Brigid Moffat

Brigid has worked at Maitai school since 2015, both as a teacher and now the coordinator of the Specialist Teacher Outreach Service. Previously Brigid worked for BLENNZ and before that was manager of the Learner Support Centre at Nayland College.

Brigid hails from Nelson but after extensive travel overseas, including 2 years teaching at a special school in London, is enjoying living back in her hometown

Brigid can be contacted at: brigid@maitai.school.nz

Emma Matthews

Emma is the Music Therapist for the Outreach Service and for Maitai Specialist School. Emma has been working as a Music Therapist (MT) since 2009 mainly in Specialist Education – in a range of schools throughout New Zealand, in both group and individual settings. Music Therapy involves a holistic approach, and can be a collaborative therapy. Emma works alongside educators and other Specialists (such as Physiotherapists and Speech Language Rherapists) to provide an engaging therapeutic environment, where students are free to explore, communicate, and create. Emma uses a client-centered approach, and is focused on the entire well-being of the student during sessions.

Emma can be contacted at: emma.matthews@maitai.school.nz

Vanessa Ness

Vanessa has worked as an Outreach Teacher for Maitai since 2016. She has worked extensively in special schools in South Africa, the UK and New Zealand. She is enjoying the village feel of living in Mapua and working with students in their local schools.

Vanessa can be contacted at: vanessa.ness@maitai.school.nz

Rebecca Robinson

Rebecca has worked at Maitai school since 2017 and loves the diversity of working with ORS students in mainstream schools. She enjoys working for the Specialist Teacher Outreach Service, working one to one with children, helping them to reach their full potential. Rebecca also provides teacher release for Maitai satellite teachers.

Rebecca can be contacted at: rebecca.robinson@maitai.school.nz

Kathy Graham

Kathy joined the STOS team in 2022 .

An educator for most of her career, Kathy initially trained in Wellington as a librarian and spent many years with the National Library as a Children’s Librarian and then a Library Adviser before moving to Nelson in 2012. 

In Nelson there was a one year dabble in Hospitality, Cookery at NMIT before going back to education as a Teacher Librarian and a Resource Teacher of the Deaf. Kathy gained her Post Graduate Diploma in Specialist Teaching 2018 and started at Maitai School in 2022. 

Kathy can be contacted at: kathy.graham@maitai.school.nz

Dr Liz Ray

Liz has taught in special education since 1998 and trained as an early childhood teacher, early intervention teacher and teacher of the deaf. She works as a STOS teacher and also supports students off-site. Liz runs her own reading to the dogs programme and takes her three King Charles Cavaliers into schools for children to read to.

Liz can be contacted at: liz.ray@maitai.school.nz