Longford Intermediate Staff 2021
Principal - Yvonne Catherwood
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This is my second year as Principal of Longford Intermediate and I have loved being part of this vibrant exciting school. This is the third school I have been principal at. We have a stunning staff here at Longford and I feel very privileged to be part of the team. Outside of school I am involved in the South Otago Theatrical Society and I love watching movies. My two girls are now grown up and off doing their own thing, allowing my husband Michael and I to enjoy a more quiet life at home.
Deputy Principal - Ren Jackson
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After a five year break from teaching, I decided to go relieving last year. I enjoyed being back in the classroom so much that I sold my business and was fortunate to win a fulltime permanent teaching position here at Longford. Prior to this I taught in other Eastern Southland schools including Gore, Mataura and Te Tipua and I spent six years teaching in Te Anau.I am hugely passionate about my profession and thoroughly enjoy teaching this year level. I spend my time outside of the classroom following my son in his sports, gardening, upcycling furniture and staying at our crib in Riverton. Reading the latest Home and Garden magazine and hanging with our friends are family are also favourite past times.
Assistant Principal - Candace Adams
(20 Takahe - Year 7&8)
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I have been working at Longford Intermediate School for three years. I am passionate about working with this age group and enjoy the variety each day brings! This year I am teaching the GATE class which is exciting for me because I love a new challenge. In my spare time I like to spend time with my friends and family and go for bush walks.
Gretchen McStay
(12 Piwakawaka - Year 8)
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I am loving teaching and being involved with Intermediate children as they transition into their teenage years. I have returned to full time teaching having spent the past five working in a part-time and relieving positions. Previously, I taught for several years at St Mary’s. I am really enthusiastic about the future of education as our children prepare for an unknown future. This year I have completed a postgraduate certificate studying and preparing for this. I am passionate about encouraging diversity in learning to allow each student to reach their own individual potential. I have three teenage children, Matthew, Hannah and Luke and my husband Stephen is a farmer. Outside of school, I keep busy watching my childrens sport, helping on the farm, walking and tramping, boating, gardening and reading.
Marne Hendriks
(14 Kakapo - Year 8)
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I have been teaching since 2008 and I am passionate about making a difference in our young learners and helping them develop the lifelong skills they will need later on in life. I am originally from South Africa and immigrated to New Zealand in 2002. We settled in Balclutha and relocated to Gore 2017. I taught at West Gore for two years. I feel excited about teaching Year 8's again this year. For me, making connections with the students and their families are a crucial part of supporting students grow in their learning. My hobbies are music, reading, musical theatre, squash and spending time with my family.
Ngami Prattley
(17 Ruru - Year 7)
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I started teaching at Longford Intermediate School in 1982. I enjoy teaching languages (especially Te Reo Maori), reading, maths, writing and social sciences. I have specialised in teaching physical education and coaching a variety of sports in particular netball, basketball, and cricket. In my free time I love to read. I am an avid supporter of sporting and cultural events, especially if they involve my own family. I am involved with the Gore Kennel Club having breed and shown German Shepherd Dogs, in the past. I am also heavily involved with the Mataura Marae.
Nicola Millar
(11 Kereru - Year 7)
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I am an experienced teacher. This is my first year teaching at Longford Intermediate and I am thoroughly enjoying teaching here. I believe it is important to develop good relationships with children and their families, and to work together to advance children's learning. I enjoy finding out what children's interests are so I can implement learning around this. I try to create a positive culture in my classroom where children are able to take risks and try new things. Environmental education is my passion and I believe it is important to teach children how to be sustainable, through a variety of contexts in our ever changing world. Outside of school I enjoy watching my own children play their sports. I enjoy walking my dog, attending a variety of live music gigs and relaxing with my family and friends
Alicia Prescott
(19 Toroa - Year 7)
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I have just started teaching at Longford and I am so excited for what this year will bring. I have returned home to New Zealand after having spent two years in Primary schools in London. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, travelling, music and art. I believe in establishing positive meaningful relationships with students and whanau.
Charlotte Wood
(17 Ruru - Year 7)
Calder Gray
(18 Huia - Year 8)
Emily Gentle
(Maternity Leave)
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I began teaching at Longford Intermediate in 2015. My specialist areas are drama, music and the performing arts; this includes J Rock, BandQuest and Production. I believe creativity is a quality that needs to be encouraged and nurtured in children, providing them with opportunities to express themselves.
When I’m not at school I my spare time gets filled up by Gore Musical Theatre, I have been in a number of shows since moving to Gore and am involved in organising these. I love spending time with family and friends going to the movies or out for coffee.
Matt short
Hard Technology Teacher
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I am returning to Longford after 11 years, to teach Hard Technology. I am looking forward to working with all the pupils over the course of the year. I am relishing the challenge of teaching all aspects of the hard technology curriculum and introducing a computer design component later on in the year. It’s been great to come back to Gore and catch up with friends I haven’t seen for ten years. I’m very much looking forward to forming new relationships with pupils and whanau. I am highly passionate about sport and have also taken on the role of sports co-ordinator. I encourage all our pupils to engage in the sports on offer this year and look forward to meeting parents and whanua on the sidelines.
Carol Ruddenklau
Soft Technology Teacher
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I am the Soft Technology Teacher, and this will be my fourth year teaching at Longford Intermediate. I teach the Sewing and Cooking sessions for all Longford classes and I enjoy having contact with all of the students at the school over the year. I love the mix of teaching both cooking and sewing, and providing different experiences for our students. I enjoy having some involvement in music and production within the school. Outside of school I enjoy weekends in Queenstown, I love reading and walking. During the spring and summer months I enjoy gardening. I also love spending time catching up with my family.
Support Staff
Colleen Allison
Administration Extraordinaire
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Miranda McDowall
Teaching Assistant
Marleen Cavanagh
Teaching Assistant