Welcome to all our new staff, we are delighted to have you joining the Columba community! Biographies of Chaplain Kim Park and Mrs Ada Crowe are included article introducing the Pastoral Network. Other new staff have provided the following bios:

Rachel McDonald, Head of Languages

Bonjour tout le monde!

I'm Rachel McDonald and I'm excited to be the new French teacher and Head of Department of Languages here at Columba! I've been teaching for the past eight years at Bayfield High School and live on the Otago Peninsula so I am looking forward to getting to know another community well. I grew up in Dunedin but after finishing my degree in French, I wanted to see the world, so I spent five years working in Canada, England, Australia, and also France, where I unexpectedly realised I loved teaching. I can't wait to meet all of you, and to help you love speaking another language as much as I do!

Pei Jun See, Maths Teacher

Hello everyone! My name is PeiJun See, a Mathematics teacher from Singapore. I am excited and elated to be part of Columba’s family. Currently a 2nd year PhD student enrolled in Higher Education Development Centre at the University of Otago, my research focuses on the affordances of Hybrid Learning. Prior to coming to Dunedin, I taught at a High School in Singapore for approximately five years. My hobbies include going for walks in my free time and listening to live music performances. I look forward to working with everyone.

Rachel Heller, Executive Assistant to the Principal

I’m Rachel Heller, the new Executive Assistant to Mrs Nicol. For the last 18 months, I have worked on a fixed-term contract with the Electoral Commission as Regional Advisor across the South Island. The role included supporting, coaching, and empowering the 16 Electorate Managers to deliver the 2023 General Election in their electorates. As an aside, the 2023 Election was the 7th election I have worked on, in whatever role I could depending on what my availability was. Before that, I was Executive Assistant to the Rector at King’s High School, which is a similar role to the one I have now at Columba. I am married to Greg, and we have two sons, one studying towards a BA in History at Otago, and another in Year 13. In my spare time, you’ll find me in the garden, on my eBike (slightly cheating I know), crafting (knitting, sewing, patchwork etc) or by the water somewhere (sea, lake, or river I don’t care which). I’m really looking forward to this role - working with the staff, boards, students and their families and the wider Columba community.

Jenifer Martin, Science Teacher 

I will be teaching Sciences. I want my students to develop their curiosity about the natural & physical world, ask lots of how and why questions, and challenge themselves to think outside the square. I have a BSc (Ecology, Otago), a Graduate Certificate in Science & Technology (Massey) and a Masters of Teaching and Learning (Dist., Otago). I have previously taught at Otago Boys’ High School, Kaikorai Valley College and Bayfield High School.

I am a lifelong orienteer; representing NZ at the World Junior level, followed by years of competing, coaching, and sports administration. I am keen to start a Columba “nav” squad, open to any students (and their whānau) from Years 1-13, not just for orienteering as a sport, but as a good way to upskill in any navigation-based pursuits like tramping or adventure racing– any activity where you need to know where you’re going, whether it’s by foot, mountain bike, kayak, cross country skiing...or even just for navigating around cities when you’ve forgotten your phone.

Some of my local community connections are with Dunedin Orienteering, Mountain Biking Otago, Otago University Tramping Club, and Forest & Bird. Other experiences before teaching were working at NZ tertiary institutions, guiding in the Virginian Appalachian mountains, Montessori teaching in Sweden, and adventures traveling in Scandinavia, Australia, Scotland, England, and the Pacific.

I am embracing the learning and usage of Te Reo Māori, but also like trying to use my French, Swedish, Japanese, and Indonesian language backgrounds.

My son is a third-year Otago University student, out flatting, so I live with my husband; together we look after 2 elderly cats, 4 hens, and a vegetable garden with fruit trees. 

Idoya Munn, English Teacher

I'm an English and Spanish teacher, previously at King's High School. I'm a writer and an avid reader, and the English classroom is my happy place! I'm really looking forward to getting to know the girls and supporting them to achieve at the highest level possible. Academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and a love of literature keep my classroom humming. 

Caspar Gerrand, Social Sciences Teacher

I began teaching at Columba College partway through 2023 because the school needed a teacher to fill a temporary vacancy until the end of the year. I have been fortunate enough to be welcomed back to Columba for 2024 to teach English, history, and social studies to a range of students from Year 8 through to Year 10. I am originally from a small town in the North Waikato region called Onewhero. I came to Dunedin six years ago to study at the University of Otago. After completing my undergraduate and postgraduate study I decided to stay in Dunedin and began my teaching career at Kaikorai Valley College before coming to Columba.

Laura Boroughf, Learning Support

I moved to Dunedin a year-and-a-half ago from the United States (Colorado). I am a veteran teacher with 16 years of teaching experience. I have primarily taught intermediate English and social studies, with a random year teaching maths. I have a doctorate in gifted education and am an advocate for the neuro-diverse. I also have three children, and a puppy who often takes more work than the children combined! I love baking, running, crafting, music, and I am attempting to learn the banjo. In my spare time, I also make candles, screenprint and maintain a blog. I love being an educator, and I am thrilled to be at Columba this year!

Nick Price, Maori Teacher

Kia ora koutou, Ko Nick Price tōku ingoa.

I am the teacher of te reo Māori for our Yr 1 to Yr 10 students and I am also the teacher of P.E for a Yr 7 class.

I was raised down in Ōtākou where I spent many weekends on our marae learning waiata and embracing all things Māori.

I completed my education here in Dunedin and was a member of many different kapa haka groups over that time.

I spent six years travelling abroad, immersing myself in as many different cultures that I encountered and enjoyed learning new languages .

I have since gained a Bachelor of Teaching at Otago University and have taught at numerous schools around Dunedin. Many of those as a kaiako of te reo Māori and as a teacher of various kapa haka groups.

I am also the Junior Assistant Manager at the John McGlashan Boarding House where I have a strong passion towards the pastoral care side of ensuring that our young rangatahi are well equipped for life in the future.

I am married with three young children, Isaiah, Mila and Makaia.

I am very excited about the role that I have here in the College and for the opportunity to share my culture that I am so passionate about with our students.

“Ko te manu e kai ana te miro, nōna te ngahere,

Ko te manu e kai ana te matauranga, nōna te ao”.  

Pip Hosken, ESOL Teacher

I have been a Music and Performing Arts teacher for over 25 years, including teaching at Bayfield High School and South Otago High School. During this time I have also taken on leadership roles including being a Head of Department.

It was exciting to have directed Mamma Mia at Columba College in 2024, and also done some relief here at the College too. 

Having led some overseas school trips, I'm really excited to be supporting the International Students now, guiding them through life at the College and in our city, while supporting them as they increase their knowledge of the English language.