

Welcome

Liz Cribb
Acting Principal
Kia Orana e te au metua e te iti tangata - Apii Te Uki Ou, e kāinga no te au tamariki ei akapapa i to rātou ora’anga ki mua.
At Apii Te Uki Ou we believe childhood should be full of joy, curiosity, and discovery. Our tamariki are at the heart of everything we do, and we are proud to provide a safe, nurturing environment where they can grow with confidence.
A special character of our school is our commitment to inclusive education – we embrace every child, valuing their unique strengths, needs, and identities.
A cornerstone of our school is the celebration of Cook Islands reo, peu Māori, and our cultural identity. We want our children to be proud of who they are, to walk confidently in their language and culture, and to see these values woven through their learning every day. Alongside this, we provide a balanced and high-quality education that ensures our students thrive academically, socially, and creatively.
Apii Te Uki Ou is more than just a school – it is a family. From ECE right through to Year 9, our children experience a sense of belonging and continuity that supports them at every stage of their learning journey.
“Tamariki no teia rā, e arataki no te au tuatau ki mua.”
Children of today are the leaders of tomorrow.
We warmly invite you to be part of our Apii Te Uki Ou family.
Meet Our Teachers
Sophia Panzarella
Assistant Principal
Yr 3/4 Teacher Kotuku
Saireni Pekepo - Poila
Culture Leader
Culture and Te Reo Teacher



Kia Orana, My name Aunty Tash and I am a part of the Preschool squad. I am Samoan | Cook Island and have been in ECE for 8+ years.
Deborah Lyttle
Junior Team Leader
Yr 2 Teacher Kakerori
Shana Kamana
Teacher Kura
Natasha Tafa Maoate
Teacher Kura

Kathy Lagoudis
Yr 1 Teacher Kuriri
Manon Fleming
Yr 1 Teacher Karavia

Emma McQuade
Lydia Hammersley
Middle Team Leader
Yr 5/6 Teacher Kuramo'o
Yr 3/4 Teacher - Kukupa

Roberta Murray
Junior College Team Leader
Y9 Tavake

Kim Aylward
Learning Support Coordinator


Declan Sheridan
Yr 7/8 Teacher - Kota'a
Lynda Sheridan
Yr 7/8 Teacher Kopeka

Mary Bagnell
Support Teacher

Teariki Ra
Performance Tutor
Meet Our Support Staff

Tina Mitchell
Office Administrator

Bea Taripo- Prestidge

Jacki Brown

Tangata Noovao
Office Assistant

Gardenia Rouru
Caretaker

Normavina Pepe
Learning Support Assistant

Marie Witehira-Strickland
Learning Support Assistant

Roimata Pekepo
Learning Support Assistant
Te Reo Tutor

Olympia Karora
Learning Support Assistant

Mia Bob
Learning Support Assistant

Jordayn Matutu
Learning Support Assistant

Jemima Katoa
Learning Support Assistant
Learning Support Assistant

Who will be our next amazing member
Ursula Puia
Learning Support Assistant
Learning Support Assistant