Our International Team

We have a dedicated team to support you before, during and after your time at Hillmorton High School.

As a small team, in a medium size city school, we know our students well. We take pride in our individualised knowledge of you along with the pastoral care we provide. 

We can be contacted at: +64 338 5119 extension 871 or at international@hillmorton.school.nz


Pam Hunt

International Director

Kia ora

I have been at Hillmorton High School for many years and enjoy the school and its environment. I look forward to welcoming you to Hillmorton and supporting you throughout your association with us. I am passionate about my job and use my experience of language teaching and learning and living and studying overseas to guide me in my work.


I get pleasure from travelling and learning about new cultures, and in my spare time I like to walk, cycle, read, watch movies, and spend time with family and friends. 

My email is huntp@hillmorton.school.nz, and 24/7 phone emergency contact is +64 27 349 4751.

Image by: Pam Hunt

Pam Hunt


Heidi Cayford

International Student Assistant (with homestay responsibilities)

My role is to find the best host families for our international students, along with providing support to students and families. I love my job as it gives me the opportunity to engage with students from around the world and I get to meet many wonderful host families along the way.

I emigrated in 2007 from England with my husband and two sons and really enjoy life in New Zealand. As an emigrant, I can fully relate to the ups and downs our students may experience.


In my spare time, I enjoy gardening, watching movies, and spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy travelling and meeting new people and learning about their different cultures.

My email is cayfordh@hillmorton.school.nz and 24/7 emergency phone contact is +64 21 263 7787.

Image by: Pam Hunt

Heidi Cayford


Karen Wells

International Adminstration Assistant

Kia ora

I am relatively new to the role of International Administration Assistant here at Hillmorton High School and have enjoyed every day so far.

My work supports the International Director and International Student Assistant in their daily work.  This includes maintenance of student records, data and documentation from application to arrival. I also plan exciting international student events and trips around the region and South Island. In addition, I support new student arrivals and orientation as well as providing ongoing pastoral care and support to students to ensure their ongoing happiness and wellbeing.

In my spare time I love being active in the outdoors running, cycling, growing my own food and walking my dog on the beach.

Karen Wells

Stephen Crean

Teacher-in-Charge of English Language Learning

Tēnā koutou katoa

Ko aerana te whakapaparanga mai

Ko Waikari te whenua tupu

Ko Ōtautahi te kāinga

Ko Stephen Crean au

Tēnā tātou katoa

 

Hi, my name is Stephen Crean

I started at Hillmorton mid-2024, moving back to Christchurch after teaching in Ruatoria, on the East Coast of the North Island. I have been teaching English for nearly 30 years. 

My wife, Zena, is an artist. We have a blended family of seven children and eight granchildren / mokopuna (with another on the way!)  I'm an avid Rugby League fan. I enjoy staying fit and gardening.  

Stephen Crean

Sarah Zyskowski

English Language Learning Teacher

Kia ora koutou

My role as English language learning (ELL) teacher is to help learners build up their knowledge of English language and become the best they can be during their time with us at Hillmorton High. This fits with one of the school's values ‘Personal Best, Nothing Less’. 

I enjoy teaching all aspects of English Language, especially vocabulary and grammar, and believe that student-to-student communication time in class is beneficial for building understanding of cultures and forming friendships that can extend outside the classroom environment. I have been teaching English Language for a number of years and have strong knowledge of the language conventions necessary for students to achieve their academic study goals.

In my free time I enjoy walking in the local area, at the Halswell Quarry or around Ngā Puna Wai, as well as reading books in the evenings. I started at Hillmorton High in 2024 and live locally with my family (husband, daughter and son) plus our two cats.

Sarah Zyskowski

Jane Schroeder

English Language Learning Teacher

Jane Schroeder

Lynne Miura

Learning Assistant and English Language Teacher

My role involves working with students individually, in small groups, and in their mainstream classes to support them with their English language learning (ELL). I also teach the Year 7 & 8 ELL classes.

I am an ex-Hillmorton High student and joined the team as a staff member in early 2023. I speak Japanese and some Spanish, and find that my experiences as a language learner and teaching ELL help me understand the needs of our students better. I absolutely love working with them to help them reach their goals!

 

I'm passionate about art, especially clay sculpting, making jewellery and paper crafts. I also enjoy listening to rock music, writing poetry and prose, playing board games and spending time with my family and friends.