Our Educators
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Kim GillandersLead Educator (Seniors) /
Tuesday classes @ Wharehuia | Stanley Road, Thursday classes @ The Head Office New Plymouth Teaching in gifted education brings continued variety that builds on my previous experience in education. I have trained and taught as a primary school teacher, having senior teaching roles and moving into a Deputy Principal position. I have also enjoyed being involved in a range of learning environments including home education and tutoring roles that has allowed me to work more closely with individual learning styles. I live on a lifestyle block with my husband and 3 children (the eldest is at University.) I enjoy developing gardens, caring for our livestock (including two goats with big personalities!) and I have a passion for cooking. kim@theheadoffice.org.nz |
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Jess CoombeEducator (Juniors)
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday classes @ The Head Office New Plymouth Ko Jess tōku ingoa Ko Coombe tōku whanau No Feilding ahau engari kei Ngamotu e noho ana Ko Taranaki te maunga Ko Rangatikei te awa My name is Jess and I am so excited to have the opportunity to work at the Head Office. I have had a wonderfully diverse career working in Film and Television, Health Promotion and now teaching. I absolutely love being a teacher. I am excited to be an educator at the Head Office to empower and support young minds so they can reach their potential. jess@theheadoffice.org.nz |
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Fiona JacksonEducator (Juniors)
Tuesday class @ Wharehuia | Stanley Road I have 10 years experience teaching English and Drama, in secondary schools mostly based here in Taranaki. I attended NPGHS from 1991-1995 and then Waikato University from 1996-1999, gaining my Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Secondary Teaching. I have 3 lovely, very unique children of my own so understand the differing needs that children experience in their educational journey. I’ve owned Taranaki Tutors since July 2013, and across that time have tutored English from Years 5-13, and Maths from Years 4-11. I really love the one on one time with a student and those light bulb moments when their brain just clicks onto the concept you’re covering. I love hearing about the successes our students achieve, like when they get a grade that they never thought they could. In my spare time (I’m a mum to 3 and a business owner so I don’t get a lot!) I enjoy watching a good movie, reading, patting my pet goats as well as my guilty pleasure of Sing Star. fiona@theheadoffice.org.nz |
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Birte Ahlhaus
Educator
Tuesday & Thursday classes @ The Head Office New Plymouth I am an international relations scholar with research expertise in public international law. I gained my first teaching experience at the University of Queensland teaching under- and postgraduate courses on international relations and politics as well as mentoring postgraduate students in political science. Originally from Germany, our family moved back to New Plymouth a couple of years ago with our two young girls. I sincerely enjoy working with primary school aged children, especially building their enthusiasm for and interest in lifelong learning skills as well as continuing to learn myself. birte@theheadoffice.org.nz |
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Yolonda Xavier
Administrator & Education Assistant
Originally from Sydney, I studied Psychology at Macquarie University before spending time travelling and working overseas. I’ve been living in New Plymouth for over 7 years now and am a mum to 3 school-aged children. With a strong interest in education and learning, I have enjoyed varied and interesting roles including working with International students in London, working for the College of Surgeons in Melbourne, teaching English to migrants, and have most recently been involved with early childhood education as a member of New Plymouth Playcentre following the philosophy of parents as first educators. I joined the TGC Trust in June 2020 and am excited to be a part of such a passionate and dedicated team. admin@theheadoffice.org.nz |
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Ashleigh DowningEducation Assistant
I grew up here in New Plymouth and in 2016 moved to Wellington to start studying a Bachelor of Performing Arts with a specialisation in Dance and Circus. Once gaining my qualifications I was fortunate enough to secure myself a life on the road touring New Zealand with different Circuses. I returned to New Plymouth last year, and very quickly found myself back in the Dance studio teaching. I have enjoyed every moment of this and being able to share my skills and passions with others. I am very excited to be working with the team at Head office this year. ashleigh@theheadoffice.org.nz |
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Donna StrattonEducation Assistant
I live in New Plymouth with my husband and between us we have a blended family of 5 children and 3 gorgeous grandchildren with one on the way. For the past 11 years I have worked as an office manager at an after school tuition centre in New Plymouth but have had many years experience working as a teacher aide in both Wellington and Hawera schools - which I loved! I'm excited to be part of the Head Office team and to be working once again alongside and with children. donna@theheadoffice.org.nz |
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Tracey HookerEducation Assistant
I have Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology from Massey University and 13 years experience working with teenagers as a youth worker and have previously worked as a teacher aide. As a parent of a former student of The Head Office I am excited being a part of this unique programme. When I am not at the Head Office I am spending time with my husband and three awesome teenagers or working on our agricultural business. tracey@theheadoffice.org.nz |
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Valerie BarracloughFundraising and Evaluation Consultant
I am originally from Germany and came to Taranaki in 2014 after spending several years in London with my Kiwi husband. My background lies in visual arts, I have a BA in Cultural Design and an MA in Arts Administration and Cultural Policy. In London I worked as a Grants and Research Officer for a music charity that funds music education projects for young people facing challenging circumstances. After many years of supporting funded projects and assessing funding applications I'm now working as a Funding and Evaluation Consultant. I really enjoy supporting New Zealand charities to help them evaluate and demonstrate their impact and apply for funding. valerie@theheadoffice.org.nz |
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Sandra PowellAccounting
Originally from Germany, I immigrated to NZ in 2004. After a brief stint in Christchurch I arrived in New Plymouth, where I met my husband and ventured off with him to Scotland. We returned 4 years later, expanding our family and enjoying the lifestyle New Plymouth has to offer. When I am not working as an accountant I enjoy the outdoors, mountain biking or hiking with my family. accounts@theheadoffice.org.nz |
Our Board of Trustees
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Michael Bucksmith
Trust Chairperson
I am originally from Wellington and have recently returned from working overseas. I have had the great pleasure of working in several countries including Nepal, Malaysia, England, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates. My most recent roles have included being Deputy Primary Principal, chair of Student Services Committee, Accreditation Coordinator, ESL Coordinator and class teacher. I am excited to be part of the TGC Trust, supporting learning in our wonderful students. I have two sons and for fun I like to go for long runs, explore the bush and swim in the sea. I also enjoy coffee, music and travel. chair@theheadoffice.org.nz |
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Katja Eager
CEO & Trustee
I am originally from Germany and feel lucky to call Taranaki home since 2008. I have a background in Economics and Tourism Management and am a parent of two gifted children. I am very familiar with the highlights, struggles, frustrations and failures that can come with the gifted label and am passionate about advocating for the needs of exceptional children in our community. I am a founding member of the Taranaki Gifted Community Trust and CEO of our organisation. I am also President of the local branch of the NZ Association for Gifted Children (Taranaki Explorers). In my spare time I love to read, enjoy going to the movies and am a keen runner (although a slow one). Kia ora! katja@theheadoffice.org.nz |
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Fiona Lal
Treasurer & Trustee
Raised in Taranaki, I studied Law and Commerce at Victoria University of Wellington, majoring in Accounting and Commercial Law. My husband and I travelled widely after university, and I have been fortunate to have worked in a number of countries, with a varied career mostly in Accounting & Systems Analysis, giving me a strong diversity of skills. Once we had children, we found the pull to come back to Taranaki and family irresistible. We are co-directors of local consulting company CodeFluent Limited, but I have been in the fortunate position of giving my family priority when considering career options and am grateful to be able to contribute to our local community. I am a Trustee of the Taranaki Toy Library, and a founding trustee of Flourish Taranaki Community Trust, as well as joining the Taranaki Gifted Community Trust Board in 2017. My amazing family inspires me daily and I have seen my children benefit first-hand from the amazing work that these Trusts do. It is humbling to work alongside such hard-working, selfless people who work to enrich the lives of children, their whanau and our local community. |
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Kate FergussonTrustee
Kia ora i te whānau, My name is Kate Fergusson. I have had the privilege of being on the Taranaki Gifted Community Trust Board of Trustees since mid 2021. I have been working in the educational sector for thirty years, both as a primary teacher and more recently as a Learning Support Coordinator. I was born and bred in rural eastern Taranaki, and although I spent sixteen years away from Taranaki, it is the place I returned to raise my whānau of six children. Two of my older children were diagnosed by an Educational Psychologist with Giftedness early in 2003 (and attended the George Parkin One Day School in Tauranga for a period of time before returning to Taranaki), which gives me the double insight of the blessings and challenges of giftedness from both a parent’s and educator’s perspective. I have a strong interest in the Hau Ora/Wellbeing of Gifted (Advanced Yet Complex Needs) children and in fact, all neurodiverse children. I believe we still have many strides to take in nourishing and nurturing these individuals in our society so that they can reach true potential and contentment. It is pleasing to be a part of a community that strives to educate and support the people surrounding our gifted individuals, as well as providing a safe haven for our gifted children to find their ‘tribe’ and learn more about themselves. |
