College Executive team

Joe Eccleton is the 19th Principal of Christ’s College and was appointed to this position in 2024. Joe is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the school, ensuring that our boys have the opportunity to graduate with the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed to pursue a life of purpose.

Joe believes education must prepare our students to have a mindset of adaptability as well as capacity and that a school must be one that is deliberately and intentionally allowing people to thrive in a holistic sense – emotionally, physically and intellectually.

Joe is originally a History and Classics teacher and has held a variety of senior management positions, including the Principal of Cashmere High School, prior to his appointment. He is currently the President of the Canterbury Westcoast Secondary Principals Association.

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.

A chartered accountant with experience in corporate finance in London, Melbourne, and across New Zealand, Leigh-Anne Stratford has been appointed Chief Financial Officer at Christ’s College. Previously Group Financial Controller for Heritage Travel Services/Heritage Expeditions, Leigh-Anne has also held the role of Finance Manager for ProVision Eyecare and Icebreaker Australia. A graduate of the University of Otago, she has also been a project manager in London.

With experience in private practice, banking, and property, Haydn Randall has been appointed Director of Operations at Christ’s College. Previously the Society of Mary NZ General Manager – Property and Finance, Haydn has led Catholic school campus development, maintenance, and rebuilding projects. He has also been an ANZ relationship manager, particularly relating to the agricultural sector, and worked in private practice as a director and senior accountant.

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.