Meet The Team
Robyn Stead
Educational Psychologist
Mt Eden, Auckland
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa
Ko Kapiti te maunga, Ko Waikanae te awa, Ko ngati Pakeha te iwi, Ko Robyn toku ingoa
Kia ora koutou
Ko Kapiti te maunga, Ko Waikanae te awa, Ko ngati Pakeha te iwi, Ko Robyn toku ingoa
Kia ora koutou
I grew up on the Kapiti Coast just north of Wellington. After High School I attended Massey University, in Palmerston North, where I completed a BA in English Literature. During 12 years living, and working in the UK, Europe and the USA I trained as an English teacher, and a Special Education teacher, completed a Masters degree in Special Education, got married and had two children.
On return to New Zealand, I trained as an Educational Psychologist and Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour and gained further experience in primary, intermediate and secondary education. I have experience working with a wide range of primary to secondary school aged students, their families and teachers. Highlights from working as Practice Leader in the RTLB service include, training a wide range of schools in Positive Behaviour for Learning for the Auckland Metro area, developing an intervention to support oral language in new entrant students and collaborating with Ministry of Education to develop a transition to school programme. I thoroughly enjoy working in private practice.
I am a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society and the immediate past chair of the Institute of Educational and Developmental Psychology (Chair from 2020-2023).
On return to New Zealand, I trained as an Educational Psychologist and Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour and gained further experience in primary, intermediate and secondary education. I have experience working with a wide range of primary to secondary school aged students, their families and teachers. Highlights from working as Practice Leader in the RTLB service include, training a wide range of schools in Positive Behaviour for Learning for the Auckland Metro area, developing an intervention to support oral language in new entrant students and collaborating with Ministry of Education to develop a transition to school programme. I thoroughly enjoy working in private practice.
I am a member of the New Zealand Psychological Society and the immediate past chair of the Institute of Educational and Developmental Psychology (Chair from 2020-2023).
Sue Hamilton
Educational Psychologist
Available for appointments in East and South Auckland
I am from the United Kingdom and I came to New Zealand 21 years ago with my young family for a 2 year ‘experience’. We loved the country and as you can see have stayed ever since! Our two young boys are now strapping lads of 24 and 21 years.
My birthplace is the renowned and beautiful university town of Cambridge in England and I still return when I can.
Following my initial degree that linked Psychology and Education, I taught for 8 years in middle schools (similar to intermediate schools) and a special education unit in a secondary school. I then returned to study Educational Psychology and worked for 5 years for Birmingham Educational Psychology Service.
When I came to New Zealand I was employed by the Ministry of Education and have worked in many areas of South Auckland from Howick through to Papakura with children with additional needs, primarily presenting with behavioural issues but often this masks their underlying learning needs.
Over the years I have had diverse opportunities to work in many areas outside of my core work of assessment and intervention with early childhood centres, schools and families. I have worked with schools on improving inclusive practices, served as an Education representative on a multi-agency group to meet the needs of vulnerable children; delivered many incredible years parenting programmes, supported schools and early childhood centres when faced with traumatic incidents. More recently I have been working with some of the Kotahi te Whakaaro students.
I am excited by the opportunity to start to dip my toes into some private practice work and use my skills in a different way.
Qualifications
BSc Integrated Psychology and Education Honours Degree, 1986
Post graduate Certificate in Education, 1986
Masters in Educational Psychology, 1995
Accredited Incredible Years Facilitator, 2017
Triple P trained, 2014
Toolbox Parenting Courses, Parenting Place, Greenlane, 2020
Supervisor of intern psychology students 2017- present day
Member of the Ministry of Education Traumatic Incident Team for 14 years
Alisha Bliss
Educational Psychologist
Available for appointments on the North Shore, West Auckland and Northland
I grew up in Auckland and completed my primary, intermediate, and college education on the North Shore, before relocating to West Harbour recently.
Before becoming an educational psychologist, I spent eight years as a primary school teacher, during which I became a syndicate leader for Years 1–2 and Years 2–3. Throughout this time, I gained invaluable experience working with students who required significant additional support, including high-risk learners and their families and whānau.
I have a deep passion for supporting students who find school challenging and may need further clarity, strategies, or tailored interventions to help them reach their full potential.
With extensive experience collaborating with schools, I specialise in providing guidance, support, and clear communication regarding students' learning needs. My goal is to work closely with educators and families to ensure students receive the support they need to succeed.
Qualifications
Graduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching (Primary)
Master of Educational and Developmental Psychology Postgraduate Diploma in Educational and Developmental Psychology
Current Teaching Registration
Crisis Prevention Institute – Registered Instructor Sexual Violence Prevention – Trained Facilitator (Years 9–13) Incredible Years Teacher
Training FAN (Facilitating Attuned Interactions)Trained
Child Protection Studies Programme - complete
Recent Activities
Treasurer, The Institute of Educational and Developmental Psychology (IEDP)
Traumatic Incident Team Participant,
The Mayfield Project 2023 (link)
Professional Connections
Robyn, Sue and Alisha are all Registered with the NZ Psychologists Board in the Educational Scope.
We are also members of the NZ Psychological Society and the Institute of Educational and Developmental Psychology.
We are also members of the NZ Psychological Society and the Institute of Educational and Developmental Psychology.
