Senior Leadership Team

Barbara Cavanagh

Acting Tumuaki - Principal

Elsie Leslie

Deputy Principal

Samantha Farook

Deputy Principal

Toni Brewer

Deputy Principal

Naomi Bates

Deputy Principal

Elsie Leslie

Tumuaki Tuarua - Deputy Principal

“Mehemea ka moemoeā ahau, ko ahau anakē. Mehemea ka moemoeā tātou, ka taea e tātou. If I dream, I dream alone. If we dream together, we shall achieve.” Te Puea Herangi.

My parents migrated to Aotearoa in the early 70s, with the dream of giving my siblings and I a better future through education. Around the dinner table, my parents often talked about how important it was to work hard, be good citizens, and live by values like service, love, and humility. Those lessons have shaped who I am.

Today, I’m here to serve. I’m here for our tamaiti, our families, and our community. I’m also here to continue learning and growing as an educator and as a leader alongside our amazing team of kaiako (teachers) here at our kura.

The Samoan proverb, "Le ala i le pule o le tautua" (The pathway to leadership is through service), was something my parents lived by, and it’s the heart of what guides me now.

When we come together with the shared goal of lifting each other up, I truly believe we invite life’s greatest blessings and opportunities into our lives. Together through educational achievement we can open many doors of opportunity for each other. Let’s dream big together and make our dreams come true.

Samantha Farook

Tumuaki Tuarua - Deputy Principal

I spent the first two decades of my life in South Africa. I was fortunate enough to attend the oldest school in my hometown which has been around since the late 1800s. I have memories of a beautiful campus, teachers who nurtured and cared for me and opportunities to get involved in things that interested me. They were some of the best years of my life. Part of my motivation for taking on the role of Tumuaki Tuarua - Deputy Principal at Mangakōtuktuku College was to be a part of creating a similar experience for the tamariki in our community.

When I was asked ‘What was the most meaningful accomplishment in your life so far?’, I couldn’t help but think of my most recent accomplishments. I will always be proud of being offered this role. When I was offered the position in December 2022, I was a young mother of two and in the middle of completing my Master’s Degree. I have now completed my studies and we are welcoming the foundation students to our new school. At times I had to dig deep to find the strength to push through. Looking back on this journey reminds me of how much I have learnt and I look forward to sharing some of these life lessons with our students and my own children one day.

Toni Brewer

Tumuaki Tuarua - Deputy Principal

Ko Moehau te maunga
Ko Tikapa te moana
Ko Waihou te awa
Ko Tainui te waka
Ko Matai Whetu te marae
Ko Ngati Maru me Ngati Hako nga iwi
No Hauraki ahau
Ko Toni Brewer toku ingoa

From the moment I entered the realm of teaching, I found joy in witnessing the 'aha' moments that light up students' faces. This propelled me toward a career in education. The decision to join Mangakōtukutuku College was influenced by my former school Principal, Mrs. Ngaire Harris. Drawing inspiration from her - a beacon of dedication and wisdom in the educational field - continues to shape my teaching approach. I am inspired to make a lasting impact on the lives of our tamariki, guiding them toward promising paths and nurturing their aspirations and ambitions.

As we embark on this new chapter at Mangakōtukutuku College, my aspirations for our school are rooted in creating an inclusive and thriving learning environment. I envision a place where academic excellence is coupled with the development of essential life skills.

For our students, I hope this journey becomes a transformative experience. My dream is to witness our tamariki discovering their unique strengths and passions, preparing them not only for academic success but also for a fulfilling and prosperous future. I am genuinely excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and the collective success we will achieve at Mangakōtukutuku College.

Naomi Bates

Tumuaki Tuarua - Deputy Principal

Born in the far north and raised on a dairy farm, I feel most comfortable wearing my gumboots. A boarding school kid, who ended up at Waikato University even though people told me I couldn't. I started teaching 2003 and have lived a career uncommon to most teachers.

Rural and urban high schools, Polytechnics and small Private Training Organisations all over the motu, I have been fortunate enough to learn from some seriously amazing people.

Becoming DP is another adventure I am excited about. I care about people, I am honest, open and hard working. We have huge potential in our kura and I am humbled to be part of the Mangakōtukutuku College journey.