Debbie Waikato
Debbie grew up in West Auckland; attending Henderson Primary, Lincoln Heights, Glen Eden Primary, Glen Eden Intermediate and then Kelston Girls High School. After completing seventh form certificate and Bursary she enrolled at Auckland College of Education.
“The first school I taught at was Papatoetoe Intermediate School; where Alan Jermaine was Principal. Alan was my mentor and a huge inspiration. I will never forget my first day of teaching in Form Two when I realised just how few years there were between myself as a newly trained teacher and the students”.
Having travelled at times up to an hour each day to and from school she decided to apply for positions close to home and to gain more experience by teaching at a primary. When a position was advertised at Lincoln Heights; given her brief but fond memories there as a child she applied.
Debbie was appointed as a classroom teacher at Lincoln Heights in 2002, then became a team leader, Associate Principal, Co-Acting Principal with Shirley Martin, and was appointed as Principal in 2008.
“I consider it an honour to be entrusted with the duty of leading quality learning for quality lives at Lincoln Heights School. The staff, students and parent community of Lincoln Heights are all very dear to me. We are a school where people are what matters most. We are known for our community spiritedness, our diversity, our appreciation of each others’ needs, gifts and talents. There is a most definite sense of whanaungatanga at Lincoln Heights- a place where we see each other as family.”
Debbie, her husband Will and their son Corey who attends Massey High School live locally.