Year 9 – He Kaakano

John Cook

Ko Pukeoware te maaunga
Ko Awaroa te awa
Noo Pukekohe ahau
Ko Cook toku whaanau
Ko John toku ingoa

I was brought up just down the road in Waiuku and that is where my whaanau are still based. After leaving school I studied a Bachelor of Physical Education and then spent two years working at the Auckland Council in their Parks, Sport and Recreation department. 

In 2018 I started teaching here at Pukekohe High School and was fortunate to take on many roles in my time, including Year 9 Dean and Acting Assistant Principal amongst others. I formed many great relationships throughout the community and I am looking forward to reconnecting with you all. 

Since leaving PHS in 2022 I first moved to Ashburton College to oversee their junior pastoral team and then in 2024 I was living and working in Melbourne. I have returned home to be closer to my family and look forward to getting back into my mahi. 

The benefit of a big school like PHS is that students can develop their passions in an extensive range of areas. My focus as an educator and a pastoral leader is to enable students to find their passion which will allow them to connect deeply with themselves, their peers and the school. Strong connections will allow students to thrive both at school and beyond. 

Rajal Singh

Teenaa koutou katoa  

Ko Tootara te maaunga 
Ko Manukau te awa 
Noo Taamaki Makarau ahau 
Ko ngati Fijian Indian te iwi 
Ko Singh te hapu 
Ko Singh te whaanau 
Ko Rajal taku ingoa 
 
I was born and raised in South Auckland. This instilled in me a strong sense of community and a deep commitment to ensuring that all young people in Aotearoa have the opportunity to reach their full potential through equitable access to education.  

I firmly believe that education is a powerful tool for unlocking opportunities, and I strive to foster a love for education by making it relevant, engaging, and accessible to all. Equally, I value the importance of pastoral care in guiding and supporting students’ well-being and personal growth alongside their academic journey.  

At Pukekohe High School, I am dedicated to upholding our school values while supporting students to grow academically and personally. Outside the classroom, I enjoy connecting with the community, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with my whaanau and friends. I look forward to working alongside whaanau and the wider school community to nurture the potential of every student.  

Noo reira, teenaa koutou katoa  

Year 10 – Kia Tupu

Jody Harnor

He aha te mea nui o teenei ao?
Maaku e kii atu
He taangata, he taangata, he taangata.
Tihei mauri ora!

Teenaa taatou katoa, ko Jody Harnor tooku ingoa. 

I grew up in the Bay of Plenty and later moved to Auckland to complete my university studies. The rich diversity of people and cultures has drawn me to stay here. I began my teaching career at Tangaroa College before moving further south, and I have now lived and taught in the Franklin area for over ten years, including three years in Abu Dhabi. 

As a Science teacher and Kaitiaki Aakonga/Dean, I am committed to fostering a school environment where every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. I have a heart for those who struggle to find their place here, and my role as Kaitiaki allows me to work alongside them, helping them navigate challenges and discover their strengths. 

I am proud to be part of Pukekohe High School and this wonderful community.  

Sukhjit Kaur

Kia ora koutou/ Sat Sri Akal (ਸਤਿ ਸ੍ਰੀ ਅਕਾਲ )

My name is Sukhjit Kaur (ਸੁਖਜੀਤ ਕੌਰ). I came to Aotearoa in 2011 from India, and I now proudly call this beautiful country my home. I joined Pukekohe High School in 2019 as a mathematics teacher, and last year, I had the privilege of serving as the Year 9 Dean. This role allowed me to build strong connections with students, their whaanau, and the dedicated teachers who support them. 

Teaching is my passion because it’s a journey of mutual growth. I learn just as much from my students as they do from me. I believe every student has untapped potential and the ability to grow into their best self.   

Beyond the classroom, I’ve had the privilege of being part of the Pasifika and Indian Polyfest groups, celebrating the rich cultural diversity of our school. With every challenge, I see an opportunity for growth and change. 

“Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini” – Success is not the work of an individual, but the work of many.

I look forward to another exciting year of learning, collaboration, and growth with our students, staff, and community. 

Ngaa mihi nui (ਸ਼ੁਭ ਕਾਮਨਾਵਾਂ)

Year 11 – Kia Hua

Colleen Jacobs

My name is Colleen Jacobs, and I’ve had the privilege of being part of Pukekohe High School for the past eight years, currently serving as the Head of the Soft Materials Department. Before this, I spent 14 years as the Dean at Manurewa High School. 

I moved to New Zealand from South Africa 28 years ago and have since made Pukekohe my home. Both of my children are alumni of Pukekohe High, and my husband is also an educator at a nearby high school. 

I strongly believe in the importance of fostering positive relationships with our students. This approach is central to ensuring that we address all aspects of their well-being.  Together with our community we strive to mould our students into responsible, all rounded individuals. 

Aisea Taliai

I joined Pukekohe High School in 2021 as part of the Social Science department and have loved being part of this community ever since. Alongside teaching, I’ve had the privilege of taking on roles such as Tiitoki House Leader and overseeing Amokura Pasifika, where I support and celebrate the rich cultural diversity within our school. 

My teaching philosophy is all about creating positive and supportive environments as this provides the best opportunities for students to succeed. I value openness, respect, determination, and resilience.  I strive to instill these qualities in my students while helping them reach their full potential both in being their Kaitiaki and in my own teaching practice. 

I’m proud to be part of the Pukekohe High School team and to play a role in shaping a bright future for our learners. 

Malo aupito 

Year 12 – Kia Puawai

Jacalyn (Jackie) Green

Ko Maungawhati te maunga e tuu nei i taku taha.
Ko Waikato te awa e rere ana i taku whenua.
Ko Green te whaanau.
Ko Aotearoa tooku waka.
Ko Jackie Green tooku ingoa.
He Kaitiaki Aakonga ahau ki te Kura Tuarua o Pukekohe.

Born and raised in Franklin, I am proud to call Pukekohe my home. 

I have been a teacher at PHS since 2017, and prior to that, I taught at Auckland Grammar School. Throughout my time at PHS, I have taught a variety of subjects although my passion lies in the sciences. In addition to my teaching role, I serve as a Kaitiaki Aakonga / Dean for the Year 12 cohort. I thoroughly enjoy collaborating with students and their families to help them make informed choices about their educational opportunities and how to manage their time while at PHS. 

Chantal Krybolder

My journey in education began in 2009 as a Teacher Aide, a role I took on while completing my teaching degree. In 2013, I started teaching here in Franklin and haven’t looked back since.

In 2022, I embraced a new challenge as a Learning Support Coordinator (LSC) at Pukekohe High School. Stepping out of the classroom was a significant shift, but I have developed a strong passion for this role and the diverse experiences it brings. In 2023, I had the privilege of becoming Kaitiaki for my cohort, which has allowed me to foster even deeper connections with our Aakonga.

I firmly believe in Whakawhanaungatanga—the importance of belonging. A sense of connection and support is essential for students to navigate their school journey successfully. When students feel valued and supported, they are empowered to take risks, face challenges, and engage in authentic learning experiences.

It’s an honour to be part of a team dedicated to creating opportunities and guiding our students to reach their full potential.

Year 13 – Tuu Rangatira

Jude Webber

Kia ora koutou 

I am Cambridge born and bred, growing up on a dairy farm with my family. I have called Pukekohe home for the last 25 years after moving here with my own young family. I then moved into Education upon arriving here, with my first ten years as a Teacher Aide working in many of our local schools within our community. I decided to train to be a teacher after gaining a passion for Learning Support as both a parent and educator, and the need to want to support our students and parents more with their journeys through our education system. After gaining my teaching degree I went on to complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Educational Psychology, which has been hugely valuable in my role here at Pukekohe High School. 

I was lucky enough to start at Pukekohe High School in 2020 as one of our Learning Support Coordinators. Since then I have also moved into a Kaitiaki Aakonga role, and I have found the pastoral aspect of these two positions really complement each other. I believe that all students should be given the opportunity to shine in their own way, and being a part of supporting our students to grow and learn at Pukekohe High School has been a really rewarding journey for me. It is also really important to me to foster and nurture positive relationships with my students and their families and I am committed to this, as I believe a strong positive home-school relationship is integral to a student’s learning journey while at school.  

I love coming to work each day and am looking forward to watching our school community and students continue to grow in the years ahead to become confident, connected and active members of Pukekohe. 

Ko te ahurei o te tamaiti aroha o taatou mahi 

Let the uniqueness of the child guide our work