Our People

• Our staff
  • Senior leadership team
  • Teaching staff
  • Tihoi staff
  • Support staff
  • Sports directors
  • Pastoral care & housemasters
  • Music teachers
• Board of Trustees
• Parents’ Association
• St Paul’s Collegians
• St Paul’s Foundation
• Work for us
• Business Directory
• St Paul’s Swim Club
• St Paul’s Dance Studio
• Body in Motion Physiotherapy
• Fellows

Senior leadership team

• 

  Ben Skeen

  Headmaster

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  Ben Skeen

  Headmaster

  Ben joined St Paul's as Headmaster in May 2021 from Auckland Grammar School.

  Educated at St Peter's College in Auckland, Ben graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in HR and Economics and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in NZ History with a minor in Political Studies along with a graduate diploma in teaching from the University of Auckland.

  He held a variety of leadership and management positions at Auckland Grammar including Associate Headmaster, Associate Dean, Dean, Assistant Boarding Housemaster and Master in Charge of Student Leadership Programmes. He was awarded a Woolf Fisher Fellowship for excellence in education and leadership.

  In 2009, he initiated and led a flagship programme - a month-long biennial service programme for Auckland Grammar students. He was a teacher of history and social studies, Master in Charge of rugby for five years and Assistant Coach of Auckland Grammar First XV rugby team for eight seasons.

  Outside of work, Ben was contracted to NZ Rugby’s high-performance match official squad where for 12 of his 15 years with the squad he provided refereeing services to World Rugby. After officiating 70 test matches and travelling the world numerous times, Ben retired from refereeing at the end of 2019.

  Ben is married to Hayley, who is a primary school teacher, and they have two daughters Grace and Zara, and son Harrison.

  Contact:
  Tel: +64 7 957 8899 ext 8830

• 

  Craig Hardman

  Associate Headmaster – School Operations

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  Craig Hardman

  Associate Headmaster – School Operations

  Before taking up the role of Associate Headmaster - School Operations, Craig held the role as Deputy Headmaster - Pastoral Care and was the Head of Physical Education at St Paul’s. He has also been the Housemaster in charge of Williams House. He joined the school in 2006 after completing a conjoint degree in teaching and sports and leisure.

  Teaching aside, Craig is also an experienced coach, he has coached at various levels from school through to Waikato and Midlands Hockey. Since his arrival, he has coached the First XI hockey team, culminating in the team becoming national secondary school champions in the Rankin Cup and being named the secondary schools’ team of the year at the Brian Perry Waikato Regional Sports Awards.

  Craig has developed and implemented various school initiatives such as the Xccellerator programme for junior high-performance sportsmen and the Character Education programme, a drive to introduce character development into the curriculum. He also forged a partnership with the regional Midlands Hockey organisation and helped establish a Collegians' Hockey Club to enable past students and members of the community to play hockey through the school.

  Significant awards:
  ISNZ Honours Award for service to students and sport (2018)

  Contact:
  Tel: +64 7 957 8899 ext 8848
  Email: c.hardman@stpauls.school.nz

• 

  Theresa Miller

  Associate Headmaster – Student Wellbeing

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  Theresa Miller

  Associate Headmaster – Student Wellbeing

  Theresa is a valued member of St Paul's, having joined in 2023 from Waikato Diocesan School for Girls, where she was the Deputy Principal for five years. In this role, she oversaw several senior portfolios, including the senior school, boarding, and school-wide pastoral care.

  As the leader of St Paul's Student Wellbeing portfolio, Theresa brings a wealth of experience. She is responsible for integrating the School’s student wellbeing strategy, policies, and initiatives, as well as managing pastoral support and discipline structures within the day school. She also oversees the International Department and leads the School’s ongoing focus on Child Protection.

  Theresa holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Waikato and was employed at Deloittes before being admitted to the bar. She later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary School Teaching at the Auckland College of Education.

  A familiar face to many long-serving staff, Theresa previously taught mathematics and accounting at St Paul’s from 2003 to 2007. She is married to Hayden, and they have three sons—Brooklyn, Dominic, and Maxwell.

  Contact:
  Email: t.miller@stpauls.school.nz

• 

  Helen Bradford

  Deputy Headmaster – Academic Systems

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  Helen Bradford

  Deputy Headmaster – Academic Systems

  Helen plays a key role in the academic structure at St Paul’s, overseeing timetabling, junior academic programmes, and class placements. She also teaches Mathematics and works closely with the Learning Enhancement Unit to support student learning.

  With a strong background in educational leadership, Helen ensures that students transition smoothly into St Paul’s and are well-placed to maximise their academic opportunities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Massey University, a Diploma in Teaching from Christchurch Teachers College, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership with first-class honours from the University of Waikato.

  Helen’s expertise in academic planning, student placement, and curriculum development helps shape a learning environment where both staff and students thrive. Helen is involved with the Netball programme of the school.

  Contact:
  Email: h.bradford@stpauls.school.nz

• 

  Jeremy Coley

  Deputy Headmaster - Curriculum and Assessment

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  Jeremy Coley

  Deputy Headmaster - Curriculum and Assessment

  Since coming to St Paul’s as an English teacher in 2006, Jeremy has held various roles, including Head of the English Department, Leader of Curriculum (overseeing English, languages, media studies, and ESOL), Director of Teaching and Learning, and now to his current role as Deputy Headmaster - Curriculum and Assessment.

  Originally from New Plymouth, Jeremy has a Bachelor of Arts in History and English from the University of Waikato. Passionate about literature and writing, Jeremy initially thought he would pursue a career in journalism. However, a change of path led him to complete a teaching diploma at Massey University followed by a teaching position at his former school of New Plymouth Boys’ High School. He went on to spend some time living abroad, working at Hampstead School in London, as well as travelling to various places, including India, Sri Lanka, Asia, and Europe, before returning to New Zealand and settling in Hamilton.

  He has been involved in basketball which is a passion of his, having previously been an assistant coach and coach of the Premier Basketball team and now he is involved with the Junior Premier side.

  He encourages students to challenge themselves to 'master their minutes' at school and enjoy the wonderful holistic opportunities that St Paul's offers but, above all, strive for academic achievement.

  Contact:
  Tel: +64 7 957 8899 ext 8858 Email: j.coley@stpauls.school.nz

• 

  Josh Hay

  Deputy Headmaster - Co-curricular

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  Josh Hay

  Deputy Headmaster - Co-curricular

  Josh joined St Paul's in 2018 and has an extensive background in secondary school sports and education. and is an able practitioner. Josh previously spent 13 years at Hamilton Boys’ High School, holding a variety of positions, including senior teacher, hostel master, First XV Coach, year-level Dean, and director of sport. He is immensely passionate about secondary school sports and developing the whole student-athlete. His current role oversees sport, music and arts co-curricular activities.

  Josh has a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science (Coaching and Sport Psychology) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teaching (Secondary). He has a strong coaching background in rugby, having coached teams such as New Zealand Secondary Schools, Waikato Development and Under 20 teams, as well as coaching experience in Japan and Wales.

  Contact:
  Email: j.hay@stpauls.school.nz

• 

  Reverend Peter Rickman

  Chaplain

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  Reverend Peter Rickman

  Chaplain

  Peter has an impressive and varied experience in the Anglican Church of New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the USA. He has worked as a community and youth worker, counsellor, teacher, prison and school chaplain, vicar and, prior to returning to St Paul’s, he was Dean of the Waikato Cathedral Church of St Peter. Peter was St Paul’s Chaplain for four years, from 2001 to 2004, before he returned to Parish Ministry in the United Kingdom.

  In his role as Waikato Cathedral Dean, he had extensive management and leadership experience, working with more than 200 volunteers and 10 employees, providing outreach services programme for youth, the elderly and the vulnerable, while overseeing the Cathedral – a church that plays a central role in the life of the Anglican Church in the Waikato.

  Outside the church, as a first aid instructor, Peter has had experience as a community ambulance first responder, is an active leader in Hamilton Sea Scouts as an instructor in kayaking and sailing and is a qualified PADI scuba dive instructor.

  Contact:
  Tel: +64 7 957 8899 ext 8842
  Email: revpeter@stpauls.school.nz

• 

  Kathryn Conaghan

  Head of HR and Health & Safety

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  Kathryn Conaghan

  Head of HR and Health & Safety

  Kathryn comes from a background in Human Resource Management in the private sector and has been an integral part of St Paul's Collegiate School since 2015.

  Kathryn is a people person. She carefully coordinates the recruitment of staff while creating a positive environment within the staff community.

  As a highly competent Head of HR and Health & Safety, Kathryn is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team.

  Contact:
  Email: k.conaghan@stpauls.school.nz

• 

  Peter Welham

  Business Manager

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  Peter Welham

  Business Manager

  Peter is a Chartered Accountant with an honours degree in accounting and has worked in a number accounting and auditing practices including Ernst and Young in Auckland and Christchurch.

  He has been employed as a finance and business manager roles in a variety of commercial enterprises, including AMI Insurance and Fairfax, where he managed the finance functions of both the Christchurch Press and Timaru Herald newspapers.

  Peter was the Business Manager at St Margaret’s College in Christchurch and helped manage the school through the earthquake crisis and subsequent rebuild. He moved to Hamilton and St Paul's Collegiate School in 2012.

  Contact:
  Tel: +64 7 957 8899 ext 8827
  Email: p.welham@stpauls.school.nz