Meet Our People

Our staff

The nature and size of Burnside High School means that we have specialised staff, in key roles, to look after the needs of every individual in our care.

Within our divisional structure our deans, counsellors and senior leaders are the key personnel in managing day to day issues.

Behind that we have a dedicated and talented team of specialist subject teachers and support staff to guide the education of our students.

Full Staff List

Senior Leadership Team

Scott Haines
Principal / Tumuaki (Leave of absence Term 2, 2026)

principal@burnside.school.nz

Scott Haines is the Principal of Burnside High School, having taken over the helm in 2023. He brings significant leadership experience to the role, having worked as a Principal since 2009.

During Term 2 2026, Scott will be on a Woolf Fisher Fellowship, involving educational visits and study across Asia and North America.

Scott previously served as Principal of Waimea College in Nelson – his third principalship.

Scott is a nationally respected educational leader and currently serves as Vice President of the Secondary Principals’ Association of New Zealand (SPANZ). He is also the President of the SPANZ Union, where he advocates for the voice and wellbeing of secondary school principals across the country.

Throughout his career, Scott has worked consistently to foster high-quality teaching and learning, promote student wellbeing, and build strong, future-focused school communities.

As Principal, Scott is deeply committed to upholding Burnside High School’s vision of fostering individual excellence in a supportive learning environment, ensuring that each student receives the personalised guidance and opportunities they need to discover and develop their unique strengths and talents. His leadership is marked by a collaborative approach, strategic thinking, and a passion for equity and excellence in education.

Scott continues to contribute to national conversations around education. He currently holds an appointment as a member of the NCEA Professional Advisory Group and has previously served as an Expert Panel Member for Prime Minister’s Awards for Educational Achievement and a member of the Regional Ministerial Cross Sector Forum on Raising Student Achievement.

Scott supports the Burnside community as a Justice of the Peace while leading Burnside High School into its next phase of growth and innovation. When not at school he enjoys hunting, fishing, tramping and spending time with his family.

Andrea Magson
Associate Principal / Kaihautu
BSc (Hons) PGCE MA(Ed)

principal@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Andrea Magson is the Associate Principal at Burnside High School. She works across the whole school in a leadership capacity alongside the school principal.

Andrea is the Acting Principal during Term 2 2026, whilst Scott Haines is on programme of visits and study as part of his Woolf Fisher Scholarship.

Originally from the UK, Andrea trained as a science teacher and previously worked as a senior lecturer in science education at Portsmouth University, England, training and educating a large number of teachers.

In 2006, Andrea moved with her family to New Zealand. She subsequently took on roles within the science teaching community before moving into school management within Ashburton College, where she led for seven years. Andrea joined Burnside High School in 2018 as the schools second principal with a focus on the school curriculum and daily running of the school.

Mr Alan Robertson
Te Huinga Wai Senior Division Principal

rt@burnside.school.nz

Mr Alan Robertson is Deputy Principal of Te Huinga Wai Senior Division, where he is dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and high-achieving school environment. In Term 2 2026, Alan is the Acting Associate Principal, covering a leave of absence by Principal Scott Haines.

As part of the senior leadership team, Alan contributes to the strategic development and smooth operation of Burnside High School.

Alan brings a wealth of experience in education, with a background in science, and is known for his calm leadership style, commitment to student wellbeing, and focus on continuous school improvement.

Throughout his career, Alan has worked to ensure that every student at Burnside High School is supported to achieve their personal best. Alan has a particular focus on achievement and preparing our senior students for their time after Burnside High School.

Mr Darryn Findlay
Te Puna Raki North Division Principal

fi@burnside.school.nz

Mr Darryn Findlay is the Deputy Principal of Te Puna Raki North Division. Darryn joined Burnside High School in 2004 as a physical education teacher and as the Teacher in Charge of Outdoor Education.

Darryn holds a Degree in Physical Education and a Graduate Diploma in Education. With a deep commitment to student achievement, leadership, and educational excellence, he plays an integral role in both the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the school.

He is passionate about engaging students in their learning and ensuring students have opportunities to connect with their cultural identity during their time at Burnside High School. Darryn has been actively involved in several major Pasifika productions, reflecting his dedication to cultural inclusion and student voice.

A keen rugby supporter, Darryn is also an experienced coach and advocate for the sport. Outside of school, he enjoys an active lifestyle and spends his free time hunting and exploring the outdoors.

Miss Suzanne Baldwin
Te Puna Tonga South Division Principal

bi@burnside.school.nz

Miss Suzanne Baldwin is the Deputy Principal of Te Puna Tonga South Division. Her specialism is teaching and learning, professional learning and curriculum development.

Suzanne joined Burnside High School in 2012 as the Head of Faculty for Social Sciences, following an accomplished teaching career in the Social Sciences across New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

A graduate from the University of Canterbury, Suzanne holds a Master of Arts with honours in Geography, a Master of Education with Distinction endorsed in Leadership, and a Graduate Diploma in Teaching and Learning.

Passionate about teaching and learning and curriculum innovation, Suzanne has worked with government agencies to shape and refine the national curriculum in geography and social studies, ensuring its relevance and alignment with New Zealand’s educational context.

Suzanne is currently one of the Co-Lead Principals of the Waimairi-iri Kāhui Ako, a role that includes working in close collaboration with other local schools in our area. In recognition of her contributions to the field of geography teaching and curriculum development, Suzanne has been honoured with the Distinguished Service Award from the New Zealand Geographical Society.

Ms Sally-Ann Goodman
Te Puna Uru West Division Principal

gds@burnside.school.nz

Ms Sally-Ann Goodman is the Deputy Principal of Te Puna Uru West Division. With a strong commitment to student wellbeing, inclusive education, and academic achievement, Sally-Ann plays a key role in the leadership team at Burnside High School.

She brings a wealth of experience in education and school leadership, and is known for her thoughtful, student-centred approach. Sally-Ann is passionate about creating a positive and supportive environment where all students can thrive—both in their learning and personal development.

In her leadership role, Sally-Ann focuses on building strong relationships with students, staff, and whānau, and supporting systems that promote equity, engagement, and success across the school community.

Mr Thomas Chang
Business Manager / Te Tumu Tahua

cht@burnside.school.nz

Mr Thomas Chang joined Burnside High School in December 2025 from Lincoln University.

Thomas is a qualified Certified Public Accountant with experience in financial leadership within complex, resource constrained environments. As Business Manager Thomas leads budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and strategic resource planning.

Mr John Watson
Te Huinga Wai Senior Division Principal (Acting)

waj@burnside.school.nz

Mr John Watson joined Burnside High School in 2013 as the Head of Physics within our Science Faculty. John joined us after five years in charge of the science faculty at St Bede’s College, Christchurch.

John is part of the senior leadership team in Term 2 2026, which has enabled Mr Scott Haines to undertake his Woolf Fisher Scholarship.

Deans

Senior Division

Mr Dale Deavoll

Senior Dean, Te Huinga Wai Senior Division

dvd@burnside.school.nz

Ms Sarah Maguire

Senior Dean, Te Huinga Wai Senior Division

mrs@burnside.school.nz

North Division

Mrs Carol Veatupu

Head Dean, Te Puna Raki North Division

vt@burnside.school.nz

Mr Jon Land

Junior Dean, Te Puna Raki North Division

lj@burnside.school.nz

Ms Natalie Caughey

Junior Dean, Te Puna Raki North Division

hyn@burnside.school.nz

South Division

Mrs Karen Aburn

Head Dean, Te Puna Tonga South Division

ab@burnside.school.nz

Mr Scott Johnston

Junior Dean, Te Puna Tonga South Division

jhs@burnside.school.nz

Miss Claire Barker

Junior Dean, Te Puna Tonga South Division

bk@burnside.school.nz

West Division

Mrs Karen Hunt

Head Dean, Te Puna Uru West Division

hk@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Amanda Keith

Junior Dean, Te Puna Uru West Division

kta@burnside.school.nz

Mr Marc McKee

Junior Dean, Te Puna Uru West Division

mcm@burnside.school.nz

Counsellors

Mr Geoff King

Head of Department and Te Puna Uru Counsellor

kgg@burnside.school.nz

Ms Amanda Gillespie

Te Puna Raki North Division Counsellor

gsa@burnside.school.nz

Miss Kelsey Pitcher (Monday to Thursday)

Te Puna Tonga South Division Counsellors

Ptk@burnside.school.nz

Mr Aaron Hall

Across Divisional Counsellor

hla@burnside.school.nz

Ms Lara Grocott

Te Huinga Wai Senior Division Counsellor

grl@burnside.school.nz

Intern Counsellors

Mrs Janelle Hook, Ms Ray Kerr, Ms Shannon Tamepo

Heads of Faculty

Ms Vanessa Sandes

Creative Arts

sdv@burnside.school.nz

Ms Julia Johnson

English

jjn@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Olivia Wells

Health and Physical Education

wlo@burnside.school.nz

Mr Matt Crosby

Languages

crm@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Sandra Pooch

Mathematics

pcs@burnside.school.nz

Mr Matthew Easterbrook (acting)

Science

esm@burnside.school.nz

Mr Callum Green

Social Sciences

grc@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Rachaelle Stidder

Student Support

str@burnside.school.nz

Mr John Creighton

Technology

czj@burnside.school.nz

Ms Lizzy Harrison

English as a Second Language

hz@burnside.school.nz

International staff

Mr Craig Rosengrave

International student director

rsc@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Sue Warnock

International student administrator

was@burnside.school.nz

Ms Stella Liu

International Chinese Marketing Coordinator

lis@burnside.school.nz

Ms Yiting Yu

International Accommodation Coordinator

yuy@burnside.school.nz

Careers staff

Mrs Ruth Knights

Head of Department

kgr@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Karen Healey

Career Development Teacher

hlk@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Sally McKinnon

Careers Administrator

mis@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Katrina Menzies

Employment Skills and Gateway

mnk@burnside.school.nz

Support staff

Mrs Adrienne Noon, Communications and Marketing

nna@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Kate Velenski, Database Administrator

vlk@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Bernadette Shaw, Enrolment and Publicity

shawb@burnside.school.nz

Ms Helen Moore, First Aid Officer

mrh@burnside.school.nz

Miss Louise Simons, Library Manager

sml@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Bronwyn Smales, Office Manager

admin@burnside.school.nz

Mr Barry McKenzie, Property and Facilities Manager

mkb@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Darlene Sutton, Qualifications and Assessments

snd@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Rozz Guillemot, Sports Coordinator

glr@burnside.school.nz

Mrs Tracy Taylor, Sports Coordinator

taylort@burnside.school.nz