Reflective Ruru

Senior Leadership Team

From the Principal’s Desk

Meadowbank School has a very long and solid reputation as being one of Auckland’s leading, highest achieving schools. Our large scale combined with our beautiful school setting gives Meadowbank its unique ability to provide a huge array of opportunities for our very capable students.

I took over as Acting Principal in 2024, and it is a privilege to lead a thriving school that not only has high quality classroom teaching but a wide range of well-established specialist enrichment programmes such as Garden to Table, Mandarin, Performing Arts, Physical Education and Coding and Robotics.

We have an exceptional team of teachers and support staff who work hard to build a strong partnership between home and school. We acknowledge that success comes from a solid and harmonious home school relationship. As such, we operate an open door policy.

You will find our teachers approachable and always willing to discuss yours child’s progress. During school hours (8.30am – 3.30pm) their focus is on the students so we ask that if you wish to discuss a specific matter with any of your child’s teachers, send a note or e mail to make an appointment.

Our Senior Leaders and I like to spend as much time as we can out in the playground and in classes. If you see us around please feel free to stop us and say hi.

Meadowbank School has an ambitious vision and an embedded culture of high expectations. We take our role as educators very seriously and know that we are growing the leaders and influential citizens of the future.

We trust that this website will provide you with some valuable information about our school. If you would like to know more you are most welcome to pop into school and meet one of our staff and have a look around.

We truly wish to make Meadowbank too good to miss.

Jane Butel

Jane Butel
Acting Principal

principal@meadowbank.school.nz

Our Senior Leadership Team

Andrew Troy

Andrew Troy
Deputy Principal (Middle School - Year 3 & 4)

atroy@meadowbank.school.nz

Andrew initially trained at both Auckland University and the Auckland College of Education before beginning his teaching career at Remuera Primary School. He then moved to Europe and began over 20 years of extensive travel and working in international education. Two amazing schools, one wife and two daughters later, he has brought his family home to Aotearoa. Andrew has held numerous positions of management – most notably as leading a Primary department in a very successful International School in Cologne, Germany.  Passionate about sport, travel, photography and beer brewing, Andrew is responsible for our Year Three and Four team and has a particular focus on community partnerships.  

Amy Thimpson

Amy Thompson
Deputy Principal (Senior School - Year 5 & 6)

athompson@meadowbank.school.nz

Amy joined Meadowbank School toward the end of 2022 after 13 years at Diocesan School for Girls where she was  Deputy Principal. During that time her areas of responsibility included curriculum design and innovation, student achievement, wellbeing and gifted education programmes.  Amy has also taught and been in leadership roles at Victoria Avenue Primary and began teaching at Onehunga Primary.  In 2021 she completed her Masters of Educational Leadership and is passionate about high quality education and student achievement, seeking the best outcomes for every learner. Outside of school, Amy and husband Matt have two young boys who love their sport. She has responsibility for the Year 5 and 6 team and overseeing school wide achievement and specialist programmes.

Carlene White

Carlene White
Deputy Principal (JUNIOR School)

cwhite@meadowbank.school.nz

Carlene completed a  Bachelor of Education in Auckland University before starting her teaching career at Mairangi Bay School. Following this she travelled extensively and worked in London for 6 years as a Special Education teacher and as a Deputy Principal. On her return to New Zealand Carlene joined Meadowbank School and has had varied roles including Deputy Principal, English Language teacher and Special Education Needs Co- ordinator. Carlene is a Meadowbank local with three daughters, all previous /present Meadowbank students. She is currently responsible for Student Support, Curriculum, Special Education Needs, Gifted & Talented.