Leadership and Management Positions at Medbury

Dave Scott - MEd (Hons), PGDipEDLEAD, BSc (Hons), PGCE, MInstD

Headmaster

Dave commenced at Medbury in 2023 and brings more than 25 years of teaching and educational leadership experience across New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom to his role as Headmaster of Medbury Preparatory School. At Medbury, Dave’s focus is clear: to ensure every boy experiences an education that is challenging, supportive and purposeful. He leads the school’s strategic direction, oversees the quality of teaching and learning, and works closely with staff and families to create an environment where boys are known, valued and able to thrive.

Dave has held senior leadership roles in some of New Zealand’s leading independent schools, including extensive experience in boarding, pastoral care and middle school education. Across these roles, he has led significant programme development, strengthened wellbeing and leadership pathways, and guided schools through periods of growth and change. Central to Dave’s approach is a belief in inclusive, values-driven education. He is committed to serving boys of all abilities, ensuring strong foundations for learning, and creating a culture of belonging where every student is supported in becoming the best version of himself.

Dave holds a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership (Distinction), is a qualified executive coach, and a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors. He has a particular interest in student wellbeing and sustainable school cultures. His leadership is collaborative, thoughtful and firmly focused on what matters most: the growth, character and success of the boys in his care.

 

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Warren Durant BPrimEd, BEd (Hons) EPGE, Executive MBA

Deputy Headmaster (Operations and Co-curricular)

Warren commenced teaching at Medbury in 2016. Prior to this he taught at Crawford Preparatory School, Michaelhouse and The Cathedral Grammar School. Warren has a Bachelor of Primary Education degree from Natal University, a Bachelor of Education degree (with Honours) in Leadership and Management from The University of The Witwatersrand, and a Postgraduate Certificate in the Effective Practice in Gifted Education.

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Brendan Collins BA, Grad Dip Tchg

Deputy Headmaster (Academic)

Brendan has been teaching at Medbury since 2010. He taught at Houghton Valley School in Wellington from 2004 for six years, as the ICT Coordinator and as a classroom teacher at Year 3 to 6 levels. Brendan holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in History and American Studies from University of Canterbury, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Teaching from the New Zealand Graduate School.

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Mathew McGuire

Director of Student Care and Year 5 teacher

Matt has been teaching for 15 years which includes working in a variety of schools in Christchurch and in the United Kingdom. He also taught at a special school in the United Kingdom to help students who struggle with engagement in a normal school setting. Mathew holds a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning from the Christchurch College of Education, Post Graduate Degree in Digital and Collaborative Learning and Leadership and is a Level 2 Rugby Coach.

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Jane McGarry

Junior School Dean (NE, Year 1 and Year 2) and Year 1 Teacher.

Jane holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Bachelor of Teaching from Otago University. She has previously taught at Columba College and Cathedral Grammar. Jane started teaching in the Junior School at Medbury in 2014. She is also the Drama Specialist for Years 1 to 3.

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Nicholas Black

Lower Middle Dean (Years 3 and 4) and Year 4 Teacher

Nicholas has been working at Medbury since 1999. In 2005, he spent some time overseas and returned to Medbury as a Year 5 Teacher. In 2016, Nicholas took a year’s sabbatical, working on the family farm. He is currently teaching a Year 4 class. Nicholas holds a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning from the Christchurch College of Education.

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John Ogston

Middle School Dean (Years 5 and 6) and Years 1 to 6 Physical Education Teacher

John joined the teaching staff at Medbury in January 2018, having taught previously at Russley School. John has also taught English at Marlborough Boys' College where he was a senior boarding house supervisor. John holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching from the University of Canterbury and a Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Teaching from the Graduate School of Education. He enjoys a range of sports, reading and pottering in the garden. John can often be found out on the sports field in his role as Cricket Co-ordinator at Medbury.

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Richard Bath

Year 7 Dean and Year 7 Teacher

Richard joined Medbury in 2016. Prior to this he taught at Ashgrove School in Rangiora for two years. He is originally from Texas and he obtained a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in Public Relations and Spanish from Texas Tech University. Richard then went on to obtain a Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching from Canterbury University.

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Paula Corlett

Year 8 Dean and Year 8 Teacher

Paula brings over two decades of teaching experience to Medbury, having worked across a range of year levels from New Entrants through to Year 13. Originally from Southland and most recently based in New Plymouth, she spent eight years as Year 7 Dean and Head of Intermediate at Francis Douglas Memorial College. Paula is passionate about creating a positive and energetic classroom environment and values the opportunity to help boys grow into confident young men. A strong advocate for values-based education, she works closely with whānau to build relationships that support student success. Outside the classroom, Paula is deeply involved in rugby, currently managing the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby team.

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Erin Sutherland

Junior School Learning Leader (NE, Year 1 and Year 2) and Year 1 Teacher

Erin has been teaching for over twenty years and prior to joining the staff at Medbury, was a team leader at Clearview Primary. She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Canterbury and a Diploma of Teaching from the Christchurch College of Education. Erin has a passion for literacy and is trained in Reading Recovery. She is currently studying towards her Master of Education, endorsed in Literacy. In her spare time, Erin enjoys music and spending time with her family.

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Clare Erasmus

Lower Middle Learning Leader (Years 3 and 4) and Year 3 Teacher

Clare has a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Sociology and Legal Studies), Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Sociology, Master’s Degree in Social Science and a Bachelor of Education. She has been teaching for twenty years. She began her teaching career, lecturing at the University of Kwa Zulu Natal before taking on a role at an independent school in Taipei, Taiwan. She then moved to Australia, where she studied and taught. Clare and her family then moved to New Zealand and prior to joining Medbury, she taught at The Cathedral Grammar School.

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Emma Hocquard

Middle Learning Leader and Year 6 Teacher

Emma graduated with a Bachelor of Education in 2006 from the Christchurch College of Education. In 2007 she began her teaching career at Kirkwood Intermediate School where she taught both Year 7 and Year 8 children. Prior to going on maternity leave she held the position of Year 8 Team Leader.

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Kayla Wright

Year 7 Learning Leader and Year 7 Teacher

Kayla joined Medbury in 2022 as a Year 7 teacher, having previously taught at other private schools in Auckland. She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Auckland alongside a background in Biological sciences. Kayla is passionate about hands on, integrated learning and finding ways for every student to succeed.

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Suzanna Bickers

Year 8 Learning Leader and Year 8 Teacher

Suzanna joined Medbury in January 2018, having previously taught Year 6 at St Joseph's School in Oamaru. She holds a Bachelor of Education from the University of Otago endorsed with excellence. Working with Young Adults, and specifically, developing leaders, in this age group, is a huge passion of hers and she has been involved in different outreach voluntary programmes throughout Oamaru, Dunedin and Christchurch.

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Alex Devereux

Special Project Coordinator (6@Medbury) and Year 6 Teacher

Alex has been at Medbury School since 2015 and is the Special Project Coordinator (6@Medbury). Prior to this, he taught at Avonhead School from 2013 - 2015 in a Years 7 and 8 class, while also being Head of Sport. He has a Bachelor of Sport Coaching from Canterbury University and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching and Learning.

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