Teaching Staff

Wayne Todd

B.Mus, Dip Tchg

Music and Social Studies Teacher                         

Wayne began his teaching career in Music and English at Rangitoto College and One Tree Hill College.  He has a passion for the performing arts and was instrumental in establishing the Excel School of Performing Arts where he taught for 18 years.  Wayne was also a key player in gaining course accreditation for the school and in overseeing staff.  Wayne is an accomplished musician and plays piano, sings and writes his own songs.  Wayne lived and taught in Germany for four years and speaks fluent German.

RobynAnne Abd El Rahman

BEd, TTC, Dip Tch

English/Art Teacher

RobynAnne has more than 20 years' experience in teaching and learning and is dedicated to assisting her students to achieve the highest individual academic goals through a holistic approach. Although she trained as a primary school teacher, she went on to be a Head of English at secondary level and later a tutor at Massey University College of Education, specialising in 'How Children Learn' and 'Language and Reading'. 

Emma McLellan

BVA, MFA, Dip Tchg

Art Teacher

Emma believes all students are unique learners and teaches to embrace the value and differences of others. She teaches to encourage the joy of learning, guiding students to overcome challenges and to develop the confidence to celebrate their individual successes and to grow with confidence. She is passionate about teaching art and technology and has more than 20 years experience across primary, secondary and tertiary levels in New Zealand and the UK. She is a practicing artist exhibiting work in New Zealand and overseas.

Karim Lee (Maternity Leave)

(BSc), Grad Dip Tchg

Math/Art Teacher 

Karim is a beginner teacher, who can motivate her students to unlock their full potential in education. She aims to create a stimulating learning environment which encourages students to make suitable choices in learning, while strengthening their self efficacy. Karim can inspire her students to discover their strengths and abilities. Working with young learners is her passion, where she hopes to make a positive impact for each student.

Lenny Dyer

BEd, Teaching 

Kapa Haka/Tikanga Māori/Te Reo

Lenny joins us from Rosebank School, where he enjoyed 4 years of motivating students through sports, music and the arts. He is big on whanaungatanga and believes that building rapport and relationships is foundational to students' learning. He has a passion for the learning of Te Reo Māori me ōna tikanga and is especially driven towards the preservation of Te Reo Māori and other indigenous languages. Lenny loves all kinds of sport, having played rugby union, rugby league and basketball in the past. You may also find him playing the guitar and singing whenever the mood takes him. His aspiration for education is to see all students thrive in the classroom, discovering their own gifts and talents.

Julie Burnett

BEd (PE), NZ Dip Landscape Design

Mathematics and Community Learning

Julie has worked in both the teaching and landscape gardening sector over the past 10 years. Her passion for nurturing, observing and encouraging growth is the drive behind whatever role she is working in. Julie loves a variety of sports such as volleyball, netball, tennis and surfing as well as creative endeavours such as painting and sewing. Her goal in education is for students to relate learning to real life and to create an  environment where each student is able to flourish.

Amanda Whitehead

BEd, Teaching

 English, Mathematics and Community Learning

Amanda has worked for over 20 years in many West Auckland Schools. Over half of these years has been teaching in the year 7/8 level and also engaging them in pursuing sports achievements. Her strengths are in Math and PE. Amanda has a passion for growing students to flourish in areas that suit them best. She wants her students to understand that hard work takes commitment and perseverance.  Having a positive growth mindset and embracing challenges fosters resilience, motivation, and higher achievement. Amanda's passion is to see young people develop into role models for their whanau, culture and other rangatahi to inspire that they can achieve anything.