What makes a good school great? The People.
He tangata, He tangata, He tangata
What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches.
― Karl A. Menninger
During your son’s intermediate and high school life, he will spend over 8000 hours being educated, mentored, and inspired by teachers. Our focus is on recruiting and providing to our parent base the very best educators possible. With the requirements of a 21st Century learning environment and the importance of good supportive role models to develop character, we are proud to be a school that focuses on these areas.
Senior Leadership Team
“What unites is clear: like Jesus Christ, we are passionate about people (He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata) and we are called to teach, develop and implement the Catholic programme in Christian faith and living. Our Special Character is not simply added on to what would otherwise be a secular state school because it is integral to everything that takes place in the school and provides a climate of hope, inspiration and service for all its members. My role is to guide the community of staff, students and whanau to carry out the Church’s mission to bring people to God through sacraments, prayer, service, right relationships and social justice. I am passionate about boys’ education and their development into manhood.”
“ I believe the teacher-student partnership is a key factor in unlocking the potential of our young men both inside and outside of the classroom… Relationships are the foundation as we strive to engage hearts and minds through education”
Leaders of Learning
Specialist Classroom Teacher
Robbie Lange “Guiding our young men in their learning at this key stage of their lives is a great privilege for me as a teacher of the College. I am inspired by the way our College targets the holistic development of the learner both inside and outside of the classroom environment…”
Social Sciences
Seye Chan “…At STC, the Social Science Department focuses on educating global citizens to understands how past and present actions and events have and are shaping our world, and how these actions will define our future … teaching these complex relationships between people and the environment, will give our students the tools to be at the forefront of planning a more sustainable future for the well-being of all global citizens…”
Religious Studies
Paul McCarthy “…As the Leader of Learning, it is my responsibility to lead our curriculum in Religious Education at the College. Our department, in collaboration with all other learning areas, place huge value on the Catholic Education of our young men. Our programs deliver a wide range of perspectives on what it means to be a catholic and we encourage our students to explore their own spirituality and faith. Learning in context is also a very important aspect of |Religious Education and it is our goal to instill in all of our young men the ability to approach world issues with a consientised ethos, and an open heart and mind. We want to educate the whole person and to have students walk the Edmund Rice journey, so by the end of Year 13, as young men, they embody the school values and uphold the special character of this College.”
Head of Languages
Angela Smith “…At STC we offer junior and senior classes in Chinese, where students can learn about the language and culture of one of the most ancient countries, and the most influential economies on earth. We have a Chinese language assistant in each class and close ties with the Confucius Institute through the University of Canterbury. We also have a big bi-annual trip to China with the Institute, where students get to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Our growing Pasifika roll is reflected in the academic and extra-curricular involvement by students. We offer Samoan language and culture classes at junior and senior levels, with great NCEA success. Our Polyfest group performs every year to an extremely high standard and STC participation in the Pasifika speech competitions, is very strong.
Junior and senior Te Reo explore all aspects of the subject and kapa haka is a fixture of the school. Māori language and culture are embedded in best practice, and students really value our school haka. We have an immersion class for fluent students, a dedicated assistant for Te Reo, and students can compete in Ki o rahi tournaments. Manu Korero is an event that is looked forward to every year and we always perform very well.”
Mathematics
June Chey “…This is the best place to show love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness to our young men who are the future of our generation.”
Health and Physical Education
Tim Muir “…Health and Physical Education isn’t only about providing our young men the opportunity to be physically active, it also challenges them to think critically and provide them skills to live healthy, well-balanced lifestyles. In doing this I believe we set them up for life outside of school and give them every chance of success in wherever their passions take them. The strength of this is creating good characters that are confident in themselves and aren’t afraid of aiming high.”
Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei
Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain
Art
Vincent Raj “…The trick of it is to let the students think they are having fun when in fact they are learning. In my time here I have been able to work with some of the students who do not get much joy through traditional educational pathways. It remains my privilege to help them have fun and get credits too…”
Ben Crosson
English
Maureen Gaffaney “…One of the aspects of St Thomas’ that has not changed in the years I have been teaching at the College is the concern and care for students both in school and out of school. This ‘family’ feeling has always been central to the Christian Brothers’ charism and is evident in all Edmund Rice schools. What has changed as we all come to terms with the demands of 21st Century Learning is the increasing use of technology in the classroom and this is proving to be a fascinating and enlivening challenge to teachers and students alike…”
Science
Andrew Jones “…At St Thomas’ we work hard to help our young men be prepared for the future world they will inhabit. In Science, this means being able to understand the advances in technology and utilize them but more importantly in a world of ‘alternate facts” to be critical thinkers and have the ability to sort the wheat from the chaff and use the information that they gain to make knowledge and be part of building a better future.”
Pastoral
Leader of Pastoral Care
Dan O’Brien dobrien@stc.school.nz
Dan has the overall responsibility for the pastoral team. As a team, they work closely with each other to work out the best path for the individual student. In circumstances that require a higher level of intervention, Dan will work with all parties involved whether that be student, teacher, parents and other relevant community affiliates within our restorative framework.
Senior Dean and Leader of Health
Paul Burton pburton@stc.school.nz
Paul Burton is the Senior Dean and Leader of Health. He works closely with the house deans on all important matters.
Y13 Dean
Angela Smith asmith@stc.school.nz
Restorative Justice Leader
Kieran Coll kcoll@stc.school.nz
Kieran works alongside the pastoral care team and staff, assisting with the Restorative Justice process within the college.
House Deans
Joyce – Tom Tennent ttennent@stc.school.nz
Tom Tennent has pastoral responsibility for all students in Joyce house.
Marlow – Chris Leader cleader@stc.school.nz
Paul Burton is the Senior Dean and Leader of Health. He works closely with the house deans on all important matters.
Rice – Megan Heather mheather@stc.school.nz
Megan has pastoral care responsibility for all students in Rice house.
McClintock – Andrew Strachan astrachan@stc.school.nz
Andrew Strachan has pastoral responsibility for all students in McClintock house. Andrew Strachan is a teacher of English.
Year 7 and 8 Pastoral Care
Billy Gulliver bgulliver@stc.school.nz
Billy has responsibility in the Year 7 and 8 area to support students with behavioural or emotional needs. Billy also works very closely with the house deans.
Head of Learning Support
Dean Smith dsmith@stc.school.nz
Dean has responsibility for all students who may require extra support around learning needs. At St Thomas’, there is a strong emphasis on the holistic development of our young men and Dean and his team have an overall view of students who may need extra support. They communicate with teachers and parents on a regular basis and assess and monitor students throughout the year.
Head of Middle School
Hamish Barclay hbarclay@stc.school.nz
Hamish has responsibility for all students in Year 7, 8, 9. The Year 7 Mentor and House Coordinator will be the first contact and will liaise with Hamish as required. Hamish coach’s rugby, touch, sevens and rugby league at St Thomas’.
Counsellor/Career Guidance
Brian Knopp bknopp@stc.school.nz
Brian is our guidance counsellor and careers advisor. Brian is there to support boys who are experiencing difficulties in their lives. All meetings are confidential.
Counsellor
Maryanne Skidmore mskidmore@stc.school.nz
Maryanne provides support in a confidential setting with individuals, groups and families who are dealing with issues affecting mental health and well-being.
Teacher in charge of Pasifika
Leuma Gali – lgali@stc.school.nz
Leuma supports and mentors Pasifika students within the school and wider community. He runs the parent/family meetings and community cultural activities.
Teacher in Charge of Maori
Keri Campbell kcampbell@stc.school.nz
Keri has a role to support Maori students within the school. Keri leads regular whanau meetings and kaupapa Maori events. He coaches volleyball in the school.
If a student/parent/teacher has a concern (behaviour, bullying, conflict, disobedience, grief/loss) and requires extra support, please approach:
Mentor Teacher
House Coordinator
Further discipline required
Mr Dan O’Brien
Mr Taylor/Mr Knopp – Careers
Further support required
Mr Knopp
Dean Smith – Learning Support
Staff Contacts
Joyce House (Red)
Dean: Thomas Tennent ttennent@stc.school.nz
JOAA: Andrew Auimatagi aauimatagi@stc.school.nz
JOSM: Angela Smith asmith@stc.school.nz
JOBR: Ben Rapson brapson@stc.school.nz
JOLG: Leuma Gali lgali@stc.school.nz
JODR: Dan Ryan dryan@stc.school.nz
JORF: Rachael Fowler rfowler@stc.school.nz
JOMT: Marty Taylor mtaylor@stc.school.nz
JORL: Robbie Lange rlange@stc.school.nz
JOSR: Shane Reddy sreddy@stc.school.nz
JOBL: Bernie Lee blee@stc.school.nz
Marlow House (Yellow)
Dean: Chris Leader cleader@stc.sChchool.nz
MADK: Daniel Kahura dkahura@stc.school.nz
MABC: Ben Crosson bcrosson@stc.school.nz
MABY: Jack Mayo jmayo@stc.school.nz
MASK: Stephen Kennedy skennedy@stc.school.nz
MAJL: Johnny Leo’o jleo_o@stc.school.nz
MAKL: Karim Lafdal klafdal@stc.school.nz
MASE: Daniel Seelen dseelen@stc.school.nz
MABG: Billie Gulliver bgulliver@stc.school.nz
MAVR: Vincent Raj vraj@stc.school.nz
MAWA: Jason Wang jwang@stc.school.nz
McClintock House (Green)
Dean: Andrew Strachan astrachan@stc.school.nz
MCJC: June Chey jchey@stc.school.nz
MCBB: Brendan Biggs bbiggs@stc.school.nz
MCBK: Brian Knopp bknopp@stc.school.nz
MCBS: Blair Scadden bscadden@stc.school.nz
MCSC: SeYe Chan schan@stc.school.nz
MCJR: Jonathan Riddell jriddell@stc.school.nz
MCJM: Julie Maxwell jmaxwell@stc.school.nz
MCPB: Paul Burton pburton@stc.school.nz
MCCT: Alexia Cutbush acutbush@stc.school.nz
MCCL: Kieran Coll kcoll@stc.school.nz
Rice House (Black)
Dean: Megan Heather mheather@stc.school.nz
RIAJ: Andrew Jones ajones@stc.school.nz
RIAB: Aidan Baker abaker@stc.school.nz
RIDS: Dean Smith dsmith@stc.school.nz
RIHB: Hamish Barclay hbarclay@stc.school.nz
RIKC: Keri Campbell kcampbell@stc.school.nz
RIMA: Margaret Guerin mguerin@stc.school.nz
RIMC: Paul McCarthy pmccarthy@stc.school.nz
RIMG: Maureen Gaffaney mgaffaney@stc.school.nz
RITM: Tim Muir tmuir@stc.school.nz
RIEK: Elizabeth Kennedy ekennedy@stc.school.nz
Admin Contact details
Reception – Lynley Gibson lgibson@stc.school.nz
Principal’s PA – Jo Fitzgerald jfitzgerald@stc.school.nz
Accounts (Bursar) – Jackie Redmond jredmond@stc.school.nz
Uniforms – Ngaire Lester nlester@stc.school.nz
Support Staff
Learning Support TA – Narelle Ferguson nferguson@stc.school.nz
Learning Support TA – Chris Cranefield ccranefield@stc.school.nz
Learning Support TA – Andrea Fray – afray@stc.school.nz
Learning Support TA – Robina Jorgensen – rjorgensen@stc.school.nz
Learning Support TA/Science Lab Technician – Julia Winton jwinton@stc.school.nz
Maori Mentor/Sports Coordinator – Daniel Kahura dkahura@stc.school.nz
Sports Coordinator – Joe Hammond jhammond@stc.school.nz
Sports Coordinator – Alex Coulthard –acoulthard@stc.school.nz
Student Leaders
College Captain
Finn Keogan
Deputy College Captains
Riley Steel & Jarrod Gali
Justice and Solidarity Leader
Harvey Gordon
Whanau Leader
Eruera Keelan-Jackson
Pasifika Leader
Joseph Ripley
Rice House Leader
Kobe Northmore
McClintock House Leader
Max Sergel-Stringer
Marlow House Leader
Ethan Hill
Joyce House Leader
Mitchell Barrett
Filipino Leader
Paolo Guese
Gospel Spirituality Leader
Matthew Pelenato
Liberating Education Leader
Zach Floris
Culture Leader
Wilson House
Inclusive Community Leader
George Bassett-Smith
Student Council Chairman
Jack Walecki
St Thomas school values its staff and aims to appoint leading educators and experienced practitioners to teaching and non-teaching roles.
