Teaching Team

Tuna

Estelle Moore (Year 0 – 1 Team Leader / Associate Principal)

For the past 15 years, Wānaka has been home, where I settled with my husband, Jason, our son, Luka, and our tripod cat, Mika. We chose this incredible place for its stunning outdoor environment and close proximity to family – it’s our forever home.

In the classroom, my teaching is driven by a passion for connecting children’s interests with the rhythms, systems, and wonders of the world around them. For me, the magic lies in helping children make sense of their lives and environment, fostering curiosity and joy as we build new knowledge together. Through this journey, I aim to cultivate emotional, academic, and social literacies, empowering students to see themselves as problem-solvers and lifelong learners.

I look forward to meeting you and unleashing the potential future successes of the learners who make up the Take Kārara family.

Danyel Pennycuick

Kia ora! My name is Dan and I am a very lucky person to be a part of the Tuna Team at Te Kura O Take Kārara! I have lived in New Zealand for five years now after moving from Australia with my husband, Ben, our two boys, Finn and George, and our dog, Louie, to be closer to family and so our children can grow up in the amazing natural environment that this great country has to offer.

Previously living on the Gold Coast in Australia, I have teaching experience across a variety of year levels as a classroom teacher, reading program facilitator and year level team leader. I am passionate about providing positive learning environments that instil a sense of wonder and excitement about the world in our little people. It is so important that our tamariki have safe and supportive spaces that allow them to express themselves, to fail, to laugh and play, to ask questions and to grow. It is my absolute privilege to be able to take part in these significant years of life alongside such a positive and passionate team.

Outside the classroom, I love to spend time with my family exploring nature, reading books, catching up with friends and finding far too many crochet / macramé / art / crafts projects to try and fit in.

Ina Dersen

“Kia ora koutou! I feel very fortunate to be joining the team of passionate kaiako in the Tuna learning space and becoming a part of the thriving school community at Te Kura O Take Kārara.

My teaching journey began in 2012 in Münster, the “bicycle capital” of Germany. While working at a local primary school, I completed my Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education. A teaching placement on the Coromandel Peninsula fuelled my excitement for learning with a deep connection to nature and the world we live in.

I am a firm believer in lifelong learning and I am dedicated to encouraging children along their individual learning journeys, celebrating their unique strengths, building strong relationships and fostering their curiosity.

When I’m not at school, you are likely to find me on a hut mission, skiing, hiking or biking in the mountains, in the bush or paddling on the lake and river. I love exploring the incredible playground right at our doorstep!”

Future teacher

Appointed as needed

Tī Kōuka

Jean Krishnan (Year 2 – 3 Team Leader)

I feel very fortunate to be team teaching at Te Kura o Take Kārara. It is a privilege to work alongside such talented kaiako and be part of this amazing community. I deeply appreciate the special place we live in and all it has to offer. My teaching journey has taken me from Hāwea Flat School to Melbourne and the UK, each experience shaping my passion for education.

As a dedicated and driven teacher, I strive to bring out the best in every student, valuing the unique strengths and qualities they bring to the classroom. My goal is to truly understand each child as an individual learner, as this is key to what engages and motivates them. I wish to help you as whānau and your rangatahi on their journey of discovering their own self identity and lifelong learning skills.

Outside of teaching, I love spending time with family and friends, reading, drinking tea, and making the most of the outdoors. I also have a passion for travel, exploring new cultures, and trying different foods.

Maddison (Maddy) Barker

Kia Ora! I am originally from a small town found in the North Island called Ngatea. My passion is art, I studied my Bachelor of Visual Art majoring in jewellery in Dunedin. I then went on to study for my Master’s in Teaching before making the move to Wānaka.

While studying, my teaching placements gave me a love for working with younger children. I love being able to allow students to guide their learning based on their interests, as well as having the opportunity to see through their eyes. What I love most about teaching is that there is always more to learn to help support the students.

I am the type of person who has many interests and hobbies. My main passions would be jewellery making, drawing, baking, cooking, camping, and hiking, which is why I love the South Island so much and don’t want to leave. I also love spending time with my family up north and cooking up a storm for them while I’m there.

Megan Conway

I am so excited to be joining Take Kārara and working alongside such an amazing group of kaiako and within a school that demonstrates a culture of positive relationships, community, and authentic learning experiences.

I was born in London and studied at the University of Leeds, where I received my Masters in Product Design. I then decided to explore the world and travelled to New Zealand, Canada and Japan teaching skiing. This is where I developed my passion for teaching, the outdoors and connecting with people from different cultures. After travelling I studied at the University of Canterbury where I received my Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Primary). I moved to Wanaka four years ago where I began my teaching career.

I am passionate about creating a fun and safe learning environment where tamariki are inspired to become creative, curious, lifelong learners.

Outside of school I enjoy skiing, biking, hiking, horse riding and golf.

Paige Holden

Kia ora, my name is Paige and I am excited to be a part of the teaching team here at Take Kārara. I live in Wānaka with my partner Josh, our two dogs Poppy and Ted, and our cat Winston. Since moving here, we have been loving the lifestyle and everything this beautiful region has to offer.

I have been teaching for eight years, with experience across Years 0–4. I am passionate about building strong, positive relationships with tamariki and creating a calm, engaging learning environment where every child feels confident and supported. I love working collaboratively and am excited to be part of the Tī Kōuka team.

Outside of the classroom, I like to stay active and make the most of the outdoors. I enjoy horse riding, travelling, and going to the gym, and I am always looking for new places to explore. I am really enjoying being part of this school community and look forward to the year ahead.

Hayley Davidson

Kia ora! I’m excited to be teaching alongside the kaiako at Take Kārara in 2026.

I grew up in Dunedin and later studied at the University of Otago, completing a Bachelor of Primary Education before continuing my studies in Early Childhood Education. I have loved working with children across different ages and stages and supporting them through their individual learning journeys.

Building strong relationships is a key in my teaching practice. I value meaningful connections with tamariki, whānau, and the wider kura community, as I believe these relationships help make learning relevant, authentic, and engaging. When children feel known, supported, and connected, learning becomes more meaningful, fun, and exciting. My goal is to create positive, inclusive spaces where learning is guided by children’s interests and needs, and where tamariki feel safe, confident, and free to express themselves.

Outside the classroom, I enjoy DIY projects, spending time outdoors with my dog, biking, and getting lost in a good book. I look forward to being part of the Take Kārara community.

Weka

Fergus McLean (Year 4 – 6 Team Leader / Associate Principal)

I am a teacher who is passionate about equipping children with the knowledge and skills to be creative and passionate life-long learners. I enjoy integrating the interests of individual learners into their learning programs to engage and invigorate their learning experience. In class, I have high expectations for all learners and enjoy celebrating success with humour and fun.

When I am not at school I like to get out into the great outdoors. I am a keen hunter and fisherman as well as being a fan of all things sporting. I try to fit in a little of each around spending the majority of my free time with my beautiful wife and young family.

I am enjoying the opportunities that working in a growing school provides. Working in flexible, future-focused learning spaces is providing many positive chances for our young learners, which I love being involved with.

Christine Schepp

Kia ora koutou! My professional journey has been shaped by a diverse background in media and communications, seasoned by adventures in travel, hospitality, and the joys of raising my own children. I am thrilled to embrace my passion for education and continue my journey with Te Kura O Take Kārara.

During my teacher training, I enjoyed working in the ‘Educate for Nature’ programme of Te Kākano, where I honed my skills working with students spanning from preschool to college age. This experience solidified my commitment to place-based learning and fostering a deep connection with nature.

In my classroom, I celebrate the uniqueness of each student while promoting a collaborative and supportive atmosphere. At the heart of my teaching is the belief that trusting relationships form the foundation of a thriving learning environment. I am dedicated to nurturing creativity, a love for learning, and a growth mindset.

Beyond the classroom, I love being outdoors, indulging my love for cooking and baking, and pursuing DIY home and garden projects. All of this is double the fun with my family

Caroline Harmsworth

Kia ora Take Kārara Whānau. I am very excited for another great year in the Weka team.

Before joining the Take Kārara community last year, I taught at the wonderful Hāwea Flat School for 4 years, after 3 years in Wellington where I began my teaching career. Prior to teaching, I gained a degree in Social Work and through one of my placements I got to spend time in classrooms, which ignited my passion for education and led me to gain my Master Of Teaching and Learning. At the core of my teaching philosophy is the belief in educating the whole child. I aim to foster curious, lifelong learners who are confident, determined and resilient. I recognise that children learn differently and aim to ensure every child in my class gets what they need to be successful.

I grew up in Central Otago and am so grateful to be back living close to my family, and for all the opportunities we have right on our doorstep! I value the incredible outdoor experiences our tamariki have in our landscape, and the small, supportive community we live in. In the summers you will find me wakeboarding, swimming, cycling or running and in the winter, I love to snowboard!

Charlotte Penniket

Kia ora! I am delighted to be joining Take Kārara. It’s exciting to be working alongside such a welcoming and passionate team of teachers and the wider community.

Ko wai au? Who am I? My name is Charlotte and I have called Wānaka home since the age of three. After leaving Mount Aspiring College, I went on to study my BSc in Ecology and Zoology in Dunedin. I then spent five years working in outdoor guiding and education roles in Aotearoa and Australia. This was when I truly discovered my passion for education and working with children. While hiking in Iceland, I decided to follow my love for teaching and enrolled in a postgraduate teaching degree in Dunedin. I have recently spent two years teaching in Ōamaru.

I am thrilled to be back home in Wānaka and working with tamariki at Take Kārara. Relationships are a top priority for me, and I look forward to connecting with each member of the class and kura. Through strong relationships I believe you can make learning relevant and real for tamariki to connect to – and learning becomes fun and exciting! Outside of teaching, I enjoy getting into the outdoors with whānau and friends, reading, painting, crocheting, and getting involved in conservation work.

I look forward to meeting you all and becoming a member of the Take Kārara whānau.

Anna Mulconroy

Kia ora! I feel very privileged to be a foundation teacher at Take Kārara, working alongside such a passionate and dedicated team.

I grew up in Dunedin and spent every summer as a child camping in Wānaka, so am thrilled to now be living and teaching in such a beautiful place. I started my teaching career at Highfield school in Timaru, teaching in the junior syndicate. My strengths lie in Numeracy, Literacy and The Arts. My goal is to make learning as fun and engaging for children as possible. I love to see their personalities, confidence and independence grow throughout the year, and enjoy discovering their individual passions and motivations and using these to lead our learning.

Outside of school I enjoy spending time with family and friends, baking, reading, dining out, and getting creative with my art and sewing. I love spending my summers at the lake swimming, paddle boarding and picnicking, and look forward to snowboarding in the winter season.

Jacob (Jake) Greer

Kia Ora Wānaka! I’m super stoked to be starting my teaching career at Take Kārara in 2025.

I have recently completed my teaching studies down in Dunedin where I also grew up. Before becoming a qualified teacher, I gained a diploma in business management, accounting and leadership through Otago Polytechnic as well as working in various youth work roles for Oranga Tamariki.

I love the sports: Rugby, Touch, Basketball & pretty much anything that has a ball! I also enjoy getting out to discover new swim spots and nice views. I’m also keen to learn how to snowboard while living so close to the beautiful Cardrona. While in the classroom, I like to have plenty of laughs with the tamariki and bring out the fun in things we teach. I also enjoy exposing our tamariki to Te Ao Māori, science experiments and inquiry projects.

I can’t wait to meet all the new personalities, cultures and community members across our school as well as Wānaka as a whole.

Mauri Ora!

Additonal teachers

Janine Weatherly

Kia ora, my name is Janine Weatherly, and I am thrilled to be working with the Tier 2 Literacy Support Programme for tamariki in Years 1-3, as well as supporting teachers through release time. I work closely with our incredible and passionate teachers to help deliver a high-quality support programme for children.

In addition to my literacy work, you’ll also see me around leading the junior and senior choirs, running the ukulele club, and taking on exciting projects like the school productions. Music and singing are my passion, and outside of school, you might spot me performing around Wānaka with my duo (David & Janine) or my four-piece cover band (This Way Up).

I have loved making Wānaka my home after living and working full-time in Dunedin, and my family has fully embraced the amazing outdoor lifestyle this beautiful place has to offer.

Anna Murdoch

I am loving being back in Wānaka and feel privileged to be a part of such a passionate and talented team here at Take Kārara. My favourite part of teaching is getting stuck into hands-on projects that contribute to the world around us, especially when we need to combine multiple subject areas to succeed. I am also really excited about how well the Enviroschools curriculum integrates with our own local curriculum and school values and look forward to some engaging projects in that area too.

When I’m not at school you can find me climbing at Hospital Flat, tramping up the Matukituki Valley, mountain biking in Sticky Forest, skiing in the hills or at home playing my guitar and singing. If you see me at school or out and about in Wānaka, feel free to say hello!

Stephanie Sinnamon

I am excited to be returning to Take Kārara this year in a part time capacity. This year I will be releasing teachers mainly across the Weka space as well as supporting teachers with Garden to Table. Over my teaching career I have worked in NZ and Australia from kindergarten – Year 6, as well as a Nature Play Specialist Teacher.

My family and I have been in Wanaka for 8 years now and can’t think of a better place to raise our 3 young children. When not working I love a splash in the lake, climbing up a mountain or camping at some of our favourite spots.

I feel so lucky to be working at a school that aligns so well with my teaching philosophy, particularly around play and place-based learning. It is a privilege to be a part of your child’s learning journey where I can support them in becoming curious, courageous, and connected life-long learners.

Janet Lothian

I have lived in Wanaka for 18 years alongside my husband and 3 children, Eve, Max and Quinn. Growing up in Central Otago (Alexandra), I have always had a love of this uniquely beautiful region, so after returning from overseas travel, my husband and I jumped at the opportunity to live here. Outside of the classroom I enjoy walking up Mt Iron, reading, cooking, spending time with family and friends and my new pastime of standing on the sideline of both my boy’s football games, which I have grown to really enjoy.

In the classroom I enjoy creating a learning environment which allows children to take risks and be interested and engaged, and love to see the learning that naturally follows. I believe that relationships are key and enjoy taking time to get to know the individual learner and understand their individual learning style and needs. I never tire of the joy and reward that working with children brings.