Below are some of the ebooks Year 7 students have created in Science this year.
Year 11 Prize Winners
Year 11 Prize Winners
Year 11 Prize Winners
Year 11 Prize Winners
Year 11 Prize Winners
Year 9 Class Photos
Year 9 Class Photos
English Language Learners
Staff
Back row
Siegrun Koop, Daryl Crocker, Jane Schroeder, Piripi Edwards, Larisha Toomey, Maysie Scott, Lara Hopwood, Olivia Silvester, Guy Cowan, Liam Dorreen, David Draper, Paul Hoffman, Marie Kennedy-Benns, Saieeswaran Vijayakumar, Brent Patterson, Archana Martins, Michelle Ryder
Third row
Paul O'Connor, Robbie Timo, Tatiana Alsayyad, Dan Russell, Vicki Tanner, Bronwyn Hancock, Melanie Blomfield, Garth Lewis, Marco Guglietta, Duncan Gittins, Jesse Harding, Tessa Cullen-Holder, Lukas Davidson, Charlotte Cottrell, Keri Mahuika,
Deb Young, Nicky Flewellen
Second row
Miriam Bugler, Serge Ruiz, James Low, Briar Dumelow, Naomi Faga, Nick Colville, Nierensche Perese-Kuil, Kim Brorens,
Nicole Eastwick, Kate Munro, Erin Chamberlain, Ben Russell, Heather McLean, Edie Feehan, Brooke Rowlands, Michael Power
Front row
Angela Johnson, Kirsten Anderson, Sue Ingle, Amelia Painter, Tracey Jongens, Richard Jolly, Chris Foster, Richard Edmundson, Natasha Powell, Melissa Young, Paul Osborne, Francine Nijdam, Jodine Hardwicke, Manu Paringatai, Emily Whiteman
Staff Positions And Qualifications
Senior Leadership Team
Mr Richard Edmundson
MA (Hons), PGDipEd, DipEdMan, DipTchg
Tumuaki-Principal
Mr Paul Osborne
BSc (Hons), PGCE
Deputy Principal
Mrs Natasha Powell
BEd, GradDipTchg
Deputy Principal
Ms Melissa Young
PGDipEd, BEd, GradDipTchg
Deputy Principal
Learning Heads And Department Heads
Mrs Diane Atkins
NDBE, DipTchg
HOLA Kimihia Teen Parent’s College
Ms Samantha Boyce-Da Cruz
BA (Theatre and Film), BTchLn
HOD Drama
Ms Taryn Caley
BA (Biology), GradDipTchgLn (Secondary)
HOLA Science (maternity leave terms 3 and 4)
Ms Elaine Costeira
BA, BEd, MA
HOD English Language Learning and International Students
Mr Daryl Crocker
BA, GradDipTchg
HOD Hospitality, Food and Fabric Technology
Mrs Christine Donaldson
PGCert Applied Practice, BEd (Visual Arts)
HOD Hard Materials, Joint Centre Manager, Technology Centre
Mr Chris Foster
BEd, GradDipTchgLn
HOLA Physical, Outdoor and Health Education (terms 3 and 4)
Ms Jodine Hardwicke
BA (Eng and American Studies), GradDipTch (Sec), PGradCertEd (Teaching and Learning)
HOLA English
Mrs Sue Ingle
BSW (Social Work)
HOD Guidance
Ms Angela Johnson
MSc, DipTchg
Acting HOLA Science (terms 3 and 4)
Mr Richard Jolly
MA, MBA, GradDipTchg
HOLA Social Science
Mrs Tracey Jongens
BEd, PGDipSpecTchg, TTC
HOD Learning Acceleration, Aukaha Lead Teacher, SENCO
Mrs Courtney Katene
BEd, GradDipTchgLn
HOLA Physical, Outdoor and Health Education (terms 1 and 2)
Mrs Priscilla Lee
DipTchg, Dip Home Sci
Team Leader Foods, Technology Centre
Ms Francine Nijdam
MEd(Leadership), BEng(Hons), GradDipTchLn(Secondary)
HOLA Mathematics and Statistics
Mrs Amelia Painter
NDBE, DipTchg, NZ Dip Specialist Subjects (Sec)
Acting HOLA Technology
Ms Manu Paringatai
BEd (Teach), GradDip Imm and BiL Tchg, BMPA
HOD Māori
Mr Benjamin Russell
BA, GradDipTchgLn (Sec)
HOD Music
Mr Dan Russell
BPE, MProfStud, DipCG
HOD Careers
Mrs Carla Taiaroa
BTchLn (Primary)
HOLA Tāhuhu (Year 7 and 8)
Ms Tania Tait
BA, DipTchg, DipBusSec, DipInt Dec
Team Leader Fabrics, Technology Centre
Mr Lee Walker
BSc (Hons), DipTchg
HOLA Joint Centre Manager, Technology Centre
Miss Emily Whiteman
BFA, PG DipTchg (sec) PGdipED (leadership endorsement)
HOLA Arts
Deans
Miss Erin Chamberlain
BSc, GradDipTchg
Karaka House Dean
Mr Nicholas Colville
MFA, BA (Hons), GradDipTchg
Kākāriki House Dean
Mr Lukas Davidson
BA, PostGradDipTchg (Sec)
Waiporoporo House Dean
Miss Nicole Eastwick
BA, GradDipTchgLn
Assistant Dean Years 9 and 10
Mr Marco Guglietta
BAppSc, GradDipTchgLn
Kōwhai House Dean (terms 3 and 4)
Ms Siegrun Koop
MA, CELTA, PGrad CELTA, GradDipTchg
Year 10 Dean
Ms Jane Schroeder
BA, PostGradDipTchg (Sec)
Kōwhai House Dean (terms 1 and 2)
Mr Robbie Timo
BSpC, GradDipTchgLn
Tāhuhu Dean
Miss Pania Watson
Bed Hons (PE)
Year 9 Dean
Teaching Staff
Mr James Abbott
BSc, DipTchg
Ms Kirsten Anderson
BFA (Hons), PGDip Art Curatorship, Cert Art in Classical Studies, GradDipTchgLn
Ms Melanie Blomfield
MSc (Tech), DipEd
Miss Kim Brorens
BSOE, GradDipTchgLn (Sec)
Ms Marianne Budd
DipSpSt, BEd, MEd
Ms Miriam Bugler
BSc, GradDipTchgLn
Ms Caitlin Campbell (maternity leave)
BA (Eng and Classical Studies), GradDipTchgLn (Sec)
Whaea Charlotte Cottrell
BSc, BA (Hons), GradDipTchg
Ms Susie Cottrell (maternity leave)
BEd, GradDipTchgLn
Mr Guy Cowan
BA, GraddipTchLn
Mr Wladek Czerepowicz
BIT, GradDipTchg
Mr Ross Davidson
BBS, Cert Computer Graphics, GradDipSecEd
Mrs Christine Donaldson
PGCert Applied Practice, BEd (Visual Arts)
Mr David Draper
MFA, BFA (Hons), BFA GradDipTchgLn
Ms Briar Dumelow
BEd, DipPsych
Mr Piripi Edwards
GradDipTchLn
Miss Edie Feehan
BA Hons (English, History), GradDipSecEd
Ms Nicky Flewellen
BTchLn (Primary)
Mr Leuma Gali
Mr Duncan Gittins
BEd Hons (PE, History)
Mrs Mary Gorman
BA, MTESOL, DipTchg
Ms Katherine Gunn
BA (Psych) Grad Dip Tchg and Lng (Primary) Post Grad Cert Special and Inc Ed
Mr Jesse Harding
BEd Hons (PE)
Mr Murray Hemmingsen
PostGradCert Digital and Collaborative Learning, GradDip Technology, Dip Tchg, NZCD
Mr Paul Hoffman
DipPE, DipTchg, GradCert Primary Mathematics
Ms Marie Kennedy-Benns
BA, GradDipTchgLn (Secondary)
Mr Scott Kyle
BPhEd, GradDipTchg, Dip Sporting Performance, GradCert Primary Maths/Sci
Mr Garth Lewis
BEd FET (Mathematics and English)
Mr James Lowe
BTchLn
Miss Keri Mahuika
BTchLn (Primary)
Ms Heather McLean
BPSA (Mjr Contemporary Dance), GradDipTchg (Sec)
Miss Kate Munro
BSc (Ecology, Biodiversity, Geography), PGDipWaterRM, MTchgLn (Sec)
Miss Bianca Nielsen
BA (Hons), PhD, GradDipTchg
Mr Paul O’Connor
BA, GradDipTchgLn
Mr Brent Patterson
Adv T Cert, Dip Tchg, NZ Dip Specialist Subjects (Sec)
Ms Nierensche Perese-Kuil
MA Hons (Art History) GradDipTchg (Secondary)
Mr Lawry Pledge
BEngineering Hons (MechEng), PGCE (Design and Tech), PG Cert in CAD
Mr Michael Power
BSc, GradDipTchgLn, Dip Outdoor Education and Sustainability
Ms Brooke Rowland
BSc, GradDipTchg
Mr Serge Ruiz
BSCommerce, GradDipTchgLn-Primary, CELTA
Miss Michelle Ryder
BSc, GradDipTchgLn, GradDipAppldEnTech
Miss Olivia Silvester
MSc Biology, GradDipSc, GradDipTchg, BSc
Ms Larisha Toomey
BEd, DipTchg
Mr Saieeswaran Vijayakumar
BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science, MSc Applied Actuarial Science
Ms Freya Vokes
BA (Hons), PGCE, MA
Ms Genevieve Williamson (maternity leave)
BSc, MTchgLn
Miss Deborah Young
BTchLn
Support Staff
Ms Jessica Adams
DipCG
Careers Administration/Gateway Coordinator
Mr Fraser Allen
Fusion IT
Ms Tatiana Alsayyad
Attendance
Mrs Trish Bennett
NZ Certificate in Education Support
Finances
Ms Carolyn Bickerton
BSW (Hons)
Social Worker
Ms Chris Binnema
Canteen Manager
Mr Craig Brosnan
Project Management L4
Caretaker
Ms Julie Brosnan
Learning Solutions Officer
Mr Tom Burke
Technician
Ms Karen Chadderton
NZ General/Obstetric Registered Nurse
Learning Assistant
Ms Tracy Chollet
Technician Technology Centre
Mr Chris Conwest
Fusion IT
Ms Cindy Craigie
Learning Assistant
Mrs Jade Cull
Sports Coordinator
Ms Tessa Cullen-Holder
Learning Hub Facilitator, Librarian
Ms Esther Dunstall
MEd (Counselling), GradDipTchg
Counsellor
Mrs Debbie Eddington
PA to Principal/HR
Manuela Ellis-Fontana
Food Technology Technician
Mrs Naomi Faga
Pasifika Liaison
Miss Victoria Francis
Learning Assistant
Mrs Kerry Fraser
Administration
Ms Latasha Gilroy
BSN
Nurse
Mrs Bronwyn Hancock
Pastoral Support Officer/Uniforms
Mrs Debra Harding
Learning Assistant
Mrs Tina Hartwell
BEd (PE), BA (Psyc), DipTchg, Master Counselling
Counsellor
Ms Rose Hawley
Support, Kimihia Teen Parent’s College
Ms Carlene Kiesanowski
Learning Assistant
Mr Dave Lene
Learning Assistant
Ms Alison MacDonald
BSN
Nurse
Mrs Archana Martins
MA Bed, Celta
Learning Assistant
Ms Valentina Morante-Morley
BSW (Hons)
Careers and Community Engagement
Ms Yvonne Osborne
NZCS (Chem)
Science Technician
Mr Andy Parr
HNE Transition Coordinator, Attendance
Yvonne Ponting
BTchLn (ECE)
Administration Manager, Kimihia Parents’ College
Mr Will Powell
Learning Assistant
Mrs Vicki Tanner
B Sc (Psyc), DipTchg, Masters Counselling
Counsellor
Mrs Loren Treacy
Receptionist
Mr Dave Triggs
Caretaker
Ms Natalie Triggs
Learning Assistant
Mr Waitangi Tuisuga
Learning Assistant
Mrs Raewyn Wahnig
Learning Assistant
Mrs Sue Wikatene
Ruma Whaiwhakaaro
Mrs Meredith Cassidy
BA, GradDipTchgLn
Learning Support Coordinator
Staff Welcomes
At the beginning of the year we welcomed a number of new faces to our staff, plus one returning staff member.
Melissa Young
Melissa Young returned to our school from a 3 year hiatus up north where she was employed as a Culturally Responsive Practice facilitator for Poutama Pounamu (a team based at the University of Waikato who work in schools throughout the country) and Deputy Principal at Wellington Girls' College. Melissa joined our Senior Leadership Team, as well as being part of our Health, Physical and Outdoor Education department. She has a two-year-old daughter who keeps her very busy and feeling rewarded outside of school. "Returning to the college after three years away has been magic! My favourite things about coming back have been reconnecting with everyone and meeting new whānau."
Whaea Marie Kennedy-Benns
Whaea Marie joined our Junior Te Reo Māori and Social Studies departments. Her passion is to teach our indigenous language and culture in order to strengthen the knowledge and understanding of Mātauranga Māori. Marie believes working with ākonga to help understand history, past and current events that can help shape the future. "I feel honoured to be given the opportunity to work here. I have been welcomed and supported by ākonga and kaimahi and look forward to being a part of the wider community here at Te Aratai. Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini (success is not the work of an individual, but the work of many)."
Kirsten Anderson
Kirsten is South African and has been in NZ for about 4 years now. She studied Fine Arts Painting at Rhodes University in Grahamstown. This is her first year as a high school teacher and she feels extremely happy, blessed and excited to be here at Te Aratai College. She has been teaching junior Visual Arts and Senior Painting.
In her own time, Kirsten enjoys yoga, dancing, and creating art. She also loves a spontaneous adventure in her campervan, a trip to the beach, a walk in nature, or a good social event with friends.
In 2017, Kirsten's family immigrated to NZ so she followed them later after a few months backpacking around Europe. She continued her studies with a postgraduate diploma in art curatorship at UC while working as a kindergarten teacher. "I believe anyone can learn art with the right guidance and “can-do” attitude. My aim is to help students find their own voice and artistic expression through art. Everyone is unique and has different artistic abilities so it is my job to help make these shine!"
Heather McLean
Heather joined us from Papanui High School. She has taught across three learning areas: Arts (Dance), English and Careers. Heather keeps herself busy outside of school with competitive athletics, contemporary jazz, some occasional salsa dancing, musical theatre, and her children. She is also the current 40 women's National Race Walking champion.
Keri Mahuika
Keri joined our Tāhuhu whānau, specifically our Year 7s. After many years working at Avonside Girls' High School and Haeata Community Campus as a kāiawhina/administrator she decided to complete a teaching degree at UC, graduating in 2021. Keri is an eastsider, born and raised, and feels she can relate well to our ākonga. "I am a real believer of ‘whta will be will be’. When the opportunity came up to work at our school, I jumped at the chance to work at an amazing kura with such a great team."
Keri has three children and a very large whānau that keeps her busy. She also enjoys crossfit, op shopping, design, meditation, cooking and binge-watching a great Netflix series.
Nicky Flewellen
Nicky is joining our Mathematics learning area and very much enjoys working alongside students to solve math problems. She has two teenage children who keep her busy. She also loves playing and coaching sports, on top of which, she has just started going to an art class to improve her painting skills as well as practising some mindfulness.
She started in education as a Kiwi Can leader (values-based program) working at Bromley School, Te Waka Unua, St Annes and Linwood College (Yr 7-8s). Nicky finished her degree in teaching at the end of 2020. "It is such a privilege to be back in the Te Aratai community, I have really enjoyed reconnecting with my former students and meeting new ones in and around the school."
Guy Cowan
Guy was lucky enough to do all of his trainee-teacher placements here, so when the opportunity came up to be here as a kaiārahi he jumped at the chance. He joins our Social Studies learning area. Guy loves Social Studies because it gets students to think about how the world works, a mish-mash of history, geography, politics and a few other subjects all rolled into one.
In his spare time he plays a lot of music and used to play in a lot of bands all over the world. He also tries to play a lot of sport whenever he can and is keen to give almost anything a go.
"Te Aratai College is made up of such an amazing group of students and staff which makes being here so special."
Edie Feehan
Edie joined our English learning area after a stint as a trainee-teacher in the department last year. She loves encouraging students with their reading and writing and giving students lots of different tasks to progress their skills. She knows these skills will undoubtedly continue to develop throughout her students’ lives Outside of Te Aratai College, Edie works in a dog shelter as a trainer and walker every weekend. She also has an enormous Border Collie that she loves to go hiking with and explore new areas of Aotearoa.
"I had my teaching practice in term 4 last year here, and was offered the maternity leave job of my supervisor, Miss Campbell! I feel very lucky and honoured."
Nierensche Perese-Kuil
Nierensche is another staff member who joined our Social Sciences learning area at the beginning of the year, teaching Social Studies and History classes. She is new to teaching and enjoys developing learning around current happenings in the world and about different cultures and countries. Nierensche find the subject a great space for students to bring their own personality, family and culture to their learning.
Nierensche has been rowing since she was at university. "I love being out on the water early in the morning or in the afternoon. Currently, I am thinking about taking up powerlifting or weight lifting! I also have a six year old Australian Kelpie who I love taking to the beach or hiking."
Kim Brörens
Kim has joined us from just completing a full circle around the world. She has lived in a number of different countries and worked in everything from food service to school camps in the middle of nowhere with no cellphone reception. Kim is another addition to our Social Studies department, teaching Social Studies, Geography and Tourism. With her free time she likes to do just about anything and everything outdoors. In particular, she loves skiing, which she has done since she was 3 years old, and rock climbing. She also likes to try her hand at cooking and baking in her downtime. "I returned home from my last overseas stint in July 2020 and while I still dream of travelling places, I am also very excited to settle into my teaching journey and time at Te Aratai."
Kyle Bluck
Kyle joined our English learning area from Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland, where he taught at Mount Roskill Grammar School. He is passionate about his subject because it is all about learning to empathise with others. "We read, watch and listen to the voices and experiences of people all around the world and in imaginary places, so that we can better understand one another. And the world needs more understanding and empathy, now more than ever!"
Outside of work Kyle is massively into tramping, especially for long periods of time (talking 10 days or more). He also loves playing Magic: The Gathering (a very nerdy trading card game) and experimenting with cooking strange and exotic recipes and ingredients. On moving to Ōtautahi/Christchurch, Kyle explained the opportunity arose from his partner initially getting a fantastic job opportunity here. "Coming from Mount Roskill Grammar School, I experienced Aotearoa’s most diverse school, so I was looking for something similar down south. I feel very lucky to have found my position at Te Aratai College because, like Mount Roskill Grammar, it is super diverse and I think diversity is a powerful strength."
Kath Gunn
Kath is a primary trained teacher and has been teaching for 20 years. After spending a few years teaching in London and travelling the world with her husband, they came back to Ōtautahi to start their family. Kath has joined the Learning Acceleration area, and is very passionate about teaching and learning for all students. She believes every student needs a pathway towards independence and adulthood, which can look very different for different people and for different reasons. As a specialist educator, Kath enjoys getting to know students, finding what interests them and creating a learning programme that includes those interests.
Outside of work, Kath and her whānau are avid bike riders. She loves to be outdoors, especially in the Port Hills where she can bike, run and walk with her dog, Isie. Kath also enjoys growing vegetables, foraging for fruit in the red zone and cooking and baking delicious creations.
"I have taught learners with additional needs for a number of years and love the diversity that comes with this. Having taught at Shirley Primary for some time, including when the earthquakes happened, I feel a real connection to communities in East Christchurch. I am really excited to be here at Te Aratai College."
Murray Hemmingsen
Murray joined the team at the Technology Centre Hub, (presently sited in Nursery Rd) which is a Technology Learning Area provider to many Ōtautahi Year 7 and 8 ākonga. This role gives Murray the opportunity to engage and teach in a transforming learning environment as new technology is developed and utilised, which he always finds exciting. Originating from a design vocation, his transition to a career in teaching began some years ago with NCEA in the early days of Graphics/Design and Visual Communication development, also as an NZQA moderator; and then completing his PGDip in Technology which enabled the further enhancement of Murray's teaching experiences.
Outside of his role at the Technology Centre Hub, Murray has many varied interests including reading, geomorphology and woodturning. "My most preferred pastime, however, will always be standing in a river surrounded by bush—fishing."
Staff Farewells
Jane Schroeder
It is with great sadness that the English Department says goodbye to Jane Schroeder who is leaving at the end of 2022. Jane has been the life and soul of the department and has made such a huge contribution to the success of our ākonga. She put her heart into her role as Kōwhai dean and we know that there are many students who will miss her
Michael Power
It is with sadness that we farewell Michael Power from Te Aratai College. Michael is off to travel the world, his first stop being Spain.
Michael joined up mid-way through 2021 and has been a valued and respected member of our department since. Every day, Michael brings such
greatly. We will also miss Jane immensely and wish her all the best for the future. Kia kaha. Kia Māia. Kia Manawanui.
Lee Walker
Mr Walker has been the joint Centre Manager, looking after the day to day running at the Technology Centre. He has had a long association with schools in the Linwood area, previously working at Linwood High School and then Principal at Linwood Intermediate. He will be remembered as someone who was always willing to go the extra mile to
support students. We wish him well as he moves onto a well earned retirement.
enthusiasm and energy to our kura where every morning we are greeted with a friendly smile and a fist bump. Taking over a maternity-leave position from Susie Cottrell, Michael fitted seamlessly into our HPOE department where he hit the ground running and didn’t look back.
Michael has contributed to many areas of the school. Whether it be supporting our ākonga on Outdoor Ed trips or by running weekly lunchtime beep-test sessions, Michael has always been willing to help others achieve success and has done so with genuine care, patience and respect. He has such a calm and composed nature about him when he’s teaching and it’s a privileged to see him lead by example during his lessons.
On behalf of all the staff at Te Aratai College, we would like to thank you Michael for the effort and energy you have given us. It has been a pleasure to watch Michael grow, both professionally and personally during his time with us at Te Aratai College and we wish him nothing but the best for his future.
Bruce Osborn
Bruce has been teaching electronics and wood for 5 years at the Technology Centre. He has been teaching for 26 years after being a builder for 20 years before that. He will be remembered as a teacher who had a deep knowledge of all things woodworking. Away from teaching he is a creative wood carver. We wish him as he moves onto a well deserved retirement.
Courtney Kelly
Courtney has been teaching Food Technology at the Technology Centre for 2 terms. She will be remembered for her cheerful smile and her passion for her students to do well. We wish her well as she moves to Cashmere High School to teach Fabrics.
Duncan Gittins
Duncan came to us at the end of term 1 and plugged a massive hole in the team. He was able to pick up some challenging classes and get them humming nicely, including some Maths - which by all accounts he thoroughly enjoyed.
Duncan got stuck into some sport and supported with Friday basketball and our winning pool team. He is an advocate for getting rangitahi active and set up and managed lunchtime badminton and played a key role in getting wahine Wednesday going.
The HPOE whānau and Te Aratai College as a whole thank you for your mahi and this year and wish you well on your journey.
Chris Binnema
Te Aratai College says farewell to Chris Binnema, our Canteen Manager since 2010. Chris has been in the hospitality business since 1997 and has moved with the many changes in our kura over the past years, always willing to lend a hand where needed. Chris has befriended many students and staff alike and will be remembered for her tasty scones, avid
love of reading, golf and travelling the countryside with the motorcycle club. Te Aratai whānau wish her all the best for the next chapter of her life and thank her for her services.