Our People
Our tamariki. The heart of our school.
Kaiako
Karen O'Donnell
Principal
Karen graduated from Canterbury University and began her teaching career on the West Coast. Karen has lived in Marlborough since 2008 where most of her immediate family are also living. In her spare time Karen enjoys the outdoors - walking the hills, fossicking along the beach, and spending time in her garden. Making a positive difference to the lives of the children she works with is her passion.
Nimmi Kumar
Teacher
Nimmi Prem Kumar has been living in NZ for 21 years with her family of four. She came to Palmerston North with her two boys and husband. Now the boys are all well settled in good jobs which shows she has raised her kids well. She has taught in India and has relieved in most Blenheim schools since 2004.
Nimmi has a Bachelor's Degree in Education from India and trained at Massey University in Palmerston North in 2001 for a PG Diploma in Primary Teaching. Nimmi loves children and enjoys seeing how children grow and learn.
Nimmi is very patient, loves to learn new things, and apply them to her personal growth and teaching. She believes that “once a teacher always a learner” and she follows this.
Office Administrator
Lisa Bond is the Office Administrator and has been with the school since 2014. She is also the School Librarian, Board of Trustees Staff Representative, Board Secretary and Fundraising Committee Treasurer. Lisa is your first point of contact in the school office and her hours are 8.30 - 1pm. Lisa lives in Wairau Valley with her husband and daughter.
Teacher's Aide
Rachel McConway is our teacher aide, and bus driver, and has worked in the school since 2004. Rachel lives with Donald in Wairau Valley and they have four grown children living in New Zealand, and overseas. Rachel enjoys being busy on her lifestyle block which is home to the many animals and pets she cares for. Rachel is respected and well-known for the time, care, and support she graciously gives others.
Our whānau
Around the Downs
The Around the Downs Fun Run/Walk/RIDE is annual event is organised by our PTA. The funds raised are given as a koha to our school and help pay for 'extras' such as playground equipment, books, devices and games for our classrooms.
2024 Fun Run dates are:
Saturday 6th April - Horse Trek
Sunday 7th April - FUN RUN
Our Board
Stacey Lowther - Presiding Member
Jamie Timms
Hayley Kidd
Bram Hoogeveen