2026 Staff

Updated: 30 November 2025:
Stratford Primary School is one of the largest primary schools in the Taranaki region. As a result, there are over fifty staff employed by the Stratford Primary School Board. The school aims to employ staff who have an association with Stratford Primary School and/or they have a passion for making a difference for our tamariki (children). 

To contact staff:
1. Email between 8am and 5pm to organise a meeting.
2. Contact the school office to arrange a meeting.

School Structure: 
The school is structured in the following way (See below):

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Leadership

Mr Chad Jacob

Mr Chad Jacob

Leadership Support, PE and Health Specialist Teacher, Lead Huranga Whānui (New Technology Programme).
Email: chadj@sps.kiwi.nz

Team Leaders

Mr Gareth King

Mr Gareth King

Year 7-8 Team Leader, Year 7-8 Homeroom Teacher: Room 1
Email: garethk@sps.kiwi.nz

Teo Tui

Teo Tui

School Mascot and Mentor

Teachers

Miss Emily Bates

Miss Emily Bates

Room 7
Email: emilyb@sps.kiwi.nz

Office Team

Specialist Teachers

Grounds Team

Mrs Marlene Lewis

Mrs Marlene Lewis

Enviro Lead Person

Mr Lucas Watson

Mr Lucas Watson

Caretaker
Learning and Behaviour Team

Mr Philip Murdoch

Mr Philip Murdoch

Cleaner

Mrs Natasha Watson

Mrs Natasha Watson

Cleaner

Support Staff

Mrs Katherine Cox

Mrs Katherine Cox

Accelerated Literacy Team

Mrs Karyn Erickson

Mrs Karyn Erickson

Library Administrator/Accelerated Literacy Team
Email: karyne@sps.kiwi.nz

Mrs Sarah Austin

Mrs Sarah Austin

Learning and Behaviour Team

Mrs Michelle Sandle

Mrs Michelle Sandle

Learning and Behaviour Team

Mrs Ashley Otene

Mrs Ashley Otene

Learning and Behaviour Team

Mrs Jamie Bolger

Mrs Jamie Bolger

Learning and Behaviour Team

Ms Kylie Dillion

Ms Kylie Dillion

Learning and Behaviour Team

Mrs Jodene McCowan

Mrs Jodene McCowan

Learning and Behaviour Team

Mrs Antoinette Buckley

Mrs Antoinette Buckley

SENCO Team

Mrs Mel Robinson

Mrs Mel Robinson

SENCO Team

Mrs Jocelyn Mako

Mrs Jocelyn Mako

Accelerated Literacy Team

Ms Tori Michael

Ms Tori Michael

SENCO Team

Mrs Talia May

Mrs Talia May

SENCO Team

Mrs Sheree Robinson

Mrs Sheree Robinson

SENCO Team

Mrs Baileigh Allen

Mrs Baileigh Allen

SENCO Team

Mrs Gemma Schmeling

Mrs Gemma Schmeling

School Counsellor
Email: gemma@lcilifesolutions.com

GEMMA SCHMELING – Health and Wellbeing Psychology Consultant

Gemma specialises in helping individuals like our ákonga and staff navigate life and its challenges to achieve health, happiness, and prosperity. She has a confidential and listening ear, and helps people recover and rebuild mentally, emotionally and socially after challenging times such as, parental separation/divorce, serious illness/injury, death in the family, or moving country/schools.

With her background in education and psychology, Gemma delivers sessions that are client led and based on the latest science.  She competently teaches strategies targeting individual needs of stress, trauma and anxiety, helping our ákonga and staff rebuild their courage and confidence to feel good and do well again. Her sessions are accompanied by simple tools they can keep.

Gemma Schmeling is LCI Life Solutions leading psychology consultant. She is trained in Psychology through the University of Auckland and in Strategic Intervention by the world renowned Tony Robbins and Cloe Madanes.

Gemma has a proven record for positive outcomes and getting results.