Non-teaching staff

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.

Experienced Senior Manager in Development and fundraising with a demonstrated history of raising funds for capital and operational programmes in the education and not for profit industries. Skilled in strategic planning, event, staff and volunteer management. Shelley is a former journalist who is passionate about providing opportunities for young people to facilitate growth and personal development.

Lizzie Dyer couldn’t resist the opportunity to work at College when the new Alumni Manager role came up as she has always felt a strong affinity for – and has many connections with – the school through family, friends, and as a College parent.

“I’ve always loved College and its environment. I used to drive to St Margaret’s via Rolleston Avenue just to take a peek through the gates. I love the whole feel of the place.”

However, people before buildings – and, for Lizzie, life is all about people. She is warm and friendly, relaxed and convivial, and a great talker and accomplished hostess, who thrives on making and nurturing connections.

The daughter of a “larger than life” Irish father and Kiwi mother, Lizzie was born in Belfast. The family moved to New Zealand when Lizzie was a child and she grew up – the eldest of three daughters – in Tai Tapu, appreciating the easy balance between country life and proximity to the city. One of her first jobs was working in travel, through which she says she was lucky to be able to go back and get to know the Irish side of her family, and even more delighted when one of her cousins married her best friend – they met at Lizzie and husband Tim’s wedding – and moved to New Zealand.

Family and friends are the bedrock of Lizzie’s life. She quit the travel industry when she had children, but then started organic baby food business Green Monkey with her sister.

“I became very aware of what my children were, or weren’t, eating. And, like any parent, I wanted to do my absolute best. There wasn’t really any organic baby food around at the time, so we took the chance and entered a very competitive market. It was tough with three young children. Really good, but very busy.”

Future Gifts Manager Laura Forbes has worked in arts philanthropy, promotion, and event management.

In her previous role, Laura was the SCAPE Public Art Philanthropy & Development Manager in Christchurch. Supporting the public art programme through sponsorship and fundraising, Laura has been involved in development strategies and communication. During her career, she has also curated the Art in a Garden Sculpture event in North Canterbury and worked in art galleries in Australia and New Zealand. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Theory from the University of Otago and a Master of Art Administration from the University of New South Wales.

Stacey started in Richards House as Day Matron in 2022. Prior to being at College she worked for the New Zealand Red Cross, in refugee resettlement and teaching first aid in schools. Away from College, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also loves camping, travel, and live theatre. Stacey has three children, one adult daughter over in the U.K. where she was born, and two teenage children still at home.

Lead counsellor at Christ’s College, Malcolm Scott has also supported teenagers at Rolleston College and Christchurch Boys’ High School. An accredited counsellor since 1994, Malcolm has worked in schools and universities, and with mental health organisations in the social services sector, along with being in private practice. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Otago, a Certificate of Caring Education in Mental Health from Massey University, and a Master of Counselling from the University of Canterbury.

Holding a Bachelor of Counselling, Chelita Fonmoa has worked in boys’ schools in Christchurch and also has experience with Māori and Pacific cultural care models.

She has been a counsellor with Te Puna Oranga and Etu Pasifika Canterbury, along with providing counselling services through a Christchurch charity. Committed to promoting mental health, Chelita supports reconnection, internal growth, and holistic fulfilment.

A MINDfit specialist, Liz de Lautour holds a Certificate of Counselling (children and family counselling) from the University of Canterbury, a Diploma of Teaching from the University of Auckland, and a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Otago.

A 2002 Winter Olympian on the skeleton bobsled, Liz has been a tutor at the New Zealand Institute of Sport, a Pilates instructor, and taught at leading schools in Auckland, Christchurch, and Brisbane. She has also worked with Te Whare Awhero to promote wellbeing and positive mental health in primary schools.

Director of Sport Benn McBrearty’s enthusiasm for sport is infectious. He strongly believes sport is a vehicle for developing a life-long love of physical activity and future health.

Prior to returning to Christchurch, after an extended period living in Australia, Benn worked as Director of Sport and as a Physical Education & Health teacher, as well as coaching and coordinating multiple sports.

Benn understands that participation in sport helps young people to grow, learn and enjoy themselves while nurturing their personal, physical and intellectual skills, and developing healthy minds and bodies.

“Sport creates an environment for personal growth. It teaches us the value of discipline, teamwork and perseverance. It enlightens us about resilience, courage, failure and success and challenges us to grow and become better people by holding a mirror to us all when faced with each of these challenges.”

Benn has a Bachelor of Exercise Science and Graduate Diploma in Secondary Education from The Australian Catholic University having attended the Strathfield campus in NSW. He also has a Graduate Diploma in Physical Conditioning from Otago Polytechnic.

Experienced coach and mentor Llorne Howell will be stepping into the role of Assistant to the Director of Sport and MiC Cricket and Rugby while Stephen Dods takes a sabbatical.

A former Black Cap, Llorne has played one-day internationals for New Zealand and also represented Canterbury in age-group rugby. In a 14-year career at the top level of cricket, Llorne has won one-day and four-day titles with Canterbury and Auckland. He holds a New Zealand Cricket Level 3 Coaching Qualification, along with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and a Bachelor of Arts in several languages. He has also been awarded the Prime Minister’s Scholarship to China Peking University.

Llorne has led the Howell Cricket Academy and coached extensively in New Zealand and India, along with establishing and growing business and educational links with India. He has held business development and financial advisor roles during his varied career.

Assistant to the Director of Sport and Head Strength & Conditioning Coach Kris Miller believes everyone should participate in some form of exercise or sport, because the benefits – in terms of health, cardiovascular fitness, wellbeing, strength, energy and enjoyment – are enormous. He works with individuals and teams across all sports, teaching skills and techniques to enable the boys to perform at their best, and helping them develop and maintain good habits around health and fitness.

Kris has a Physical Education degree, with a double major in Sport and Exercise Science and Exercise Prescription from the University of Otago, and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Physical Conditioning from Otago Polytechnic.

Holding a Bachelor of Sport and Recreation Management, majoring in Exercise and Health, and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning (Secondary) in Physical Education and Health Education, Keryn Ambler also brings a wealth of experience to his new role. As the convenor of cricket and hockey, he also heads coach development at Christ’s College. In his previous position, Keryn was the Christchurch Metro Cricket Association Development Manager, managing youth cricket, including the representative programme, winter training, and secondary school-based cricket. He was also responsible for the management and delivery of coach development, alongside improving resources. Since 2017, Keryn has been the 1st XI head cricket coach and youth hockey coach at Christ’s College.

Holding a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Texas Wesleyan University in the United States, Nicole Gleason has experience in event management and marketing. As the new convenor of basketball and volleyball, Nicole is also responsible for injury management and sports facility hire at Christ’s College. Having spent several years with Canterbury Basketball as the junior events and programmes coordinator, Nicole has fostered strong relationships with clubs, schools, and coaches. She has also developed marketing strategies and helped to drive community engagement while fulfilling operational and logistics requirements.

Holder of a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Missouri State University, former professional footballer, head coach, and university scholarship agent Ben Stroud is the new convenor of football and tennis at Christ’s College. He is also responsible for athlete development. Having recently been a youth head coach in Perth, Ben was previously captain of FC Jazz in Finland and an agent for New Zealand athletes seeking scholarships to attend university in the United States. He has also hosted sports-related podcasts, developed community football, and helped to lead Missouri State University up the rankings as a scholarship player. With a diverse background in professional sport, Ben now brings those skills to College.

Simon Mulholland has been appointed Assistant Director of Sport at College and Rugby Convenor. He joins College from Sedbergh School in Britain where he has been Director of Rugby and Assistant Director of Sport. His impressive coaching credentials include being voted NextGenXV Schools Rugby Coach of the Decade and playing a pivotal role in developing top-tier schoolboy rugby talent, with many of his former players progressing to national and professional levels. In his new role, Simon will support the strategic direction of sport at College, overseeing key operational aspects of the sports programme, and leading our rugby, athletics, and water polo programmes.

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.