Meet Key Staff

Dale has an extensive history of success in education including previous roles as Principal, Deputy Principal, and Head of Faculty at notable New Zealand secondary schools. Prior to leading St Peter’s, Dale oversaw major growth and transformation at a large Auckland school during his 10 year tenure as Principal, driving a drastic increase in the school roll, soaring academic and sporting results, and a nationally recognised arts programmes; for this work he was awarded the prestigious Woolf Fisher Fellowship.

Dale brings a wide range of first-hand educational experience to St Peter’s, including working in co-educational schools, coaching 1st XI Football, and tutoring in boarding houses. He has been involved in educational organisations including the Auckland Heads Association and the Auckland University School of Education advisory group. Dale has a BA in Classics and History and is passionate about these subjects; he was formerly chair of the NZ History Teachers’ Association, and was a National Professional Development Facilitator for NCEA History.

Dale has a strong vision for St Peter’s as a world-class school with an outstanding school culture, meeting the needs of today’s students by being flexible and prepared to embrace change, while staying true to our founding ethos of holistic education. Dale enjoys motivating students to achieve success by making the most of the vast array of opportunities on offer at St Peter’s. Dale, his wife Yevette, and daughter Zoe, are all excited to be part of the St Peter’s community, and enjoy the fantastic environment which our school campus, Cambridge, and the Waipa district have to offer.

Julie has a strong record of educational leadership, with strengths in teaching and learning and building leadership capability. She has held leadership positions at a number of Waikato and Auckland secondary schools.

Julie is an advocate of learner centred programmes and is experienced in designing and implementing data-based initiatives to improve student learning outcomes.

Julie’s passion is to support and encourage teaching staff and students to achieve their absolute best in their time at St Peter’s.

Rob comes to us from the Dilworth Trust Board in Auckland, where he was General Manager for 9 years. His area of responsibility was managing a diversified portfolio of investments which generated revenue to fund the operating costs of Dilworth School.

As a highly competent Business Unit Manager, Rob has had experience running one of the largest divisions of a major New Zealand bank. Accountable for strategy development, implementation of business plans and development of high performing teams.

Kurt has an extensive background in education, coaching and leadership in both in New Zealand and overseas. Previously he was acting headmaster at Medbury School in Christchurch. Prior to this, he worked in a range of international schools in Hong Kong, China, and the United Kingdom. In all of these roles he has held different leadership positions.

Kurt has a passion for unlocking the potential of all students. This can be done through differentiated learning in the classroom. With Kurt’s extensive independent and international school experience, he is able to combine the best parts of their curriculum structures to help meet the needs of our students. He has started working on his Masters in Education through Monash University in Australia, to complement the leadership positions he has held. Kurt has also been the director of PE and EOTC (Education Outside the Classroom) at Scot’s College. He has also coached rugby and cricket at both primary and secondary level.

Brenton is a long-serving St Peter’s staff member who remains passionate and excited about serving the needs of all students at St Peter’s.

He has transitioned from his role as Director of Boarding to take on a Senior Leadership role as a Lead Dean in 2019, and in 2020 became a Deputy Principal for St Peter’s.
Brenton has an extensive background in pastoral systems, having previously worked as a School Counsellor, Dean and Boarding House Director.
Currently, his focus is on leading the pastoral care framework through his involvement in supporting the Deans and School Prefects. Brenton is a teacher of Theory of Knowledge in our IB programme, and relishes his involvement with his Year 9 Learning group.

Brenton loves his sports and has previously enjoyed his involvement as both coach and manager in 1st XI cricket, boys football, and rugby. Brenton remains an avid supporter of our school sports teams.

Gerard is a passionate teacher who enjoys encouraging students to develop a love of the beauty of mathematics. He is responsible for timetabling at St Peter’s as well as being the Head of Faculty of Mathematics. With over 15 years of teaching experience across a range of private and state schools in both New Zealand and the UK Gerard brings a wealth of experience to St Peter’s. He also has a law degree and over five years’ experience working in a large commercial firm as well as smaller firm.

Jess has a wealth of experience in teaching and learning, coaching, and sports management. She is passionate about encouraging everyone at St Peter’s to be the best they can be, and implementing strategies to achieve this. She is a strong advocate for embracing wellness in our school community.

Jess is a former representative track athlete and national medallist. She has also managed New Zealand junior cross-country and athletics teams at Oceania, Commonwealth and World Championships. She continues her love of sport by coaching our Athletics and Cross-Country team and teaching our General Sports Academy.

Jess’ role as an assistant principal encompasses day to day staffing operations, pastoral care programmes, and planning our school calendar.

Jed oversees our eight boarding houses. His role involves ensuring consistency of standards across boarding houses; collecting feedback on what is happening in boarding; representing boarding on the senior leadership team; liaising between students, staff and parents; managing serious disciplinary processes; promoting boarding; interviewing prospective students.

Jed is passionate about making boarding a great experience for all students. He believes that the experience young men and woman gain through their time in a boarding environment plays a big part in shaping their character. As such, an environment where students feel safe, where their wellbeing is seen as important and they are learning to be resilient, is vital. He is an experienced boarding leader, having been a House Director and a Director of Boarding in previous roles. Jed is an experienced teacher of mathematics. He is also a keen sportsman and sports coach, having had coaching involvement with rugby at all levels from junior rugby to international rugby.

It is great with great pleasure that St Peter’s School welcomes Reverend Michael Bennett on board as the new school chaplain.
Michael comes to us from Sydney where he worked at Newington College and St Andrew’s Cathedral School. He aims to engage with the entire community and ensure the chapel is a welcoming place. He will work with staff to develop a service learning programme, which would teach students ways of enhancing lives of the poor and less fortunate people in New Zealand and the world.