I am absolutely thrilled to be introducing myself as the Principal of Rūnanga School. My name is Jessica (Jess) Lees, though the students fondly refer to me as 'Miss Lees'.

I am originally from the United Kingdom, where I began my teaching career. In 2019, I made the life-changing decision to move to New Zealand. I spent my first months here travelling around the country in my campervan, exploring the stunning landscapes from the rolling hills to the pristine coastlines. It was during this adventure that I completely fell in love with Aotearoa's natural beauty, the warmth of its communities, and the unique educational opportunities this country offers. I knew then that this was somewhere I wanted to make my home and continue my professional journey.

I have been teaching for nine years, bringing with me a wealth of experience from both the English and New Zealand education systems. Starting my career in England provided me with a strong foundation in teaching practices, which I have continued to build upon since arriving in New Zealand. This dual perspective has enriched my understanding of different educational approaches and strengthened my ability to create inclusive, effective learning environments for all students.

My partner and I relocated to the beautiful West Coast last year, and we have embraced every aspect of life in this remarkable region. From the rugged coastlines to the welcoming community spirit, we feel incredibly fortunate to call this place home. The West Coast's unique character and the tight-knit nature of its communities align perfectly with my educational values and vision for Rūnanga School.

I am a dedicated educator with a passion for supporting every child to flourish, grow, and succeed—not just academically, but as confident, well-rounded individuals. I believe that every student has unique strengths and potential, and it is our privilege as educators to nurture these qualities while providing the support they need to overcome challenges.

Throughout my career, I have always placed tremendous importance on open, honest communication with students, whānau, and the wider school community. My door is always open—whether you have concerns, ideas, questions, or simply want to have a chat about your child's progress. I firmly believe that strong partnerships between school and home are essential for student success, and I am committed to building and maintaining these relationships with every family at Rūnanga School.

At the heart of everything we do, let us always keep our students as the primary focus of our work. Every decision we make, every initiative we undertake, and every conversation we have should be guided by one question: "What is best for our tamariki?"

I am excited about this new chapter at Rūnanga School and look forward to working alongside you all. Please do not hesitate to get in contact—I welcome your input, your questions, and your partnership as we work together to create the best possible learning environment for every child in our kura.

My name is Ilse Verburgh and I teach Coal Creek, our junior class. 

Born and raised in Pretoria, South Africa, I qualified at university with a bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology.  For the first half of my career, I practiced as a Speech Therapist.  Having also completed a post graduate certificate in Teaching,  I have been in the classroom in various schools for the latter part of my career.

Sharing my love for languages, sciences, reading and art with the students brings me great joy.

In my own time, I enjoy doing sewing and reading.  My husband, four children and two grandchildren are also in the queue for a bit of my attention.

Hi, I'm Carolyn Straker,

 I'm the Office Administrator here at Runanga School.  I do the Accounts and lots of other jobs as needed.  In my spare time I do embroidery, biking and reading.

Hello, I'm Larrae Duncan 

I have been a teacher aide at Rūnanga School for over 6 years. I enjoy working with the children at Rūnanga School, and I love celebrating their successes, whether they are big or small. 

I live in Runanga with my husband and daughter. My hobbies include fishing at the beach and having a boat day on the lake with our friends and family.