses (SPEC), and working with ORS learners as their specialist teacher.

I grew up with a younger brother who has autism, and this sparked an interest in working with learners with additional needs. I have been a therapist, a carer with IHC and a support person privately for families. This is my eighth year teaching.  

After completing my studies (BEdSt, MTchgLn, PGCert in digital and collaborative learning) I was a co-researcher on a Ministry initiative; co-designing learning with whānau and ākonga. In 2021 I was selected to study a doctorate in education at the University of Canterbury. My research investigates ‘when transitioning from school to adult life, what aspects of transition facilitated a successful adult life, according to ORS funded young adults with complex learning needs’. The results are intended to improve transition outcomes for students with additional needs in New Zealand and find new interview methods of interviewing.

I live in Rolleston and enjoy being part of the local community. Outside of teaching I am a keen sportsperson, my top three sports I have competed at New Zealand representative level are basketball, swimming and canoe polo. I am currently enjoying CrossFit and Yoga. I am also interested in woodwork, pottery, painting and training my puppy. I look forward to meeting the whānau of each young person I work with.

If you need to contact me my email is jessica.love@rollestoncollege.nz.

Deborah Dunlop-Stenhouse: Specialist Teacher

Tēnā koutou katoa 

My name is Deborah Stenhouse and I am one of the specialist teachers of the learning support team at Horoeka Haemata Rolleston College.

I have been working in education for over 20 years now! I have been involved in a variety of roles and settings from Taranaki to Tuatapere! Returning to Selwyn, where I spent my formative years, has proven to be a great decision. It has allowed me to reconnect with my family and become an active contributor to our local community, particularly in the context of inclusive education at Horoeka Haemata.

My role is to work alongside learners and their teachers, ensuring that learners are within a supportive and inclusive environment where they can thrive.

If you need to contact me my email is deborah.stenhouse@rollestoncollege.nz.