Introducing the new staff at Kaiapoi High School in 2022:

Tēnā koutou, my name is Courtenay Henshaw. I have joined the Kaiapoi High School team this year as an English teacher. Along with teaching, I am passionate about dancing, hiking, and learning about different cultures through travel. Prior to teaching, I completed a post-graduate diploma and Journalism and a bachelor's degree in English and History. I am thoroughly looking forward to contributing to KHS this year and becoming a part of this strong Kaiapoi community.

Kia ora, my name is Joseph Sopers and I am teaching Engineering and Technology. I am also the new Head of the Technology Faculty. I am from The Netherlands and have lived and worked in New Zealand for 26 years. My background is in Engineering and Industrial Management and for the last 17 years I taught Engineering at Fraser High School in Hamilton. I have a passion for cycling and the environment and I look forward to building cool projects with the students.

Kia ora, my name is Irene Lau. I have joined Kaiapoi High School this year as a new Math teacher. I am originally from Malaysia and I have been living in New Zealand for almost 30 years now. Prior to joining KHS, I worked in the private tertiary sector for 13 years where I worked closely with international students and NZQA. I can speak English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Malay. I love getting to know people with different backgrounds to me and hearing their stories and cultures. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach at KHS and look forward to contributing to the school.

Kia ora, my name is Connor O'Rourke and I am teaching Science and Biology this year. I complete my postgraduate diploma of teaching at the New Zealand Graduate School of Education last year and spent two terms teaching at Linwood College. Prior to this, I completed a Masters of Biological Chemistry at the University of Canterbury. I am enjoying working at Kaiapoi High School and am looking forward to contributing to the Kaiapoi community.

Kia ora koutou, Ko Whaea Whitney toku ingoa. I am very excited to be back at my old high school, I am a proud ex-head student of Kaiapoi High School. I have grown up and lived in Kaiapoi for the majority of my life and have attended both Kaiapoi North and Kaiapoi High. I am grateful to have the opportunity to teach at the school that played a massive role in who I am today. This year I will be teaching a variety of junior and senior subjects, P.E., Health, and Te Reo. I have previously taught at Te Pā o Rākaihautū for three years and now I have come home to give back to the community that has helped shape me into the person I am today. 

Hey there! My name is Callum Bell. After spending nearly five years teaching Psychology and Biology at Christ's College, I'm one of the latest in a long line of ex-students and returned to teach at Kaiapoi High School in term four last year. The opportunity to work with the staff who gave me so much as a student is an exciting one, and I'm looking forward to supporting the next generation of Kaiapoi High School students in their efforts to be at their best.

Tēnā koutou, my name is Sam Su and I am teaching Mathematics at Kaiapoi High School this year. I recently completed my Graduate Diploma In Teaching and Learning at the University of Canterbury. I want to be a teacher because I want to see all children have an equal opportunity in the classroom and have equal access to the resources needed to excel. As a secondary education teacher, I strongly believe that fostering critical thinking skills is at the heart of what we do in education. I am committed to giving students the tools they need to see their own value, analyze information and situations, and effectively solve problems.

Kia ora, my name is Sarah Greaves and I am teaching Drama and Media Studies at Kaiapoi kura tuarua this year. I recently completed my Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning from the University of Canterbury last year. After completing my Bachelor's Degree in Performing Arts from NASDA a few years ago, I took a break from studying to work, travel, and perform overseas. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy rock climbing, traveling, baking, and have just picked up a pottery class! I have thoroughly enjoyed building connections with the ākonga here at Kaiapoi and am fortunate to be working alongside such supportive and passionate colleagues.

Kia ora, my name is Ash Collier and I am the Head of Faculty Social Sciences at Kaiapoi High School. I have taught in several schools across New Zealand, including Opotiki, Porirua, and Wellington. My passion lies with History, however, I have also taught Geography, Travel and Tourism, Media Studies, and Social Studies. Outside of work I enjoy playing football, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with my family. I am excited to be teaching Social Sciences at Kaiapoi High School and look forward to contributing to this strong community. 

Kia ora tatou e hoa ma, ko Connor Smith toku ingoa. I’ve joined the team at Kaiapoi High this year in the Social Sciences Faculty. I specialise primarily in History and Geography, but can also branch out into Classics, Economics, and Social Studies as well. I am a returning student, having graduated from Kaiapoi High in 2016, so it’s definitely a surreal experience being on the other side of the classroom. Outside of the classroom, I’m a bit of a keen footy player, representing Canterbury in 2021 and being a part of the Crusader Knights programme earlier this year. I’m grateful to be offered the opportunity to return to Kaiapoi High as a teacher and look forward to giving back to the community that helped guide me through my own teenage years. 

Tēnā koutou, my name is Kevin Smith and I am teaching Science and Project classes. I’ve returned to New Zealand after 20+ years of teaching and training overseas in kindergarten, primary, secondary, tertiary, and business contexts. While away, I added to my agricultural science background with a M.A. in applied linguistics, and a Ph.D. in cross-cultural sociology and human geography. My interests are history, gardening, and the thinking and purpose behind group/cultural practices. In 1987, I began teaching at Mountainview High School in Timaru. The reason I asked to teach in Kaiapoi High School is that the students here are very similar to those I truly enjoyed learning to teach with all those years ago. In KHS, I have also found the same supportive and caring whole school practices that initiated my teaching career.

Kia ora, my name is Ethan Mead and I have joined the Kaiapoi High School team this year as the new Head of the Music Department. Prior to my teacher training last year, I completed a Bachelor of Music Arts at Ara. I am a guitarist and a singer, and I am a gigging musician, keeping busy with both cover and original music. As well as being interested in music, I enjoy photography, art, and woodwork. I have worked in many different trades from mechanics to building, before taking the career path of teaching. I am very excited to immerse myself in the culture at Kaiapoi High and to build meaningful relationships with my students.

Kia ora, my name is Sarah-Jane Rennie and I have been teaching Voice at Kaiapoi High School since 2020 and replace Tanya Utting teaching Year 9 Music. I am looking forward to getting to know all my students studying Music in Year 9. I love to sing and dance and I believe Music is Food for the Soul. I aim to enhance students' practical skills and grow their confidence as they appreciate the world of Music.

Tēnā koutou to the KHS community!  My name is Alexandra Ellis-Walker and I am excited to be joining you as a teacher of Junior Art while Mrs Evans is on maternity leave. I have previously taught in Christchurch, Wellington, and the UK before returning to my tūrangawaewae in North Canterbury. I live rurally on a multi-generational property, enjoying time outdoors with my children and whanau - exploring tracks, beaches, rivers, and playgrounds in our beautiful district. I look forward to getting to know you all. 

Kia Ora, my name is Laura McMillan and I am teaching P.E., Health, and Outdoor Education at Kaiapoi High this year. Previously I was teaching Fabrics at Cambridge High School in the North Island. I am originally from Queenstown and am passionate about exploring the outdoors, getting out on the slopes in winter, and spending time with friends and family. I have previously taught at Kaiapoi High as a trainee teacher during my Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning. I am very excited to be back and look forward to the year ahead.