Relationships are the key. Unlocking your child’s magic is the job and passion of our expert teaching staff. They deliver integrated creative content in fresh and inventive ways and contexts... and they are superstars!
They are super skilled: All staff are experienced in our unique Structured Conscious Literacy curriculum, carefully developed specifically for our New Zealand language context.
They are super knowledgeable: From printmaking to marine conservation to social sciences to food to horticulture to psychology, our teachers are experts in their own passion areas, and they bring that enthusiasm to their classes.
They are super compassionate: Everyone has their own individual learning profile, be it dyslexia, giftedness, ADHD or simply sensory processing, and our staff know that better than most! And they care deeply about our kinds of kids.
And that’s the hub of it all. Our teachers choose to work with our students because they are fascinating, fabulous and limitless!
FOUNDER AND ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
Rebecca Elias
B.Des, P.G.Dip.Sec.Tchg, M.Prof.Ed (Hons), PG Linguistics, Orton Gillingham trained.
Rebecca is a registered teacher with a background in architecture and design, holds a Masters degree in education, with many years of specialist training, and experience in Structured Literacy teaching. She is dyslexic and ADHD, sharing a similar educational experience to those who attend our school. Rebecca believes in the potential of every child and is passionate about supporting neurodiverse students. Email Rebecca
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Tanya Thorogood
B.A (Psych); P.G.Dip.Sec.Tchg; P.G.Dip.EdPsych (Distinction)
Tanya is an expert senior teacher, departmental leader and tutor who has been working with twice-exceptional students of all ages for over two decades. Parenting a gifted son with dyslexia and dyspraxia, she believes passionately that positive relationships with self and others are at the core of students' success. Email Tanya
Caren Arriagada
B.Ed.
Hailing from Chile, Caren Arriagada is an experienced and passionate primary and middle school teacher who believes in helping all children become independent in their knowledge and learning. Speaking Spanish and English fluently, being part of the Summit Point team as a Food Tech and Spanish teacher has made one of her dreams come true. Email Caren
Emma McLellan
B.F.A, M.F.A, P.G.Dip.Sec.Tchg.
Emma teaches at our Grey Lynn campus and focuses on the development of our Art and Technology curriculum. She is a registered secondary school teacher who taught in London and at Epsom Girls Grammar. Emma was a university lecturer prior to joining our team, overseeing curriculum design and working with NZQA. Email Emma
Kayleigh Hall
B.A (Hons).
Kayleigh hails from the U.K., with a background in English Literature and a passion for reading. She has experience as a learning support mentor with primary school children aged 6-11, especially students with ADHD, autism, and social and emotional needs. Kayleigh is part of our literacy team, and Head Teacher at our One Day School. Email Kayleigh
Kendra Weir
B.Sc, P.G.Dip.Prim.Tchg.
Kendra is a registered and experienced classroom teacher with a strength in helping children with complex learning profiles to develop their academic skills. Kendra has a wide background in Science and Mathematics, and particularly enjoys extending twice-exceptional children. Email Kendra
Leonie Bloor
B.Ed. P.G.Ed (Leadership); Orton Gillingham trained.
For Leonie, joining the Summit Point School team in 2017 was a dream come true. She has always wanted to make a difference for children with specific learning differences, and is passionate about Structured Literacy, social sciences, emotional regulation, and Health and Safety. Leonie's philosophy that every child can believe in themselves and take risks in their learning. Email Leonie
Zoe Nunan
ECE; Orton Gillingham trained.
Zoe brings considerable experience and passion to our school. She is part of our literacy team, providing 1-1 and small group literacy support in both One Day School and full time school classes. Zoe’s role is to develop essential skills in each child's learning, giving the extra input they need to be successful. Email Zoe
OUR BOARD
Rebecca Elias
Academic Director
Rebecca is a registered teacher with a Master’s degree from Auckland University. She is a trained multisensory teacher, researching, observing, training and teaching in international specialist schools for students with Specific Learning Differences, namely dyslexia.
Ian Marshall
Chairman
Ian is a Justice of the Peace, an Issuing Officer, a Member of the NZInstD and MINZ, and a Fellow of the NZIOB. He has significant school governance experience and is passionate about education.
Richard Bowes
Board member
Richard works in business intelligence and data analytics. He has a dyslexic profile and is a Summit Point School parent.
Testimonials
"We were desperate to help our son’s self-esteem and confidence. Enrolling him at Summit Point restored his belief in himself."
"Being encouraged to demonstrate his knowledge using educational technology has helped remove barriers to my child’s learning and made him less anxious about tests and assessment."
"The teachers at Summit Point go above and beyond to nurture the different learning styles of students."
"Rebecca supported us to understand our child’s strengths and challenges and find a way to foster his love of learning."
"We have been working with Summit for almost a term and my word, our daughter has come a long way since she started at the school."
"It’s a hard decision sending your child to a ‘special’ school, but now we’re out the other side, we realise how much our daughter needed the attention and environment that Summit Point offers."
"Her time at Summit gave our daughter the space and time to learn at her own pace, be recognised for her talents and participate in the running of the school."
"Graduating from Summit, our child is a confident learner and has a range of strategies which have helped her transition to high school."