The Manawatū Team is the Senior Leadership Team of our school. This team consists of the Principal, Deputy Principal, two Assistant Principals and three Team Leaders.
The Manawatū Awa (River) was named by an explorer called Hau who was travelling down the coast from Taranaki following his wife, Wairaka. Hau had crossed several rivers when he reached the Manawatū. Manawatū means ‘heart standing still’; an appropriate reference to Hau’s fear that he would not be able to get across this big, wide river.
Note: to view more on each person click the + on top of the photos below
Rega Orr
Tēnā koutou e te whānau
Ko Taranaki te maunga
Ko Patea te awa
No Whakaahurangi papakainga
No Papaioea ahau
Ko Regan toku ingoa
I am the very proud principal of Central Normal School/Te Kura Tuatahi o Papaioea. I started as Principal at Central in 2018 and then between 2024 - 2025 I was on secondment to the Ministry of Education as a Leadership Advisor, supporting principals across Taranaki/Whanganu/Manawatū. I am very excited about returning as tumuaki of our fantastic kura.
Whānaungatanga sits at the heart of what we do - our people (tamariki, kaiako, whānau) are our greatest taonga and our kura is focused on developing an environment where our people can learn and develop. With this, we also place great emphasis on high quality, evidence based teaching, where our tamariki can learn in a structured and consistent setting.
We take immense pride in the richness and diversity of our kura, which provides the perfect foundation for our tamariki to live out our school whakatauki, 'Whaia Kia Tutuki - Strive to your potential'
I am always more than happy to chat with you and welcome any visits or enquiries about our kura.
Ngā Manaakitanga
Regan Orr Tumuaki/Principal
Elly Warnock
Tēnā koutou e te whānau!
Ko ingarangi te whakapaparangi mai.
Kāore ōku toto Māori, engari ko Aotearoa te whenua i whakatipu mai ia au.
Ko Papaioea te kāinga.
Ko Warnock tōku whānau.
Ko au te Tumuaki o te Kura Tuatahi o Papaioea.
Ko Elly ahau.
The whakatauki, ‘He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata’ sits at the heart of our kura. We place great value and emphasis on our people and strive to have a kura where everyone - tamariki, kaiako and whānau, are at the forefront and heart of every decision. From this foundation, learning and teaching can flourish.
I welcome your visit to our kura
Ngā Manaakitanga
ELLY WARNOCK Tumuaki Tuarua/Deputy Principal
Catherine Pallesen
Tēnā koutou katoa
Ko ingarangi te whakapaparangi mai engari ko papaioia te kāinga.
He Tumuaki Tuarua au i te Kura Tuatahi o Papaioia.
Ko Catherine toku ingoa.
I have been Teaching at Central Normal for 30 years and this year I am super excited to be the Team Leader of Whārite. I absolutely enjoy working with our tamariki, kaiako and whānau in different ways.
CATHERINE PALLESEN Team Leader
Pipi Blundell
|
Hi I am Pipi Blundell aka Karen Blundell. I am thrilled to be an Assistant Principal at Central Normal School, with responsibility for leading the Special Education Team. I believe in inclusive education for all students, which allows all individuals to reach their true potential. I have been in education for 38 years. My last role was Practice Leader for Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour, here in Palmerston North. I am looking forward to meeting our students, their whanau, the wider community and the staff at Central Normal School. |
Pipi Blundell ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Imogen Smith
Kia Ora Koutou
IMOGEN SMITH ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
Mahi Selby-Law Team Leader
Raewynne Hill
Kia ora.
Kō Raewynne Hill tōku ingoa.
Hi, my name is Raewynne Hill (Whaea Raewynne). I am the team leader of Wharite Team and the teacher in Akomanga 12. I strongly believe in developing a Community of Learners where the students and I are partners in our learning journey. I have a strong interest in literacy and love seeing my students being creative while exploring their interests and developing their learning.
Outside of school I love catching up with my three adult children and catching the elusive trout in Lake Taupo.
RAEWYNNE HILL TEAM LEADER
Rachel Mason
Ko Mason tōku ingoa whānau
Ko Rachel tōku ingoa
No reira ko ahau tēnei
Tena koutou, tena koutou
Tena koutou katoa
Kia Ora koutou! I’m Rachel Mason and I have the privilege of being Team Leader of Mātanginui - our senior school team full of amazing Year 4, 5 and 6 students. Along with the students, I am super lucky to be leading a team of incredible kaiako and just know this year we are going to have so much fun together! An ongoing highlight for me is getting to know the students in our team and in our wider kura, along with all of their amazing whānau, and seeing them thrive in their learning each and every day - that’s what makes this job so special!
In my spare time I enjoy playing netball, heading out along our beautiful river walks here in Te Papaioea with my little Foxy dog Daisy and husband Tyler, and spending quality time with my beautiful family and friends.