New Staff 2017

Photo: Mana Media

Mana Media — Jan 30, 2017

There are a number of new teachers this year which is exciting for the College.

Click on their pics below for a quick bio of each.

Mr Joshua Kazas (Kz) — • Mr Kazas (Kz) will be teaching Mathematics and Physics with us. He has a Master of Arts in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, and has been teaching for 15 years in the USA. Joshua and his wife Maegan have three children (11, 9 & 7).

Mr Ben McDonald (Md) — • Mr McDonald (Md) completed a Bachelor of Education degree in 2008 majoring in PE and Business Studies, and will be teaching Business Studies here for the year, along with a little PE. Ben taught for three years at Taupo Intermediate and one year at Devon Intermediate, before taking up a position teaching all curriculum areas to years 6 – 12 students at Ngaanyatjarra Lands School in Western Australia. Ben and his wife have now returned to the Manawatu, and have purchased a small farm between Feilding and Palmerston North. They are expecting their first child next month.

Mr Scott Southwood (Sw) — • Mr Southwood (Sw) has been appointed to teach Digital Technologies classes, and to progressively take over responsibility of our IT network from Allan Webb. Scott has managed a PN secondary school’s network for the last six years. He has a Bachelor of Information Communication Technology degree and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching. Scott lives in Longburn.

Mr Robert Kingi (Kg) — • Mr Kingi (Kg) has come into teaching later in life, after an earlier career in industry and management. Robert has a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Music, a Certificate in Adult Learning & Teaching. Robert will be teaching Music. He lives in Levin with his wife and 13 year old daughter.

Ms Yvonne Seng (Sg) — • Ms Seng (Sg) will take up an administration role serving both Horowhenua Alternative Education and Manawatū College. Yvonne has a Diploma in Youth Work (Level 6) and was recently managing the Otaki College AE programme. Prior to this she held administrative roles in various businesses, and comes to us with a broad range of skills. Part of Yvonne’s role at Manawatū College will be to share supervision of A6 with Nathan. Yvonne lives in Levin with her 8 year old daughter.

Ms Bobbi Dobbins (Ds) — • Ms Dobbins (Ds) is our new Head for our Technology Faculty, and comes to us from Wales. Bobbi has a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (Fashion & Textile Design) and a Master of Arts (Resistant Materials). Bobbi brings a breadth of knowledge and experience in technology and vocations. Bobbi’s 14 year old son Tomas is already enrolled with us as a Year 10 student.

Mr Nathan Beckman ( Bn) — • Mr Beckman ( Bn) joins us from St Patricks College – Silverstream to teach junior Science and Social Studies this year. He graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 2001, majoring in PE and Mathematics, and also completed a post-graduate Diploma in Health Education. Nathan has taught in Colleges in the Southern North Island (and also in Japan) and was Education Team Leader for 3 years with Stand Children’s Services in Otaki. Nathan lives in Waikanae with his wife and two children (12 & 9).