Discovering the Dynamic Arts Landscape at Aquinas College
Aquinas College in Tauranga stands as a beacon of holistic education within New Zealand's vibrant Catholic schooling sector. Nestled in the welcoming suburb of Pyes Pa, this state-integrated co-educational institution caters to students from Year 7 to 13, blending rigorous academics with spiritual growth and extracurricular richness. At the heart of its offerings lies a flourishing Arts programme that not only nurtures creativity but also fosters essential life skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and self-expression. For educators passionate about shaping young minds through artistic expression, working in the Arts at Aquinas College presents a compelling opportunity in a supportive, faith-centered environment.
The school's commitment to the New Zealand Curriculum ensures that the Arts—encompassing visual arts, music, drama, and more—are woven seamlessly into daily learning. This approach aligns with national emphases on well-rounded development, where arts participation has been shown to enhance student wellbeing and engagement. As Tauranga continues to grow as a cultural hub in the Bay of Plenty, Aquinas College's Arts team plays a pivotal role in preparing students for diverse pathways, including tertiary arts programmes at universities like the University of Waikato or Massey University.
🎨 The Structure and Scope of the Arts Programme
The Arts at Aquinas College is not a siloed department but a vibrant learning area that spans the entire curriculum. In the Middle School (Years 7-8), students receive specialist instruction in visual arts, music, and drama, building foundational skills through hands-on projects. As they progress to Years 9-10, options expand, allowing specialization in areas like painting, digital art, or instrumental music. Senior students (Years 11-13) pursue NCEA Levels 1-3 in subjects such as Visual Arts, Music, Drama, and Design and Visual Communication (DVC), often achieving endorsement excellence.
Extracurriculars amplify classroom learning: ensembles like the AC Concert Band, Voci Celesti choir, and Jazz Band perform at events including the Tauranga Jazz Festival and Waikato ITM Band Festival. Drama productions, held biennially, showcase talents in classics like Fiddler on the Roof and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Visual arts students exhibit works locally, honing portfolios for future university applications. This comprehensive structure demands versatile educators who can teach across NCEA strands: understanding context, practical knowledge, developing ideas, and communicating/reflecting.
- Visual Arts: Painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, digital media.
- Music: Instrumental tuition (brass, woodwind, strings, percussion), vocals, ensembles.
- Drama/Performing Arts: Productions, Drama Club, speech and drama exams.
- DVC: Design skills for architecture, graphics, influenced by industry pros.
Recent NCEA results underscore the programme's success: over 95% pass rates at all levels, 87% University Entrance, and 33 Scholarships in 2025, reflecting equitable outcomes across genders and backgrounds.
Meet the Dedicated Arts Team and Recent Hires
Leading the charge is Arts Coordinator Karla Lyford, a part-time permanent role blending communications expertise with musical theatre passion. Gillian Oosthuizen serves as Director of Performing Arts, Drama Teacher, and Year 12 Dean, bringing deep experience in student leadership. Newcomers include Visual Arts Teacher Larissa Lacey, whose background in painting, design, and photography from Taupo-nui-a-Tia College adds fresh energy. Renee Brookland, Teacher of Music with a Bachelor of Arts (Music major, Theatre minor), directs local productions and chamber music. Warren Mahy teaches DVC, drawing from 25+ years at Weta Workshop and freelance illustration.
Instrumental tutors like Neville Grenfell (brass), Christine Martin (woodwind), and Lucy Gardener (strings) support the team, often as contractors. This collaborative group exemplifies the school's ethos: experienced professionals mentoring the next generation. Recent hires highlight Aquinas' proactive recruitment amid national secondary teacher shortages projected at 710 for 2026, particularly valuing specialists who align with Catholic values.
A Typical Day in the Life of an Arts Teacher
Imagine starting your day with a Year 9 visual arts class, guiding students through sketching local Tauranga landscapes inspired by Māori motifs. Mid-morning, switch to NCEA Level 2 Music, rehearsing the Concert Band for an upcoming mass. Lunchtime might involve supervising the Drama Club in the dedicated studio, fostering improvisation skills. Afternoons bring DVC lessons, where pupils use software to prototype designs, or one-on-one vocal tuition. Evenings could mean production rehearsals or community events, blending work with Tauranga's scenic lifestyle.
Teachers balance 20-25 contact hours weekly with planning, marking, and pastoral duties. Catholic integration—linking arts to faith themes like creation—adds depth. Flexibility shines: part-time roles like the Arts Coordinator suit families, while full-time positions offer leadership paths.
Essential Qualifications for Arts Teaching Roles
To join Aquinas' Arts team, aspiring educators need Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand registration and a current practising certificate. Most hold a Bachelor of Education (Secondary) or a content degree (e.g., Bachelor of Fine Arts) plus a Graduate Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) with Arts endorsement. For music or drama, performance diplomas enhance prospects.
- Complete an ITE programme approved by the Teaching Council.
- Gain subject-specific expertise via university arts degrees.
- Pass literacy/numeracy assessments.
- Undergo police vetting and referee checks.
- Commit to ongoing professional development (20 hours biennially).
Overseas-trained teachers can apply via International Qualification Assessment. For more details, explore the Teaching Council website.
Photo by Shomitro Kumar Ghosh on Unsplash
Competitive Salaries and Comprehensive Benefits
Under the Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement (2025-2027), starting salaries for trained teachers range from $61,329 (Step 1) to over $100,000 for experienced roles, averaging $100,933 nationally in 2024. Arts teachers earn comparably, around $75,000-$80,000 entry-level, rising with units (leadership allowances up to $4,000+). Part-time pro-rata applies.
| Experience | Annual Salary (NZD) |
|---|---|
| Graduate | $61,329 - $70,000 |
| 5 Years | $85,000 - $95,000 |
| 10+ Years/Leadership | $100,000+ |
Benefits include 10 weeks' annual leave, sick leave accrual, professional development funding, and relocation support. Catholic schools offer faith-aligned community, with Aquinas providing modern facilities and Bay of Plenty's affordable living (Tauranga median house $900k).
Professional Growth and Development Opportunities
Aquinas invests in staff via in-house PD, NCEA workshops, and external festivals. Teachers pursue Masters in Education or arts specializations at nearby universities. Leadership tracks lead to HOD Arts, Dean roles, or Deputy Principal. National initiatives like the Arts Access Community Fund support innovative projects, aligning with research showing arts learning boosts creativity for knowledge economy contributions.
Navigating Challenges While Embracing Rewards
Challenges include teacher shortages prompting larger classes (up to 30) and resource strains, yet Aquinas' high achievement mitigates this. Rewards abound: witnessing student breakthroughs, like a shy Year 10 transforming via drama, or ensembles triumphing regionally. In a Catholic context, arts illuminate faith, enhancing teacher fulfillment. Wellbeing stats affirm: 34% of NZ youth credit creative activities for happiness.
Student Achievements Fueling Programme Pride
Aquinas' arts students excel: scholarships in Visual Arts, Big Sing finalists, Sheilah Winn participants. NCEA equity—near-equal boy/girl passes—defies national trends. Alumni progress to Elam (University of Auckland) or Toi Ohomai Institute, crediting Aquinas foundations. For details on NCEA, see NZQA.
Future Horizons: New Performing Arts Precinct
Excitement builds for the Aquinas Centre, a state-of-the-art Performing Arts and Community Precinct at the school entrance. This hub will elevate productions, workshops, and community ties, attracting top talent. Amid NZ's arts resurgence post-pandemic, it positions Aquinas as a regional leader.
Photo by Samir Malek on Unsplash
Why Aquinas College is Ideal for Aspiring Arts Educators
Tauranga's sunny climate, beaches, and growth offer work-life balance. The school's family-like atmosphere, high results, and arts emphasis create rewarding careers. Amid shortages, specialists are sought—perfect for passionate pros.
Steps to Launch Your Arts Teaching Career at Aquinas
Monitor Aquinas' website and Education Gazette for vacancies. Tailor CVs to Catholic values, prepare for panel interviews/demo lessons. Network via PPTA or arts festivals. Explore opportunities on platforms like AcademicJobs.com.
- Update qualifications and registration.
- Build portfolio of teaching/arts work.
- Engage with local schools for relief teaching.
- Attend careers evenings.
Joining Aquinas means igniting creativity in NZ's next generation—apply today!