Te Atatu Intermediate

Noelle Fletcher

Principal, Te Atatu Intermediate

Born in Hamilton Noelle grew up in the Waikato and as her father was a postmaster she lived in numerous towns across the province. “My mother was a reader and I learned my love of reading from her. Additionally she taught me endurance, resilience and good Christian values. School was a place I loved to go to because I excelled!” When Noelle’s father died, the family moved to Auckland and she finished her compulsory education at Auckland Girls Grammar School. Though keen to become a degree qualified secondary teacher the lack of family resources meant she went to Auckland College of Education and became a primary teacher. (“Finally through parenting and teaching time I completed my degree – a degree in Education and another half completed in English.”) Noelle’s probationary year was at Waikowhai Primary School (Mt Roskill) and then her country service was at Tuakau, where she spent three happy years. Back to Auckland Noelle had four years at Newton Central School before commencing her family. A part-time music teacher role followed at Rangeview Intermediate and then through her involvement with her husband Richard at West City Christian Church, Noelle accepted the challenge of establishing West City Christian College as the foundation Principal. This was an incredible undertaking incorporating all of the planning and approvals that are necessary utilising an international curriculum while inculcating our own culture and the best of New Zealand’s curriculum! Over four years, where Noelle (a classically trained singer) was also the school’s music champion, the role grew from ten to seventy children. When pastor husband Richard moved to a sister church in New Lynn Noelle took the opportunity to join the staff at Te Atatu Intermediate. That was twenty three years ago during which Noelle has progressed from a part-time teaching role, to fulltime, to second deputy, to first deputy and four years ago, to principal. “As a hard working staff we have introduced many curriculum initiatives for which we have won tremendous community support. Student-led learning and personal responsibility is very important here with all students being encouraged to achieve at their best possible level while having the benefit of a strong character education programme. Buildings are important too and the school has a vast new computer network which means all classes have a range of IT tools. The technology block is next in line for an upgrade after the completion of our new library and this year we have added two new classrooms to cope with the growth in the roll. Working in this community is a joy and a privilege! ”