On Monday 6 November, the Thames High School community came together to officially welcome Mr. Ashforth during a Pōwhiri ceremony.
We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to Mr Christopher Ashforth, the newest member of the Thames High School whānau. His appointment as one of our Deputy Principals marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for our school. At the Pōwhiri, Mr Ashforth was joined by his wife and children, his mother and in-laws, his colleagues and Head Students from his previous kura Tangaroa College in Otara.
The morning celebration continued with morning tea in the staff room and more speeches from Principal Mr Hart, Whaea Rawinia and Mr Ashforth and was supported by beautiful waiata and Haka. The Tangaroa College Head Students also presented the speech-makers with ‘ulafala / necklaces made from flowers. Mr Ashforth’s colleagues spoke about him with such respect and love and it was an auspicious occasion to witness.
Mr Ashford brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to education, and we are thrilled to have him on board as we continue to strive for excellence and growth. Christopher has been the Head of Learning of Visual Art for 7 years and Year 9 Dean at Tangaroa College in the heart of South Auckland, a multicultural school of over 800 students. He has been a dean of every year level and has been an avid promoter of the Visual Arts during his career. He has taught Photography, Digital Art, Visual Art and Junior Digital Technology at St Kentigern College (2007-2016), Selwyn College (2006-2007) and Mount Albert Grammar School (2005-2006). Christopher has taught students who have achieved the NCEA New Zealand Scholarship in Photography. He is completing his Master of Secondary School Leadership at Victoria University and was awarded the Joyce Fisher Charitable Trust Scholarship in 2022. Recently he secured the Gerrard and Marti Friedlander Charitable Trust Grant for Tangaroa College, reflecting his leadership, vision and excellence in photography.
Please enjoy these photos of the Pōwhiri.
