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Cluster 8 RTLB

Team Description 
Cluster 8 is made up of 1 Manager, 3 Practice Leaders and 27 FTE RTLB positions (currently 28 RTLB) employed by Royal Oak Primary Board of Trustees. The RTLB are grouped into 3 office bases. The RTLB in each office base are responsible for providing service to designated schools. As RTLB we belong to the whole cluster and are able to work across the cluster when required and if workload permits. Case work is ‘needs driven’ and based on requests received, presented and discussed at hub based Request for Support meetings.

Titania McKenzie

Specialist

Titania is an educational practitioner who engages in generative and creative partnership with schools to support learners in the community to achieve their educational aims and potential. She has worked in education for over 25 years across early childhood, primary, secondary and residential settings in a variety of roles as a parent-educator, teacher, senior leader, RTLB and psychologist. Her key strengths include: * people centred assessment and collaborative construction of learning pathways that support individual, group and communities of learners *Inter-weaving of PB4L, UBRS, brain research, resiliency building and growth mind-set approaches to impact positively on student well-being *Responsive systems design to streamline support services. *Innovative projects that build capacity, collaboration and connection within learning communities in an area of focus.
BA Psych; GDip Tchng; PGdip Specialist Teaching; MEdevPsych; PGDipEdevPsych. Registered Psychologist, FIE Basic Level 1 & 2 Facilitator, Brick by Brick Facilitator

Emily Marurai

Practice Leader Induction and Tech

Emily is an experienced classroom teacher who joined Cluster 8 RTLB in 2019. Emily has taught in Years 0 – 6 over 20 years and worked in various learning and leadership roles including, Reading Recovery, development of student inquiry, supporting transition to school, team leadership and SENCO. In working with the RTLB team Emily continues her work in supporting students, families and schools to feel empowered and confident to manage learning and behaviour.

Megan Clotworthy

Lead School Principal

Megan has stepped into the Lead Principal role for RTLB Cluster 8 upon her appointment as Royal Oak Primary School principal.

Roseanne Gibson

Cluster Manager

Roseanne has a commitment to the holistic wellbeing and learning of all and sets the positive, preventative and proactive approach and foundation for the team and cluster. Roseanne uses an inclusive strength-based approach open to opportunities and possibilities to support all ‘to be at their best’. Roseanne focusses on ensuring an accessible infrastructure and ecosystem is in place and strengthening the capacity of the system and individuals to empower and reach all. BA (Psych and Ed), B Ed (Hons), PG Dip SNRT, PG Dip Ed Psych, M Ed Studies (Ed Psych), M Counselling (Psych). Registered Psychologist.

Barbara Hannant

Practice Leader

Barbara has worked in education for over 20 years across Primary, Intermediate, Secondary and Tertiary environments in roles as a Teacher, Deputy Principal, Principal, Lecturer and as an RTLB. Barbara is a registered psychologist and has worked as a Practice Leader for Ngā Manu Āwhina Cluster 8 RTLB for the last five years. She is particularly interested in strength focused assessment practices, professional supervision and appraisal. Barbara is a trained Cognitive Behaviour and Dialectical Behaviour Therapist. She has completed the Glasser Advanced training in Choice Theory, Reality Therapy and Lead Management. She also holds a number of internationally accredited qualifications in Growth Coaching, Change Management and Project Management.

BEd Tchg; MEd; MEdPsych; PGDipEdPsych
Psychological Practice, Supervision and Assessment Lead Practitioner

Catherine Alpe

Practice Leader

Originally from south Auckland, Catherine taught in central and west Auckland prior to joining the RTLB service in 1999. She is particularly interested in student and teacher wellbeing, the promotion of Universal Design for Learning, Māori student achievement, and the development of early literacy and maths supports. Enhancing team, teacher and teacher aide capability through quality professional learning opportunities is also a keen interest.
Catherine is an Accredited Growth Coach who enjoys assisting others to flourish. She appreciates the power of peer coaching and mentoring within the cluster and in the wider context across services.
BA (Education, Anthropology, Māori Studies), PG Dip SNRT, MEd (Social Psychology)

Jean Parkinson

Specialist

Jean is our specialist counsellor. During a career of over 30 years in teaching and GLU – RTLB work Jean trained in Reality and Narrative Therapy. An undergraduate degree in Social Sciences (Human Services) led to a Masters in Art Therapy at UWS University of Western Sydney 2003-4. She currently holds full professional membership of ANZACATA (Australia New Zealand & Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association); www.anzacata.org, is associated with STANZA (Sandplay Therapists of NZ & Australia) www.stanza.asn.au, and is certified as a Sandplay Therapist with ISST (International Society of Sandplay Therapists); www.isst-society.com Jean’s contribution to the work of the RTLBs in Cluster 8 now includes supporting teachers, parents and children to understand behavioural and learning challenges. Combining creative modalities in therapeutic counselling can deepen cognitive processing. Jean holds teacher registration. Supervision is ongoing and verifiable. She offers children, teens, their families and adults: • Solution focussed counselling through Reality Therapy (William Glasser) • If appropriate, longer term psychotherapy through Sandplay and Art Therapy • Short term EAP counselling with Choice Theory / Reality Therapy / Quality Management MAAT; B Soc.Sci (HS); H Dip. Tching; Dip.STN Registered Art Therapist (ANZATA) Certified Sandplay Therapist (ISST) Registered Teacher (NZ).

Chris Graham

Practice Leader

Tēnā koutou. Ko Ōngaro te maunga​. Ko Rotohākahi te awa​. Ko Whangape te moana. Ko Te Aupouri - Te Rarawa , Te Uri o Tai - ki te taha ō tōku matua tūpuna, erangi, ki te taha ō tōku māreikura, ko Ngare Hauata, Ko Te Hikutu ōku hapu, Ko Chris Graham ahau.

Chris has spent a good deal of his life serving in education, from early childhood all the way to tertiary level. It includes working with tamariki/mokopuna, educators, parents/caregivers, whānau and communities in urban and rural contexts. He has also trained in the Dramatic Arts and has worked in all aspects of theatre, television and film. He continues to participate in the Arts, when he can, while leaving plenty of time to pursue his other loves that include carving, surfing, motorcycles, all sports and food. But it is, te ao māori and whānau where his heart lies and Chris credits his Grandparents for instilling such values as aroha, manaakitanga, tika and pono.

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