Mandy Jarden may have been teaching English for 36 years, but she is still excited to be heading up the English Department at Hukarere Girls’ College.

Mrs Jarden has joined the Hukarere teaching staff after more than 20 years at Hastings Girls’ High School.

Mrs Jarden said she was excited to be starting at Hukarere at a time of big change and opportunity.

“It’s a school with a very long tradition and the renaissance of the school has to be tied in with the renaissance of te reo and the resurgence of Māori culture.”

“Hukarere’s students are Māori so everything at the school is through a Māori lens. The students are already secure in who they are as Māori so the work that we do just needs to affirm that.”

Mrs Jarden says her role is to ensure her students have the competency in English to succeed in whatever aspect of New Zealand’s society they choose to go into.

Born in England, Mrs Jarden’s family moved to New Zealand when she was nine years old, and she attended Hillneath School in Wairoa. She completed schooling and tertiary study in England before returning to New Zealand in 1982, where she taught English at Wairoa College. Mrs Jarden became Head of Department in 1997, before moving with her family to Hastings in 2000, where she became Head of Department at Hastings Girls’ High School. After relinquishing the role, she remained in a teaching position there until June this year when she resigned to move to Hukarere Girls’ College.

Mrs West says she is excited to be able to have someone of Mrs Jarden’s experience and talent to guide the girls.

“I have known Mandy for years and it is fantastic to be reunited with her. I have no doubt that she will add tremendous value to Hukarere.”

Hukarere Girl’ College is a Māori Anglican school situated in Eskdale, about 15 minutes from Napier.