Auckland Central Catholic Kāhui Ako

Auckland Central Catholic Kāhui Ako

Our Team

Central Auckland Cluster

Carolynn Phillips (Principal Lead)
Marist Primary School, Principal

Kia ora koutou I have worked in a variety of different roles within Catholic Education for nearly forty years, as a teacher in Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary & at Tertiary level; a DRS at Secondary level; and Principal of two schools–St Michael’s, Remuera and currently Marist School, Mt Albert. I also worked across the Auckland Diocese as a Primary Religious Education advisor for three years.

I am passionate about Catholic Education and have enjoyed the collaborative nature of our Kāhui ako over the last couple of years, especially the robust conversations, sharing of effective practice, shared PLD and continuing the growth of partnerships under our Special Character mantle.

I am committed to working with Michael as co-lead of our group as we continue to promote and facilitate the sharing of expertise, knowledge and skills across all schools as this directly impacts, first and foremost, on the wellbeing and achievement of all ākonga.

Michael Mullin (Principal Lead)
St Peter's College, Deputy Headmaster - Curriculum 

My name is Michael Mullin and I have the privilege of being one of the Co-leaders of the Auckland Central Catholic Kahui Ako. I am the Deputy Headmaster Curriculum at St Peter’s College where I have worked for over ten years. This role is about working with our Across School Leaders and Principals to open up opportunities for our schools to work and learn from each other to have the best teaching practices occurring within the schools.  

Laureen Leituala (Primary Across School Leader)
St Dominic's Catholic Primary School

Mālō e lelei and warm Pacific greetings, my name is Laureen Leituala, a teacher at St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School. This year I am privileged to be part of the Across School Team representing our Primary Schools. I have taught in many levels from Secondary to Primary and am excited to be part of a network of schools and colleagues that have collaborative vision for positive change. 

Jerremy Williams (Primary Across School Leader)
St Dominic's Catholic Primary School

My name is Jerremy Williams. I am currently teaching at St Dominic's Catholic Primary in Blockhouse Bay. I have been teaching for 15 years in a range of positions, but mainly in Year 5-8 classrooms. I have held Assistant Principal and Deputy Principal positions and I have a passion for inspiring students to read and helping others to see the benefits of using eLearning in the classroom. I am excited to begin my journey as Across School Leader for the Auckland Central Catholic Kāhui Ako and look forward to meeting and supporting  students, parents, teachers and leaders across our fourteen amazing schools.

John Gayfer (Secondary Across School Leader)
St Peter's College

Malo e lelei, kia ora, and hello; my name is John Gayfer and I am a teacher at St Peter's College. I have been teaching since 2017, working mainly with Year 7 students but also senior NCEA Economics. In that time, I have also been the Teacher in Charge of Middle School at St Peter's. Providing young people with the same opportunities and experiences that I was fortunate enough to have when I was growing up is a real reward and motivator for me. In my role as an Across Schools Leader, I look forward to working with brilliant people from across the education sector, learning from their experience, and sharing my own knowledge. The Catholic education system is a wonderful community that I feel deeply privileged to be a part of and contribute to.

Makerita Tagomoa-Papali'i (Transition Across School Leader)
Marist College

Talofa lava everyone! My name is Makerita Tagomoa-Papali'i of Samoan descent. I've been teaching since 1993 mainly in the middle school area of Years 5-10. Passionate and motivated by how our young people learn and grow in the image of Our God because they are all beautifully and wonderfully made. I look forward to working hard for our Kāhui Ako - "He aha te mea nui o te Aō? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata"

East Auckland Cluster

Patrick Walsh (Principal Lead)

Sacred Heart College

I have recently joined this Kahui Ako with other colleagues as the "Auckland East Cluster." I was formerly the leader of a Faith based Kahui Ako in the Bay of Plenty for four years so am aware of the immense benefits of these communities. I am delighted to work alongside such a committed group of Principals and teachers. The fact that we also have a “Shared Faith" binds us together in our vision and pedagogical practices. We have already seen the positive impact of our Across School and Within School Teachers on our tamariki. The career opportunities for staff, the ability to share best practices, co-construct solutions and facilitate the smooth transition of children through the schooling system are the key objectives of a Kahui Ako.
I look forward to working with you as we contribute our collective wisdom, skill and experience to realise God’s potential in all of our students. 

Lauren Carleton (Across School Leader)
St Michael's Catholic School

Kia ora koutou, my name is Lauren Carleton and I teach at St Michael's Catholic School. I have a passion for education. I enjoy supporting students in their success and giving them the tools to achieve to the best of their ability. Whilst my classroom experience lies mostly with junior children, I have had the pleasure of working alongside students from Years 0-6 as Head of IT and Head of Arts. I am thrilled to have the position of an Across School Leader and look forward to working with schools to investigate ways of improving literacy across the schools within our Kāhui Ako. 

Rachel Vaughn (Across School Leader)
Sacred Heart College

Kia ora koutou, my name is Rachel Vaughan and I have been a teacher of Mathematics to senior levels for 22 years in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.  Currently, I am the assistant head of mathematics at Sacred Heart College. I am excited to be beginning my journey as an across schools Kāhui Ako for the eastern Catholic cluster of schools supporting and collaborating with the teachers, students and the community in the area of Mathematics. 

Grant van Ansem (Across School Leader)
Sacred Heart College

My name is Grant van Ansem, I have been an English teacher for 12 years and have a background in data analysis and academic tracking. My role as an Across School leader is to support students in the transition between primary or intermediate school and secondary schools. In this role, I am looking to assist students, parents, and teachers to make the experience of our students as positive as it can be. I am also excited to support students in continuing their faith journey as they move between our catholic schools.