Introducing the Deans

By OBHS | Posted: Tuesday February 15, 2022

This week we would like to introduce our Deans. Each of our Houses has a Dean who is responsible for academic and pastoral care.

Nicole Bennett - Aspinall

2009 was the year that I started as a beginning teacher of English and over the last decade I have taught Digital Technologies and Robotics. Currently, I am Teacher in Charge of Digital Technologies and the Dean of Aspinall House. In the last 5 years I have been the Year 11 Dean and the Dean of Aspinall in between the births of my two children.

Teaching boys is a unique experience, and you need to be able to sometimes just have a laugh alongside them. I am passionate about helping to shape our students into men that can uphold our school values. Being a Dean is a rewarding role that I thoroughly enjoy, hopefully Aspinall can retain its position of 1st place in the house competition this year.

My role it to be a support mechanism for your son and to bridge the gap between parents, caregivers, and teachers. I have an open-door policy and look forward to working with your sons this year. [email protected]

Kelvin McCrone - McIndoe

Kia Ora Koutou OBHS Whanau.

My name is Kelvin McCrone and I am the Dean of McIndoe house.

I have been a staff member at Otago Boys' High School for 10 years, teaching History and Social Studies. I am also heavily involved with the co-curricular life of the school in the rugby, cricket and golf programmes. This gives me the opportunity to interact with the akonga and their whanau outside of the classroom. This is where relationships are developed. In my experience, building and maintaining these positive respectful relationships mean that any issues that may arise are more easily managed.

I am looking forward to working the 2022 Year 9 cohort and introducing them to the school values. The value for Term 1 is respect (whakaute). Your boys will now understand what this looks like at OBHS. If you or your son have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am here to help. [email protected]

Mark Alderton - Park

My name is Mark Alderton and I am Dean of Park House.

I have been teaching for 19 years with the majority of this time spent in traditional boy’s schools. I personally believe that a single sex environment such as Otago Boys' High School gives young men the best opportunity to develop into the quality young adults, we all want them to become.

As a dean I am always striving to build positive relationships with my students and then use these relationships to guide the boys to succeed to the best of their potential in the academic, sporting and cultural world.

I understand that every boy that walks through our archway is an individual. I also know that all the boys will face a range of hurdles during their time with us. It is my job to help the boys overcome these hurdles. With this in mind, please feel free to contact me about your son’s development during his time here. [email protected]

Kent Twaites - Saxton

Kia ora tātou,

My name is Kent Twaites, Dean of Saxton House.

I have been a Dean at Otago Boys' for 7 years and I am responsible for your son(s) pastoral care and wellbeing within Saxton House. I am your direct contact if there are any pastoral concerns. 

I believe that as an educator and dean, I have a moral obligation to assist all akonga to have the opportunity to reach their full potential as young men by giving my unwavering support, respect, and honest perspectives. 

If you have any queries or need to speak to me regarding your son(s), please contact the school or email me directly: [email protected]

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