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Senior Management
Senior Management
Melissa Bell
Principal
Melissa I am very privileged to be the Principal at Maniototo Area School. I am new to this area, and have spent most of my adult life in Dunedin. Professionally I have worked in a range of primary and secondary schools, most recently at John McGlashan College as Specialist Classroom Teacher and at St Hilda’s Collegiate School as Principal. I believe this is one of the most beautiful parts of the country, and I enjoy spending time walking and exploring the area with my husband Nigel, and black lab Bella. My teaching passions are the humanities, especially History, English and Social Studies. My Master’s degree is in Mathematics education and I am part way through a PhD examining the teaching of local histories. Nigel and I have two adult children. Nico is a primary teacher in Auckland, and Max is a painter in Dunedin.
Lucia Dowling
Deputy Principal (Primary), Year 7/8 Teacher
I am a local lass - born and bred here in the Maniototo. I attended St John's for my Primary schooling then came to MAS for my Secondary education. I have travelled throughout and worked in, many countries but came home to the stunning Maniototo where most of my family live. In 2017 I was awarded an Area Schools Study Award which gave me a year away from the classroom to complete my Masters in Education. I am currently the Deputy Principal of the Primary School and I team-teach with Katrina Hunter for Literacy and Maths. I am also the BoT rep on the Board of Trustees. I love my job, and I am a proud member of the MAS team.
Nikki Meyer
Deputy Principal (Secondary), Business Studies, Science & Chemistry Teacher
I am lucky enough to be the Deputy Principal for the Secondary School at MAS. I grew up on the Kapiti Coast and attended Massey University where I did a double degree in Science and Business ( BSc/BBS). I majored in Chemistry and Management. I then went on to do my Graduate Diploma of Teaching. I have taught at Wairarapa College, Hawera High School and East Otago High School before coming to Maniototo Area School. My husband Mark and I moved here after a rail trail trip with friends in 2012. We own an accommodation business and pub on the Otago Central Rail Trail.
I live in Patearoa with Mark, our two dogs Spot and Gilbert, a sheep called Frank, a goat called Brownie and 6 alpacas - Kevin, Percy, Cyril, Tina,(also a boy) Gordon, and Louis.
Teaching Staff
Secondary School
Secondary School
Izzy Perkins
HOD PE
Kia Ora, I am Izzy and I completed a Bachelor of Applied Science in 2021 and Masters of Teaching and Learning in 2022. I grew up on a farm in Raes a Junction and have absolutely love getting my hands dirty with farm work. I was rugby player for a large number of years, and played for Varsity at Otago up until I had some ankle injuries. I have co-coached and assistant coaches multiple rugby teams for Dunedin schools. I am a very keen sports player. I am very excited to to be taking over the role as P.E and health teacher and I look forward to getting to know everyone and becoming apart of the Maniototo community.
Anrozelle Lategan
HOD English
I finished my BA majoring in English Literature in 2018, before spending a few years riding and breaking in horses all over Australia and the North Island. I completed my Masters of Teaching and Learning at Otago last year, while living on the family farm in Balclutha and tutoring Equine Science at Telford Polytechnic. I am very excited to be taking over teaching English at Maniototo this year. I look forward to getting to know all the ākonga and their whanau, and getting involved in the wider community.
Kate Dowling
HOD Science, Biology & Horticulture & Yr 7/8 Science Teacher
BSc with a double major in Marine Biology and Physical Geography. Graduate Diploma in Secondary teaching from Christchurch College of Education and a Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching from Victoria University, Certificate in Organic Horticulture.
I grew up on a farm within the Richmond Ranges in Marlborough, from there I studied at Lincoln University to pursue a netball scholarship and where I also met my husband Luke, later transferring to Canterbury University to study Marine Sciences. My first teaching position was at Gore High School and later to Lawrence Area School. Luke and I then did our OE through the UK, Europe and Asia and I relief taught in London as well as a nannying position in Shropshire. We now farm in Gimmerburn and life keeps us pretty busy with our young family. I currently teach Biology and Horticulture and Level 1 Science. I am the HOD of the Science Department and our Secondary Schools PPTA representative. I am also responsible for Enviroschools and Duke of Edinburgh within our school. I am very fortunate to be the EDean and Senior Dean this year and I look forward to achieving great things in this role.
Deirdre Lithgow
PE & Health
I am a fixed term teacher who has enjoyed many roles at MAS. My strengths are PE and Science. My first job was at Queenstown primary school many years ago. My husband 'Beaver' or Steve, and I have 3 gorgeous children who have a love of sport like we do. Hannah 17, Harry 15, and Zoe 12. We run our farming business together and love Central Otago. Whenever we can we get to the lakes to waterski.
Nigel Pacey
Maths, Science & Careers
Clement Lind
Hard Materials Teacher
Michelle Dowling
Technology, Social Studies
Coming Soon
Sam Stevens
Agriculture Teacher
M.A. (Distinction) Dip Teaching. Born and raised in Southland on a sheep and beef farm, attended Otago University and then shore some sheep, went to T-Coll and then went and taught in England for a couple of years.I then taught Art History and English at Southland Girls High School in Invercargill. In 2003 we moved to our farm in Poolburn with wife Deb and kids Josh, Harry, and Lucy. I am interested in developing pathways for our Senior students in the Agriculture industry, and working with the community as Chair of the Ida Valley Catchment Group and Beef and Lamb NZ in my role as a Farmer Councillor for the Central South Island. I have recently taken up a position with Primary ITO and will be tutoring young farmers as they look to gain Level 3 qualifications while working on farm.
Primary School
Primary School
Celine Ferdinands
New Entrant/Year 1 Teacher
Room 1
Room 1
I have been the New Entrant teacher at MAS since 2013. I have a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early years 0 - 8, from Massey University. I have taught in schools in India, Dubai and Sharjah. My family includes my husband Joe, and my daughters Candice and Abigail. We moved from Dubai to New Zealand 16 years ago and we have loved living in the mighty Maniototo!! I enjoy cooking, sewing, drama and playing table tennis and badminton.
Ann-Marie Paterson
Year 2 Teacher
Room 2
Room 2
I have a Bachelor in Education, endorsement in Teaching and teach Year 2. I grew up in the Bay of Plenty before my family moved to South Canterbury, where I met my husband and now live in Gimmerburn with my husband, Craig and our three children, Charlotte, Vanessa and Nathan. I enjoy being creative and spending time with my family.
Pip Sutherland
Year 3 Teacher
Room 3
Room 3
Hello, my name is Pip Sutherland and I am teaching in the Year 3 classroom this year. I grew up in Owaka and attended The Catlins Area School before studying for my Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Dunedin College of Education. Following graduation I started my teaching journey at Cromwell Primary in 2005. After that I moved to the Northern Territory with Sandy, and taught 3 children through Mt Isa School Of The Air while living on a remote Station near Kununurra. After living in Canada working with horses, I returned to Cromwell Primary in 2010. I started at Maniototo Area School in 2012 until having our first child, Archie, in 2015.
Following our time in North Canterbury we were very excited to return ‘home’ to the Maniototo as a family of 4 with Blake joining our family while we were living up there. I was extremely grateful to be able to rejoin the MAS junior team full time again last year with the Year 3 class.
Erica Phillips
Year 4/5 Teacher
Kia ora koutou, my name is Erica Phillips, the beginning primary teacher at MAS. Last year, I graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning (Primary) from the University of Canterbury. That makes me a Cantab supporter (and a very proud one at that) as my hometown is Timaru. Before studying I did a stint on Linnburn station and solo traveled around Europe. I am a dog mum to my chocolate lab Tilly. My spare time is spent going on adventures, playing sports, and spending time with my family. I am looking forward to working alongside the MAS kaiako, tamariki, and whānau.
Amanda Graham
Year 6/7 Teacher and Art
Room 5 (Thur-Fri)
Room 5 (Thur-Fri)
Hi, I’m Amanda Graham. I am a part time teacher sharing the year 6 and 7 class with Gemma Hore and I am also teaching Art from years 4 - 10 this year. I have a Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching). I moved to Ranfurly in 2008 as a beginning teacher and have been teaching at Maniototo Area school since other than a year stint in London where I taught at Lyon Park Junior School and enjoyed traveling through Europe. My family includes my husband Nic and our three daughters, Abbie (7), Briella (5) and Kaylee (3). Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family, shopping, keeping active and being creative.
Gemma Hore
Year 6/7 Teacher
Room 5 (Mon-Wed)
Room 5 (Mon-Wed)
Fiona Dowling
Year 8 teacher
I have taken on a variety of part-time roles while being Mum to three busy boys; 12, 10 and 8. I am thrilled to be in the classroom in a full-time capacity as the Year 8 teacher. I began my teaching career in South Auckland, Manurewa, to be specific. The pull of Otago and family brought me home in 2006 where I taught in Dunedin before heading to Maniototo to teach Year 7 and 8, and marry Logan (another Dowling boy who married a teacher)! Farming in the Pigroot, chasing kids sport, keeping fit and teaching keep my cup filled.
Support Staff
Support Staff
Anne Kirk
Office Administrator
A Southlander at heart I moved to the Maniototo in July 2006. My children Simon, Matthew and Lucy all attended MAS. My interests include my family, patchwork, art, travel, drama and socialising with friends. Ewan and I have purchased a property near Oturehua and are enjoying living in the country with our ever increasing family of fur-babies!
Arlene Marshall
Executive Officer/Finance
Kia Ora everyone, I was raised on a sheep and beef farm in the stunning Coromandel, I love getting back up there to spend time with my parents and helping on the farm. In my younger years I represented NZ in swimming. I enjoy travelling, the outdoors and spending time with family and friends. I have had many years working in banking in the Waikato, Auckland and the Bay of Plenty. I have worked at Maniototo Area School since late 2021 and I am thoroughly enjoying learning my new role and I am very grateful to be part of the MAS team.
Donna Owens
Casual Office Administrator
Sue Scott
Teacher aide
Coming Soon
Jenna Huddleston
Teacher aide
Maniototo born and bred. I completed all my schooling years at Maniototo Area School and then went on to do my training in Beauty Therapy. I've been married for 14 years and we have 3 children who keep us very busy. I have worked at Maniototo Area School as a Teacher Aid since 2020 and I thoroughly enjoy everything about my job. I enjoy the outdoors, sports, fishing, tramping, hunting and love to follow my children's interests.
Karenne Davis
Teacher aide
Coming Soon
Kerrin Mulholland
Caretaker
Coming Soon
Murray Morice
Cleaner
Coming Soon
Tania Cromb
Cleaner
Coming Soon
Sandra Kreft
Cleaner
Coming Soon
Current Vacancies
*There are no current vacancies
Support Staff Application Form
Teacher Position Application Form
