Staff Profiles

Born in London to Kiwi parents, I grew up in NZ. After studying Commerce at Auckland University, I went overseas for 3 years, spending time in Asia, North Africa and the United Kingdom. I worked as a commercial fisherman, house-builder, stained glass craftsman, accounts administrator and finally did my teaching diploma. I worked for 4 years as a high school teacher before gaining qualifications to teach English and moving to beautiful Whitianga and the Coromandel Outdoor Language Centre. I have 2 daughters

After 23 years I’m still here and still loving it! I’m an outdoors person, love the sea, surfing, sailing and fishing and love bringing these activities into my school life and sharing them with students and with my two daughters, Claire, 26 and Hanako,14. I enjoy interacting with students from all over the world and teach not only academic classes but also the surfing course and the environmental studies course. I enjoy playing guitar and singing and bring music into school through regular singing sessions where students can develop English fluency and pronunciation skills through the words and rhythms of songs.

Ross is a very important part of the COLC team.  He is an experienced English teacher, great surf teacher and his guitar playing backs our singing lessons and our famous "Welcome Song"