Our Staff
Senior Leadership Team
Gary's Profile
It is a privilege to be the Principal of Torbay School. Since taking this role up in January 2018 I have totally enjoyed working with the exceptional staff and the wonderful children here at Torbay. The community involvement in the school is outstanding and brings a strength of character to everything we do. Our child centred approach to education gives all children the best chance of success and I am very proud of the efforts our teachers go to, to ensure each child is supported. I look forward to developing our teaching practices and providing children with exciting learning opportunities as we move further into the 21st century.
Katie's Profile
Kia ora. I am one of the Deputy Principals here at Torbay School. I have worked here since 2004. My role and responsibility is for the resources in the school including all computers and ICT related equipment. I have a passion for future focused learning and to prepare students for life long learning. My other passion is for environmental education and I love working with students developing an awareness and sensitivity to the environment and related issues. I live with my husband in Greenhithe and we have four children. In my spare time I enjoy swimming, sailing, walking and spending time with my family on our boat.
Glenys's Profile
With a passion for learning and supporting children to achieve their potential I work across the school in a number of roles. I have overall responsibility for literacy and numeracy as well as Learning Support including GATE and ESOL. I work with all students in my pastoral care role and am a strong advocate in supporting them. I love working with staff and students to develop teaching and learning that leads us into the future.
Teaching Staff – Rakino Team
Linda's Profile
Hi I’m Linda Urwin,
I have had a long association with Torbay School both as a teacher and parent. I love working with the amazing students in my class to develop their talents and strengths. I believe in giving all students opportunities to experience a wide range of quality learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. I like to focus and build on their confidence and growth as individuals and their belief in themselves as citizens of the future. I am the Lead Teacher for Maths and share this passion with my class.
Jack's Profile
Hi I’m Jack Coyle,
This is my first year teaching at Torbay School and I’m delighted to be a part of the Rakino team this year with an awesome class of Year 6 students. I am passionate about building strong relationships with my students in order to provide the best learning experience possible and help everyone realise their full potential. I enjoy teaching maths and inquiry learning, and have a strong background in sports and music.
I grew up overseas and attended school in Malaysia and Thailand before moving back to New Zealand in 2013. I love living on the North Shore and am glad to be a part of the Torbay community.
Danielle's Profile
Teaching Staff – Waiheke Team
Megan's Profile
Kia ora I am Megan McIntosh,
I am a Year 5 teacher at Torbay School. I have been teaching for many years in a variety of places around New Zealand. I have just recently come back to teaching full time after staying home to look after my 3 beautiful children. My husband, children and I live locally and really enjoy the wonderful things Torbay has to offer.
This year I am working with Alyce Debenham in a shared space in Room 1 and 2. I love working in a collaborative space and am looking forward to a fun and busy year.
Alyce's Profile
Kia ora I’m Alyce Debenham,
I started teaching at Torbay in 2017 as a year 5/6 teacher. This year I am teaching a year 5 class along with Megan McIntosh. I have loved being able to teach in the community that I grew up, and currently live in. I am passionate about the Arts, in particular Dance. I also love teaching Literacy and Inquiry Learning. I really love working with all of the amazing students here at Torbay.
Renee's Profile
Kia ora, I’m Renee Heasley.
Lachlan's Profile
I have been a teacher at Torbay Primary starting in 2020. I am passionate about sports and innovative learning environments. A big part of my focus as a teacher is to encourage students to explore new experiences to find activities they are passionate about, and motivating them to work hard at their passions.
Some of my interests include basketball, football, playing guitar and spending time with friends and family. I have lived in the Torbay and Browns Bay area for the majority of my life.
Teaching Staff – Motuihe Team
Ingrid's Profile
Hi! I grew up in Torbay and went to Torbay School as a student. I have worked at a number of schools, both locally and over the bridge but loved it so much at Torbay School that I have been back here since 2015.
My husband, Ian and I live locally with our 3 children. As a family, we love going on bush walks, riding our bikes and visiting our beautiful local beaches.
Paula's Profile
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko Ruahine te maunga
Ko Manawatū te awa
Ko Orongomai te marae
Ko Ngati katoa te iwi
Ko Paula Christian toku ingoa
Kia ora! My name is Paula and I am originally from the mighty Manawatū. I have been teaching in Wellington for the past four years and excited to be back in Auckland. My main focus as a teacher is to have young people excited to come to school each day to learn new things. Building relationships with children, whānau and community is important to me.
I am passionate about our environment, especially the icy continent Antarctica. I like setting challenges for myself, like climbing mountains and I love to read.
Ngā mihi.
Teaching Staff – Kawau Team
Lorelle's Profile
Following two terms as a part-time teacher at Torbay School in 2015, I began working as a Year 4 teacher in 2016 and now teach in the year 3 area. I am in charge of the library and have a passion for developing the love of reading.
I live locally with my husband and two children. We enjoy family time together bike riding, exploring beaches and playing sports. I also enjoy reading, water sports, boating, art, baking, spending time with friends and family and playing squash and other sports.
Torbay is a wonderful place to live and work. We are so lucky to have such a naturally beautiful environment on our doorstep! I am glad to be part of the team at Torbay School. The staff really care about our students, families and community and are awesome people to work alongside.
Aubrey's Profile
Hi my name is Aubrey Orne-Adams, but my wonderful group of year 3 students know me as Miss O. I completed my student teaching at Torbay School in 2013. I’m originally from New Mexico, and I’m thrilled to be living in New Zealand and teaching at Torbay.
I believe that all children are natural learners who can be inspired by an education built around their individual needs and interests. I am excited to challenge my students and facilitate their life-long love of learning.”
Joanne's Profile
Hello, I have been teaching at Torbay School since 2005, mainly working with Year 2, 3 and 4 students. I enjoy guiding children through the learning process and seeing them take risks and succeed. Children learn through doing; wondering, questioning, exploring and discovering answers to satisfy their curiosity. Along this pathway, they discover that learning is fun and they gain life skills. I believe that children learn best when they are happy and comfortable, and when they feel safe within their learning environment. Learning is fun and there are plenty of smiles and laughter throughout our journey together.
I love teaching at Torbay School as I get loads of opportunities in leading, teaching and learning. The children are wonderful and the staff are fantastic to work with.
Rebecca's Profile
Kia Ora
I first came to Torbay as a student teacher in 2010 and have been teaching here in a variety of roles since graduating. I believe as a teacher it is my job to provide a safe and fun environment where students are confident in taking risks and challenging themselves in their education. I enjoy helping students to direct their natural curiosity about our wonderful world into real life learning. I am the head teacher for Enviro and engage with students from all year levels every week in the gardens. We’re extending the vegetable gardens, developing an orchard, increasing our worm farms and reducing our carbon footprint by recycling waste paper at school. I am the facilitator for our school’s involvement with the citizen science project M2 which involves monitoring Waiake Beach with students twice a year. I work with the GATE team on developing projects and learning to extend and benefit a variety of students.
I am a proud mother to my two amazing daughters Grace and Charlotte who are both keenly involved with sport and projects within the community. I am their taxi and cheerleader most weekends. I have a large variety of pets and a range of interests. I am passionate about the environment, science (particularly biology), gardening, reading, history and music. I’ve lived in Torbay most of my life and still catch my breath at the beauty that surrounds me every day.
Teaching Staff – Rangitoto Team
Claire's Profile
Nikki's Profile
I have been teaching since 2004 after doing a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Education, and a Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching at Massey University.
I have a passion for kapa haka, literacy, reading in particular and love the challenge of helping reluctant readers to find stories they love. I have two children who keep my very busy.
Nic's Profile
Originally from the south of England, I arrived in New Zealand with just a backpack and my husband in 2013, since then we’ve had two children, brought our own home and fully embraced into the kiwi way of life. I feel very lucky to have taught in a number of North Shore school and am really happy to now be working and living in the community.
As a teacher I thrive on a busy, energetic and creative classroom. I believe children learn best through exploration and play. I love challenging the children’s thinking and being a part of their lightbulb moments.
Jennifer's Profile
Tena Koutou, I’m Jennifer Dawe,
I started at Torbay School in 2015. I have a special connection with Torbay School as I attended the school for my last 2 years of primary after immigrating from South Africa. I have taught at Sunnynook School and Pinehill School. I have been teaching since 2003. I am an enthusiastic and energetic teacher who is passionate about Maths, Digital Technology and Art. I live locally with my husband and twin girls and love the outdoors.
Teaching Staff – Tiritiri Team
Susan's Profile
I was born in China and came to New Zealand in 1983. I have been teaching since 1994.
I lived in Palmerston North for a few years before moving to the North Shore. My hobbies are running, walking at the beach, gardening, doing all sorts of art related activities and spending time with my family.
I am very passionate about developing student’s interests through Play Based learning. My philosophy in teaching is that, I believe all students can achieve to their potential and I endeavour to deliver a challenging and enjoyable curriculum.
Kylie's Profile
Kia ora, My name is Kylie.
I moved to New Zealand with my husband and son in 2019, after spending 4 years in Dubai. Since joining Torbay school I have enjoyed getting to know these amazing children and it has been wonderful to be part of the Torbay family.
I started my teaching career in 2014. I am passionate about educating children. I believe that a strong foundation and love of learning from an early age will give a child a world of opportunities and a desire to pursue them.
Jenny's Profile
I started at Torbay School in 2013. I have been involved in Primary education for many years and am passionate about teaching and helping children reach their full potential. In my spare time I am usually fishing, snorkeling or walking on the beach or in one of our wonderful forests.
Specialist Teachers
Sarah's Profile
I have been a teacher at Torbay School since 2011. Prior to this I have taught at a variety of schools on the North Shore. I am an enthusiastic and energetic teacher and always strive for students to reach their full potential by supporting their interests and abilities. My interests within education are STEM, working and learning collaboratively, visual arts, integration and having fun. I am also an across school lead for our Oneroa Kāhui Ako. I am very interested in the transitions and wellbeing of our tamariki. Supporting them through these changes to create smooth pathways to enhance their growth and development.
Vanessa's Profile
Hi, I’m Vanessa. I am very happy to be teaching at my old primary school. I have a lovely class of year 6 children in Room 19. I am an experienced teacher having previously worked at two schools in Central Auckland. As an ex Torbay School student it is wonderful to be back in Torbay. I lead the Literacy team and I am an across school leader for our Kahui Ako. I am very interested in integrating ICT into all areas of the curriculum and developing Future Focused Learning at Torbay School.
Support Staff
Teacher Aide
