We warmly welcome the following new staff to Middleton Grange School in 2022.

Lee Deighton

Hi there, I’m Lee Deighton the new Science Laboratory Technician. I attend Grace Presbyterian Church and previously worked for science companies including Synlait, AgResearch, Fonterra and Massey University. I am married to Matthew a Research Scientist and have two daughters Emily and Olivia who attend Middleton Grange Middle School and Primary School. We live on a 12 acre small farm just outside of Darfield. This keeps us very busy farming cattle and sheep, as well as tending chickens, ducks, dogs and cats.

I have a background in children’s ministry and felt God’s calling to Middleton and am thrilled to be part of the team.

Ruth Ellena

Kia ora,

My name is Ruth Ellena and I am excited and privileged to be teaching in Year 8 this year – 8EL. We have recently relocated from Nelson, where I had been teaching Year 7/8 at Nelson Christian Academy. My four tamariki are also attending school here and we are all enjoying getting to know and reconnecting (I am a former student) with the Middleton Grange whanau. I absolutely love teaching at a Christian School and encouraging young people in their faith journey. As a whanau, we attend Grace Vineyard Church – City Campus. In my spare time, I really love getting into the outdoors, especially hiking, swimming, and biking. 

Victoria Goodman

My name is Victoria Goodman. I am thrilled to be back at Middleton Grange School in the Science Department after spending the last few years working for my church, Cornerstone Church. I’m married to Daniel and we have a very energetic German Shepherd who we are very fond of. I love getting creative on the sewing machine and knitting needles and pretending to know what I am doing in the garden.

Teaching at Middleton Grange School is such a joy because as we study what God has made we can boldly credit the Creator and praise him for his power and glory displayed in it all! I am so thankful to my Heavenly Father to be back here. 

Rob Fuller

My name is Rob Fuller. I am very excited and thankful to come to Middleton Grange where I can now share my love for God with students while helping them to explore the wonders of God’s creation through studying Science. After making a career change from IT to teaching, I spent the last four years teaching Science and Electronics at Papanui High School. My daughter graduated MGS in 2006 after we moved here from America and she, my wife, and I attend Latimer Church. We enjoy walking our dog on the beach, playing games as a family, and exploring our new home in New Zealand.

Chuana McKenzie

Kia ora koutou,

My name is Chuana McKenzie and I have the pleasure of teaching Year 12 Christian Studies and Year 12 English at Middleton Grange this year. Previously, I taught English at Hillmorton High School and Music at Ilam School. South West Baptist has been my church for 26 years now and they supported my family while growing up in Bangladesh. In my own family, I have two children and a husband who is working at Middleton Grange this year also! My interests include singing, musical theatre, writing, reading, exercising, being with family, hosting events, mentoring, travelling etc. I felt a real sense of call to apply to work at Middleton Grange this year so I'm so glad to be welcomed back to this school, this time as a teacher.

Isaac McKenzie

Kia ora koutou,

My name is Isaac McKenzie, and I am fortunate enough to be one of the new teachers working at Middleton Grange this year. I was born in Indonesia to missionary parents and lived there and in the Philippines between 1988 and 2004. Since 2004, I have lived and worked in Christchurch as an electrician. Over the course of these last ten years, I have studied music (CPIT Jazz School), Theology (Laidlaw College), and trained as a teacher (New Zealand Graduate School of Education). Last year I was working at Te Ara Koropiko West Spreydon School. I am blessed with a beautiful wife and two lovely young children. My interests include music, soccer, scuba diving, sailing, hard technology, reading and learning new things.

My role in 2022 will be as a whanau teacher in the Middle School team. I am inspired daily by the students in my classroom and consider myself to be tremendously privileged to partner with them in their learning. 

Catherine McKie

Kia ora kotou, my name is Catherine McKie and I am teaching Year 4 in Room 10 while Lindsey Thoroughgood is on Sabbatical this term. My previous experience with Middleton Grange has been as a parent, with two of my oldest children completing Year 13 and now I am joining my youngest son who has begun Year 11 this term.

I have recently completed the NZGSE Diploma of Teaching, and I am looking forward to having my first teaching position and in a school where I can share my faith and be encouraged as I work alongside staff and students. I have been a part of Grace Vineyard since the beginning of the church and attend City campus (when restrictions allow this).

When I’m not teaching, I can usually be found making things, from building DIY to compost or creating a card for a friend but defiantly not cooking! I also enjoy gardening, adventure running, tramping and more recently open water swimming. 

Mark Scully

Kia ora e te whānau. My name is Mark Scully. I teach Y9 English & Y10-13 Business/Economics. I have largely taught in full primary settings here in Christchurch, most recently at Isleworth School, however, have experience teaching high school internationally. I have a background in Catholic education and as a parishioner in the North-West Parish.

I have two children. Alexandra is in her first year of Social Work at UC, and Nick is in Y11. I enjoy most sports, particularly cricket and rugby league. I like reading when time permits, and I am committed to pedal power while petrol persists at over $2.50 a litre!!

I am excited to join the team at MGS. It has a wonderful tradition and ethos, and I look forward to meeting you, the parents, when we all return to some normality. Blessings to you all. 

Brianna Tennant

Kia ora koutou, I'm Brianna Tennant. I am so pleased to be back at MGS! 2022 looks to be an exciting year teaching English and Christian Studies. At home I have a one-year-old and a three-year-old... so it certainly will be a busy year! I am delighted to be in the classroom again. 

Carole Thomson

My name is Carole Thomson and I have just started in the Student Services office within Middle School & Senior College. I am married with three children and a little dog, and we are part of the Southwest community of believers. My husband consults for Laidlaw College, where he has taught in a variety of capacities for almost 15 years. Two of my children are still at Middleton Grange, with my eldest having finished Year 13 last year and is about to start studying at Canterbury University. I come to this position after more than two decades working in Banking with the BNZ, although I have had a variety of other positions both here and in London. I love travel, socialising with friends, the outdoors and spending time with my family. I am really looking forward to working at Middleton Grange - it has been such a great school for our children and I consider it a privilege to be able to help both our students and their whānau to have the best possible experience during their time with us.