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
Katie Burr
Room 12
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 & LIBRARY
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
Cherry Webber
Library Manager
E: cherry@cms.school.nz
CARETAKER
Colin Hatton
Caretaker
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
Leana Griggs
Ella Smith
Paris Barnett
Dallas Rata-Makene
Vanessa Markwell
Kia Ora, I’m excited to be part of the CMS Board as its presiding member (chair), to share my skills and experiences, and to continue to help make it a great place for our whole community.
We have two boys, one in Y7 at Cambridge Middle School, and one (now Y9) who finished at CMS last year. Together with my partner I help run our dairy farm just outside of Cambridge. I have a depth of experience in Human Resources and Change Management with a career spanning 25+ years across a variety of industries including financial services, logistics, retail, dairy and most recently working with not for profits.
I have been a member of the CMS Board since early 2022. There is a lot of great work underway and I’m looking forward to the chance to continue to give back to our community and help shape what education looks like for our kids in their “middle” years. The middle school years are significant years for our kids both academically and socially and I love the fact CMS can support and encourage so many new and varied experiences for them as they navigate the transition from being a child to becoming a young adult. I feel passionate about continuing to help create an environment where all our children feel like they belong and have the opportunities to be their best selves.
David Connors
I live in Cambridge with my wife and two children, we’ve been here for over 10 years and love our small piece of New Zealand. During the week I manage a small Aircraft Avionics Company here in the Waikato and in the weekend have been slowly renovating our Villa.
I love getting in and being involved, in renovating I turn my hand at all trades, and with our children going through Leamington Primary and now onto Middle School it felt natural to put my name forward to help out on the Board.
I joined the Leamington Primary Board part way through 2021 and was thrown in the deep end having to contend with the Covid restrictions and their frequent changes. I enjoyed the challenge and have learnt a lot; I hope to now bring a new perspective to Cambridge Middle School.
Haydn Wright
Kia Ora Koutou,
I am Haydn Wright and I have recently moved to Cambridge with my Whānau. I am originally from the South Island but have lived in Auckland, Taranaki and the Waikato in recent years. I'm married with four kids and have a background in education. Most of my time in education has been with Intermediate-aged ākonga. I have found that these are the years when students start to be super passionate about areas of schooling. While on the board, I hope to continue supporting the vision of the Kura, Tumuaki, and Kaiako in making Cambridge Middle School a great place to work and be.
Michael Franklin
Hi my name is Michael Franklin and I have two girls, one currently in Year 10 and the other one in Year 8.
I am a business development manager whose key role is solution selling, where I liaise with businesses (and occasionally Schools) on what their business is trying to achieve and I offer solutions, efficiencies or ideas on how to reduce their budgets/expenditure. I'm currently working in packaging industry where one of my roles is to help businesses become more sustainable. I look after quite a few companies in Cambridge and the greater Waikato.
My previous role was at a Property Services company where I looked after over 30 Schools in regards to their exterior painting as well as their school ground maintenance, so I was constantly dealing with school decision makers , Principals, SLT's, Property Managers and Boards.
I am looking forward to contributing back to the community and helping Cambridge Middle School with moving forward into the future.
Andrew Gurney
Kia ora, having worked in the financial services industry or several years, it's a privilege to bring this experience to the Board as a parent representative. My professional background equips me with a strong understanding of financial management and strategic planning.
I'm passionate about education, sports and culture - believing in their power to shape well-rounded individuals. I'm delighted to contribute to our school community and help our students connect, inspire and grow.
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.