Our Staff

Kia Ora, Ko Bevan Verryt tōku ingoa and I am the proud tumuaki of Birkenhead Primary. At BPS, we have a vision of ‘growing active learners who make a positive difference’, supported by our BPS kaupapa (principles and ideas which act as a foundation for action). We want our tamariki to have a growth mindset, be resilient, and seek knowledge and support while being good people who make a difference for themselves, friends, whanau, and the environment.

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My career started in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, followed by outdoor education in the UK, USA, and NZ. I returned to New Zealand to complete my BEd at Auckland University and returned recently to complete my Masters in Educational Practice. Outside education, I enjoy being active. In summer, I love skiing on water and in the winter snow - snow skiing is a passion I like to share with the children during passion projects at Snowplanet. My other little interest is racing a ‘Lemon racecar’ with a group of my old Airforce colleagues, providing me with a very different set of challenges from teaching. 

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The children and community make BPS a unique and amazing place to be a part of.

Tena koutou katoa. I am Samantha Knowles and I have been part of the BPS team since 2020.  Originally from the UK, I have lived in NZ for over ten years. I believe in lifelong learning so, in addition to my previously attained BSc in Psychology and my Teacher Training, I am currently completing a Master’s in Educational Leadership at the University of Auckland.

I am the mum of a young son (and two dogs), and my partner manages a golf club. My passion and experience are that of Junior School teaching, and I am excited by our school's vision of 'growing active learners who make a positive difference’.  For young children to be successful in this way, we need to provide them with a wide range of learning activities that foster inquiry. BPS does this well by engaging the children through their personal experiences and interests while expanding their knowledge and understanding of the world. 

I love being part of the BPS community; the children, staff and families make it a welcoming and supportive place to be and are great examples of the BPS kaupapa.

Tena koutou katoa, Ko Catherine Eichmann tōku ingoa. Since Term 4 2021, it has been my privilege to be the Learning Support and Special Educational Needs Coordinator.

While I loved being a classroom teacher, I was aware of children who found school challenging for various reasons. I wanted these children to have success and enjoy school too. I went on to train as a Teacher of the Deaf and worked with many Deaf and Hard of Hearing students within primary, intermediate and secondary schools, supporting the students, their teachers and whānau.

I grew up with a brother with special needs. I have seen the challenges faced not only by the student but also by the family. 

I am passionate about supporting children’s education by reducing barriers to their learning, engagement and wellbeing, so they too are ‘active learners who make a positive difference’. While we have a very supportive BOT providing access to extra Teachers, Teacher Aides and an Educational Psychologist, I also work with various outside agencies that support multiple children at our school.

I belong to our Kahui Ako LSC Team. We meet regularly to support each other and look at our children's needs throughout our community. We plan and share resources and our various areas of expertise for the betterment of all our children.