Your Team - Taupo-nui-a-Tia College

Your Team

Your International Team at Taupo-nui-a-Tia College has got one main goal: to deliver an unforgettable experience that will teach you many different life skills to prepare you for an awesome future! To keep you safe and happy, we have people around you who will look after you 24/7. We have been praised many times for our strong pastoral care, in school as well as outside school.

For us it is important that our students receive the best possible opportunities during their time in New Zealand. Starting with a great homestay (all police vetted and checked), a subject package that suits their interests and level, a direct link to our sports and cultural after school opportunities and help with their academic pathway. Mental health support for our students is available via our school counsellor (on site), our school nurse (both on site) and of course our International student program director, who will have ongoing follow ups with our students.

International Students Program Director

Kia ora, I am Aniek Lenoir, International Student Program Director at Taupo-nui-a-Tia College for the past 10 years. I am of Dutch origin and arrived in Taupō with my family of 5 about 18 years ago. I raised three boys, who have now finished school. Taupō was a great place to raise a family, with plenty of sporting opportunities for my children and myself. I am a family woman, but also love to be active in the community (hockey coach) and social with friends.

I know the possibilities Taupō has to offer, due to many involvements in clubs and recreation. And I know how it feels to miss home. I relate really well to the journey of the students who come here for their overseas experience, either for academics or for NZ experience. I love spending time with them, hearing their stories and their struggles. I make time to bond with them, and guide them during their stay.

A text from a previous student Helen, who returned to visit me:

“Enjoy everything that can be enjoyed! You are doing an amazing job! Thank you so much for everything you did for me back then when I was a student. Just wanted to say you are literally perfect for this job and I LOVE how much energy you are putting into this. I am sure we’ll meet again!!!”

Aniek Lenoir

[email protected]

Homestay CoordinatorSubtitle

In my late teens I travelled overseas on a cultural exchange and was involved with an international exchange programme for a number of years. Returning to the industry after a number of years working in travel and in recruitment is very exciting!

I am passionate about travel and the opportunities and education it provides those willing to be brave. Getting to know the families and students so I can create the perfect placement is really important to me, and I look forward to working with all international students to ensure they have a great time in New Zealand.

Suze Stevenson

[email protected]

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Head of Department Outdoor Education and Leadership

Kia Ora,

My name is Kris Sainsbury and I am the Teacher in charge of Outdoor Education at Taupo-nui-a-Tia College. I have been teaching in the Outdoor Education field for over 15 years. My Family and I are avid outdoors lovers and enjoy the many opportunities Taupo has to offer. We are absolutely blessed to have an amazing outdoor playground right at our doorstep and the Taupo-nui-a-Tia College Outdoor Education programme is designed to take every advantage of this.

My Philosophy is to encourage those with any interest in any outdoors pursuit to get out there and enjoy it. I love showing off our beautiful environment and teaching students about the history, the necessary skills needed and giving them the chance to explore and enjoy this with like minded individuals which will create lifelong memories.

“Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach of us more than we can ever learn from books.”

John Lubbock

Kris Sainsbury

[email protected]

International Student Administrator

Kia ora,

I’m Victoria and I have joined the International Students team in 2022 here at Taupo-nui-a-Tia College. I am excited to be working with Aniek and her team to give our International Students an unforgettable Kiwi experience.

I have lived in the Taupō region since 2001, and my three children are all past or current students of Taupo-nui-a-Tia College. I enjoy exploring our local area, and beyond, and planning adventures with my family.

I look forward to welcoming our future International Students. I am here to support them, and to help ensure that they discover all that our school and region have to offer.

Victoria Langford-Putt

[email protected]

Head of ESOL Department

I'm Kate Findley, the teacher in charge of ESOL here at Nui. Together with my assistant, Claire, we support our second language students to gain confidence with their conversational English, access their learning through targeted ESOL lessons, and have fun with their peers in our class.

Learning English can be an exhausting experience, so Claire and I work hard to help our students improve their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

In class, we structure our lessons around our students' needs, and then we create lessons to help each student continue to improve their English language proficiency. Claire will also go to help our ESOL students in subjects where they might need a bit more support with their learning. We also like to play games and have some fun in class, to make sure that our students are building relationships with their peers and teachers.

We look forward to meeting you and helping you to improve your proficiency with the English language!

Catherine Findley: ESOL teacher [email protected]

Kate Findley