Teaching Staff
Art
Darryn George
BFA (Canterbury), MFA (Melbourne), DipTchg, Art
Head of Department
Darryn George
BFA (Canterbury), MFA (Melbourne), DipTchg, Art
Head of Department
Art, DVC
Kate Belton
MFA(Distinction)(Otago), DipTchg
Kate Belton
MFA(Distinction)(Otago), DipTchg
Biology
Kirsty Howatson
BSc(Hons) (Stirling)
Head of Department
Kirsty Howatson
BSc(Hons) (Stirling)
Head of Department
Biology
Sally Kersey
BSc (Canterbury)
Biology Technician
Sally Kersey
BSc (Canterbury)
Biology Technician
Biology
Dr Graeme Swanson
BSc(Hons) PhD (Edinburgh), DipTchg, Biology
Director of CTER (Fixed-term Secondment)
Dr Graeme Swanson
BSc(Hons) PhD (Edinburgh), DipTchg, Biology
Director of CTER (Fixed-term Secondment)
Biology
Kirstie Tucker
BSc(Massey),PostGradDip Science (Massey)MTchgLn Science & Biology (Waikato)
Kirstie Tucker
BSc(Massey),PostGradDip Science (Massey)MTchgLn Science & Biology (Waikato)
Careers
Chris Sellars
BSc (Canterbury), DipTchg
Careers Advisor
Chris Sellars
BSc (Canterbury), DipTchg
Careers Advisor
Chemistry
Scott Franklin
BSc (Otago), GradDipTchg, Chemistry
Head of Department
Scott Franklin
BSc (Otago), GradDipTchg, Chemistry
Head of Department
Chemistry
Vicki Bennie
NZCS (Biology)
Chemistry Technician
Vicki Bennie
NZCS (Biology)
Chemistry Technician
Chemistry
Dr Craig Aitken
BSc(Hons) PhD (Canterbury), DipTchg, Chemistry
Principal's Nominee
Dr Craig Aitken
BSc(Hons) PhD (Canterbury), DipTchg, Chemistry
Principal's Nominee
Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics
Amy Fisher
BSc (Hons) (South Hampton), PGCE (Exeter), MEd Leadership (Auckland)
Amy Fisher
BSc (Hons) (South Hampton), PGCE (Exeter), MEd Leadership (Auckland)
Chemistry
Dr Briar Wait
BSc MSc PhD (Canterbury), GradDipTchg
Dr Briar Wait
BSc MSc PhD (Canterbury), GradDipTchg
Commerce
Katie Southworth
BBA Business Management (Lancaster University, UK), GradDipTchgLng, Economics and Accounting (Teachers College, Christchurch)
Acting Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
Katie Southworth
BBA Business Management (Lancaster University, UK), GradDipTchgLng, Economics and Accounting (Teachers College, Christchurch)
Acting Deputy Principal – Teaching & Learning
Commerce
Jennifer Thomas
BCom (Lincoln), GradDip (College of Education)
Acting Head of Department, Teacher in Charge Accounting
Jennifer Thomas
BCom (Lincoln), GradDip (College of Education)
Acting Head of Department, Teacher in Charge Accounting
Commerce, Wellbeing
Logan Ball
BSpMgt (Auckland), DipTchg
Logan Ball
BSpMgt (Auckland), DipTchg
Commerce, Mathematics
William Bell
BCom (Canterbury), DipTchg
Timetabler, Senior Reporting
William Bell
BCom (Canterbury), DipTchg
Timetabler, Senior Reporting
Commerce
Graeme Christey
BCom (Canterbury), CA, DipTchg, Commerce
Graeme Christey
BCom (Canterbury), CA, DipTchg, Commerce
A nationally ranked distance running coach, Graeme Christey is passionate about supporting and training young athletes to compete in track and field, road race and cross-country events. He has been coaching for more than 20 years, both at College and for the Papanui Toc H Athletics Club. Graeme has coached many athletes to secondary school, Canterbury and national titles, as well as preparing New Zealand representatives for international meets. Several of his students have been offered athletics scholarships to American universities.
Graeme was the SPARC Canterbury–Westland Volunteer Coach of the Year in 2009 and received the Athletics Canterbury Community Service for Coaching award in 2018.
MiC Outdoor Education and Duke of Edinburgh's Hillary Award
A former competitive athlete with a lifetime’s passion for the outdoors, Graeme is a leader in College’s Outdoor Education. Since 2000, he has attended most College-run camps for Years 9–10. The Year 10 programme is designed for every boy to achieve the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey, incorporated in the Immerse & Inspire Programme. He finds the positive impact of the outdoors – where students improve their fitness and strength, gain self-confidence, and challenge and surprise themselves – to be inspirational. For Graeme, a personal highlight was taking a group to the jungle in Borneo in December 2019. He is delighted to see both the re-emergence of the Venture Group at College, and more staff becoming involved in the Outdoor Education programme.
Commerce
Neil Porter
BSc (Canterbury), PGDipSportMgt (Massey), DipTchg
Neil Porter
BSc (Canterbury), PGDipSportMgt (Massey), DipTchg
Neil Porter has been a member of the College executive team for 15 years after holding a similar role at Whanganui Collegiate School. In his current role, Neil engages with the community beyond the gates, promoting College, and liaising with other educational organisations.
Service is a real passion for Neil and he enjoys working to develop meaningful, long-term service opportunities for the boys at College
Commerce
Robbie Turrell
Bsc (Hons) Business and Psychology, PGCE, MEd Leadership (AUT), Commerce
Robbie Turrell
Bsc (Hons) Business and Psychology, PGCE, MEd Leadership (AUT), Commerce
Design & Digital Technologies
Monique Ellis-Martin
BDes, DipTchg
Head of Department
Monique Ellis-Martin
BDes, DipTchg
Head of Department
Design & Digital Technologies
Craig Walker
BSc(Hons) Computing Science (Staffordshire), PGCert (Loughborough)
Teacher in Charge Digital Technologies
Craig Walker
BSc(Hons) Computing Science (Staffordshire), PGCert (Loughborough)
Teacher in Charge Digital Technologies
Digital Technologies
Paul Rodley
MSc(Hons) (Canterbury), DipTchg
Director of Digital Services
Paul Rodley
MSc(Hons) (Canterbury), DipTchg
Director of Digital Services
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.
Drama
Hannah Clarkson
BEd (Canterbury), DipTchg, Performing Arts
Director of Drama
Hannah Clarkson
BEd (Canterbury), DipTchg, Performing Arts
Director of Drama
Hannah took on the leadership of Drama in 2021 after 15 years in charge of Dance and as a Drama teacher and Dean at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School. With a Bachelor of Education with specialisation in Performing Arts, Hannah is an experienced choreographer who grew up dancing, and later branched out into musical theatre and acting. She has worked on many joint Christ's College/Rangi Ruru Girls' School productions, with the most recent being 2020’s blockbuster, Evita, 2021’s Fame and 2022’s spectacular Light at the End of the Tunnel.
In 2023, Hannah featured both drama and musical theatre through alternating productions for both junior and senior students. This included the senior production of Peter Pan in May, followed by Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr. in November. There are many other opportunities for boys with the Shakespeare Festival, NZ Dance Made national competition, Theatre Festival, House Plays, Theatresports, and the Dance Company as a winter sport.
Drama
Nikki Bleyendaal
BA, BSc(Hons), GradDipTchg
Assistant Director of Drama, CTER Head of Teaching & Learning
Nikki Bleyendaal
BA, BSc(Hons), GradDipTchg
Assistant Director of Drama, CTER Head of Teaching & Learning
Nikki has relished being part of the Drama Department in a variety of roles over the past 10 years, and now brings her skills and experiences to her latest role as the Assistant Director of Drama. Whether she is teaching in the classroom, coaching Theatresports, supervising the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival or directing the junior or senior productions, Nikki always revels in the joys and challenges provided by the dynamic and collaborative world of the performing arts.
In 2022, she directed the junior play, Rainbow’s Ending, and in 2023, co-directed Peter Pan for the senior production. She also works as a director at Original Scripts Theatre School and has both directed and performed with the Top Dog Theatre Company for more than a decade. She was last seen on the Isaac Theatre Royal stage as Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Nikki’s other roles at Christ’s College include coaching as a Head of Teaching & Learning, and a mentor in Somes House.
Drama, English
Shannon Small
BA (Otago), BPA (Toi Whakaari: NZDS), GradDipTchg (Victoria)
CTER Head of Teaching & Learning (Term 3 & 4)
Shannon Small
BA (Otago), BPA (Toi Whakaari: NZDS), GradDipTchg (Victoria)
CTER Head of Teaching & Learning (Term 3 & 4)
Shannon Small first became involved in Theatresports as an Ashburton College student, travelling to Christchurch for competitions. He was awarded a blue – the equivalent of a College Colour – for his contribution to Theatresports at secondary school. Shannon then completed a Theatre Studies degree at the University of Otago, including papers on improvisation. Next, he gained entry to the prestigious Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School to study for a degree in acting. Following his graduation, workshopping and devising plays became part of his professional life. A career change into teaching took Shannon in a different direction. In 2023, he returned to the sport by coaching the Christ’s College Theatresports teams, with the junior team winning that year.
Earth & Space Science, Physics, Geography
Dr Anna Johnston
BSc(Hons) PhD (Canterbury), DipSecTchg (NZGSE)
Dr Anna Johnston
BSc(Hons) PhD (Canterbury), DipSecTchg (NZGSE)
English, Media Studies
Chris Waugh
BA (Otago), DipSecTchg (NZGSE)
Head of Department English
Chris Waugh
BA (Otago), DipSecTchg (NZGSE)
Head of Department English
English, Media Studies
Zac Knight
BA (Canterbury), GradDipTchLn (College of Education)
Assistant Head of Department
Zac Knight
BA (Canterbury), GradDipTchLn (College of Education)
Assistant Head of Department
English, Classics
Olivia Austin
BA (Canterbury), GradDipTchg, MEd Leadership
Teacher in Charge Classics
Olivia Austin
BA (Canterbury), GradDipTchg, MEd Leadership
Teacher in Charge Classics
English
Emma Bracken
BA (Auckland), GradDipTchgLng (Canterbury)
Head of Advanced Learning
Emma Bracken
BA (Auckland), GradDipTchgLng (Canterbury)
Head of Advanced Learning
English
Charlotte de Roles
BA (Canterbury), DipSecTchg (NZGSE)
Charlotte de Roles
BA (Canterbury), DipSecTchg (NZGSE)
English, Media Studies
Claire Nicolson
BPhysEd (Professional Studies, Exercise Prescription and Management), GDSE (Otago)
Claire Nicolson
BPhysEd (Professional Studies, Exercise Prescription and Management), GDSE (Otago)
English, Psychology
Ginny Patterson
BA (Canterbury), DipTchg
Ginny Patterson
BA (Canterbury), DipTchg
English
Erin Rutherford
BA (Canterbury), GradDipTchg (NZGSE)
Erin Rutherford
BA (Canterbury), GradDipTchg (NZGSE)
Geography, History, Systems & Justice
Neil Nicholson
BSc (Canterbury), DipTchg, Geography
Head Of Department Geography
Neil Nicholson
BSc (Canterbury), DipTchg, Geography
Head Of Department Geography
Geography, History, Systems & Justice
Josh Kim
BA (Canterbury), MTchgLn History
Josh Kim
BA (Canterbury), MTchgLn History
History, Geography, Systems & Justice
Samantha Stevenson
BA(Hons), MEd Leadership, GradDipTchg (Canterbury)
Head of Department History
Samantha Stevenson
BA(Hons), MEd Leadership, GradDipTchg (Canterbury)
Head of Department History
History, Geography, Systems & Justice
Warren Lidstone
BA(Hons) (Canterbury), DipTchg, GCertOTL, History
Warren Lidstone
BA(Hons) (Canterbury), DipTchg, GCertOTL, History
Warren has worked to NZ Cricket Level 3 coaching qualifications and has also coached at junior and youth representative levels. Coaching highlights include finishing second at the NZ Gillette Cup in 2011 and touring England in 2009, 2011 and 2015 with College teams. Warren previously coached the 1st XI from 2006–2018.
History
Ben Vink
BA(Hons) (Canterbury), DipTchg, MEd Leadership
Deputy Principal – Student Care
Ben Vink
BA(Hons) (Canterbury), DipTchg, MEd Leadership
Deputy Principal – Student Care
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.
International Culture & Languages
Elaine Tang
BA(Hons) (Southampton), PGCE
Head of Department
Elaine Tang
BA(Hons) (Southampton), PGCE
Head of Department
International Culture & Languages, Te Reo Māori
Steve Everingham
BSc (Canterbury), DipTchg
Steve Everingham
BSc (Canterbury), DipTchg
International Culture & Languages
Maude Turgeon-Leblanc
BA (Sherbrooke), Cert (Sherbrooke), MA TchnLng (Otago)
Maude Turgeon-Leblanc
BA (Sherbrooke), Cert (Sherbrooke), MA TchnLng (Otago)
Learning Centre & ESOL
Gill Kilpatrick
BA(Hons) (Leeds), PGCE
Head of Department
Gill Kilpatrick
BA(Hons) (Leeds), PGCE
Head of Department
Learning Centre & ESOL
Alexandra Robertson
BA(Hons) (University of Lancaster), PGCE (Secondary University of Newcastle Upon Tyne), TESOL (Trinity College)
Alexandra Robertson
BA(Hons) (University of Lancaster), PGCE (Secondary University of Newcastle Upon Tyne), TESOL (Trinity College)
Learning Centre – Literacy
Sarah Loughnan
BEd (Canterbury), DipTchgLng (College of Education)
Learning Centre – Literacy
Kate Morris
BA (Canterbury), GradDipTchgLng (College of Education)
Kate Morris
BA (Canterbury), GradDipTchgLng (College of Education)
Learning Centre – Numeracy
Shelly Jackson
BA (Canterbury), GradDipTchgLng (College of Education), MEd (Canterbury)
Shelly Jackson
BA (Canterbury), GradDipTchgLng (College of Education), MEd (Canterbury)
Learning Centre – Numeracy
Claire Sparks
BTchLn (Canterbury)
Claire Sparks
BTchLn (Canterbury)
Mathematics & Statistics
Amanda Lester
BSc (McMaster), GradDipTchLn (Christchurch College of Education), MEd (Canterbury)
Head of Department, CTER Head of Teaching & Learning
Amanda Lester
BSc (McMaster), GradDipTchLn (Christchurch College of Education), MEd (Canterbury)
Head of Department, CTER Head of Teaching & Learning
Mathematics & Statistics
Dr Neil de Joux
PhD (Applied Psychology) (Canterbury), GDipT (NZGSE)
Assistant Head of Department
Dr Neil de Joux
PhD (Applied Psychology) (Canterbury), GDipT (NZGSE)
Assistant Head of Department
Mathematics & Statistics
Dr Tom Hawkins
BSc(Hons) (Newcastle), PhD (Victoria), GDipTchg (NZGSE)
Dr Tom Hawkins
BSc(Hons) (Newcastle), PhD (Victoria), GDipTchg (NZGSE)
Mathematics & Statistics
Andrew Levenger
BA(Hons) PGCE Secondary (Durham)
Diploma Awards Coordinator
Andrew Levenger
BA(Hons) PGCE Secondary (Durham)
Diploma Awards Coordinator
Andrew was a strike bowler, taking a best of eight for 52 and securing a 50-wicket haul in his final year at school. A back injury forced his retirement from the cut and thrust of club cricket in 2007. He has scored one century and taken the wickets of two test players – although they were both a little past their prime.
Following a fine season coaching the 9A Blacks to silverware in 2018, Andrew has moved up and continues to work his wonders as 1st XI manager.
Mathematics & Statistics
Robyn McEwen
BE(Hons) (Canterbury), GradDipTchgLng (College of Education)
Robyn McEwen
BE(Hons) (Canterbury), GradDipTchgLng (College of Education)
Mathematics & Statistics
Tony O’Connor
BSc (Mechanical Engineering) University of Dublin, HDip (Education) University of Dublin
Immerse & Inspire Co-ordinator
Tony O’Connor
BSc (Mechanical Engineering) University of Dublin, HDip (Education) University of Dublin
Immerse & Inspire Co-ordinator
Mathematics teacher and rowing coach Tony O’Connor emigrated to New Zealand in 2004 and is now enjoying his third stint at Christ’s College.
From Dublin, Tony is a former world champion and Olympic finalist. He was on the Irish national team for nine years and spent two years coaching the national team. Last year he coached Old Boy Sam Bosworth (coxswain) and the New Zealand’s men’s eight to gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
Tony says rowing requires total commitment – “you learn a lot in the classroom, but you learn a lot on the river, too. You learn how to lose, and that can teach you more than winning.”
Mathematics & Statistics
Darrell Thatcher
BSc (Otago), DipTchg
Deputy Principal – Planning & Co-curricular
Darrell Thatcher
BSc (Otago), DipTchg
Deputy Principal – Planning & Co-curricular
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.
Mathematics & Statistics
Aldine Vorbeck
MEdDevPsych (Massey), CertPsychArts (Massey), GradCertEd (UNISA), NatDip(HRM) (UNISA)
Aldine Vorbeck
MEdDevPsych (Massey), CertPsychArts (Massey), GradCertEd (UNISA), NatDip(HRM) (UNISA)
Mathematics & Statistics
Arthur Wood
HDE Sec Ed (ECE Kwa-Zulu Natal University)
Arthur Wood
HDE Sec Ed (ECE Kwa-Zulu Natal University)
Music
Robert Aburn
MusB(Hons) DipTchg(Dist) PGDipEdLead MTchgLn (Canterbury), LRSM LTCL (London), AIRMT, Music
Director of Music
Robert Aburn
MusB(Hons) DipTchg(Dist) PGDipEdLead MTchgLn (Canterbury), LRSM LTCL (London), AIRMT, Music
Director of Music
Robert Aburn has an extensive career teaching in state and private schools throughout Canterbury.
After graduating with an honours degree in music from the University of Canterbury and diplomas in piano and singing performance from both the Royal College of Music and Trinity College London, Robert was a foundation member of the National Youth Choir of New Zealand.
Robert believes that singing is a medium of music-making that all students can access and enjoy. He has worked in schools that have developed a reputation for choral work and massed singing events. For five years, he was musical director of the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival, which, annually, has in excess of 10,000 students performing over six nights.
Appointed to Christ’s College in 2003, Robert has rebuilt College’s choral programme, with 90–100 boys involved in Chapel Choir. The choir has been involved in performances of the Mozart and Lloyd Webber Requiems, and Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. The chamber choir, Schola Cantorum, is a fine a cappella ensemble, regularly singing at community and civic functions. Collegium, a combined 18-voice chorale from St Margaret’s College and Christ’s College, won a Gold award at the finals of the 2014 Big Sing Competition in Auckland and the Hutt Trophy for the best performance of a New Zealand composition.
In the regional competition, the Chapel Choir was awarded the Best Stage Presence and Schola Cantorum, the Best Male Choir in the Festival.
His other choirs have received multiple honours.
Music
Hugo Zanker
BFA, MusB(Hons) (Canterbury), Mmus (Musikhochschule Freiburg), GradDipTchgLng (Canterbury)
Hugo Zanker
BFA, MusB(Hons) (Canterbury), Mmus (Musikhochschule Freiburg), GradDipTchgLng (Canterbury)
PE & Health
Rob Clarke
BPhEd (Otago), DipTchg, Sport
Head of Department
Rob Clarke
BPhEd (Otago), DipTchg, Sport
Head of Department
Rob is a Physical Education graduate from Otago University and completed his teacher training at the Christchurch College of Education before embarking on his teaching career.
Rob completed his schooling in Singapore, where he played senior rugby, cricket, basketball and volleyball. He also represented Singapore in cricket and played a few “international” matches.
Rob secured his first teaching job at Shirley Boys’ High School, where he spent 10 years as a PE teacher. During that time, he was in charge of Outdoor Education at both junior and senior levels, and coached rugby teams from U15A through to 1st XV. It was at SBHS where his transition from a sportsman, playing senior rugby, basketball and cricket, to a coach took place.
In 2002, Rob accepted the position of Director of Sport at Christ’s College. At College, he has also been a boarding Housemaster, PE teacher and rugby and cricket coach. Currently, he teaches Physical Education and coaches cricket. Rob is involved with Canterbury Metro age-group rugby, which he has coached for several years.
“It is an exciting time for sport at College. With the expansion of the sports department, there is the scope and opportunity to push sport at College to new levels in many areas, while maintaining our objective of non-specialised excellence.”
PE & Health
Matt Thatcher
BEd, Physical Education, GradDipTchg
Assistant Head of Department
Matt Thatcher
BEd, Physical Education, GradDipTchg
Assistant Head of Department
PE & Health
Matt Cortesi
BLS (Waikato), DipTchg, Physical Education & Health
Director of Character & Leadership, and Service
Matt Cortesi
BLS (Waikato), DipTchg, Physical Education & Health
Director of Character & Leadership, and Service
MiC Football and 1st XI Manager, Matt is a passionate footballer. Having played and coached at a variety of levels, Matt has more than 20 years of coaching experience. He has taken several College football tours to both South and North America, as well as being the Canterbury Representative on the NZSSF Executive. Matt has been at Christ’s College since 2010 and has held multiple roles, such as a Head of Department and Housemaster of Harper House.
PE & Health, Wellbeing
Benn McBrearty
BExSci, GradDip Ed Physical Education & Health (Sydney), GradDip Physical Conditioning (Otago)
Director of Sport
Benn McBrearty
BExSci, GradDip Ed Physical Education & Health (Sydney), GradDip Physical Conditioning (Otago)
Director of Sport
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.
PE & Health, Wellbeing, Te Reo Māori
Liam O'Leary
BSpC, GradDipTchg (Canterbury)
Liam O'Leary
BSpC, GradDipTchg (Canterbury)
Liam is a PE & Health and Wellbeing teacher, along with being an Immerse & Inspire tutor, and an U16 Rowing coach at College.
Originally from Whanganui, Liam rowed throughout secondary school and for a year while at the University of Canterbury. He began coaching Rowing at College in 2019 while studying for a Bachelor in Sports Coaching, majoring in Physical Education, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning. During his first three seasons with College, Liam was the assistant coach of the U15s. For two of those years, the College U15 top eight crew won the South Island Secondary Schools Regatta but, unfortunately, did not race at the Maadi Regatta because of Covid-19. Liam is currently coaching the U16s, along with Henry Smith.
PE & Health, Wellbeing
Henry Smith
BEd (Canterbury), GradDipTchg
Henry Smith
BEd (Canterbury), GradDipTchg
Physical Education teacher Henry Smith is head coach for College’s rowing programme. As a former New Zealand rower, from 2003–2008, Henry achieved a world university rowing medal. He has coached three winning Maadi crews, including a historic Springbok U18 four and a record-breaking U17 eight, at the New Zealand schools' regatta.
PE & Health, Wellbeing
Ashleigh Ward
PostGradDipTchg, BAppSc (Sport/Exercise Science)
Ashleigh Ward
PostGradDipTchg, BAppSc (Sport/Exercise Science)
Physics
David Newton
BHortSc(Hons) (Lincoln), GradDipTchg
Head of Department
David Newton
BHortSc(Hons) (Lincoln), GradDipTchg
Head of Department
Physics
Victor Sue-Tang
PEng, BESc Civil (Western Ontario), MBA (Ivey), GradDipTchLn (Canterbury)
Victor Sue-Tang
PEng, BESc Civil (Western Ontario), MBA (Ivey), GradDipTchLn (Canterbury)
Physics
Dr Andrew Taylor
BSc(Hons) PhD (Canterbury), DipTchg, Physics
Dr Andrew Taylor
BSc(Hons) PhD (Canterbury), DipTchg, Physics
Andrew Taylor took up rowing with the Union Rowing Club while studying in Christchurch for his PhD. He was swiftly drafted to coach the new rowing team from Avonside Girls' High School, taking them to their first Maadi Cup regatta in 1988 – coincidentally the first year that Christ's College won the event. Andrew continued to row and coach, both school and university crews, as his life journeyed around the world: Canterbury (UK), Adelaide (Australia), Durham (UK), Canterbury (again in the UK) and eventually back to New Zealand initially with St Margaret's College and, for the last decade, at Christ's College.
His more diverse rowing background includes meeting his wife while undertaking sea trials on the Hellenic Navy warship, Olympias; a 170 oared, 40 tonne, 42 m long replica of an ancient warship with a ram on the front. Honeymooning up the Thames River on a Victoria camping skiff was a highlight, something his Durham School Boat Club boys readily adopted as a Duke of Edinburgh Gold Expedition option.
Psychology
Travis Dixon
BA(Canterbury), GradDipTchg (NZGSE)
Head of Department
Travis Dixon
BA(Canterbury), GradDipTchg (NZGSE)
Head of Department
Travis Dixon grew up playing basketball in North Canterbury and represented Canterbury and New Zealand in age-grade teams. He also played in the United States as an exchange student in his final year of secondary school. On his return to New Zealand, Travis played for Checkers in the premier men’s competition, the Canterbury Knights, and the Canterbury Rams. Travis attributes his success in basketball to the excellent coaching of fundamentals during his developmental years. He aims to ensure that College players receive the same high level of coaching.
Religious Education
The Reverend Canon Cameron Pickering
B.Theol, DipGrad, PGDipChap (Otago), GradDipTchLn (Christchurch Teachers College)
Head of Department
The Reverend Canon Cameron Pickering
B.Theol, DipGrad, PGDipChap (Otago), GradDipTchLn (Christchurch Teachers College)
Head of Department
Religious Education
Christopher Nye
BA (Canterbury), GradDipTchg (NZGSE)
Christopher Nye
BA (Canterbury), GradDipTchg (NZGSE)
Te Reo Māori & Indigenous Studies
Keri Campbell
BEd (Physical Education) (Canterbury), GradDipTchLn, PGDipEd (Hōaka Pounamu)
Head of Department and Bicultural Co-ordinator
Keri Campbell
BEd (Physical Education) (Canterbury), GradDipTchLn, PGDipEd (Hōaka Pounamu)
Head of Department and Bicultural Co-ordinator
Te Reo Māori
Dr Mike Field
BA (History), M. Appl. Sci. (Lincoln), PG Dip Tchg (Physical Education and History), PhD (Education - University of Queensland)
Dr Mike Field
BA (History), M. Appl. Sci. (Lincoln), PG Dip Tchg (Physical Education and History), PhD (Education - University of Queensland)
Workshop Technologies
Emma Bradley-Hudson
Dipl.-Ing. (Osnabrück), BE(Hons) (Sheffield), GradDipTchLn (Canterbury), MEd (Canterbury)
Head of Department
Emma Bradley-Hudson
Dipl.-Ing. (Osnabrück), BE(Hons) (Sheffield), GradDipTchLn (Canterbury), MEd (Canterbury)
Head of Department
Workshop Technologies
Gavin Love
NZ Trade Cert, Adv NZ Trade Cert, MITO, Cert Adult Teaching
Workshop Technician
Gavin Love
NZ Trade Cert, Adv NZ Trade Cert, MITO, Cert Adult Teaching
Workshop Technician
Workshop Technologies
Kerry Brockelbank
BEd (Waikato), DipTchg, Engineering, CertIVCarpentry (Palmerston North)
Kerry Brockelbank
BEd (Waikato), DipTchg, Engineering, CertIVCarpentry (Palmerston North)
Workshop Technologies, Design & Digital Technologies
Kevin Harris
BEd DipTchg (Sydney)
Kevin Harris
BEd DipTchg (Sydney)
