Kirsty Dowding - Principal

Kirsty Dowding is the Principal at Hobsonville Point Secondary School and was appointed to this position in July 2023. Prior to this position, Kirsty was Deputy Principal at Rangitoto College and she has also worked for the Ministry of Education. Kirsty completed her Master's Thesis on the Geographies of Export Schooling in New Zealand and the Production of New School Spaces Created by International Students. Kirsty believes that International Students add strength, culture, and diversity to a school environment.

Kirsty, the Senior Leadership Team, and all the staff at Hobsonville Point Secondary School believe in supporting learners to achieve both academic and personal excellence. Students are confident, connected, and actively involved, and we encourage them to become lifelong learners. We empower students to live successfully and contribute responsibly to their communities. Students learn in state-of-the-art facilities using tools and technologies that support and enhance their learning. As a school, we offer personalised learning, powerful partnerships, and deep challenge and inquiry.

In Kirsty’s spare time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with family, and travelling.

Maryann Green - International Director

As International Director, Maryann is excited to support students to have positive life-changing exchange experiences. Maryann has personally experienced an exchange programme herself and has taught English as a second language in junior high schools in Japan where she lived for a few years. Maryann holds a Master of Professional Studies in Translation (Japanese) and worked as a professional translator for many years until she became a high school teacher. Maryann encourages her students to be kind and be the best version of themselves by taking the time to listen and care for them.  She is an avid photographer who also loves kayaking, watching K-dramas, and spending time with her family. 

Chrissy Latimer - Homestay Administrator Assistant

Chrissy comes from a Recruitment / HR career with a focus on supporting her clients into employment. Recruiting internationally for Australian and Chinese companies and having many new immigrant clients has given her an insight into the challenges of new migrants to New Zealand. Supporting students also played a large part in her job while working at different Training providers. She loves to encourage others to reach their potential and believes everyone has the ability to succeed. 

Chrissy is the proud Mother of 4 children, 2 cats, and 1 dog. She is learning to speak Te Reo Maori with her husband and her spare time is spent reading, walking her dog Cody or hanging out in the garden. 

Beth Knight - English Language Teacher

Beth enjoys teaching and learning at HPSS where her passion for learning and developing the whole student is valued. She has taught across all year levels within New Zealand. Throughout her career, relationships have always been the most enjoyable and important aspects of education. Beth sets high standards for her learners and loves to help them achieve their best. She spends her time outside of school at the beach, traveling and experiencing new places, being with friends and family, and reading.

Paula Minifie - English Language Teacher Aide

Paula has been working as an ESOL Assistant at Hobsonville Point Secondary School.  She comes from a background working as an Early Childcare Teacher and enjoys working with children of all ages.  Paula chose to work in the International Language Department as she has been a host homestay mother to many International students over the last 7 years and has really loved introducing the children to our way of life in New Zealand and the learning of our language. Paula has a son who attends HPSS.  He is in his final year and is really loving the unique learning environment and he is doing well both personally and academically. Paula's interests are Cooking and enjoying all of the amazing outdoor activities that beautiful New Zealand has to offer.

David Wilson - English Language Teacher Aide

David comes from a background in finance and worked in Chartered Accounting for many many years. 

He re-trained and completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Adult Learning and Teaching (TESOL). He then completed the CELTA course and moved into ESOL. This saw him teaching in language schools and more recently teaching groups of International students coming to HPSS on educational tours. David loves working with teenagers and helping them to improve their level of English language. 

David and his wife have two children, as well as a granddaughter who attended HPSS for four years and graduated from HPSS in 2021.  David’s interests are education (especially English), his church, trying to manage his garden, and walking with his Labrador dog, Kodi.