Career.
Role and highlights
Overview
Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu
Adorn the bird with feathers so it may fly.
My professional career has provided me with rich leadership opportunities, including a well-balanced breadth and depth of educational experience, from working in the Cook Islands, to schools in central London; from low socio-economic schools in the Waikato, to special character schools in Taranaki, and to our very own kura in the heart of South Canterbury. I have held various roles of responsibility spanning pastoral care, wellbeing, teaching and learning, curriculum design, and senior leadership, including Deputy Principal with responsibility for both curriculum and pastoral care portfolios. Most recently, my knowledge and skills have further developed in strategic leadership, including planning and implementation, and financial and property management. Short-term acting opportunities as Principal have further strengthened this.
Roles
Deputy Principal – Curriculum & Pastoral
Mountainview High School
2023 - current
Initially, my portfolio was focused on curriculum, teaching and learning, and curriculum design. This included timetable building for the school and ensuring staffing aligns with GMFS and bank staffing parameters. In addition, this involved the rollout of the new curriculum - Te Mātaiaho, the new Literacy and Numeracy co-requisites, and the Common Assessment Activities, while ensuring adherence to robust NZQA moderation and assessment requirements.
In 2026, I returned to a pastoral leadership role, which I enjoy, leading our whānau leaders (pastoral team), in-school attendance service, SENCO, and learning support. Engaging with students and whānau around their successes and barriers to learning has been a valuable opportunity to reconnect with this important aspect of our school.
Acting Principal
Mountainview High School
Term 2, 2025
For 15 weeks during 2025, I was given the opportunity to step into principalship while our current principal completed a sabbatical. This was a valuable chance to engage with the deeper, holistic, and strategic aspects of running a school. This included oversight of payroll, property, staff, whānau, and other key stakeholders, as well as ensuring our strategic goals and action plans came to fruition. I really enjoyed this time, which provided a valuable snapshot of what the role entails.
Several incidents strengthened my capability to lead through crisis, particularly in relation to human resource management and employment relations/law. It also provided an opportunity to develop strong working relationships with the MoE, EA, NZSBA, CWCSPA, and other key organisations.
Head of Faculty – Physical Education, Health & Outdoor Education
Fairfield College, Hamilton
2015-2023
Head of Faculty – Physical Education, Health & Outdoor Education
Leading a learning area of 7 teaching staff and 2 sports coordinators. In addition, holding responsibility for the school-wide wellbeing portfolio for both staff and students.
Pastoral Dean – 3 years
Academic Dean (Years 9–10)
This included the development of JCEA as a school-wide, points-based system to support academic success within the junior school.
Acting Deputy Principal
Fairfield College, Hamilton
Term 2, 2018
A valuable opportunity to step into the Deputy Principal role while the Deputy Principal was on medical leave. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of leading as Pastoral Deputy Principal within this incredible kura. The dynamic and responsive nature of the role, requiring the management of multiple incidents, projects, and initiatives simultaneously, strengthened my ability to prioritise effectively and lead with clarity under pressure.
Secondary School Teacher
Francis Douglas Memorial College
2014
Having returned to New Zealand/Aotearoa after teaching overseas, FDMC provided an opportunity to re-enter a secondary school setting. Initially, as a relief teacher, this quickly developed into a longer fixed-term role within the Technology Learning Area, followed by a permanent job offer in 2015. This was ultimately declined due to personal commitments and an opportunity in Hamilton at FFC.
Secondary School Teacher
Central London
2011-2013
Working as a day-to-day relief teacher suited my lifestyle at the time, balancing a professional career and travel interests. This led to longer fixed-term positions at Emmerson Park Academy, Sir John Lillie Primary School, and Rotherhithe Primary School.
Secondary School Teacher
Fairfield College, Hamilton
2009-2010
Completing my two years of provisional registration in order to become a fully registered teacher brought me back to New Zealand. Fairfield was an incredible school, with one of the strongest HPE departments I have worked in during my career. An inspirational leader, combined with outstanding depth and pedagogical strength, and an unbreakable collegial bond, made for a memorable two years.
Secondary School Teaching
Tereora College, Rarotonga, Cook Islands
2008
A 12-month contract presented an incredible opportunity to teach at the National College of the Cook Islands. It was a great place to balance developing my craft as an educator with an exceptional lifestyle in paradise.
Highlights.
Acting Principal Experience (2025)
Successfully stepped into principalship for 15 weeks during a sabbatical, gaining hands-on experience across strategic leadership, financial and property management, staffing, and stakeholder engagement. This included leading through complex situations and strengthening relationships with staff, whānau, and external agencies.
Deputy Principal Leadership
Held Deputy Principal portfolios across curriculum and pastoral care, with responsibilities spanning school-wide systems, strategic planning, pastoral leadership, and operational management. This has included leading both academic and wellbeing-focused initiatives.
Pastoral Leadership & Student Wellbeing
Led pastoral teams including whānau leaders, attendance services, SENCO, and learning support, contributing to student engagement, wellbeing, and inclusive practices across the kura.
Curriculum Leadership & Academic Systems
Led curriculum development initiatives including timetable construction, staffing alignment, NZQA assessment and moderation, and the implementation of key national changes such as Te Mātaiaho, Literacy and Numeracy co-requisites, and Common Assessment Activities. Also contributed to the development of a school-wide academic points system (JCEA) to support junior student achievement.
Head of Faculty Leadership
Led a learning area of teaching staff and sports coordinators while also overseeing the school-wide wellbeing portfolio, demonstrating capability in both team leadership and cross-school initiatives.
International Teaching & Diverse Contexts
Built a broad teaching foundation across New Zealand and internationally (Cook Islands and UK), including experience in a range of socio-economic and cultural contexts, strengthening adaptability, cultural responsiveness, and pedagogical practice.
Relationship Management & Stakeholder Engagement
Recognised strength in building and maintaining strong relationships across students, staff, whānau, iwi, boards, and external agencies (including MoE and education sector organisations), particularly in complex or high-pressure contexts.