Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatu new staff profilesMary Culver has over twenty years experience in Education, most recently as service manager of the special education team in Porirua. Mary also brings an understanding and knowledge of the disability sector having also worked as an occupational therapist in early intervention, fund holder schools, and special education. Mary is seconded to the role of district manager, Te Haunui, Central District until June 2016.

Gary Punler has held a number of leadership roles within primary and tertiary sectors. Gary has been seconded for three terms from West End School in Palmerston North where he has been principal for the past 15 years. Prior to this Gary was a leadership and management advisor at Massey University. Gary has been appointed as a senior education advisor and you will soon see him out and about in the school community.

Cathie Newton has held a broad number of roles in primary education. Her experiences include leadership in high and low decile schools within New Zealand and Canada, as well as being a trained Reading Recovery Tutor. She has had involvement in innovations such as Mutukaroa, Talk for Writing and the Papakura Achievement Initiative. Cathie has been appointed as a senior advisor and looks forward to meeting you when she is out in the community.

Jude Fawcett has held leadership roles in schools and in sport management. Her most recent position was principal at Chilton Saint James School, a pre-school to year 13 school in Lower Hutt. Jude has also worked in Teacher Education at Massey and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and Victoria University as a visiting lecturer to schools. Jude has been appointed as a lead education advisor, Communities of Learning.

Sylvia Howieson has 20 years teaching experience and was a principal in two London schools. She has worked for a local authority in England to roll out a national programme to raise achievement for at-risk students from years 4-9. Sylvia joined the Ministry of Education in December 2014 as a special education advisor. She is looking forward to her new role as senior advisor supporting schools in achieving their goals and aspirations for 2016.

Corinne Peters has over 25 years experience in education. She began her career in South Africa, then moved to New Zealand where she held leadership positions in both low and high decile schools. For the past eight years she has been working across schools, providing training and development for school leaders to improve school management, teacher practice and student achievement. Corinne will be based in New Plymouth and is looking forward to working with you in her new role as senior advisor.