STAFF MOVEMENTS FOR 2015

Elmarie Els – Principal’s PA

New in 2015. Elmarie has come to us from Ao Tawhiti Unlimited Discovery and was inspired by Christine O’Neil and so wanted to work with her. As a parent of year 13 Adrian this has enabled Elmarie to be treated in the manner she is used to. Adrian chauffeured her to school every day. Chris, her husband is building her a new castle in Lincoln too. Hailing from Sth Africa Elmarie’s team of choice is the All Blacks.

Matt Evans – takes up a position teaching in Resistant Materials Technology.

New in 2015. Matt is part of a team in technology forging the way forward in hard materials and computing. He is a confused Welshman who loves American football. Matt was found in Riccarton Mall and came to us from SPARK. He has left behind his company car and Galaxy S6 and replaced these with a Primera and an $18 pre-paid phone. Some have asked “Why teaching?” and he stated that it has enabled him to pass on his passion for NFL and the days are varied, hours better and kids great.

Andrew Murphy – HOD The Arts – Head of Music

New in 2015. After eight years of teaching at Linwood High Andrew decided to move to the “greener pastures” of STC. 2015 has seen him re-building or pimping the music department from the “Morris Minor” to what will become a “sweet ride”. The new focus for Andrew will see more choirs, music technology and the junior instrumental programme moving through the school. Andrew was also appointed, this year, as the Director of the Villa/STC combined Jazz band and 2016 will see the arrival of baby number three.

Joannah Clark – Teacher Aide and Arts co-ordinator

NEW in 2015. Johanna started this year in learning support and also shares the Arts Co-ordinator role. She completed her masters of History in 2014 and is planning on heading to teacher’s college in the future. In some ways St Thomas’ is her gap year before more study and training.

Nate Intemann – IT Technician contracted from Cyclone

New in 2015. Nath works between St Thomas and Cyclone Computers Ltd. He provides staff and students IT support, STC network management and acts as part of a wider team developing and implementing whole school network infrastructure. He sounds expensive and high-maintenance but isn’t at all and fits in perfectly. At Cyclone he is a fault diagnostic trouble shooter and part of customer support. He has found a school varied, challenging and exciting.

Papa Vaeluaga Iosefa – New in Science

New in 2015. We also welcome Papa Vaeluaga Iosefa to St Thomas's. Papa Vae is permanently appointed to teach Chemistry and Science and comes with a range of experience including teaching in the Maori immersion environment and working in Pasifika community work in the Hawkes Bay. Born in Tuvalu with a Tokelauan background as well, and educated in Kiribas, he brings a strong Pasifika heritage to our school as well as being fluent in multiple languages.

Leuma Gali – Samoan and Science Teacher

New in 2015. Leuma’s role has developed and grown by way of the Upper Riccarton Pasifika Cluster. Leuma teaches Samoan and Junior Science here at STC. He then is “shared” with Riccarton Primary, Riccarton High, Villa Maria College and OLV where he teaches juniors the Samoan language and culture. Leuma is also a radio personality at Plains FM where he is live on the air as DJ, Samoan personality and rapper superstar. Highlights for Leuma this year have been the Umu and Kava ceremony. Oh and there is also 8P – the class he wakes at night about … in a cold sweat!

Roger Haynes-Hume – started in Grounds Department term two

New in 2015. Roger has started this year working with Graham and Ted on the grounds. He has added to the already well-oiled machine that covers all facets of normal school manoeuvres and operating functions that a school brings. A highlight for him is starting his day with Ted and the hot-house yoga sessions. 2016 will see Graham passing on abseiling skills to Roger so that he can carry on retrieving the balls that land on many rooftops.

The Grounds team: Ted Roughan, Roger Haynes-Hume and Graham Pearson

Sam Vincent – Teacher Aide and Arts Co-ordinator

NEW 2015. After completing a year at Broadcasting School Sam worked as a copywriter for Mediaworks and Strategy. Sam’s degree is a Bachelor of Broadcast Communications. He left that for STC and the eventual Teacher’s College in 2016 where he wants to be an English and Drama teacher.

Ronald James “Clifford” – left us term two for an overseas post

Mr Ron James has left to a position teaching overseas in Oman. Ron is an old boy of St Thomas' and it has been a pleasure having him back at school for the last few years teaching Chemistry and Science. We thank Ron for his contribution to the college and wish him, his wife and family safe travelling and all the best for life overseas. Ron used to be the apron-wearer for Keri Campbell and his claim to fame was cooking a whole kilo of bacon at one time on the BBQ.

Jenny Wong – Chinese, Economics, Accounting and Maths

LEFT 2015. Really what can’t this lady do? Jenny came to us from Kavanagh College in Dunedin and has been with us for seven years and then got the “itch” to move again and that has been scratched by Christ’s College. Jenny will now become Ms Wong and teach accounting “brilliantly” to ensure that these boys just get richer! She has been on three China trips, looked after Yvonne Shields, pampered Steve Kennedy and kept the boys of Mt Sion in the best chicken that has ever been created. She is described as the “most caring, wonderful and generous person.”

NEW ENROLMENT TO STC - Austin Lachlan Coll – born 9 March 2015 9lb 2 and 53 cms long. Kieran and Lorna very happy indeed. His enrolment to St Thomas has been lodged but is, of course, subject to his father’s behaviour over the rest of the year!

Well that was 2015 … roll on 2016

Cheers Brendan Biggs