top of page
Our Staff 2026_edited.jpg

Our People

Meet Our Principal

aa1ae1ac-58be-4a0b-ab2d-989fc0e90844_edited.png

Michaela Phillips

Principal

Tamariki no teia rā, e arataki no te au tuatau ki mua. 
Children of today are the leaders of tomorrow.

Kia Orana e te au metua e te iti tangata - Api'i Te Uki Ou, e kāinga no te au tamariki ei akapapa i to rātou ora’anga ki mua.

It is a privilege and a great responsibility to serve as the Principal of Apii Te Uki Ou. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of this special school and community, and to contribute to the learning and growth of our tamariki.

I bring to Te Uki Ou a broad range of experience across education. My background in the public sector has included teaching in Early Childhood Education, Primary and through to Year 9, as well as experience in Waldorf Education. I have also had the privilege of serving as a Principal for the past 11 years. 

I believe strongly in collaborative leadership. The best schools are built by people working together, listening to one another and sharing their knowledge and strengths. 

As an inclusive school, Te Uki Ou has a special character that values and responds to the individual needs of our tamariki. We are committed to maintaining small class sizes, providing appropriate Teacher Aide support and recognising the importance of different cultural backgrounds, experiences and learning styles. We want every child to feel included and able to succeed.

Our school is a place where learning, culture, relationships and belonging come together. We value our Cook Islands identity and the strong connections between our environment, our tamariki, our families and our wider community.

We warmly welcome families to Apii Te Uki Ou. We look forward to getting to know you and your children, and to working together to ensure that their years at Te Uki Ou are filled with learning, belonging, discovery and joy.

Meet Our Team

Liz profile pic.jpg

Liz Cribb

Deputy Principal

Junior College Leader
Sports Co-Ordinator

Yr 9 Teacher - Tavake

1f6c23b3-a482-4458-9355-78c617c76d95_edi

Gardenia Rouru

Culture and Reo Maori Teacher

f3a84e26-b2af-4d86-88b1-799fa294f5a5_edi

Carleen Ashford

Yr 5/6 Teacher - Kopeka

 

ATUO Logo no background_edited.png

Holly Sutherland

Yr 2 Teacher - Kakerori

7.jpg

Kathy Lagoudis

Lead Teacher - Kura ECE

 

ATUO Logo no background_edited.png

Hannah Taio

Office Manager

934c604b-7127-4c8c-ac04-43f0d5abda53 (1)

Jon Monga

Coach - PE, Health & Technology 

ATUO Logo no background_edited.png

Bea Taripo-Prestige

Learning Support Assistant

ATUO Logo no background_edited.png

Talitha Ine

Learning Support Assistant

5c1dff20-dad2-4837-ab73-0de430e29f76_edi

Kahurangi Poa

Assistant Principal

Middle Team Leader

Yr 5/6 Teacher - Kaoko​​

 

15e74e40-659a-46ba-9a47-975c5ad7751c_edi

Roberta Murray

Year 7/8 Teacher - Kota'a

Maths and Technology Lead

6.jpg

Lydia Hammersly

Yr 3/4 Teacher - Kukupa
Library Lead

63349ee8-1fe2-4ec2-9f20-68cc6f9a17e7_edited.png

Kiana Marino

Yr 1 Teacher - Kuriri

 

7dc66c3d-3301-4e37-a227-878cead2757f_edited.jpg

Natasha Tafa Maoate

Teacher - Kura​

 

5a8ffaac-0b91-4a2a-84ce-50a11b708c45_edited.png

Christine Mose

Accounts Manager

ATUO Logo no background_edited.png

Ursula Puia

Learning Support Assistant 

7caa2a55-9d36-4568-a885-7a599035832e_edi

Maddy Spurge_Lowe

Learning Support Assistant

ATUO Logo no background_edited.png

Te Pau Ngauke

Caretaker

95c18108-11ea-40a6-93c5-74d28a8e0f23_edi

Saireni Pekepo-Poila

Leader of Culture and Reo​

Culture and Reo Teacher

 

ATUO Logo no background_edited.png

Cheree Cowsill

Yr 7/8 Teacher  - Kakaia​

 

f56fff25-69c1-448c-a8c9-e88dd1a209df_edi

Sheena Naik

Yr 3 Teacher - Kotuku

 

21.jpg

Shana Kamana

Junior School Lead
Yr 0 Teacher - Karavia

6be4def7-0fec-4178-856e-b8d4e2a74ab3_edited.png

Mary Bagnell

Primary Art and Learning Support Teacher

ATUO Logo no background_edited.png

Nicole Warwick

Office Assistant

6f86f92c-7101-4c49-8f02-704280d07f22_edi

Mia Bob

Learning Support Assistant

9faf31a4-c86d-4df0-a6ec-4463f2dccdb7_edited.jpg

Jordayn Matutu

Learning Support Assistant

AGM 2026 .jpg

Board of Governors

The Board of Governors protects our school’s future, vision, and high standards. Made up of the Infrastructure, Personnel, Finance, Policy, and Fundraising committees, the Board plays a vital part in ensuring every area of school life is managed and resourced.


Serving on the Board is a voluntary commitment. It requires a significant investment of time, energy and expertise from its members, whose dedication keeps our school flourishing for our students and staff.

bottom of page