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 Charissa Potgieter tōku ingoa.  I am both grateful and honoured to be given the opportunity to serve the BPS school and community as one of the new Deputy Principals. Since joining the team in July 2024 as a Team Leader and classroom teacher, I have felt a deep connection to this school and the community it serves. My journey in education began in South Africa, where I was born and raised before immigrating to New Zealand in 2017. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of teaching across primary and intermediate levels in both Auckland and Wellington. I am deeply passionate about building strong connections with staff, students and whanau and fostering an inclusive environment where every student feels they belong, in order to create a foundation where our tamariki can truly thrive. I believe in establishing a responsive teaching environment where students are able to develop the skills necessary to become curious of the world around them and empower them to become socially responsible individuals who are equipped to make a positive difference. Outside of school, I cherish time with my young family and friends. Whether we are exploring the outdoors, enjoying a summer barbecue together, or getting stuck into some arts and crafts, I love making the most of life in Aotearoa. I also have a passion for cooking and enjoy the chance to be creative in the kitchen whenever I can.

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.