College Executive team

A passionate educator and educational leader with the ability to see the big picture, Gillian brings to College a breadth and depth of experience, locally and nationally, in both management and governance in the sports and education sectors.

Gillian started her teaching and educational leadership career at Wellington Girls’ College and on returning from a role at St Paul’s Boys’ College in London at King’s College, Auckland.

From a Deputy Principal role at King’s, she was appointed Principal of Waikato Diocesan School, Hamilton, before moving to Christchurch to take on the role of Executive Principal at St Margaret’s College, a position she held for 10 years.

While at SMC, Gillian managed a substantial rebuild programme, futureproofing the campus, ensuring sustainability of infrastructure and buildings, and creating a flexible and responsive learning environment. She believes preparation and planning and persistence are key to ensuring young people have the benefit of an education that nurtures mind, body and spirit, and prepares them for a hope-filled and purposeful life. Gillian has completed terms of service in her director roles for NZ Rowing, Anglican Schools NZ and NZ Secondary Sports Council to join the University of Canterbury Council and the Canterbury Rugby Football Union Board, and continues on the NZ Education Scholarship Trust and as an independent organisational strategy and education consultant.

Ben stepped up from Housemaster of Flower’s House to Assistant Principal – Boarding in 2022, and now, Deputy Principal – Student Care, a timely progression in his involvement in the pastoral care of the boys. At College for the past 15 years, Ben previously taught in London, and at Timaru Boys’ High School and Christchurch Boys’ High School.

He believes relationships developed through boarding are unique and that much is learnt along the way to allow boarding graduates to be well-placed for the adult world ahead.

While each boy’s journey is individual and special, Ben’s goal for the College boarding community is to create a safe, caring 'home away from home' environment that allows them to flourish – to be challenged academically, to expand through co-curricular interests, and to grow through wholehearted involvement in the boarding programme itself. He aims for its constant improvement and for the boarding community to focus strongly on the College’s Wellbeing programme, which he believes is critical to the students as they progress beyond College.

Darrell Thatcher has taught at Christ's College for 22 years, including being involved with boarding for 18 years as a Deputy Housemaster, Housemaster and Director of Boarding. His current role involves the day-to-day organisation and planning of College activities. He also oversees the significant co-curricular programme at College. His career has been spent in boys' education, having previously taught at Tauranga Boys' College. He believes that opportunities outside the classroom are equally important to a boy's growth and development.

Claire Sparks leads the Advancement team at Christ's College, overseeing all marketing and communications. She sets the agenda for publications, advertising, promotion, social media and community engagement. Claire ensures that a cohesive College message is delivered across all channels and reflects core College values.

Claire started at College in 2014 after running her own marketing consultancy and working for companies as diverse as Yellow Pages, Thrifty Car Rental, BOC Gas and Ansett New Zealand.

The Advancement team unites the strands of communications, marketing, promotion and advertising, Old Boys, event management, development, sponsorship and bequests, domestic and international admissions and reception.

Paul Rodley manages all aspects of information and communications technology (ICT) across the College campus and is also responsible for the learning associated with digital technology.

His main teaching area is robotics, which encompasses a diverse range of skills, including the practical, such as programming and coding, building websites, robots and drones, and the cerebral, such as problem-solving, team building, self-management and innovative thinking.

ICT is challenging, exciting and evolving – and Paul sees it as a tool to facilitate learning.

“It’s all about the boys, about empowering them to have the confidence to get out there and make the most out of life.”

Paul started at Christ’s College as the first Director of ICT in 1999.

Director of Finance & Operations (DFO), Rob McFarlane brings a wealth of experience at the highest levels of business management to College, having worked for companies as diverse as Shell Oil, North Solomon’s Pharmacies, Boral Australia, Zeus (New Zealand Apple & Pear Marketing Board), Lyttelton Port Company, Silver Fern Farms and Longbeach Holdings, in New Zealand and overseas.

Rob has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University, Wellington, and is a Chartered Accountant.

He completed three fixed-term contracts at College before taking on the DFO role.

He is delighted to be working in an organisation whose values align so closely with his own.