Staff

About Me

I’m thrilled to be the new principal of Pirinoa School. I’m focused on fun, hands-on, meaningful learning for the kids and a happy, relaxed team of teachers and support staff. I have a Montessori background which has given me loads of experience in seeing how well the kids respond to learning about the ‘big picture’: how our planet came to be, how life evolved and the impact humans have on the environment as we go about our creative, brilliant endeavours. I live up in the big smoke of Martinborough with my wife Jo, having moved over from Wellington in 2020. We have a lifestyle block up there with loads of olive trees, that we are slowly turning into something resembling a business! I like to get up to Auckland in my holidays to play around on my boat in the Hauraki Gulf or spend time with landlubber friends and family who are dotted around the motu. I’m looking forward to meeting you soon.

E: principal@pirinoa.school.nz

About Me

Kia Ora, I grew up in a small Southland town called Te Anau until aged 8 when our family moved to Wellington. After college I attended university at Massey in Palmerston North, where I studied Nutrition. After completing my Bachelor of Science, I decided to go back to university and do my teacher training at Victoria University. I have most recently moved to Martinborough to start my first teaching job here at Pirinoa. I am very excited to become a part of the Pirinoa community, and am loving being in the South Wairarapa. I enjoy getting outside and exploring, skiing, cooking and spending time with my family and friends.

E: meg.excell@pirinoa.school.nz

About Me

I grew up in Martinborough and attended Martinborough School and then boarded at Solway College. After college I went overseas for 5 years working as a Nanny in London, a chalet girl in Switzerland and numerous other O.E jobs. I trained at Wellington Teachers College. I had a son James (who is now 23) and when he was 4 years old we travelled to Thailand and England to work in an international school for a couple of years. I have had the opportunity to teach every year group and I love them all. I enjoy playing tennis, taking on projects, discovering new places and spending time with friends and whanau.

E: sissy.p@pirinoa.school.nz

About Me

I was born in Upper Hutt and went to school over there until I came over to the Wairarapa in Year 11 to board at Wairarapa College. My husband, Aaron, and I have three children, Lily, Jackson and Hadley who are all lucky enough to attend Pirinoa School. I started working at Pirinoa School in 2018 after being home with my children while they were preschoolers. I love all sports and being outside hanging out with all the kids and just having a good laugh 🙂

E: office@pirinoa.school.nz