Exciting New Appointments to Senior Academic Team

Published June 15, 2022

Over the last 107 years, St Cuthbert’s has built a powerful legacy of excellence in education. Our goal is to continue to build on that legacy, offering a world class, all round, independent education for girls. Key to the College’s strategy going forward, is ensuring that we continue to invest in our dedicated and talented staff. The College has recently made some exciting new leadership appointments to the senior academic team at St Cuthbert’s.

Assistant Principal Years 0 –13, Rob Griffiths

Head of Faculty (HOF) for Languages, Rob Griffiths, has been appointed to a new role of Assistant Principal, reporting directly to Principal Justine Mahon. In his new role, Rob will assume responsibility for strategically developing the curriculum across the College and work in conjunction with the other senior staff on streamlining delivery of student systems. Rob has taught across both the public and independent sectors and is an inspirational and dedicated teacher, with a formidable reputation for excellence in all he does.

Rob says: “I am really excited by the opportunities to work with staff on developing a curriculum which is unashamedly ambitious and aspirational. We have already started planning new initiatives which will be unique to St Cuthbert’s, inside and outside the classroom, preparing our students for success not only in learning but in life.”

Deputy Heads of Senior School, Years 7–13

To support our growing Senior School of over 1200 students, St Cuthbert’s has created three new Deputy Head of Senior School roles, reporting to Deputy Principal and Head of Senior School, Suzanne Winthrop.

Deputy Head of Senior School:

Academic Enhancement and Tracking, Julia Fuge

Julia Fuge has an outstanding track record of excellence in education both in New Zealand and internationally. She has taught in both state and independent sectors, and in co-ed and single sex schools, holding roles in previous institutions as Head of Faculties of Mathematics, Accounting and Computer Studies, and Deputy Principal. In addition to teaching her mathematics classes, she will now be responsible for Academic Enhancement and Tracking for the Senior School. Her strategic focus will be on ensuring that St Cuthbert’s maintains its leading academic results through academic tracking, and ensuring each child has the right support to achieve her potential. Julia brings a wealth of experience to her new role; we are very proud of Julia’s recent achievement in supporting four of our students to be selected to the prestigious 2022 NZ Maths Olympiad Squad, with St Cuthbert’s girls making up one third of the team, and the only girls’ school represented.

Julia says: “I am really delighted to take on the role of Deputy Head Senior School. The focus on academic enhancement and tracking of all our students, to support them achieve their true academic potential, is an exciting opportunity and challenge. I am looking forward to working with students at all levels and our incredibly capable staff throughout the college.”

Deputy Head of Senior School:

Academic Reporting and Logistics, Tom Curtis

St Cuthbert’s is well known for its leading science programme, with our students continuing to achieve top results in the subject across both IB and NCEA, and in Scholarship examinations. Tom Curtis has served the College as our Head of Faculty for Science for the past six years, and previously has worked in leadership roles at the Methodist Ladies College in Melbourne. Tom has played a key role in the development of the science curriculum, and has led the implementation of the Junior School Science Programme from Years 5 – 6. He has had extensive experience in the operational organisation of the College for the past several years, and in addition to his responsibilities as HOF for Science, and as a Biology teacher, he will support the Senior School across all aspects of logistics, and will be leading a review of our academic reporting to parents.

Tom says: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to fulfil the role of Deputy Head of Senior School. I feel that we are going to make a great team and really place our stamp on making the Senior School a place that our students will thrive and excel in.”

Deputy Head of Senior School:

Student Services, Julie Hogg

Julie Hogg is our current Director of Boarding and has done an outstanding job of developing our Boarding programme at St Cuthbert’s for many years, with recognition by the Independent Schools of New Zealand, in 2019, through an Honours Award for Services to the Boarding Sector. Julie is also an extremely talented teacher, with a breadth of experience in both primary and secondary sectors, having previously taught Economics, Social Sciences, and Physical Education, and been a former Head of Geography and Careers. Julie has proven leadership experience which is reflected in her many management roles in NZ sport such as manager of the Football Ferns for the FIFA World Cups.

Julie says: “I am honoured to have been appointed to a senior leadership position after an enjoyable fourteen years leading the boarding community and teaching at the College. I feel my new role is an opportunity that will enable me to use my extensive teaching and pastoral experience to ensure the students at St Cuthbert’s are supported in all aspects of their life to enable them to achieve their personal best and fulfil their future aspirations.”