Introducing our new boarding staff: back row clockwise: Jacqueline Smith, Jo Monney, Ella Short, Gwen Hurley, Jessica Bremner, Kimberly Rose, Emily Maree.

Jacqueline Smith - Director of Boarding and Te Reo Māori teacher

Ko wai koe? No hea koe? Who are you, and where are you from?

Tēnā koutou katoa. He uri ahau nō ngā iwi maha o Aotearoa ōtira Ko Ngāti Manawa, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Tuhourangi, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Tahu.

Tēnā koutou, I am Jackie Smith, the new Director of Boarding. Although my two sisters and I were born in Wellington, we were primarily raised in Murupara (where my mum is from) and Whanganui (where my dad is from). After some time as a Manager at the Ministry of Education in Wellington, I have returned to Dio (I was a deputy principal here for seven years), and I am looking forward to a different challenge as Director of Boarding.

Why boarding?

Why not boarding? Boarding is epitomised through the whakatauākī by Princess Te Puea Herangi - Mahia te mahi, hei painga mō te iwi - Work for the betterment of the people. This whakatauākī embodies how staff, students and whānau work together in boarding for the prosperity and well-being of all.

If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?

Telepathy because I am not good at reading people’s minds when they don’t communicate clearly!

What is ONE thing you are looking forward to in 2023 and why?

I look forward to working with ALL our great Dio staff, such as house parents, property, catering and support teams that nurture our boarding students. I am especially looking forward to working with Emily Clapcott, our student Head of Boarding and her council to bring to life our boarding theme and focus for the year - He waka eke noa.

Gwen Hurley - Assistant Director of Boarding and Years 12 and 13 House Parent

Ko wai koe? No hea koe? Who are you, and where are you from?

Tēnā koutou katoa. He uri ahau nō ngā iwi maha o Aotearoa ōtira Ko Taranaki, Te Atiawa, Nga Ruahine, Parihaka, Taranaki, and I also have family origins from Wales and Scotland.

My name is Gwen Hurley, and I have been the Year 9 Junior Houseparent for the last two years. Last year I was the Assistant Junior Dean, supporting the Dean of Boarding operationally.

Why boarding?

He aha te mea nui o te ao - te tangata, te tangata, te tangata - what is the most important thing in the world - the people, the people, the people.

If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?

The greatest superhero strength of all time is to be in the present moment. And from this state of presence, we can pause time and see life more clearly.

What is ONE thing you are looking forward to in 2023 and why?

Being the Senior Houseparent this year and working with our new team of Jackie, Ella, Kimberly, Emily and fellow teammates Jessica and Jo

Jo Monney - Year 11 House Parent, Japanese and health teacher

Ko wai koe? No hea koe? Who are you, and where are you from?

I was born in Birmingham, England, but my parents moved my two brothers and me to Christchurch when I was only four years old, so I consider myself a Cantab. After thousands of earthquakes, I moved to Hamilton with my two sons to be closer to our extended family in Waikato in 2015. I joined the Dio day school and was the International Dean for six years and a Japanese and health education teacher.

Why boarding?

I enjoy being part of a caring community, and I joined our Boarding whaanau in July 2022. Being the Year 11 Houseparent incorporates my love of being a Dean, teacher, parent and working in a fantastic team.

If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?

This year I would choose teleportation. I love to travel, and I would be able to reconnect with family and friends all over the world after this long period apart.

What is ONE thing you are looking forward to in 2023 and why?

I look forward to getting to know the Year 11 students and families and creating a caring environment to support them through the transition to senior school.

Ella Short - Year 10 House Parent

Ko wai koe? No hea koe? Who are you, and where are you from?

Kia ora tatou Hi, everyone

Ko Manaia te maunga Manaia is my mountain

Ko Pataua te awa Pataua is my river

No Whangarei ahau I am from Whangarei

Ko Short toku whanau My family are the Shorts

Ko Ella toku ingoa My name is Ella

Why boarding?

I’ve had the privilege of working with boarding students at a high school and university level for the last few years, and it is my passion. I love being a support person and part of the home-away-from-home experience for students.

If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?

I would love to be able to shapeshift; being able to turn into anything or anyone could have some cool perks.

What is ONE thing you are looking forward to in 2023 and why?

I am SUPER excited to meet and get to know my lovely Year 10s and the wider boarding community and make this year an amazing one for us all.

If I can be sneaky and add another one, the Women’s FIFA World Cup is going to be pretty awesome too.

Kimberly Rose - Year 9 House Parent

Ko wai koe? No hea koe? Who are you, and where are you from?

Kia ora koutou, ko Manaia toku maunga, ko Ngaiotonga toku marae, ko Whangaroa toku moana, Ko Ngati Tautahi toku hapu, ko Ngati wai toku iwi, Ko Kimberly Rose toku ingoa. I love being active, hiking, and being outdoors. I enjoy cooking, and my family love being the taste testers. My husband and I have three tamariki who keep us active and alert.

Why boarding?

Being a teacher, I enjoy helping others, creating inviting learning environments and finding ways to help children succeed. So boarding attracted me to extend my skill set in a different space but the same field of work.

If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?

It would choose teleportation. So I can skip lines, wait times and traffic lights!

What is ONE thing you are looking forward to in 2023 and why?

I look forward to being in my new role as Year 9 house parent, building relationships and creating a supportive and fun culture.

Jessica Bremner - Assistant House Parent

Ko wai koe? No hea koe? Who are you, and where are you from?

Kia Ora Koutou, He uri ahau nō ngā iwi maha o Aotearoa. Ko Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hineuru, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngai Tama, Ngāti Rakaipaaka ōna iwi. I also have family origins in Scotland and Norway.

Kia Ora, my name is Jess, and I was the Years 12 and 13 assistant house parent for 2022. I grew up on the east coast on a farm in the Wairoa district.

Why boarding?

Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai. Nurture the seed, and it will blossom.

I was fortunate enough to go to boarding school. Boarding taught me many values and life lessons and prepared me for the future.

If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?

I would choose time travel to meet different ancestors and watch history.

What is ONE thing you are looking forward to in 2023 and why?

I look forward to working with the brilliant Whaea Gwen in senior boarding. I also look forward to watching the Year 13s complete their final year and getting to know and support all our new staff.

Emily Maree - Assistant House Parent

Ko wai koe? No hea koe? Who are you, and where are you from?

I am from South Africa but have called Hamilton home for 12 years. I lived in Auckland for four years and studied at AUT. I graduated last year with a Bachelor in Design, majoring in communication design and design thinking.

Why boarding?

I have lived away from home for many years. I understand what it is like to leave your family and friends and to feel nervous, but a bit excited too! I think the community is such a special thing! Developing long-lasting relationships is one of the most rewarding things you can achieve.

If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?

I would love to be able to fly! Travelling anywhere you want, having a bird's eye view of your surroundings, and never getting stuck in traffic would be amazing.

What is ONE thing you are looking forward to in 2023 and why?

Forming relationships with everyone, learning about your interests and hobbies and even teaching some of you design in your free time, such as Illustrator and InDesign, and maybe even how to design and bind books!

Ngarangi Mason - Prep tutor and Casual Assistant House Parent

Ko wai koe? No hea koe? Who are you and where are you from?

He uri ahau nō ngā iwi maha o Aotearoa ōtira Ko Ngāti Manawa, Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Tuhourangi, Tapuika, Nga Puhi, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Tahu. Kia ora I’m Ngarangi and in my third year at Waikato University studying Law and Te Reo Māori.

Why boarding?

I am a Dio Old Girl in the Day School but had great friends who were boarders.

If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?

Telekinesis - I can then unpack the dishwasher from my bedroom with only my mind.

What is ONE thing you are looking forward to in 2023 and why?

I am looking forward to continuing to support the academic endeavour and achievement of our Years 9 and 10 students.

Introducing our new Boarding Chef

Hello, my name is Bipin Scaria, and I am the new Head Chef of Boarding in the catering team.

I am originally from India and have been a chef for around 16 years. Before this role, I was the sous chef in the boarding kitchen at St Peter’s Cambridge.

In my whaanau is my wife, Teeena, works as a nurse for Waikato DHB, and we have a 7-year-old daughter, Jean, and 3-year-old twins, Joanne and Jude.

I look forward to working in the catering department and providing delicious and healthy food for the boarding students and the Dio community. 

Introducing our Gap Tutors

 Welcome to our 2023 Gap tutors: on the left Hannah Sudano joins us from Australia, and Hermione Joyce joins us from the United Kingdom.