New Staff

New Staff Profile Kristy Lance

Why did you choose teaching as a career? I am passionate about science and really enjoy sharing this passion with my students.

Why did you choose to come to Ōtūmoetai College?

I heard awesome things about the college from family and friends who went here. It is a beautiful place to live.

List your extra-curricular activities / hobbies:

Skiing, camping, beach time and spending time with my kids.

What is your best experience as a teacher to date?

I really enjoy getting out of the classroom with my students. School camps, trips and extracurricular activities are always a highlight for me.

What you are looking forward to this year:

I am looking forward to becoming part of the Ōtūmoetai community. Spending lots of time at the beach with my kids

A little known fact about you:

My husband went to Ōtūmoetai College

Kristy Lance Science Teacher

New Staff Profile Hayley Russell

Why did you choose teaching as a career?

I’ve always loved working with young people and while I was on holiday several years ago it occurred to me that all of my favourite jobs have involved teaching or spending time with children and young adults. I decided that it was time for a career change, so I came home from my holiday, signed up to do my teacher training, and feel very lucky that now I have a job that never really feels like work!

Why did you choose to come to Ōtūmoetai College?

I had been involved with Project K a few years ago and through that I got to know students from Ōtūmoetai College. I loved my time at Ōtūmoetai back then and I’m excited to be back!

List your extra-curricular activities / hobbies:

Hiking, Reading, Playing my ukulele, Crochet

What is your best experience as a teacher to date?

My best experience has been meeting students and families from so many different cultures. I taught in Vietnam for a short time and my students would take me to their hometowns on the weekends to meet their families. I’ve been lucky to have met so many amazing people from different places.

What you are looking forward to this year:

I’m really looking forward to meeting some new people and being part of the Ōtūmoetai College family! I love being involved in school productions so I’m really looking forward to seeing an Ōtūmoetai production and hopefully helping out.

A little known fact about you:

I sometimes sleepwalk and occasionally wake up in different parts of my house!

Hayley Russell ESOL Teacher

New Staff Profile Lauren Bell

Why did you choose teaching as a career?

I worked as an Outdoor Educational Leader in Canada where I taught primary and secondary students about the surrounding nature in the Rocky Mountains while adventuring in the outdoors. This was my first teaching experience which was so fun and rewarding. I then travelled to South America and was excited by Spanish language and the culture. After studying Spanish, it was a natural progression to then become a Spanish teacher and to share my passion for the Spanish language and culture!

Why did you choose to come to ŌtūmoetaiCollege?

I wanted to live near my family at Mount Maunganui and teach Spanish also. I was lucky to be able to work at Ōtūmoetai College which allows me to have both of these things.

List your extra-curricular activities / hobbies: I am a musician and I sing and play the guitar. I am an artist and am working on illustrating a children’s book.

What is your best experience as a teacher to date?

My best teaching experience would be teaching English in Spain. It was a great experience to get to know the Spanish students’ and to learn about their culture. Living in Spain was also a very fun and exciting opportunity as the teachers at the school would often invite me to many exciting Spanish cultural events.

What you are looking forward to this year:

I am looking forward to getting to know the students in Spanish class and to make the most of being back in New Zealand.

A little known fact about you:

I love to travel but I don’t like flying.

Lauren Bell Spanish Teacher

New Staff Profile Megan Fritsch

Why did you choose teaching as a career?

I personally love learning and believe that learning is a life-long experience. Sharing my passion and enthusiasm for learning brings me a lot of joy. I love to teach both inside and outside of the classroom. Making learning fun and relatable is important to me.

Why did you choose to come to Ōtūmoetai College?

I did my practicum placement at Ōtūmoetai College in 2016 and fell in love with the school and the Social Sciences department. Ever since then I have always kept an eye out for jobs here. This year I have been lucky enough to get a position teaching Junior Social Studies.

List your extra-curricular activities / hobbies:

I love outdoor activities such as walking, running, and swimming. I am a keen water baby having played a number of water sports. I also like a good adventure as well as adventure sport and activities. I love to garden and have a passion for things thatgrow.

What is your best experience as a teacher to date?

I really enjoyed facilitating the Cactus program in 2018. Watching students reach heights that they weren’t aware that they could while overcoming both internal and external barriers to their own personal success was one of the most rewarding experiences as a teacher I have had to date.

What you are looking forward to this year:

I am looking forward to meeting all my new students and learning about what makes them tick as individuals and building positive relationships. I am looking forward to being a part of their unique learning experiences at Ōtūmoetai College this year.

A little known fact about you:

I am a keen horticulturalist and have a sneaky obsession for indoor plants.

Megan Fritsch Social Science Teacher

New Staff Profile Carolyn Norquay

Why did you choose teaching as a career?

During my banking career I became involved in staff professional learning and really enjoyed it. A career move to teaching was an obvious next step and I am so glad I made the change.

Why did you choose to come to Ōtūmoetai College?

I had heard about the great Technology team there and was keen to join them.

List your extra-curricular activities / hobbies:

I love living close to the ocean and make the best of opportunities to enjoy it. I am keen on anything foodie related and enjoy sharing all manner of foodie experiences with others.

What is your best experience as a teacher to date?

It is always a highlight when students go on to study Food Technology at a tertiary level. I love hearing about the products they have developed and am always first in the queue when one of their products are launched.

What you are looking forward to this year:

I am really looking forward to becoming part of the Ōtūmoetai team. I have now met all of my classes and am keen to support them with their learning this year. They are all a bunch of amazing young people and I am sure we will have a terrific year together.

A little known fact about you:

I learned some great brick laying skills on a Habitat for Humanity trip in Vietnam. I would love to do another build one day.

Carolyn Norquay Food Technology Teacher