People

People

null

Ōtūmoetai College Board

Our School Board is comprised of dedicated professional people from all walks of life and connections to the school, with one common purpose, the careful stewardship of the School’s Purpose, Vision and Values and the strategic framework that guides the growth and development of Ōtūmoetai College in the present and into the future.

I’ve been practising as a lawyer for over 20 years in Wellington, London, and, for the last 12 years, Tauranga.  My wife Adele is an OTC alumnus, my oldest child is in year 11, and my youngest will start at OTC next year.

This is my first term as an OTC Board member, but I was Board Chair of Bellevue School before that. As a lifelong tennis enthusiast, I belong to the Otumoetai Tennis Club and I help oversee its junior tennis programme. I am an avid sports watcher and have to confess to the odd bout of binge-watching on Netflix.

Qualifications: LLM, LLB/BSocSci (Economics)

Matthew King
Presiding Member

Tēnā koutou katoa,

I have been teaching for 12 years, seven of these at Otumoetai College. I am involved in a variety of areas within the kura including English, Media Studies, Te Whare Māori (Poutama), the Kahui Ako, and as a Year 12 Dean.

I was elected as the staff representative to the Board of Trustees toward the end of 2022 and am looking forward to learning about school governance and working with members of our community to ensure the best outcomes for our tauira.

Qualifications: BA, Graduate Dp Sec Tchg

Ashleigh Lack BoT
Staff Representative
Emma Henderson
Parent elected
Kristen Matthews
Parent elected

Deanna‘s professional career has spanned multiple industries. With three years of invaluable experience on the Board at Otumoetai Intermediate, she transitioned her expertise to the Otumoetai College Board.

Her journey has taken her across continents, having worked in London, Sydney, and New Zealand. Throughout her career, she has worked in various industries, from agriculture and horticulture to retail and consulting. Most recently, she has ventured into the SaaS world, continuously expanding her horizons.

Adept at Project Management, Deanna is currently focused on honing her skills in Change Management, where she thrives in driving transformative initiatives and fostering positive organisational adoption and tech improvement.

Beyond her professional achievements, Deanna‘s passion lies in understanding the importance of creating inclusive environments for all, where diversity is celebrated and every individual is empowered to thrive.

Deanna Hinde
Parent elected

I was born in Matamata but have lived in Tauranga since 1987. I grew up involved in a successful family business before leaving Matamata to follow a career in Tauranga.

I returned three years ago to that family business to assist with running our Tauranga branch. I have been married to Andy for 19 years and we have 3 boys, 2 at Otumoetai College and 1 at Otumoetai Intermediate.

I have been on a primary school board for the past 7 years with a keen interest in finance, employment, international students, health and safety, and the achievement of students. I’m very passionate about everything I’m involved in and genuinely care a lot about our school and community in general.

Lisa Adams
Parent elected

I am the student voice of the School Board, having been voted into the position September 2023.

I make sure that Board decisions have student input involved, helping foster a community that provides positive governance for both school operation and student wellbeing.

As a singular year 13 student, I know that my thoughts on board decisions are only a small part of the student body’s collective opinion. I encourage any students at Ōtūmoetai College to reach out either through email or at school to allow me to bring their voice to the table.

Wesley Newland
Student Representative

Senior Leadership Team

Our Senior Leadership Team’s focus is on leading, developing and monitoring teaching and learning.  Our goal is to create a foundation for all learners to flourish within a learning environment that enables students to achieve their personal best in their academic studies, the arts, sporting and cultural pursuits.

Russell views his position as principal of Ōtūmoetai College as being an absolute privilege and one that brings with it a deep responsibility.

The privilege is in being able to contribute to make a difference to student learning and to improve learning outcomes.

The responsibility is to ensure that every student receives quality learning opportunities and has an equal opportunity to fulfill their potential as a powerful thinker and learner. 

He believes that quality learning opportunities, student progress, and ultimately improved student outcomes are created within an environment where learning is central to a school’s raison d’être.

As an educational leader, his role is to develop and promote a shared purpose, to lead curriculum and pedagogical change, and to develop a common understanding of learning.

Qualifications: MEdLeadership (Hons), BPA, Dip Tchg

Russell Gordon
Principal

The role of Kaitiaki is to act as a carer, guardian, and protector. Jo’el’s role is to bring the true intentions of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to life at Ōtūmoetai College, by blending two worlds for both Māori and non-Māori. This will be achieved through innovative support structures and programmes that promote equity for Māori education, through increasing achievement, engagement and hauora.

Jo’el is strongly committed to ensuring college students are empowered to make the most of their individual strengths, grow in confidence and explore all that the curriculum offers.

Qualifications: MA, BIT, MMVA, Dip Tchg

Jo’el Komene
Deputy Principal Kaitiaki

What is my why? Valuing humanity, diversity and cultural connections is important to me.

I love the mindset of: How can I help? Being a contributor to a collaborative and teamwork approach which encompasses future thinking and a growth mindset in all paradigms of education resonates strongly with me. However, also acknowledging that some forms of traditional education remain very effective.

Importantly, volunteering and coaching have allowed me to give back in a wider school context and have provided me with many enriching experiences, connections, and friendships, both here at school and in the wider community. This has been its own reward.

Along my education journey, here at Ōtūmoetai College, I have been fortunate enough to have had a son come through our school and a very supportive family.

Richard Brown
Assistant Principal Junior Behaviour, Year 9

Pip has a strong desire to empower students to become independent and lifelong learners. She is committed to unleashing student potential and ensure that all students experience a high quality, balanced programme of learning opportunities. Pip oversees the development of the school’s curriculum, professional learning and growth, by actively fostering staff and student talent in a safe and supportive environment. Pip also stresses the importance of building a strong partnership between school and home.

Qualifications: MEdLeadership (Hons), BEd, Dip Sp Mngmt, Dip Tchg

Pip Woodward
Deputy Principal Curriculum, Year 10

Dave has a professional background that includes a wide range of experience in New Zealand schools, and joined the Ōtūmoetai staff in 2021.

Strongly aware of the transformational impact learning can have on young people, his broad educational experience, strategic expertise and hands-on knowledge of schools brings a unique range of attributes to his role at Ōtūmoetai College.

Dave believes that learning needs to be challenging and fun and that students need to acquire the skills, competencies and dispositions that will enable them to be confident, well-rounded and successful young people in a rapidly changing world.  

Qualifications: BESc, BEd

Dave Cleland
Deputy Principal Achievement, Year 11
Jane Townsend
Deputy Principal Day to Day & HR, Year 12

Tēnā koutou katoa,

I have been teaching for 12 years, seven of these at Otumoetai College. I have been involved in a variety of areas within the kura including English, Media Studies, Te Whare Māori (Poutama), the Kahui Ako, and as a Dean.

Qualifications: BA, Graduate Dp Sec Tchg

Ashleigh Lack SLT
Assistant Principal Senior Behaviour, Year 13

Heads of Department

The core role of our Heads of Department (HODs) is to provide academic leadership of their subject area. HODs are required to lead, manage and develop their department to ensure it achieves the highest possible standards of excellence in all its activities.

Art
David Henderson
(Acting HOD)

Business
Martenette Strauss
(Acting HOD)

Careers
Stacey Shefferd

Drama & Dance
Mandy Rowe

English
Dave Shefferd

Guidance
Julie Sutton

Languages
Leo Wilson

Learning Centre
Claire Lander

Māori
Maria Veronese

Mathematics
Neil McDermid

Media Studies
Joshua Buxton

Music
Matt Bodman

Physical Education
Jamie Davis

Science
Holly Wilson (Acting HOD)

Social Science
Nick Page

Special Needs
Caly Pillay

Supported Learning
Paula Purser

Technology
Kevin Meyer

Technology
Lauren May

Year Level Deans

The College Deans travel alongside their year level cohort and over their 5 years will work to ensure that our students grow into powerful thinkers and learners who embrace diversity, resilience and develop meaningful relationships with others.

Year 9 Dean
Mr Leo Wilson

Year 9 Dean
Miss Stevie-Jane Mutu

AP in Charge of Year 9
Mr Richard Brown

Year 10 Dean
Miss Jessie Fauntleroy

Year 10 Dean
Mr Andrew Rapley

DP in Charge of Year 10
Ms Pip Woodward

Year 11 Dean
Mrs Vanessa Hays

Year 11 Dean
Mr Craig Grant

DP in Charge of Year 11
Mr Dave Cleland

Year 12 Dean
Ms Mary-Ann Braddock

Year 12 Dean
Mr Mark Williams

DP in Charge of Year 12
Ms Jane Townsend

Year 13 Dean
Mrs Eleanor Clark

Year 13 Dean
Mr David Williams

AP in Charge of Year 13
Ms Ashleigh Lack

Student Leaders & Executive Committees

Our Student Executive Committees for 2024

CREATIVE ARTS
Mentor – Marisol Pengelly
Dani Brewerton, Hayley Potts

ENVIRONMENT
Mentor – Joc McCreary
Hayley Hextall, Alex Reade

HAUORA (Cultural / Wellbeing)
Mentors – Kat Brewer and Mary-Ann Braddock
Zoe Brockelbank, Annabel Bremner

MENTORING
Mentor – Pip Woodward
Lilee Hudson, Ruben Lightfoot, Charlie Minshall

PUBLICITY
Mentor – Joshua Buxton
Charlotte Willacy, Mackenzie Lock

RUAMANO (Cultural)
Mentor – Lana Moore
Taska Kemp-Green, Tj Kaur

SPECIAL EVENTS
Mentors – Megan Fritsch
Katie Kennerley, Sarah Best

SPORTS
Mentor – Dennis Playford
Angus Colquhoun, Alex Rawlinson

STUDENT VOLUNTEER GROUP
Mentor – Sandra Boubee
Charlie Minshall, Abby Duncan

ASSEMBLY
Mentor – Ashleigh Lack
Carmen Green, Jack Page

Our Student Leaders for 2024

Tomas Andrew (Head Student)
Emily Bibi (Head Student)
Kara Blackstock (Head Student)
Joshua Brown (Head Student)
Wesley Newland (BoT Rep.)

Our Whare Leaders for 2024

PŪWHENUA (Green)
Staff Leader – Kathryn Brewer
Lily Frieswyk, Alexis Cory

MAUNGANUI (Orange)
Staff Leader – Arden Carter
Alex Reade, Thomas Wigley

KAREWA (Blue)
Staff Leader – Vanessa Hays
Hannah Dunn, Rebecca Parkes

MANUNUI (Yellow)
Staff Leaders – Nicola King/Adam Braddock
Amelia Shorter, William Dunn

ŌTANEWAINUKU (Purple)
Staff Leader – Lisa Weaver
Amelia Edgecombe, Luiza Baumert

keyboard_arrow_up