Ali Symonds

Deputy Principal/Room 2 Teacher

Kia Ora. My name is Ali Symonds. I am the Deputy Principal at Waituna West School. I teach the akonga in the junior classroom. I am privileged to be a part of the amazing growth and changes that our youngest school members work their way through during the first few years of their school journey. A significant part of my teaching career has been spent at Waituna West School. This is due to the fact that this is where you will find some of the best tamariki in New Zealand! Our akonga are brought up with strong rural values and families who strongly support their education.

I am married to Nick. We have 2 children. We live just outside of Waituna West. Our pets are also an important part of our family. We have 2 cats, 2 dogs, a kunekune pig, 2 pet sheep and 8 chickens (and I must admit that I am also rather fond of the frogs in the water trough).

When I am not at school I enjoy spending time with my family, gardening and baking/chooking. a considerable amount of my time is spent at my family farm near Raetihi, which is where i grew up. I love good quality children's picture books and I am accumulating a rather large personal library of these.

Nga Mihi.