We warmly welcome the following new staff to Middleton Grange School in 2025.

Rebekah Au

Kia ora, I’m Rebekah Au. I am excited to be joining the Mathematics teaching team at Middleton Grange this year. I have always enjoyed learning and teaching Mathematics and I hope to be able to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject with my students. I have two children, aged 6 and 9, enrolled in the Primary school. Our family attends Riccarton Community Church, where my husband and I are involved in the intermediates programme. I enjoy spending time in nature, reading, and being active.

Aidan Baker

Kia ora, I’m Aidan Baker, and I’m excited to join Middleton Grange as TIC Music (Performance), teaching Music and Christian Studies. I’m passionate about helping students explore their talents in music while encouraging them to grow creatively, spiritually, and in confidence. I also value creating a space where students feel free to question, discuss, and explore their beliefs as they deepen their understanding of faith and the world around them. My wife, Beka, and I are the worship team leaders at Thrive Church Rangiora. In my free time, I enjoy video games, music, technology, and coding. My hope is to see students use their passion for music and their faith to bring light to the world and make a meaningful impact for Jesus.

Sophie Bates

My name is Sophie Bates, and I’m excited to teach in the international department this year as an ESOL teacher and take on the International Christian Studies classes. I'm passionate about these areas and look forward to working with a fantastic team. I hope to bring enthusiasm, creativity, and a love for teaching to the school. I’m looking forward to connecting with students and their whānau/host families. I belong to South West Baptist Church where I served in the international youth and intermediates youth programmes during my university days. My hobbies include outdoor activities, and spending time with family, friends, and pets. I can’t wait to start this new journey with the Middleton Grange whānau!

Jo Dodge

My name is Jo Dodge, and I am excited to be working part time in the Humanities and Physical Education Departments this year. I thrive in collaborative environments and find that teamwork enhances my motivation and creativity. With several years of teaching experience, I am committed to making learning both engaging and enjoyable for my students. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to teach a diverse range of subjects to students from Year 0/1 through to Year 13. I live and attend a small rural church and take great pleasure in being an active part of this close-knit community. I also enjoy playing a number of sports and the outdoors, along with socialising with family and friends.

Jane Halliday

Hi my name is Jane Halliday and I’m thrilled to be teaching Christian Studies and Scripture mainly in the Senior School at MGS. My husband and I attend Latimer Church and we have three young adult ‘children’ who all went through Middleton and are now studying or working. I love teaching and love teaching the Bible most of all. God has been wonderfully kind and I’ve had the chance to teach across many ages and stages. I have also worked for our church and have a small ministry in Supervision and Christian Mentoring. For the past two years I have been completing my Post Graduate Diploma in Divinity through Sydney Missionary and Bible College while relieving in the Junior School. I hope to encourage your children in their faith and understanding of God’s word and look forward to getting to know them all. 

Nathan Horner

Hi, I'm Nathan Horner and I'm excited to start at Middleton Grange as the TIC Music (Curriculum). I have taught music for the past eight years at Bethlehem College in Tauranga. I am excited to bring my passion and skills for music teaching to Middleton Grange and to build on the foundation set by Mr Bisseker. I am married to Sally who is also a music teacher. We have Brooke who is a toddler and a baby boy due in April. We are new to Christchurch and don't have a church yet but are excited to find a church community, potentially in the Anglican or Presbyterian traditions. My personal interests outside of music include theology, rock climbing and mountaineering. 

Melinda Kerkhoven

I am Melinda Kerkhoven, and it's a delight to be joining the Middleton Grange mathematics department. I’m married to Davy and we have four children. Before having children I taught mathematics at Pukekohe High School. For the past three years I’ve been a teacher aide at Emmanuel Christian School, supporting neurodiverse children—a role that has been meaningful and fulfilling. It is a blessing to be returning to my first passion, mathematics. In my free time I play strategic board games. My goal this year is to encourage students to see that mathematics is as fascinating as God created it to be. 

Matt Lawrence

Hi, I'm Matt Lawrence and I'm returning to Middleton Grange School to teach English and Spanish. I hope to provide a challenging learning experience which intergrates global citizenship, missional thinking and service. I attend church at Hope Presbyterian Hornby. I love travel and adventure, camping, tramping and family time with my wife Lucretia and two daughters, Harper and Anniek.

Frances Malcolm

Hi, I am Frances Malcolm and I am excited to be joining Middleton Grange School as a teacher in the digital technology team. I have spent the last 18 months teaching art and DVC at Hillmorton High, and I am looking forward to bringing my creative skills to this new role. My husband and I have three children, aged 13, 11 and 8, and we live in Little River. We are involved in Life Church - Selwyn (Lincoln), and we are a very active, creative and musical family. I look forward to meeting my new students and their families, and immersing myself into the culture of this school. 

Kristy Neill

Hi, I’m Kristy Neill and I’m excited to be teaching in the Year 3-4 team on Thursdays and Fridays this year. I have taught across Year 3-Year 10 in the past and am looking forward to being back at Middleton where I began teaching ten years ago. My husband Zane and I have an eight month old daughter called Violet and attend The Well as our church. In my spare time you can find me lying somewhere in the sunshine reading a book, or wandering around the beach with a coffee. 

Bailey Stocks

Hi, I'm Bailey Stocks. My goal is to partner with you in guiding your child’s learning and faith journey. Through open communication and shared support, we’ll help them grow into confident, capable individuals, ready to embrace the plans God has for their future. I attend Restoration Church and am actively involved with the youth and young adults. I’m the oldest of three siblings, and all of us, including myself, attended Middleton Grange School. Some of my interests include spearfishing, hunting, camping, and anything outdoors. I also love sports, especially basketball, cricket, and rugby league.

Jesse Wilson

Hi, I'm Jesse Wilson. I was born and raised in Whangārei and have lived in various places throughout New Zealand including Wellington, Queenstown, Nelson, and now Ōtautahi Christchurch. I'm excited to step into teaching Art and Design at Middleton Grange School and am looking forward to using my experience as a graphic designer to inspire creativity in the next generation. I have enjoyed being a part of All Saints Burwood Church and when I'm not working you will find me surfing, hiking, running, playing football, writing songs, or hanging out with friends and family.