About Me

Love life, love learning. AJHS Within School COL representative. Futures Advisor - Head of Careers. Assistant Head of English. Teaching English is my happy place. Music, innovation, philosophy, creative thinking and problem-solving are just a few of my favourite things. My most priceless asset is my own four children.

E: nikki.best@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

Kia ora, I'm a Humanities teacher with a special interest in Geography. I have been teaching at AJHS since 2019 as a long term reliever in the Maths Faculty and as a Year 7 Homeroom Teacher. I believe that a background in Humanities is invaluable for students to understand our rapidly changing world and the impacts of world events. I have travelled extensively and love to see Geography in action wherever I go.

E: janelle.byers@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

With a degree in Biochemistry and a plan to win the Nobel Prize, a chance comment made me decide to teach instead. I trained in England and moved to this fabulous country fourteen years ago. As an experienced primary teacher I am passionate about developing independent learners. Funnily enough I also teach science.

E: samantha.darnley@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

Technology Teacher & SCT. I joined AJHS in 2015. Passionate about developing innovative teaching and learning. Hockey player and coach who loves to see youth in sport. I have a passion for design and technology which syncs perfectly to my areas of teaching. BVA, Grad Dip Secondary.

E: natalie.goslin@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

I am passionate about teaching and helping young people to reach their potential. I am secondary trained and returned to teaching after having my 4 amazing children. I enjoy the energy and enthusiasm my students bring to the classroom, and I love being a Year 7 Homeroom teacher at AJHS.

E: rachel.houkamau@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

As a HPE Teacher and TIC of Sports Academy I use my competitive sporting background to motivate students towards making positive and healthy lifestyle choices in and beyond the classroom. I row surf boats for Orewa SLSC, play football and keep fit through CrossFit and weightlifting.

E: nikki.jones@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

I enjoy sharing my love for language and literature with my students. I have a Masters Degree in Applied Linguistics and I have taught English at secondary level for over 10 years. I believe learning should take place in a warm, friendly and supportive environment, and I strive for my classrooms to embody those values.

E: suhanna.karma@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

Specialist teacher of French for 13 years. Passionate about teaching the language and educating young learners using the AIM method (Accelerative Interactive Method). Every word has a gesture, learning through song and theatrics for beginners and more in-depth in continuant classes. I prepare students to continue French at a senior level.

E: michelle.leeuwenburgh@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

Experienced teacher of secondary school English and a whanau teacher. I have wide and varied interests outside school in the arts and theatre.

E: loena.mccormack@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

Specialist classroom teacher in Year 8 with a strength in Learning Support. I also teach English, Social Studies and E.S.O.L. Over many years I have enjoyed teaching, adapting to new learning environments, changes and challenges of teaching in the 21st Century. I am married, have three adult children and currently two grandchildren.

E: bernadine.mcginley@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

Teacher of Fabric Tech at AJHS since 2007. My degree is a BA in Fabric Technology, majoring in costume design which is a continuing passion of mine. I believe my job is to help unlock the creativity and problem solving skills of all learners and I enjoy seeing where that takes them.

E: joanna.molloy@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

Teacher of Mathematics, with a passion to cultivate relationships with my students, colleagues and wider community. I value honesty, mutual respect and integrity highly. Married with 2 kids.

E: edwina.nelson@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

Father, husband, Health & PE Teacher, ex- soldier, & avid sports fan. In my classes I hope to promote sportsmanship, teamwork, and personal growth, over a must win attitude. I find physical education to be a great stress reliever, an escape from frustrations, and an opportunity to strengthen ones self no matter if winning or losing.

E: sam.smith@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

One of my strongest attributes is establishing excellent relationships with my students, their families and the wider community. Teaching has given me many opportunities, one of the most important is the ability to interact with a range of backgrounds, beliefs, cultures and families. This forms the foundations to learning successfully.

E: ian.tagg@ajhs.school.nz

About Me

A recent AUT graduate with a bachelor's degree in sport and recreation, I'm passionate about youth coaching and player and coach development. I have a particular interest in netball and athletics but am a huge advocate for trying out as many sports as possible. I strongly believe in the values and principles sport teaches us, and hope to encourage AJHS students to be active and pursue any and all sporting endeavours.

E: alex.wansink@ajhs.school.nz