Our Staff

Tēnā koutou katoa, Ko Francis Naera tōku ingoa. I am delighted to be a part of the Birkenhead Primary School Whānau. ​ I am excited to be part of this enthusiastic community and ensure we continue to create a school environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our Schools vision and kaupapa empowers children to have a love of learning while nurturing confident, resilient, respectful individuals who are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Originally hailing from Rotorua and coming from a family of educators, I have been immersed in the education system in Aotearoa for the majority of my life. My own journey as an educator started in Christchurch, and after a brief stint in the UK, have continued my journey in Auckland where my young family and I have settled in the Beachhaven area. I love the support, connectedness, and welcoming nature of the surrounding communities of this area. Outside of education, I have a passion for team sports, fitness, and being outdoors. Spending most of my free time coaching, playing, and watching sports. I love the valuable lessons of teamwork and striving towards a collective goal that these team environments can bring while developing connections with those from varied walks of life.

Tēnā koutou katoa, Ko Lynsey Yelland tōku ingoa.  Since 2022, I've had the privilege of being part of the BPS whanau, embarking on a journey that began in the new entrants class and led me to Year 2 & 3s. What truly sets BPS apart is its infectious positivity and the genuine happiness that permeates our school community. Our dedicated staff share a common passion for education and the well-being of every child under our care.​ My approach to teaching is rooted in the belief that active learning and student empowerment are the cornerstones of success. I strive to create an environment where curiosity is nurtured, resilience is cultivated, and compassion is celebrated. Believing firmly that it takes a village to raise a child, I am committed to fostering connections and nurturing relationships within our school community. Outside of school, you'll find me immersed in the beauty of nature, particularly the ocean. As a keen sailor, diver, and surfer, I find solace and joy in the sea. I also have a deep love for travel, exploring new countries, cultures, and perspectives, which enriches my teaching practice and broadens my horizons. I am excited to continue this incredible journey at BPS, where every day presents new opportunities for learning, growth, and making a difference in the lives of our students.

Tēnā koutou katoa, Ko Alaric Nicholls tōku ingoa. I have been given the honour of serving the BPS community as deputy principal commencing in June, 2024. I am a local resident of this area, where I live with my wife (also an educator) and two teenagers, who both attend local schools, play for local sports teams, and participate and contribute to our local community. I have enjoyed a wide and varied career in education, spanning all sorts of ages and stages, most recently in an intermediate setting. I enjoy fostering relationships and connections that support learners to grow not only academically, but as active, engaged citizens of the world. I have a particular passion for science education. In my personal life I enjoy a range of hobbies and sporting pursuits including golf, tennis and mountain biking. A perpetual tinkerer, I like to experiment and problem solve, whether that be DIY repairs to vehicles or household appliances. I enjoy collecting pop culture paraphernalia and am known for my plethora of belt buckles. Serving our ākonga (students) and kaiako (teachers) is an honour and a privilege and I am thrilled to do so as part of the BPS community.

Tēnā 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 Kāhui 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.