Meet Kiwi Team
The Kiwi team are a bunch of wonderful Year one, two, and three learners.
Our main focus is Literacy and Numeracy; as well as developing the Key Competencies; Managing Self, Relating to Others, Participating and Contributing, Thinking, and Using Language, Symbols and Texts. We encourage independence and self-management in everything we do.
We are passionate about teaching BSLA, the Better Start Literacy Programme. This is a structured approach delivered by the University of Canterbury, and funded by the Ministry of Education. It focusses on phonics, reading, writing, and oral language. We have seen the results for ourselves and are excited to deliver this learning with your tamariki.
ROOM 18 - Hilary Milne (Team Leader)
Miss Hilary Milne is excited to begin her 13th year at Pukete School. She loves teaching BSLA, Better Start Literacy Approach, and seeing the awesome progress of our tamariki. In her spare time she is usually looking for her next travel adventure or concert. Her door is always open, so feel free to pop in. Nau mai, haere mai.
Room 19 - Kirsty Cathcart
In Room 19 we have Miss Kirsty Cathcart. This year is Miss Cathcart’s second year teaching at Pukete and she is very excited to be working alongside the awesome tamariki in Room 19! Miss Cathcart is an experienced teacher who loves to create an engaging and fun classroom environment for children to flourish in. In her spare time Miss Cathcart enjoys exploring the outdoors, travelling and spending time with her whānau.
Room 20 - caitlin gardner
Mrs. Caitlin Gardner joined Pukete School in 2025 and this year is in Room 20. She was previously working in Auckland before moving to Hamilton in 2023. Caitlin has experience teaching Structured Literacy and is passionate about the Arts. In her personal time, she enjoys reading and going on adventures with her daughter.
Kiwi Teacher Release
Jackie Phillips
I have been teaching at Pukete for over 19 years. I have taught in all areas of the school, and my last full time position was as the Kea team leader. I now teach for 2 days of the week and am privileged to be able to work in a lot of wonderful classes across the school as the curriculum release teacher. Outside of school, I am kept busy living on a lifestyle block in Tauwhare with 3 grandchildren, 4 cats, 5 sheep, a cow and numerous chickens.
