Daryl Gibbs - Principal
"I am honoured to have been selected by the Cambridge Middle School Board to serve and lead the learning for the Cambridge Middle School community. My responsibility as the Principal is to ensure that your child continues to receive a high quality education within a safe, respectful and supportive environment. I believe the emerging adolescent is a very special and unique age group to teach. It takes a special balance of teaching knowledge, relationship building, caring and humour to be successful with middle school children. Children of this age are developing self-identity, opinions and an understanding of the world around them, and it takes people with a specific skill set and understanding to nurture them. I have a strong passion and commitment to developing programmes that support the academic, sporting, social and cultural development of our students. I look forward to working in partnership with you and your children."
Email: daryl@cms.school.nz
Bridget Watkins - Deputy Principal
"I am one of the Deputy Principals at Cambridge Middle School. Our kura is a dynamic and exciting place for our emerging adolescents to learn and grow in during their journey with us. I am passionate about supporting and growing our staff and their teaching practice, and pedagogical knowledge to be able walk alongside our ākonga and guide their learning and development during their time at Cambridge Middle School. My responsibilities include developing staff capability, curriculum design, communication, and coordinating incoming student transition. I am honoured to work alongside such dedicated and innovative teachers, in a supportive school community that is committed to the successful development of our emerging adolescents."
Email: bridget@cms.school.nz
Tagget Christophersen - Deputy Principal
"I am one of the Cambridge Middle School’s Deputy Principals. I am passionate about our kura and all it has to offer our ākonga. Some of my key responsibilities are curriculum, learning support, student engagement and school transitions. It is my privilege to support our ākonga, whānau and kaiako to make the most of their time at Cambridge Middle School. I have high expectations of our ākonga and support them to strive for excellence academically, socially and culturally. I look forward to working in partnership with you whilst your taitamaiti is at Cambridge Middle School."
Email: tagget@cms.school.nz
Charlott Bayliss - Assistant Principal
"I am one of the Assistant Principals at Cambridge Middle School. I am very excited to be a part of the leadership team as well as being able to continue supporting students at the classroom level. As one of the Assistant Principals I currently oversee EOTC and Digital Technologies as well as having a supporting role with Pastoral Care, school wide planning and staff well-being. I have a passion for unlocking the potential of all students and feel lucky to be able to work alongside equally passionate staff here at Cambridge Middle School."
Email: charlott.b@cms.school.nz
Natalie Marsh - Assistant Principal
"As an Assistant Principal at Cambridge Middle School, I'm fortunate to be part of a team dedicated to student well-being. My role focuses on supporting student well-being and mentoring, addressing high health needs, and improving attendance. We embrace a restorative practice approach, prioritising individual student needs and fostering a strong sense of community. Ākonga are supported through various pastoral initiatives, including counselling and lunchtime clubs. By connecting with ākonga and whānau, we strive to create a supportive environment where all students can thrive. I'm incredibly grateful to work alongside dedicated professionals who share a common goal; ensuring the success of every ākonga."
Email: nataliemarsh@cms.school.nz or studentsupport@cms.school.nz
Theresa Valvoi
Room 16
E: theresa@cms.school.nz
Team Leader
Andrew Burr
Room 17
E: andrew.b@cms.school.nz
Vania McKeown
Room 18
E: vania.m@cms.school.nz
Debi Gallagher
Room 22
E: debi.g@cms.school.nz
Georgina Glenn
Room 09
E: georgina.g@cms.school.nz
Team Leader
Tian Hancke
Room 08
E: tian@cms.school.nz
Bevan Tohia
Room 07
E: bevan.t@cms.school.nz
Amy Purchase
Room 06
E: amy.p@cms.school.nz
Deirdre Finn
Room 25
E: deirdre@cms.school.nz
Team Leader
Claire Hewson
Room 23
E: claire.h@cms.school.nz
Trisha Honey
Room 24
E: trisha@cms.school.nz
Leanne Haddock
Room 26
E: leanne@cms.school.nz
Larah Adams-O'Riley
Room 12
E: larah.a@cms.school.nz
Katie Burr
On Maternity Leave
E: katie.b@cms.school.nz
Team Leader
Harmony Cairns
Room 13
E: harmony.c@cms.school.nz
Travis Maclennan
Room 14
E: travis.m@cms.school.nz
Rebecca Quayle
Room 01
E: bec.q@cms.school.nz
Team Leader
Danielle Fuller
Room 02
E: danielle@cms.school.nz
Cullen Geurts
Room 03
E: cullen.g@cms.school.nz
Natala Pettit
Room 05
E: natala.p@cms.school.nz
Team Leader
Clarissa Ricardo
Room 04
E: clarissa.r@cms.school.nz
Chris Garland
Room 10
E: chris.g@cms.school.nz
Jamie Hopson-Cameron
Room 10 on Wed. & Fri.
E: jamie.h@cms.school.nz
Chantell Harris
Room 11
E: chantell.h@cms.school.nz
Julie Dawick
Visual Art
E: julie@cms.school.nz
Robyn Gibbeson
Food Technology
E: robyn@cms.school.nz
Jo Wright
Science
E: jo.wright@cms.school.nz
Carla McCree
Design Thinking
E: carla.m@cms.school.nz
Tracey Andrews
Drama
E: tracey@cms.school.nz
Specialist Team Leader
Morgan Lewis
Music
E: morgan.l@cms.school.nz
Sophie Dewstow-Wright
SENCO
E: sophie.dw@cms.school.nz
Anita Hawkins
Sports Co-ordinator
E: anita@cms.school.nz
Natalie Marsh
Pouarataki
Student Wellbeing Support & Mentoring
nataliemarsh@cms.school.nz
Leigh McManus
Pouarataki
E: leigh.m@cms.school.nz
Melissa Charleston
Pouarataki
E: melissa.c@cms.school.nz
Kahurangi Heta
Te ao Maaori Support
kahurangi.h@cms.school.nz
Te Kore Poka
Te ao Maaori Support
tekore.p@cms.school.nz
OFFICE & PROPERTY
Jo Baker
Executive Officer
E: jo.b@cms.school.nz
E: accounts@cms.school.nz
Paula Harvey
Office Manager
E: paula.h@cms.school.nz
E: office@cms.school.nz
Krista Bolton
Admin Support
E: krista.b@cms.school.nz
E: office@cms.school.nz
Colin Hatton
Property Manager
E. colin@cms.school.nz
Christine O'Connor
Linnet Hatton
Lauren Gray
Janine van de Pas
Arleen Bridge
Santasha McGuire
Phoebe Pettit
Kerri-Lee Kobus
Jeni Tamboer
Wanda Marais-Buitendach
Jenny Brown
Ella Smith
Paris Barnett
Dallas Rata-Makene
Haydn Wright
Kia ora, I'm Haydn Wright.
Since moving to Cambridge with my whānau, it’s been a privilege to call this place home. I’m originally from the South Island and have also lived in Auckland, Taranaki, and across the Waikato. I’m married with four awesome kids and have a background in education, most of it working with Intermediate-aged ākonga. I love this stage of learning, where students begin to discover who they are and what they’re passionate about.
I joined the Cambridge Middle School Board in 2024, and I am currently the Presiding Member. I have really enjoyed contributing to the vision of our school leaders, students, and community. I’m passionate about helping create an environment where every learner feels they belong and have opportunities to be their best selves.
CMS plays such an important role in supporting young people through these significant middle years, academically, socially, and personally. I’m excited to continue working alongside our tumuaki, kaiako, and community to make CMS a place where everyone thrives.
Lindsay Plasmeyer
I bring more than 20 years of experience in the building and construction industry, with a strong mix of hands-on expertise, leadership, and community focus that I believe brings value to the Board.
As a qualified carpenter, a Licensed Building Practitioner and a Project Manager, I have an extremely high attention to detail. Due to my training I have a personal interest in school infrastructure, maintenance, and future development.
Attendance of my own children at Cambridge middle school currently and in years to come gives me a long-term connection to CMS and gives me a strong and genuine commitment to supporting the school’s success—not only for my own children but for the wider community.
Sam Fursdon
As a committed parent of a student at Cambridge Middle School, I’m keen to contribute to the school community by serving as a parent representative on the board. I believe in the importance of strong partnerships between families, staff, and the board to create the best environment for our tamariki to learn and grow.
Through my full-time role at New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, I’ve gained valuable experience in governance, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement. This exposure has given me a solid understanding of how to contribute effectively at the board level, ask thoughtful questions, and support collaborative, future focused decision making.
I’m approachable and passionate about ensuring every student at Cambridge Middle School feels supported and empowered.
Jo Cumming
Kia Ora,
It is my pleasure to be part of the CMS Board and continue the great work that has already been done by the community before us. I am passionate about helping our community and driving successful outcomes, especially for our young people. As a family we have lived in Cambridge for many years and our three children all go to local schools, with our eldest here at CMS.
My background in engineering, combined with my experience at Playcentre (a parent-run preschool), gives me a sound understanding of problem solving, risk management, policy work and financial management. I am looking forward to contributing to robust decision making for our kura and tamariki.
Nikki Cattle
I am a proud mum of three boys – one currently in Year 7 at Cambridge Middle School, one in Year 5 at Goodwood School, and one in Year 9 at St John's in Hamilton. With a Bachelor of Education and a long-standing interest in child development, I am passionate about creating environments where children can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
I believe that strong partnerships between whānau, school staff, and the wider community are key to student success. As a parent representative, I am committed to supporting the Cambridge Middle School community to ensure every child is given the opportunity to reach their full potential. I aim to bring a balanced perspective, a genuine interest in education, and a desire to contribute positively to the school’s ongoing development.
Danielle Fuller
Kia Ora, My name is Danielle Fuller and I am the Staff Representative on the School Board.
Maori enjoying and achieving education success as Maori
(2013 Ministry of Education, Ka Hikitia Accelerating Success)
How we bring to life this vision at Cambridge Middle School
To meet with our Cambridge Middle School whānau one to two times a term to discuss:
Ways to engage our Maori students in learning at school;
Ways to engage whānau, hapu and iwi positively in their Maori student's learning, both inside and outside the classroom;
Ways to enhance our local curriculum to reflect the Maori identity, language and culture in each are.
Waiho I te toipoto, kaua I te toiroa
Let us keep close together, not wide apart
Kia mau ki to Maoritanga
Hold fast to your culture.