Mike Allen Principal / senior class teacher

Kia ora koutou.

I am Mike Allen and I have been teaching since 1986. Most of my time has been spent in urban schools. I completed a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning and a diploma of Educational Management in 2007 through part-time study. I am half way to a masters degree.

My first Principal role in 2012 was at Aranui Primary in Christchurch. Aranui was closed as a result of the post earthquake Educational review of Christchurch schools.
​I then spent two terms and two weeks as a relieving Principal for Lake Rotoiti. After that I returned to Christchurch where I taught in an Intermediate school prior to taking on the role of Principal at Duvauchelle School in Akaroa. 

When I am not teaching I enjoy sailing, hunting, fishing and skiing. A good book is also something that will occupy a lot of my time.
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My wife is a registered nurse and is working part time in a variety of jobs in St Arnaud.  We have two adult sons and four grandchildren.

email: [email protected]
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Miriam Gebhard  : junior class teacher

Kia ora,

I am the junior classroom teacher at Lake Rotoiti School. I am very excited to be part of this amazing little school and its community.

I was born and raised in Germany and moved to Nelson in 2006 with my daughter, following my parents and siblings. I am a family person and consider myself lucky to have them all close by. I married a kiwi and between us we have four children (bio, step, and foster), one grandchild, and a cat. 
When I am not spending time with family or friends, I love to cook and occasionally get my kayaks in the water. 

​email: [email protected]
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Dominique McCrostie : office manager, Bus driver, librarian

​I’m the Office Manager at Lake Rotoiti School and enjoy being part of the school team. I was born and lived in South Africa until I was 11, which was when my family moved to New Zealand. I lived in Auckland until going to the University of Otago where I completed my accounting degree.

I have been involved in Lake Rotoiti School since my oldest started 13 years ago first as a parent and then as a Board of Trustees member. The kids are so fortunate to be able to experience a small rural school and all the opportunities that come with it.

When I’m not working you can often find me with my nose in a book as I love reading. I also enjoy snowboarding, watersports and making jewellery with beads. 

​email: [email protected]
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fiona:  bus driver

Fiona is our main bus driver.  She has lived at the Lake forever and knows all about everything.  She's pretty cool behind the wheel of the bus and makes sure we get to school on time.  She lives in St Arnaud with her husband.
 

Deb: Bus driver

Deb drives out second bus. She lives next door to the school with Mike and her dog Alfie. She is often out an about taking Alfie for walks and hunting for cool fungi.

kirsten and Gary dick : The best Cleaners ever!! 

Kirsten and Gary are our supreme cleaning machines.  They keep our school so clean and never complain when we make a mess!  We are so thankful for the hard work they do.  Kirsten's favourite pastime is looking after a heap of dairy cows.  

Brent:  The best Maintenance Person ever!!

​Brent is the person who sorts out the pool, mows the grass, picks up all the tyres we have played with, mends our fences and keeps our school looking as sharp as a tack. We love building huts with the grass Brent cuts (and with the tyres and wood).   When he is not helping our school Brent is busy getting his house built or helping DOC.