Our Staff

Beccy is the Year 10 Dean. Beccy has been teaching at Motueka High School since 2007.  She grew up in Motueka and decided to move back in 2007 after living overseas and in Christchurch. Beccy is a member of the Physical Education Department and teaches Health, Physical Education, and Sport and Recreation.  She is also the Teacher in Charge of Netball and facilities SADD.

Sue Thorp has been on the staff at Motueka High School for a number of years teaching Sculpture, Printmaking and Painting at a senior level and Nga Toi (Maori Arts) and a comprehensive Art curriculum at a junior level. She is a practising artist, with Printmaking and Painting in mixed media as her passion, and exhibits at least once  a year locally. Sue involves herself in extra-curricular activities - Sailing Team manager, Production back stage manager, Talent Quest participant and back stage manager - to build relationships with students and share the enthusiasm they have for such activities.  All of Sue's 3 children have been educated at Motueka High School with great success, and she is currently Dean of Y11.

In his role as Head of Transition, Tony teaches Careers, is the E4E Co-ordinator, Correspondence Co-ordinator, STAR Co-ordinator and Year 13 Dean. Tony is also involved with our High Performance Athletes. 

Graeme is the Head of the Social Science Department and teaches Social Studies, Geography and Tourism.  Other areas in the Department include History and Community Issues.

Faith has lived in the Motueka area since 2000 and she really enjoys the outdoor recreational opportunities this area has to offer, especially cycling and kayaking. She is currently the HOD of Maths and this year is teaching  Y9, Y10 and two Y11s.  Her classroom focus in 2011 is to embed the new Mathematics Standards at Level 1 of NCEA.  Over the last few years, Faith has relished the opportunity of undertaking post-graduate study in Mathematics Education with funding support from the Ministry of Education.  She was fortunate enough to closely work with Professor Glenda Anthony who is internationally known for her expertise on effective teaching of secondary school mathematics. 

Hilary joined the staff in 2011 and is the Head of Music.

Jan co-ordinates the Learner Support Department which includes Special Needs, Alternative Education, Special Assessment Conditions, Immigrant Students, Gifted and Talented students and the Community Volunteers at Motueka High School programme. She also writes reading and literacy resources for Learning Media Ltd and the Rainbow Reading programme. These resources are distributed to schools in New Zealand and the South Pacific.

Jill teaches SPEC Programme, Gateway and Careers.

Amy is currently on maternity leave. Amy has been teaching at Motueka High School since 2007. She grew up in Nelson and decided in 2006 to move back to the region after living in Wellington and overseas.  She teachers Science and Biology. She is passionate about improving the school and community environment and facilates the Motueka Environmental Conservation Association (MECA), which is a student run group and has about 20 members and is growing.  During winter she coaches the Motueka High School girls 1st XI Hockey Team and currently plays for Huia Womens.

Anthea has been teaching at Motueka High School since 1999.  Her teaching subjects are Science, Horticulture and Biology. Anthea enjoys the small size of Motueka High School and values the opportunities that gives her to get to know most of the students. Spending time with her family is her most important out of school activity.  

Allison has been teaching at Motueka High School since 2007.  She is the Teacher in charge at Te Whare Pukeone - The Base - and workds with ORRS funded students.  Allison also provides guidance and professional development opportunities for Teacher Aides.

Joachim is a member of the Technology Department and teaches Electronics, Engineering, Graphics and Furniture Making.  He is also involved with the Robotics group.

John is an English teacher, teaching classes ranging from Year 9 to Year 13.  Another role he fills is as a Duty Team Leader, which means he has responsibility to oversee discipline outside the classroom, and also a part in ensuring the overall discipline system works well.  John is s member of the Positive Behaviour for Learning Team, and is also a member of the ICT Committee.

Muriel has lived in the Motueka district since 1978 and both her daughters attended Motueka High School. She has worked in education from early childhood to adult level including three years VSA in Cambodia. She likes helping the Gateway students find a pathway to follow and gain learning in. Also very satisfying is to meet students later in their lives and hear how their Gateway experience has taken them further. The Gateway programme is very grateful to all the employers who so willing give Motueka High students these work experience opportunities.

Teaching part-time in Food Technology.

Andrea has previously taught at Motueka High School in 2006, 2008-2010.  This year she teaches part-time in the Physical Education Department.

Celeste was enticed to move to Motueka because of the beautiful environment and small community. She started at Motueka High School as a first year teacher in 2009. She teaches Soft Materials Technology (Fabric) and a small amount of Food Technology. During winter she coaches the Motueka High School Senior Reserve Netball team.

Bruce joined the staff of Motueka High School in 1981.  His present teaching programme is in Science and Chemistry, but has included Mathematics in the past.  The other major task he does is to build the School Timetable for each new year.  This is an ongoing task these days, with sometimes major changes occurring every Term.  He continues to enjoy the working environment at Motueka High School with a great team of supportive colleagues to work with, and generally friendly motivated students to teach.  It is very special to be able to play a small part in developing the leaders of tomorrow.  

Bruce was nominated for (out of 1100 nominations) and is one of the Top 30 for the 2011 Warehouse Stationery "Most Inspiring Teacher" awards.

Emily joined the staff in 2011 and teaches Dance, Drama and English.

Justin joined the staff in 2009 and teaches Science.

Marilyn is the Executive Officer's Assistant.

Carol is the Truancy Officer and she does an awesome job!

Marian joined the staff at Motueka High School in 2010 and is working as a Teacher Aide.

Jean is part of the team by Te Whare Pukeone.

Anne joined the staff in 2009 and is the school librarian.

Vanessa is part of the team working at Te Whare Pukeone.

Mark is the IT technician.

In her work, Judy meets and/or corresponds with recruiting agencies from around the world to bring fee-payment international students to Motueka High School. As International Director she confirms that all immigration, insurance and pre-arrival conditions are met.  Once the students are here, Judy assists in their pastoral care, working with Deans and teachers on relevant school matters.  She also helps answer their many questions, supports them in their travel plans and sporting activities and runs special end of the year programs for them.  Frequent meetings with the Homestay Co-ordinator are held.

Helen is the School Secretary and is responsible for all student records.  She is also involved in NCEA data input and other admin duties.

Sally is one of our cleaning supervisors.