Waikato Diocesan School for Girls is delighted to announce the appointment of Lynn Johnstone as its new Deputy Principal - Operations. She joins us from her current role as Head of the Department of Physical Education and Health at Hamilton Girls’ High School - a role she has held for 16 years.

Lynn came to Aotearoa, New Zealand, 16 years ago from the UK. After studying Physical Education at Leeds Metropolitan University, she started her teaching career in the north of England. She is completing a Masters in Educational Leadership at the University of Waikato. Lynn's husband, Guy, is a Boarding House Master at St Paul’s Collegiate, and together they have two young girls, Ruby, 7 and Penny, 6. As a family, they enjoy spending time together at the beach and exploring the great outdoors that New Zealand has to offer. 

Lynn is a national representative athlete, having competed for New Zealand as a triathlete in three World Championships and also having success at an international level in Rugby Union in the UK. 

She says she is passionate about empowering our young women to become confident, independent and successful. In her current physical education and health role at Hamilton Girls’ High School, she has enjoyed leading a large team of teachers and fostering a coaching culture within the team. 

With her passion for and experience in coaching, she co-founded ConnectED Coaches, an international network for educators to practise and reflect on their coaching. Furthermore, Lynn has extensive experience in EOTC, including leading successful student trips to Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, and Borneo. She believes education outside the classroom enables ākonga to connect to the whenua on which they live, understand the learning context, and connect with the people around them. 

Lynn says she is excited about joining the Waikato Diocesan whānau and looks forward to meeting and getting to know the school and community next year.