Who Are We?
The school has small classes and a proven record of academic excellence. Enrichment and extension programmes are offered to gifted children and those with special needs. The first International Baccalaureate (IB) school in New Zealand, Kristin offers the IB programme as well as the New Zealand National Curriculum to Junior, Middle and Senior School. Kristin's proud record of success as a leading IB school has allowed students to gain entry to some of the world's most prestigious universities. Kristin is committed to developing an international perspective and a sense of global awareness.
Kristin Kindergarten, being in a whole school environment, allows for interaction with students from 4 – 18 years. Students learn a foreign language from Junior School, and as a leader in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Kristin Middle School runs an intensive laptop computer programme so all students develop advanced ICT skills.
Kristin has achieved a fine reputation for the Performing Arts. High expectations and standards result in consistently professional, confident and breathtaking performances.
Kristin continue to develop in sport, encouraging participation at all levels and aiming to foster a lifetime love of sport through fun and learning. The correlation between what is taught in the classroom and the lessons learned in sport or outdoor experiences, are combined for complete personal development. High Performance Programmes have been implemented to identify and train the talented to elite level.
Students enjoy the use of first class facilities including a well equipped Library Information Centre, Auditorium, Chapel, Gymnasiums and Senior Study Centre.
Executive Principal
Executive Principal - Mr Peter Clague MBA (Dist), BA, Dip Tchg.
Peter is currently a member of the Executive of the Independent Schools Association of New Zealand and is Deputy President of the Association of Heads of Independent Schools. He is also an elected member of the IBO's world Heads Council, representing the Asia Pacific region. Other commitments include consultancy work to advise on the establishment and restructuring of a number of schools in New Zealand and Australia and regular speaking engagements. Peter is married to Jeanne and has two children who graduated from Kristin and a step-son who is currently in the Junior School.
School Principals
Senior School Principal - Mr Brendan Kelly MA (Hons), Dip Tchg.
Mr Brendan Kelly joined Kristin in 2007 from Brisbane, Australia, where he was Principal of a growing Independent School. Prior to moving to Queensland Brendan held senior positions in schools in both the Wellington and Auckland regions. He has taught overseas and brings to Kristin a global perspective on current educational trends and initiatives. Brendan has three children, all of whom attend Kristin.
Middle School Principal - Mr Adam Heath BA Dip Ed MSL MACE
Mr Adam Heath joined Kristin in 2009. He has previously held senior leadership roles at Independent Coeducational schools in both Tasmania and Victoria, Australia. Adam has formerly been a Head of Middle School at Scotch Oakburn College and Head of Campus for Caulfield Grammar School, managing a residential outdoor and environmental education centre. Working at Methodist Ladies College, an all girls' school, Adam was a subject coordinator for environmental studies and held various pastoral roles. He is a passionate Middle School educator who believes adolescence provides a unique window of opportunity for learning. Adam has three children, two already at Kristin in the Junior School and his youngest eager to join the Kindergarten.
Junior School Principal - Ms Judi Paape Dip Tchg, Adv Dip Tchg.
Ms Judi Paape joined Kristin School in 2004. She has had many years of leadership experience in Independent School education and has a passion for education and its affect on preparing young children for the future. Judi leads the Junior School supporting the Kristin values and exciting curriculum initiatives. She has been a teacher in both State and Independent Schools, holding leadership positions at Chilton St James and Samuel Marsden Collegiate Schools in Wellington. Judi has two daughters, both Kristin Old Girls, living in Auckland.
Business Services
Director of Business Services - Mr Hock Gan
Before joining Kristin in 1997, Mr Hock Gan held several management positions in the corporate sector which included Divisional Accountant at Fisher & Paykel Ltd (Panasonic Division) and Financial Controller and General Manager at Champion Spark Plug New Zealand Limited. He has two children who attend Kristin. As Business Manager he has overall responsibility for the finance, property and retail operations of the school.
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors comprises ten members who meet monthly under the Chairmanship of Ms Philippa Fee.
Ms Philippa Fee - Chairman
- Two children attended Kristin
- Graduated from Canterbury University with a LLB (Hons) in 1981
- Has practised as a lawyer since 1982
- Partner in the Auckland law firm of Jones Fee, specialising in commercial litigation, with special emphasis on insurance-related liability claims.
Mrs Liz Darlow - Deputy Chairman
- Two children attended Kristin
- Board member since 1992
- Board Chairman 1995 - 1999
- Has made a significant contribution to Kristin, guiding it through challenging times and preparing the transition to the new constitution.
Mr Barry Stevens
- Kristin founding parent and Board member 1973 - 1991
- Chairman 1977 - 1981
- Has been widely involved in the North Shore community for many years
- Member Auckland Rotary Club.
Mr Sean Garelli - Secretary
- Kristin pupil 1983 - 1987
- Head Boy 1987
- BCom LLB Corporate Solicitor, Sinclair Knight Mertz.
Mr Mick Mittiga
- Two children attended Kristin
- Board member since 1998
- Senior level experience in actuarial and investment professions in NZ, Sydney and Hong Kong
- Personal business and investment interests.
Mr Dave Wetherell
- Two children at Kristin since 2000
- First class Honours degree in Russian / LLB
- Senior Partner, Russell McVeagh, specialising in finance
- Appointed to the Board in 2003.
Mr John Bishop
- Three children currently at Kristin
- Member of Institute of Chartered Accountants ACA
- Accredited member of the Institute of Directors AMInstD
- Director of the Insurance Consultants Limited group of companies in New Zealand and Fiji
- Director of KCL Property Management Limited
- Recently appointed to the Board of Instant Finance Limited
- Co-founded the North Harbour Club and Charitable Trust, North Shore business people who raise and award money to talented youth on the North Shore
- Past Trustee of North Shore Hospice.
Ms Theresa Allen
- One child currently at Kristin
- Managing Director of Korbond Industries Ltd
- Passionate supporter and sponsor of sport in particular Skiing, Hockey and Netball
Mr Warren Couillault
- Three children currently in the Junior School at Kristin
- Semi-retired and keen to contribute his time to the school
- Past roles include Shareholder, Board Member and CIO of Fisher Funds Management
- Various equities roles with and Director for UBS in New Zealand, Australia and the UK.
Mr John Lyon
- Two children, both attended Kristin, one currently in Senior School
- CEO Lumley Insurance
- Past roles include senior executive and governance positions in the insurance industry
- Particular interests are leadership, culture, organisational excellence and risk management.
School Years
Junior School
Kindergarten to Year 6 (ages 4 to 11)
Middle School
Year 7 to 10 (ages 11 to 15)
Senior School
Year 11 to 13 (ages 15 to 18)
Structure
Kristin is structured as three schools within one whole school. The Junior, Middle and Senior Schools are all located on the same campus. Each school follows the philosophy of Kristin while creating their own distinctive character relative to the age group of the students.
The differences between how each school functions has a positive impact on the students. As a child moves through the schools they encounter different ways of working, allowing them to consider the world, themselves and their peers in a variety of ways. This encourages the students to be inquisitive, show initiative and cope well with change.
This approach results in students who are excited about progressing to the next Year level where they know they will experience something new and have more opportunities.
Directorates
Within Kristin, seven Directorates have been created to provide a distributive management model to significant areas of the school separate to the curriculum and not specific to any particular school (Junior, Middle, Senior). These Directorates are: School Relations, Sport, Performing Arts, the Library Information Centre (LIC), Information Communication Technology Services (ICTS), International and Chapel. You can learn more about the work each Directorate does, within these Whole School pages.
Professional Development
Kristin staff are given opportunities, encouragement and support to take responsibility for their professional development needs.
As educators, it is important that teaching staff keep abreast of current educational development and take the opportunity to meet other teachers in their subject areas. Membership of professional bodies is encouraged as well as relevant training courses, which will be reimbursed to the staff member attending. A number of in-house training days also take place during the year.
Non teaching staff can also undertake further training in relation to their roles, with the school's support.
School Policies
Please contact the appropriate School Principal to request copies of our School Policies.