

A word from the Principal
Aroha Hohepa
Thorndon School is a multicultural inner city kura bursting with creativity and individuality. We believe encouraging and growing our mokopuna in their own mana lays the platform for each student to reach personal excellence.
Our team engages in positive and respectful relationships with mokopuna, whānau, colleagues and the wider community. We value growing in our own knowledge as educational specialists, utilising research informed practices to deliver quality education.
Thorndon is committed to being a true Te Tiriti o Waitangi informed kura. As we sit on Te Pā o Pipitea, a significant historical site, we are growing in our knowledge and understanding of our local history to uphold this commitment.
Nau mai, haere mai ki Te Kura o Pipitea.
If you have general enquiries about the school, please contact the administration staff.
If you have a specific enquiry, please feel free to direct it to the appropriate person listed below.
For any classroom related issues, your first point of call should be your child's whānau (pastoral care) teacher. If you would like to meet and discuss anything with teaching staff, an email is a useful way of booking a time.
Whānau teachers aim to reply to emails within 24 hours, so if you have an urgent request or concern, please call the office directly.
Our Team
Senior Leadership
Tumuaki / Principal: Aroha Hohepa
Tumuaki Tuarua / Deputy Principal: Charlotte Hills
Tūī Team (Years 1 & 2)
Team Leader: Leah Reid
Teacher: Izzy Blackburne
Teacher: Melanie Goonan
Kererū Team (Years 2, 3 & 4)
Team Leader: Ximena Aitken
Teacher: Vanessa Ellis
Teacher: Tim Snell
Kākāpō Team (Years 5 & 6)
Team Leader: Claire Mandengu
Teacher: Jade Edmonds
Teacher: Kiran Lathar
Kea Team (Years 7 & 8)
Team Leader: Matt Witty
Teacher: Shani Luxford
Specialty Teachers & Support Staff
Music Teacher: Sean O’Connor
ESOL Teacher: Carol Glover
Teacher Aide: Heather Tran
Teacher Aide: Kim Millar-Hughes