Samantha Boyce-Da Cruz, Drama Teacher

It is with sadness that we lost our lovely Sam at the beginning of the year. She was our amazing Drama Teacher, and a larger than life personality. She has left a massive gap in our kura and missed daily by our staff and students.

Samara Mackie-Smith, Learning Assistant

The beginning of our school year was a very sad time for us all as we mourned the sudden and tragic loss of a very much loved member of our department, Samara Mackie-Smith. Samara’s kindness and caring is remembered very fondly by her colleagues and the ākonga with whom she worked. 

Lester Wilson, Groundsman

Goodbye Lester, we are so sorry to have you go. You have been an absolutely amazing part of the maintenance team. Dependable, knowledgeable, so willing to get on and get the job done. Your expertise and cordiality will be missed by many. Go well and enjoy whatever comes next for you and know that we count ourselves fortunate to have had you on staff.

Christian Tremblay, Science Teacher

Mr Trembley joined us at Te Aratai College at the start of 2023 and has taught Science and senior Physics with expertise. We wish him all the best as he transitions to Hillmorton High School.

Ross Davidson, Robotics Teacher

Ross has been working at our Te Aratai Technology Centre, based on Avonside Drive for a number of years. Prior to moving there, he worked at our Philipstown site. He has been teaching Robotics to Year 7 and 8 students and the kids love him and his relaxed approach to teaching. They learn to build robots and code them with sound, light and distance sensors. 

He and his wife have made the decision to move to Australia to start a new teaching life. We wish him well and he will be missed by our Tech Centre team. 

Will Powell, Learning Assistant

At the end of term 2 we farewelled our Learning Assistant, Will Powell.  Will had been working for us as a Learning Assistant for many years.  He had a wonderful way of connecting with our boys particularly and he was regularly found around the school hanging out and conversing with a wide range of our male students.  Will was also very well known around the PE dept and did an amazing job for a number of years, coaching the rugby teams. We were very sad to see Will leave Te Aratai. Will has moved north with family and is now working as a learning assistant in his new community!  

Jack Burns, PE and Health Teacher

Jack began working in the HPOE learning area at the start of the 2024 school year. He has taught Level 2 Health, Level 1 PE and a variety of junior Health and Physical Education classes. Jack supported the extra-curricular activity of surfing this year, allowing our ākonga to learn how to surf and give it a go. Jack always brought a calm demeanor to his classes and his students always valued the relationships he built with them. Jack has a passion for teaching around mental health and resilience. We wish you all the best for your future endeavours, Jack.  

Kath Gunn, Learning Acceleration Teacher

It is with great sadness and much gratitude that we farewell Kath Gunn from Te Aratai. Kath joined us at the beginning of 2022 as a specialist teacher in Learning Acceleration, teaching 9Kimihia (9K). Kath is a dedicated and talented classroom practitioner. During her time with us she has introduced structured literacy, firstly within her own class, and gradually structured literacy is being adopted throughout the junior school. 

Kath was also our Specialist Classroom Teacher for 2023 and 2024. In this role, Kath has shared her expertise in classroom management and literacy in many classes. Kath spent her spare time over the last couple of years

completing her Masters of Education, a wonderful accomplishment for a dedicated teacher and busy mum. 

Kath is leaving  us to take up a teaching position at Pareawa Primary School.  

Pareawa's gain is very much our loss, but we thank you Kath for everything you have given to us and possibly most especially 'the chickens"! Three classes of 9K/9KGU have enjoyed hatching and growing chickens in class! 

Demi Salton, PE and Health Teacher

Demi began working in the HPOE learning area at Te Aratai College in 2023, teaching Senior Physical Education, Level 3 Rec and junior Health and Physical Education. She supported extra-curricular activities, including rugby, touch, football, Kī-o-Rahi and the Sport Academy. In the past two years, Demi has given the learning area and kura, an energy and passion that is unmatched. Her dedication, organisation, commitment, drive and passion to give the best to her ākonga are clear strengths. Demi demonstrates culturally responsive and relational pedagogy consistently. Demi is moving to Spain to pursue her sports career. We wish you all the best, Demi.  

Celine Tan, Maths Teacher

Celine started at the beginning of term 3 with an enthusiastic attitude to teaching at our kura. She has worked hard with mostly junior classes that were fortunate to get a specialist Mathematics teacher. Celine has been conscientious and positive and brought a new energy to our Mathematics and Statistics Learning Area. We have particularly seen her commitment to biculturalism and her multicultural experience which has been appreciated. Celine has gone the extra mile with things like taking a junior volleyball team, attending sports games of her ākonga and helping ākonga prepare for the Cantamath and ICAS competitions. We wish Celine all the best. 

Krystal Boland, Teacher of Japanese, Maths, Dance

Sensei Krystal is more than just a teacher; they are a force of nature. Their boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm have filled our classrooms with life, sparking curiosity and inspiring a love of learning in every student. They have a remarkable ability to connect with students on a personal level, creating a supportive and nurturing environment where everyone feels valued and encouraged.

Beyond the classroom, Sensei Krystal has been a dedicated and passionate advocate for their students. They have gone above and beyond to support their academic and personal growth, often sacrificing their own time and energy. Their commitment to their students is truly inspiring. Creating the opportunity for some of our students to attend an exchange in Japan has been one of the highlights of this year. 

 As Krystal embarks on a new chapter in their life, we wish them all the best. Thank you, Krystal, for your unwavering dedication, your infectious enthusiasm, and your unique contribution to our school community. You will be missed. 

Pania Watson, Health, PE, Outdoor Education Teacher, Dean

Pania began working at our kura in 2019 and has taught Senior Physical Education, Outdoor Education and a variety of junior classes. She has also been a Dean, both for Kōwhai and then later a Year Level Dean, whare coordinator for Pono, the lead for EOTC and co-lead of Mātauranga Māori. Pania supported extra-curricular activities at our kura, including surfing, touch and helping out with driving basketball teams. Pania has tremendous knowledge of Outdoor Education, embedding Mātauranga Māori into curriculum, leadership skills and was a reliable and supportive kaiako for the kura. This year, Pania has been studying as she continues her growth and knowledge. She is moving to Hillmorton High School for 2025. We wish you all the best, Pania. 

Charlotte Cottrell, Tāhuhu Teacher

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Charlotte Cottrell for her outstanding contributions to our school community since she joined us in 2020. Her dedication in supporting the learning of all her students has been truly inspiring.

Charlotte has been an invaluable asset to our school, not only in the classroom but also in her active participation in the wider school community. She has been instrumental in nurturing and developing our future leaders, leaving a lasting impact on our students and staff.

We wish Charlotte all the best as she embarks on her journey to further her studies in Wellington. We know that she will continue to make a positive difference in the world of education, and we look forward to hearing about her future successes. Thank you, Charlotte, for your hard work, dedication, and positive influence on our school community.

Genevieve Williamson, Tāhuhu Teacher

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Genevieve Williamson for her extraordinary contributions to our school community over the past four years. Her dedication to her students, her unwavering commitment to excellence, and her invaluable support for our beginning teachers have made a profound impact on our school.

Genevieve has been more than just a colleague; she has been a mentor, a friend, and an inspiration. Her wealth of knowledge and expertise has enriched our teaching practices and fostered a culture of continuous learning. Her guidance and support have been instrumental in helping our beginning teachers grow and develop into confident and effective educators. As Genevieve embarks on a new chapter in her career at Titahi Bay Intermediate, we wish her all the best. We are confident that she will continue to make a positive impact on the lives of her students and colleagues. Thank you for everything, Gen. We wish you all the best in your new role.

John Pollock, PE and Health Teacher

John began working in the HPOE learning area on 29th July in a part time capacity. On Monday 9th September, this became a full time position and we want to acknowledge John for his flexibility and adaptability throughout his time at Te Aratai College. He has a lot of experience working with neurodiverse learners at his previous jobs and we valued the consistency he was able to give many classes this year. We wish you all the best for your future endeavours, John. 

Paul Hoffman, Maths Teacher

Mr Hoffman was born and raised in Gore as part of a lively household with seven siblings. His Southland roots and Gore-gone spirit shaped the determined and resourceful person we know today. From his early days at Otago University in 1975, where he began with sciences and mathematics but soon discovered his calling in teaching, it was clear he was destined to make a lasting impact on countless lives.

Starting his teaching career in 1981 at Hornby High School, Mr Hoffman spent two decades shaping young minds. During this time, he also became a pivotal figure in the school’s volleyball program, leading the Hornby Volleyball Club and steering teams to national championships and 11 South Island titles. His leadership extended beyond the classroom, running secondary school volleyball programs and mentoring budding athletes who still speak of his guidance fondly.

In 1991, Mr Hoffman took his talents abroad, swapping homes and jobs for a year in Edinburgh. This global adventure added a layer of experience and perspective to his teaching, further enriching the students and schools fortunate enough to have him.

Returning to New Zealand, Mr Hoffman continued to inspire in various roles, from Hornby High School to Aranui High School to Cashmere High School and finally Te Aratai College. Even when he briefly stepped back to study mathematics in 2017, his passion for learning remained evident.

Beyond the classroom, Mr Hoffman’s contributions have been just as impactful. From excelling in sports like golf—where he once won the Russley Golf Championship on a 2  handicap—to indulging his love for outdoor pursuits like fly-fishing and camping. His crib at Piano Flat stands as a testament to his love for nature and family.

Speaking of family, Mr Hoffman’s pride in his children, Caitlin and Connor, and his grandson Freddie, is evident to all who know him. His legacy is not just in the lessons he taught but in the example he set as a dedicated father, and teacher.

As he steps into a new chapter, perhaps indulging in a bit of golf, handyman projects, or even the occasional relief teaching, we know Mr Hoffman will approach it with the same enthusiasm that has defined his career.

Thank you, Mr Hoffman, for everything you’ve done for your students, colleagues, and the community. Your legacy is one of generosity, excellence, and inspiration. You will be greatly missed, but your impact will be felt for generations to come.

All the best in your well-earned retirement.

Katrina Lilly, Aukaha Teacher

At the beginning of 2024 it was with great delight that we welcomed Katrina (Kat) Lilly to the new role of Aukaha Teacher in Charge. This role was created for Aukaha in recognition of the importance of our Aukaha programme and provided a dedicated teacher to oversee and grow the programme in Aukaha.  

During the year Kat has done a fantastic job of building on the programme she inherited and, as she developed her knowledge of our ākonga, introducing new teaching and learning opportunities. Kat has used her creative skills to enrich the experiences available in Aukaha. She has led the team with integrity and professionalism. 

Kat is leaving us to spend time with her growing family and to take up new opportunities that have come her way. Thank you Kat for all you have given in Aukaha and Learning Acceleration. We will miss you but we wish you our very best for all that is to come.

Richard Jolly, Head of Social Sciences

After 10 years of service to Linwood College, and more recently Te Aratai College, we bid farewell to our Head of Social Sciences, Richard Jolly. Richard has been instrumental in growing the Business Studies Department over the years, a subject that has gained in popularity largely due to his development of an engaging curriculum. Richard has had great success in the Young Enterprise competition over the years, also mentoring several Year 13 Business teams to the finals of the competition. We wish Richard well on his change of pace next year and thank him for all he has given our kura 

Freya Vokes, Fabrics Teacher, Technology Centre

It is with sadness and excitement that we farewell Freya Vokes. Sadness, as she had been a breath of fresh air at the Technology Centre, never afraid to say it like it is. Her passion to develop ākonga into independent thinkers who are able to problem solve is something we all should aspire to. Sadness, as she is a close friend to many. Excitement, as she is starting a new adventure with her whānau in the North Island. Excitement, as she deserves all the happiness in the future.