Leadership
Nita Pond
Principal
At Whanganui Girls’ College, I have continued to share my love for teaching and passion for the performing arts. I am in the privileged position of being able to support and guide many of our students through to academic and personal success as they make their journey through secondary school.
The family feel of the school along with its strong house spirit and ASTRA school values give students, staff and community a sense of belonging and self-worth.
Email: npond@wgc.ac.nz
Craig Ritani
Deputy Principal
I am originally from Christchurch but completed a Bachelor of Physical Education at Otago University. From there, I taught at Christchurch College of Education. I then traveled to London and worked in an all-boys school for two years before travelling around Europe and returning to New Zealand. I then applied for a job at Wanganui Collegiate School as Head of Physical Education and ended up working there for nine years. When an opportunity came up to work at Whanganui Girls’ College as Assistant Principal, I decided it was a great opportunity to gain more experience at a good school. I’ve also been heavily involved in hockey as a player and coach and enjoy coaching the 1st XI girls team here at Whanganui Girls’ College.
Email: critani@wgc.ac.nz
Our School Social Worker
School Social Worker – Te Mania O’Rourke
The role of the social worker is to provide confidential support, guidance and advocacy for students and their families/whanau to ensure students are emotionally safe, both at school and in their lives. Social work in New Zealand is governed by two professional bodies: ANZASW – Aotearoa/New Zealand Association of Social Workers and SWRB – Social Work Registration Board.
Te Mania’s qualifications include a Diploma in Social Work, a Certificate in Counselling, and Primary Certificate in REBT (Rational Emotive Behavioural Therapy). She is accredited to facilitate Strengthening Families Meetings and is a member of ANZASW (Aotearoa / New Zealand Association of Social Workers). Te Mania is registered with the SWRB (Social Workers Registration Board).
Our Deans
Mr Ryan McFadyen
Year 9 Dean
rmcfadyen@wgc.ac.nz
Mrs Karen Laing
Year 10 Dean
klaing@wgc.ac.nz
Ms Sarah Drakefield
Year 11 Dean
sdrakefield@wgc.ac.nz
Ms Nina Barbezat
Year 12 Dean
nbarbezat@wgc.ac.nz
Ms Brenda Thompson
Year 13 Dean
bthompson@wgc.ac.nz
Our HoDs
Mr Leslie Davis
Social Sciences
ldavis@wgc.ac.nz
Ms Rachel Conley
Technology
rconley@wgc.ac.nz
Ms Caren Steed
English and Languages
csteed@wgc.ac.nz
Mrs Caroline Rhodes
Visual and Performing Arts
crhodes@wgc.ac.nz
Mrs Blanche Cloete
Science
bcloete@wgc.ac.nz
Mrs Sandra Friedel
Mathematics
sfriedel@wgc.ac.nz
Ms Amy Fairhurst
Health and PE
afairhurst@wgc.ac.nz
Mrs Debra Tunbridge
Learning Support
dtunbridge@wgc.ac.nz