Parliament Teacher Reference Group

Maria Perreau

Dr Maria Perreau is the National Facilitator for the Aotearoa Social Studies Educators' Network (ASSEN). In this role, Maria supports and develops best practice resourcing and teaching of social studies around the country, across primary, intermediate, and secondary levels.

Maria started her career as a secondary teacher in 2001 and has had several different roles in schools here in New Zealand and internationally. She has also embarked on a journey of postgraduate study in educational research that centres around young people and their vital role in democratic societies. Maria recently completed her doctorate at the University of Auckland, which examines how and why young people become social activists in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Maria is committed to creating opportunities for young people to participate and contribute to their communities. She believes that this means making space for them to be listened to and empowering them to be more involved in our democracy. As well as being a part of the Parliament Teachers’ Reference Group, Maria is a member of the Subject Expert Group reviewing the NCEA senior social studies achievement standards and is part of the team which won the Beeby Award in 2020.

Matthew Boucher

Matt Boucher is the Deputy Principal of Rāroa Normal Intermediate School. Matt has been a teacher since 2004 and has taught students from Years 1-13 throughout his career. He is passionate about helping students to become informed, critically-thinking, and actively engaged citizens of Aotearoa and the wider world.

In addition to his work at Rāroa Normal Intermediate School and the Parliament Teachers’ Reference Group, Matt is a regular contributor to the School Journal and Connected series, helps run the Wellington Astronomical Society, is a trustee of the Wellington Loop Trust, is an advisor to the Wellington Zoo education programme, and is part of an ongoing TLRI-funded research project around the use of Online Citizen Science in the classroom. 

Sarah Simpson

Sarah Simpson is the Deputy Principal of Ngaio School in Wellington. Sarah's passion for teaching began early during her own primary education at Lytton Street School in Feilding. Inspired by her teachers, the art of quality teaching became a lifelong focus for her.

Sarah began teaching in 2000 after completing a Bachelor of Education and Diploma of Teaching at Massey University. Starting her career in Tauranga, Sarah has taught in five schools across New Zealand from Years 3-8. During this time, Sarah has provided mentorship and coaching for new teachers and aspiring leaders.

In 2004, Sarah won a British Council Study Award to investigate Gifted and Talented programmes in the UK and share best practice from New Zealand classrooms.

Sarah has led teacher development programmes in Literacy, Inquiry, and Curriculum design. Her work in intermediate school literacy was presented to the Reading Association and model lessons have been used in teacher training programmes. 

Sarah believes learning opportunities need to develop students’ ability to think and question, and that educators have a vital role in preparing resilient, thinking citizens for the future. 

Edward Turnbull

Edward Turnbull is a classroom teacher at South Wellington Intermediate School. Edward is a passionate filmmaker who has been teaching film at SWIS for 5 years. He also has been running a film festival at SWIS for 6 now, recently with the support of the Wellington UNESCO City of Film organisation.

As well as a filmmaker, Edward is an advocate of fully integrated learning in class, allowing kids to explore and learn in a creative and dynamic way. He is always looking for interesting and creative ways to deliver the curriculum in the classroom.

Craig Adams

Craig Adams is the Principal of Westport South School.Craig started in this role at the beginning of 2023. Before this he was a teacher and senior manager at the school for 13 years.

As an educator, Craig believes that all students can reach their individual potential. At the heart of this is a real drive to build positive relationships with all students.

Craig also believes in the importance of a wide curriculum and places emphasis on learning about the local environment, national history and keeping up to date with events of the world. Craig also sees the massive positive impact that comes from sport.

Parliament is a really passionate learning area for Craig. This has come about from multiple camps to Wellington with Year 8 students. A major focus was always the understanding of parliament in New Zealand.

Outside of the education sector, Craig is interested in trail running and enjoys the outdoors and experiencing the local environs. Craig is also the Head Coach of the Buller Rugby Union’s Heartland Rugby Team. This team travels the country and plays in the Heartland Competition – the greatest spectacle in grassroots rugby!

Thomas Johnson

Ko Tarikākā te maunga te rū nei taku ngākau​ 

Ko Kaiwharawhara te awa e mahea nei aku māharahara​ 

E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, o Te-Whanganui-a-Tara e noho nei ahau​

Ko tangata Tiriti ahau​ 

He kaiako ki te Hitori, Te Ao Tangata, me whakaakoranga puāwaitanga​ ahau​ 

Ko Thomas Johnson toku ingoa. 

Thomas Johnson has been a teacher in the social sciences since 2004.  In that time his roles have included being the Specialist Classroom Teacher and Head of Social Studies.  Currently, Thomas is an Across School Lead teacher for Te Kāhui Ako o Tarikākā and Kaihautū Tuarua for Histories at Onslow College.    

As a kaiako in Aotearoa, Thomas is interested in culturally responsive and learner centred education to create a more equitable and just society.    

Angela Rongonui

Angela Rongonui is currently working at Johnsonville School with a wide range of students. Her work with students with additional learning needs and from language backgrounds other than English have given her a new lens to look at teaching and learning.

Angela has been a Team Leader, Leader of Learning, and has led several curriculum areas. Angela is also currently on her own journey to make her reo a bigger part of who she is. Her own learning journey is a good reminder about having a positive mindset, developing her resilience and learning along the way. All values that she tries to show with students.