Senior Leadership Team

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Becky O'Gram - Associate Principal

After teaching in England for several years, my family and I moved to Tāmaki Makaurau, and I have been proud to call Westlake Boys my professional home since 2012. Over the years, I have taken on a range of leadership roles, including Head of Mathematics, Deputy Principal, and, since 2022, Associate Principal. In this role, I am privileged to contribute to both academic excellence and student wellbeing, ensuring that every boy is supported to thrive in all aspects of school life.

I am passionate about fostering a culture of high expectations and continuous growth. I believe that outstanding education is built on strong relationships, a commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, and an environment where every student is challenged and supported to achieve their best.

Westlake Boys is an extraordinary school, and I feel privileged to be part of a community where students are not only academically driven but also engaging, insightful, and full of character. My goal is to guide young men not only towards success in their studies but also towards becoming individuals of integrity, commitment, and kindness. Watching them grow into fine young men is both a joy and an honour.

Matthew Russell - Deputy Principal

Born and bred in Tāmaki Makaurau, I have not moved far from home. In fact, my grandfather grew up in old Northcote in the 1920s, and I remember him telling me stories of how he roamed the shore through the farms and orchards and swam and fished at Sulphur Beach, a little different from the Shore now.

After I left school, I studied a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Chemistry at the University of Auckland and commenced my career in education at Westlake in 2008. While teaching Chemistry, and since 2017 Earth and Space Science, I have enjoyed the continuous journey of learning. Sharing a passion for lifelong learning with many talented young men over my time here is a real highlight for me.

I joined the senior leadership team in 2022 and my responsibilities as a Deputy Principal are leading NCEA and assessment as the Principal’s Nominee. Before joining the senior leadership team, I was the Head of Faculty - Science for almost ten years, a role that I greatly enjoyed, made even better by the dedicated and hard-working teachers in the faculty.

The shore is a fantastic place to grow up as a young man and Westlake is, in my opinion, the jewel in the crown of that experience. The opportunities offered are first class, and I enjoy the moments when I help with the co-curricular music programme, in particular the Westlake Concert Band, seeing the amazing work our music teachers do with our ākonga.

Shane Young - Senior Deputy Principal

Originally from South Africa, Westlake is the only school I have taught at in New Zealand. Both my sons have attended the School and my wife has spent a few years teaching at Westlake Boys too. In my twenty years at Westlake I have mainly taught Commerce, Accounting and Economics but started as a Mathematics teacher and taught the subject for a number of years.

I coached cricket for around 10 years but my passion outside the classroom is rugby. Barring two years, I have been manager of the 1^st XV my entire time at Westlake. My responsibilities as a Deputy Principal currently lie with operations including managing the calendar, staff duties, health and safety, prefects and EOTC.

Being part of and contributing to a team is very important to me. Leading by example would be my modus operandi and striving to make a difference. Upon reflection, I would like to have made an improvement in whatever way. There are so many opportunities for our young men at Westlake and every day presents a new challenge, there is very little chance of being stuck in a rut. Our students and past students excel in all spheres of life and star on many stages, locally and globally. It is indeed a privilege to be a part of this School.

Helen Jorgensen - Deputy Principal

One of my roles as Deputy Principal is to monitor, mentor and support students through their academic pathways and NCEA qualifications. I work with students, staff and parents to ensure that all our young men leave school with the qualifications they need to be prosperous. I am passionate about helping our young men find success, both in the classroom and beyond.

I have been teaching English at Westlake Boys since 2009, and I thoroughly enjoy being in the classroom and getting to know the boys. Prior to my role as Deputy Principal, I was head of the Level 1 NCEA English course for 9 years, and I also completed 6 years as a dean. Outside the classroom, I have been heavily involved in the distance running programme for over ten years. As Deputy Principal I also work with; our House Leaders in the annual House Competition, pastoral care and I co-organise the Year 13 School Ball with Westlake Girls.

When I am not at Westlake Boys, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, I love travelling and playing sport. I am fond of skiing, golf, netball and tennis particularly. My passion has always been in education, and I am very proud to be part of a school that offers incredible opportunities, dedication, and support for our young men.

Conor Pearson - Deputy Principal

I've been at Westlake Boys High School since 2018 and have loved every moment of it. In my time here I've taught English, Classical Studies and Health and Physical Education Scholarship. I've also been heavily involved in the sports programme, coaching football, cricket and futsal. I am a local, born and bred on the North Shore. I completed my Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in English at The University of Auckland and stayed here to complete my teacher's training.

My main role and priority at the school is ensuring the welfare of our students. Before the students can start learning, they need to feel safe and feel like they belong. Ensuring this is the case for all students at our school is my main responsibility. As educators, we have a duty to ensure we best equip our boys with the skills they need to become conscientious young men. As such, focusing on the character education of our boys is integral. This begins from the moment our Year 9 cohort walk through the archway on their first day. Guiding the Year 9 group through their transition process and ensuring they feel enthusiastic and energised about coming to school every day is another key focus of mine.

Outside of Westlake, I enjoy spending time with my young family and pursuing my two passions: literature and sport. I am an avid reader and runner, and will follow most sports with a passionate zeal, especially football.

Nick Dale - Deputy Principal

I have worked at Westlake Boys High School since 2012 and really enjoy being part of Westlake’s friendly, welcoming community. I believe Westlake is an outstanding school which provides amazing opportunities for our students.

I have been fortunate to take on varied roles and responsibilities both inside and outside the classroom during my time at Westlake. This has included being a Pastoral and Academic Dean, a Within School Leader as part of the Pupuke Kāhui Ako, Community of Learning, and running the football programme for a number of years.

My particular focus is working with our pastoral team to ensure all students are given the care and support they require while at school. We are fortunate to have a supportive and inclusive pastoral team, so students can reach their potential at our school. I'm proud to work alongside our Pasifika and Te Puna communities to ensure that they are connected to Westlake through their culture.

I am passionate about educating young men and aim to make a difference in the lives of all our students. I believe that it’s important for our boys to be positive role models to both other students and the wider community, this will ensure that they are successful in whatever they choose to do in the future.

In my spare time I enjoy playing and watching sport and spending time with my wife and three young children.

Jude Arbuthnot - Assistant Principal

Originally from Southampton, UK, I began my teaching career in the North East of England. I am a dedicated and experienced teacher with over 20 years in Secondary Education and have been teaching at Westlake Boys High School since my arrival to New Zealand in 2006.

During my time at Westlake, I have held many roles in the English Faculty, have been a Within School Lead for our Community of Learning, and was of the founding House Leaders for our House System in 2008. I am fully committed to boys’ education and relish the challenges and joys that working with our young men brings on a daily basis. In recent years, I have been a Leader of Learning in our Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.

I have been a debating coach for our Premier teams over many years and have led the Media Studies Scholarship Programme since 2020 with many successes. Developing strong, positive relationships with the boys in extramural activities is one of the many reasons that Westlake Boys is an extra special place.

In my role as Assistant Principal, I am developing our programmes and support for trainee teachers and those new to the profession, whilst guiding their mentors. Our partnership with The Teachers’ Institute is central to growing our teaching staff, learning in the school from day one of the school year. I strongly believe that if we invest the time and effort into growing confident, skilled, and dedicated teachers that want to develop their career at Westlake Boys then we will continue to foster student engagement and achievement across all curriculum areas. I am also progressing our research programmes for both students and staff, having completed my own Action Research project for the International Boys’ School Coalition on the topic of boys’ writing, and my continued involvement as a mentor of other participants. Understanding further how our boys learn will be crucial to our development as educators, and to the continued success of our students.

True to type as an English and Media teacher, in my spare time you will find me reading, watching films, and enjoying spending time with my husband and two daughters.

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Carla Boniolo - Assistant Principal

Born in South Africa, my family relocated to Auckland when I was a child. Of both Italian and South African heritage, I enjoyed growing up on the multicultural North Shore. I hold a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English Literature and Sociology from the University of Auckland.

I began teaching English at Westlake in 2017 and have relished my time here. I temporarily left Westlake for two years as part of an overseas experience and taught at two schools in central London, gaining invaluable experience teaching different curricula. After returning to Westlake in 2021, I took up several middle leadership positions. I was responsible for leading curriculum development as head of both the Level 2 English and Level 3 English Extension programmes. Additionally, I co-ordinated the school-wide NZQA Scholarship programme and am very proud of Westlake’s achievement in this space.

In my role as Assistant Principal, I am responsible for extension pathways, the Scholarship programme, and for guiding students who wish to study at universities both domestically and internationally. I take great delight in providing myriad opportunities for Westlake students to excel academically and I am passionate about encouraging our boys to achieve their academic potential.

Outside of the classroom, I am heavily involved in our debating programme and have coached premier debating teams for several years. I believe strongly in the purpose and relevance of boys’ schools and am proud of Westlake’s legacy of developing brilliant young men.

When not at school, I enjoy reading a wide variety of books and take great delight in curating my reviews on my Goodreads app. On the weekends, I enjoy playing golf, attending shows and concerts, catching up with my mum and sister, and spending time with my partner and our adopted Burmese cat.

Jim Davis - Assistant Principal

Originally from Southampton, I moved to Aotearoa with my wife in early 2013. I trained and qualified as a maths teacher in Southampton where I began my teaching career. I hold a Batchelor of Arts in Economics and Statistics from the University of Exeter, a place very special to me as this is where I also met my wife.

I have been at Westlake Boys since January 2020, when I joined as the Head of Faculty in Maths from a similar position at Avondale College. After navigating our way through Covid and all the challenges that presented, I decided to take a change in career pathway and move from a curriculum leader role into a pastoral role, becoming one of the Year 10 Deans. This was the single best decision of my teaching career. Supporting our young men through their journey here at Westlake is hugely rewarding, and an experience I will never forget.

A father to two young boys, most of my spare time is taken up with after school sports and clubs, but the remaining time I do have I spend playing football, running and going to the gym. Outside of teaching, my main passion is football, a life-long Southampton supporter, I am also heavily involved in the Westlake football setup, coaching the Premier Reserves and working closely with the successful 1^st XI group.

In my role as Assistant Principal, I am responsible for timetabling and whole school data. Timetabling for 2700 boys is no small task, but one I am really excited about taking on. The whole school data role will allow me to interact with and support a wide range of staff members as we work together to continue our strive for excellence.

Matua Johnny - Te Kaihautū o Te Puna

Tēnā koutou. He uri ahau no Te Uri o Hau, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Te Tārawa, Ngāpuhi me Te Whānau a Apanui, ko Johnny Waititi ahau.

I came to Westlake Boys High School in 2016, after being Deputy Principal at my old school where I attended and where my father taught me, Northland College in Kaikohe.

I oversee Te Ao Māori at Westlake Boys High School supported by an awesome team of kaiako who are passionate about kaupapa Māori. I have passion for kaupapa Māori and supporting kaiako in their Te Ao Māori journey.

He ngākaunui nōku ki te kura nei, ki ngā ākonga me ngā kaiako hoki. I love the way that Westlake can help you to be the best that you can be, so being a kaiako here is the best thing ever!

Brad Cachopa - Operations Manager

A passionate sports fan and a qualified Accountant, all thanks to the excellent education and sporting experiences I had at Westlake as a student who graduated in 2006.

I returned to work at Westlake in 2017 and I have taught in the Commerce Department, directed our Cricket programme and also led the delivery of our high-performance sports programme - The Academy of Sport. Most recently, as the Property Manager I was the caretaker of all our facilities.

Now, as the Operations Manager, my role is to lead and develop our infrastructure at school and ensure our campus provides modern, safe, clean, and functional teaching and learning spaces. I see my role as critical to supporting the learning outcomes and extra-curricular experiences our young men have at Westlake. It is very enjoyable to now give back to our students so they too can enjoy their time at school as I did.  

A key component of my role is to deliver the Strategic Development Plan of our campus and ensure that while our campus changes its physical footprint “Westlake Life” can continue.

I am very proud of our campus and look forward to welcoming all our families and students each day to a school they too can be proud of attending.