Our People
Principal (Tumuaki): Richard Taylor BPhEd, AssocDegSocSc (ResCare), Dip Tchg
Richard comes to College House from Christchurch Boys’ High School (CBHS) where he was Senior Master of Adams House (CBHS boarding hostel), Head of Department of Physical Education and was also the Staff Trustee on the CBHS Board of Trustees.
Richard has a Degree in Physical Education from the University of Otago, a Degree in Social Science (Residential Care) from the Australian Catholic University and a Diploma in Teaching from Christchurch Teachers’ College.
He has a celebrated coaching career in both rugby and cricket and has won dual national titles during his time as both 1st XI and 1st XV coach. He was also Master in Charge of Rowing at CBHS.
Richard is married to Toni and they have three adult children.
Assistant Principal (Tumuaki Tuarua): Sarah Higginson, BA(Hons), GDipTchg
Sarah is a passionate advocate for wellbeing and brings extensive experience to College House having had a long career in the Secondary education sector in curriculum and middle leadership and premium pastoral care.
Sarah has an enthusiastic and positive approach to coaching and mentoring with a focus on growth mindset, whanaungatanga and Hauora.
Married to husband, Kelly, and with two primary aged children, Sarah enjoys family time and exploring the vast experiences our city has to offer.
Bursar (Kaitiaki Tari): Tom Music, BCom, MBA
Tom comes to College House with a background in various business and finance management roles, with experience in the government, education and sporting sectors.
A graduate of University of Canterbury with both a Bachelor of Commerce and a Master of Business Administration, Tom was also previously the Liaison Events Manager at University of Canterbury, part of a student recruitment team that involved several interactions with College House. He performed similar roles at both Ara and Massey University, then moving on to management at the Christchurch Golf Club.
More recently, Tom was the Business Manager at Burnside High School : Te Kura o Waimairi-iri with responsibility for support staff, finance, payroll and administration, along with strong links to the property and IT portfolios. Being part of the Senior Leadership Team at a large school provided insights in several key areas of education.
Married to Vicki and with one adult daughter Sophie Portia, Tom is especially proud of his Croatian background and spends most of his free time in sporting competition, particularly cricket (where he is on veterans (over 50’s) representative teams) football, golf and pickleball.
Operations Manager (Kaiwhakahaere Whakahaere):
Lisa Williams BPhEd, Dip Teaching
Lisa comes to College House from St Margaret's College where she was Deputy Head of Middle School. She has extensive experience in curriculum and pastoral care. Lisa loves developing programmes and ideas to open up student minds, challenge thinking and build resilience. Her passion is working alongside young people so that they can achieve their potential in all areas of life.
In her spare time she loves to spend time with her labrador dog, Maggie, along with travelling to exciting countries.
Executive Assistant to Principal (Hapai O): Raylene Palmer
Raylene is a career executive assistant and is passionate about helping people and working with youth. She has a great deal of experience working in student centred environments, having previously held roles with Ara and University of Canterbury. Raylene is excited to work with an organisation that has tradition and strong values that align with her own.
Sustainability Coordinator (Kaiwhakahaere Tauwhiro):
Nigel Georgieff
Nigel has a background in operations management and has worked in a high school, a sports organisation, the health sector, the justice sector both in the courts and in the prison system, managed a rest home, and was the Bursar at Bishop Julius Hall (now Arcady Hall) from 2016 until 2019. He has a Bachelor’s degree in law and a business diploma from UC, and an MBA from Massey University.
Office Administrator (Kaitautoko Tari): Tanyia Legge
Tanyia is the friendly voice who answers our phones, manages the office and is the first port of call for College House visitors.
Facilities Manager
(Kaiwhakahaere Rawa)
Matt Gledhill
Residential Assistants
(Kaitautoko ā Kāinga)
Cameron Davis - Senior Residential Assistant
Tyler Glenn – Deputy Senior Residential Assistant
Madeleine Tutty
Emmy Aziz
Luca Luoni
Eliana Troinai
Groundsperson (Kaitiaki Whenua)
Dan Dennehy
Kitchen Manager (Kītini Whakahaere)
Donovan Thorpe
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Cat Rogers
Chefs (Nihowera)
Mike Hannan
Bernd Lippmann
Nicholas Stick
Cleaning Supervisor
(Kaitohutohu Whakapaipai)
Braunia Giles
House Mums (Ngā Whaea)
Diane Marks
Kamla Wati
Simone Waters
Rebecca McAllan
Josephine Crucido
Toyoko Takane
Kitchen Assistants
(Kaitautoko Nihowera)
Deb Anthony
Amanda Lim