International Education

Growing success is different for everyone. But at the core we want our boys to grow independence, resilience, self-confidence, innovation, empathy and life-long connections.

A Personalised ApproachSince 1872

Each student at Napier Boys’ High School brings unique aspirations, backgrounds, and goals. We do not follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we create tailored academic pathways for every boy, supporting his learning and success, whether he joins us for a short-term cultural experience or a long-term academic program.

As a large, well-resourced state school, we offer a broad curriculum that enables international students to align their studies with future career goals, explore new fields, and develop essential life skills, including independence, resilience, and self-confidence.

Unique & Specialist Programmes

Our academic framework is enriched by world-class facilities and unique subject offerings that set Napier Boys’ apart:

  • Earth and Space Science: Home to the only on-site planetarium in a school across the Southern Hemisphere, offering our boys an unparalleled gateway into space sciences.
  • Engineering & Technology: A highly practical, hands-on programme where traditional craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology, utilising 3-D printers and laser cutters.
  • Digital Innovation: Students explore robotics and technology from the outset, leading into senior pathways focused on creative digital design, advanced programming, and game development.
  • Primary Industries & Hospitality: Capitalising on our region’s world-famous produce and tourism sectors, students learn in our onsite gardens, commercial kitchen, and school vineyard—preparing them for global careers in agribusiness, viticulture, and hotel management.
  • Award-Winning Social Sciences: Our Geography and Economics departments consistently rank among the top in New Zealand, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning outside the classroom.
  • Targeted ESOL Support: We provide small, dedicated English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes—capped at 10 students—to deliver intensive academic and IELTS preparation.
  • Athlete Development Programme (ADP): For aspiring sportsmen, this high-performance athletic framework runs from Year 9 and provides the elite training and conditioning required to excel on the international stage.

Understanding How Boys Learn Best

True academic success requires an environment tailored to the way boys naturally engage. At Napier Boys’, our curriculum is delivered by specialists who understand boys' education inside out. Our classrooms are dynamic, highly interactive, and integrated with modern technology, emphasising practical, hands-on learning that keeps students motivated and inspired.

Expert Teachers, Genuine Connections

While our heritage and facilities are world-class, our greatest strength lies in our teaching staff. We believe that outstanding education is built on strong relationships.

Because our teachers also coach sports teams and lead cultural groups, they get to know our boys both in and out of the classroom. By employing industry experts from nationally recognised educators to elite athletes and trainers, we ensure our students are guided by mentors who willingly go the extra mile to inspire creativity, independence, and lifelong achievement.

Culture & Creativity

At Napier Boys’ High School, creativity is more than just a subject it is a way of being. We actively encourage our international students to step outside their comfort zones, try something completely new, and expand their cultural horizons. Whether it is learning a musical instrument, mastering photography, engaging with the rich aspects of tikanga Māori, or working behind the scenes on the annual school production, we believe that simply giving it a go is the first step toward discovery.

Our vibrant arts and cultural programmes provide the perfect showcase for the immense talent and diverse perspectives that international students bring to our brotherhood. Our campus is an environment where creativity is lived and practised daily, largely because so many of our teaching staff are practising musicians, artists, and performers themselves. By working alongside these passionate mentors, students are exposed to authentic creative processes that inspire their own artistic journeys.

Participating in culture and the arts isn't just about the final performance or exhibition; it is a powerful vehicle for personal growth. Immersing themselves in these activities naturally enhances our boys' self-management, builds deep social confidence, and strengthens their communication and literacy skills. We invite all our international students to dive into the school's cultural life, embrace new traditions, and uncover hidden talents they never knew they had.

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2026 Staff List
Title Name Department
Mr. Bevan Lynch Agriculture
Mr. Matt Nicoll Agriculture
Mr. Rex Newman Agriculture
Mr. Sam Cave Agriculture
Title Name Department
Mr. Justin Kite Art
Lisa Francis Art
Ms. Rebecca Jervis Art
Title Name Department
Mr. Thomas McCormack Classical Studies
Title Name Department
Mr. David Russell Commerce
Mr. Layton Onekawa Commerce
Mrs. Mereani Paodi Commerce
Mr. Michael Taylor Commerce
Ms. Stacey Cornelius Commerce
Title Name Department
Ms. Caitlin O'Hagan English
Mr. Chris Bamber English
Mr. Craig Campbell English
Ms. Debbie Murphy English
Mrs. Emma Tarrant English
Mr. Grant Bundle English
Mr. James Lord English
Ms. Kelly Marsh English
Mrs. Kirsten Morrison English
Mr. Luke Buxton English
Ms. Maxine September English
Ms. Rebekah Mitter English
Mr. Richard Townley English
Mr. Thomas McCormack English
Mr. Tim Orbell English
Title Name Department
Mr. Ashton Johnson Geography
Mr. Richard Townley Geography
Mr. William Mead Geography
Title Name Department
Mr. Paddy Evenson Guidance Counsellor
Rob Silver Guidance Counsellor
Title Name Department
Mr. Dion Whaitiri History
Mr. Richard Townley History
Mr. Tim Cameron History
Title Name Department
Mr. Ben Cruse Home Economics
Mrs. Colleen Youngquest Home Economics
Title Name Department
Mr. Ashton Johnson Hostel
Mrs. Brenda Hall Hostel
Mr. Dion Whaitiri Hostel
Mr. Grant Bundle Hostel
Ms. Kylie Howard Hostel
Ms. Lise Best Hostel
Ms. Margaret Smith Hostel
Mr. Rex Newman Hostel
Ms. Suwanan Sonmanee Hostel
Mr. Tai Te Rito Hostel
Mr. Tony Brosnan Hostel
Title Name Department
Mr. Mathew Cooke Information Technology
Title Name Department
Mr. Campbell Lovatt Itinerant Music Teacher
Mr. David Roberts Itinerant Music Teacher
Mr. Neil Matcheson Itinerant Music Teacher
Mr. Rinie Coppelmans Itinerant Music Teacher
Title Name Department
Ms. Deidre Iwi Whaanga Languages
Mrs. Denise Agudelo Grimaldos Languages
Mr. Dion Whaitiri Languages
Mr. Elijah Martin Languages
Mr. Pōhatu Paku Languages
Mr. Robert Arrell Languages
Title Name Department
Mr. Bishop Edwards III Mathematics
Ms. Celia Balfour Mathematics
Mr. Chris Swain Mathematics
Mr. Daniel McDermott Mathematics
Mrs. Hayley Double Mathematics
Mr. James Heuser Mathematics
Mr. Jeff Pinfold Mathematics
Mr. John Edmonds Mathematics
Mr. Peter Wills Mathematics
Mr. Qifeng Shen Mathematics
Mr. Reece Drown Mathematics
Mr. Stu Gourdie Mathematics
Title Name Department
Mrs. Jennifer Hodgson Music
Mr. Simon Schofield Music
Mr. Timothy Shirriffs Music
Title Name Department
Mr. Aidan Daly Physical Education
Mr. Benjamin Stanley Physical Education
Mr. Bevan Lynch Physical Education
Mr. Greg Jackson Physical Education
Mr. Greg Kettle Physical Education
Mr. Luke Russell Physical Education
Mr. Michael Leitch Physical Education
Mr. Peter Connell Physical Education
Mr. Rob Gunn Physical Education
Mr. Simon West Physical Education
Mr. Steven Lochhead Physical Education
Title Name Department
Miss. Akenehi Booth Science
Mrs. Diana Bezares Science
Mrs. Diana Chamberlain Science
Mr. Liam Ward Science
Ms. Madeleine Gray Science
Mr. Matt Nicoll Science
Mr. Matthew Hardy Science
Mr. Michael Ashby Science
Mr. Michael O’Connor Science
Mr. Nick Sye Science
Mr. Nick Williams Science
Mrs. Tania Nicoll Science
Mr. Tony Brosnan Science
Mr. Yvotte Brits Science
Title Name Department
Mr. Brett Payne Social Studies
Ms. Deidre Iwi Whaanga Social Studies
Ms. Shannel Tamati-Herrick Social Studies
Mr. Thomas McCormack Social Studies
Mr. Tim Cameron Social Studies
Mr. William Mead Social Studies
Title Name Department
Mr. Aan Hoek Technology
Mr. Adam Moffitt Technology
Mr. Aidan Callaghan Technology
Mr. Chris Hansen Technology
Mr. Kenneth Marshall Technology
Mr. Terry Wyatt Technology
Mr. Yvotte Brits Technology

Students at Napier Boys’ High School will develop into confident, innovative young men who will learn, strive and achieve in a traditional environment, having a strong sense of respect for them selvesand others.

Our Vision

2016 - Link Here
2026 - Link Here