Head of Middle School, Hauora Lead, Y10 Dean

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Dianne Smith was appointed Head of Middle School (Years 7-10) in 2022 and also has overall responsibility for Hauora (Wellbeing) at Marsden.

 

Dianne has been part of the Marsden staff since 2008, teaching English across both Middle and Senior School (Years 7-13). She is also deeply involved in Marsden’s musical productions, contributing as a producer, stage manager, and director.


My aim is to bring a strong sense of purpose and cohesion across Years 7-10. In both pastoral and academic contexts, the position requires the ability to track where students have come from, and to look broadly ahead; to provide stability but also challenge.

Teaching and nurturing wellbeing

Dianne earned a BA in English and Political Science from Waikato University before completing her Diploma in Teaching at Auckland Teachers’ College. With over 30 years of teaching experience, she has taught English, Media Studies, and Drama. She previously served as Head of Department at St Patrick's College, Wellington, and spent several years at Te Kura, supporting students in the distance learning programme, including prisoners and teen mothers.

 

Dianne previously served as Marsden's Head of English and was a dedicated Form Teacher, committed to supporting student wellbeing. Her contributions to Marsden include introducing Media Studies, piloting the Year 9 Performance Media option, advocating for the Guided Studies programme, and most recently, teaching Life Skills Drama.


I am a firm believer in the core facets of a curriculum area, but I also love the fluidity and creativity that teaching offers. Our students need this too. I want all our students to have a solid grounding in this core, but with the added counterpoint of risk and curiosity.

Selected for Prestigious Fellowship

In 2022 Marsden was thrilled to announce that Dianne Smith, was selected to participate in The Global Action Research Collaborative on Girls’ Education (GARC) for 2023. Selected as one of 30 Fellows from around the world, Dianne participated in an 18-month program culminating in a presentation of her research findings at the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools Annual Conference in June 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.  Read full press release ...