NEW!

Thursday, 5th February 2026 at 7:40am

GBHS warmly welcomes our newest staff members of 2026

Over the next few weeks, new staff will be featured in our newsletter - be sure to say 'Kia ora' when you see them out and about. This week's issue features:

• Colette Russell (Teacher Aide) pictured above
• Antonio Escobar-Flaunty (Physical Education/Health) pictured above
• Orca Tsai (EAL Teacher Aide) (pictured above)
• Brianna Jeans (Physical Education/Health) (pictured above)
• Shay Prasad Jones - (English, Social Sciences) (pictured above)
• Dominic English (Sciences)
• Tom Everett - (English)
• Elizabeth (Libby) Brickland - English
• Rashmi Holt (Hospitality)
• Shobby Ram (Teacher Aide)
• Teresa Joy (Mathematics)
• Natalie Barden (Sciences)
• Kyla Fisher (Social Sciences)
• Tsjalke Bouma (Technology)

(Teacher Aide) Colette Russell - Kia Ora, I'm really enjoying being part of the Learning Support Team at Green Bay High School. I've lived in West Auckland all my life and currently live in Laingholm which I love being so close to the Waitakere Ranges and the West Coast Beaches. I live with my husband, 2 teenage boys, 2 dogs and a cat named Barry. Both my sons play school and club cricket and school rugby so this makes our family very busy but I love being able to watch and support my sons and their teammates.

(EAL Teacher Aide) Orca Tsai - Kia ora! I have multiple qualifications (MHSs, BVA, DipBus, DipVetAW, and CertDogPB) and I am a bilingual Mandarin–English support professional with a passion for learning and over 20 years of experience working across education, health, and community settings. I also volunteer extensively, providing language, mentoring, and community support, which strengthens my understanding of diverse learners and families. Alongside my work in schools, I continue my own research and writing, which deepens my interest in wellbeing, cross-cultural understanding, and lifelong learning. I am very excited to join the whānau at Green Bay High. I look forward to strengthening relationships to support learning, helping our students understand what success looks like, and walking alongside them with confidence as they achieve it.

(Physical Education / Health) Antonio Escobar Flaunty - Kia Ora. I am excited to be joining the health and physical education department at Green Bay High School. I come from a strong sporting background, which in 2019 led me to a scholarship to play tennis in the USA, but due to covid I decided to pursue my love for outdoor education and spending time in the great outdoors instead. I really enjoy exploring our national forests and back country around Aotearoa and I have explored all corners of New Zealand. I love to share my experiences and stories as I think it’s important to learn about the place you are from. On the weekend I spend my time playing golf or mountain biking at Woodhill Forest and Rotorua. I also love 4-wheel driving with the Land Rover club. I strive to create an inclusive classroom environment where students are encouraged to take risks, think critically and support each other.

(English and Social Sciences) Shay Prasad Jones - Kia Ora everybody, I am an Auckland boy born and raised, but I grew up with a bach at Piha, so I’m a West Coast boy at heart and soul. I hold a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Classics and History. I was a bartender and mixologist for five years during my uni days, and my gap year. I wanted to become a teacher because of the many teachers who inspired and supported me throughout my education, and I hope to pass along that same feeling to my students. My hobbies include collecting vinyl records, football, Formula 1, golf, basketball, surfing, reading, woodworking, and video games. The teams I follow are West Ham United (football), the Boston Celtics (basketball), and Scuderia Ferrari (Formula 1). I also love to travel. I have been to Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Fiji, San Francisco, Atlanta, Orlando (Disney World), and New York. The places I really want to go to next are Japan and Europe. I am really looking forward to getting started here at Green Bay High School and meeting everyone.

(Physical Education / Health) Brianna Jeans - I am very excited to be teaching in the Health and PE department at Green Bay High School. Sport, health and wellness are my passions, and I am excited to be able to share my experiences from my time teaching internationally with you throughout the year. When I'm not at school, I'm cheering my favourite sport teams on, exploring the hiking trails and beaches, and researching new ways to bring positive wellness habits into my routines. I hope to inspire my students and encourage them to live each day with the Kakariki code in the pursuit of success together.