Elsie Jolliffe teaches Geography and Social Sciences to students in Years 7–13 at Marsden, where she’s been a valued member of the teaching team since 2018.

A proud Cantabrian by birth and Wellingtonian by heart, her first academic love was English, but in year 12 she accidentally fell in love with geography. This passion soon took over and led her to complete a conjoint degree at Victoria University of Wellington where she split her time between science and humanities – a dual perspective she brings into the classroom every day.

Before teaching, Elsie’s earliest lessons in Geography came from long family road trips with her dad, who shared his knowledge and love of the landscape around them. That early spark grew into a desire to guide students through their own discoveries – encouraging them to understand not just the world around them, but the systems, issues, and stories that shape it.

Elsie is also a creative communicator and loves finding new ways to engage her students. During exam season, she runs a TikTok account filled with short, fun and informative revision videos that explain key concepts and spark student thinking. 

Outside the classroom, Elsie is a passionate stitcher and an active member of the Wellington Embroiderers’ Guild. She enjoys everything from embroidery-themed events to charity projects supporting local communities. She also loves tramping, exploring Wellington’s green spaces, and spending time with her two young nieces – aiming to be the coolest aunt possible.

At Marsden, Elsie is a dedicated staff advocate for the school’s LGBTQIA+ student group, SAGA. She’s proud to have supported initiatives like Sweat with Pride, through which Marsden has raised thousands for rainbow communities across Aotearoa.

Elsie is passionate about creating a positive and inclusive learning environment. Her commitment, creativity, and warmth continue to make a lasting impact on her students.