Science

Adrian Slack

Dean of Aitken House
HoD Physics

BSc Victoria, Dip Tchg
Phone: 04 388 0850 ext 867
Email: slacka@scotscollege.schoool.nz

After five years at a state school Adrian decided to have experience in an independent school and moved to Scots in 1985 initially teaching maths and science. He took on the role of teacher in charge of Junior Maths and held this position for 10 years as well as becoming one of the senior Calculus teachers until a change in direction saw him becoming more involved in the teaching of Physics. By 2004 all his teaching was in Physics and General Science with Physics becoming his main focus and in 2015 he took on the role of HoD Physics.

Initially he was a tutor in Fergusson House before moving to Aitken House, always taking a full part in promoting House activities and social events. In 2006 he took up the position of Dean of Aitken House and through this role has promoted social events, community service and culture – in particular music.

Following a period of time as master in charge of cricket and also rugby he changed codes to football and has been the 1^st XI manager since 2009. Alongside this has been his enthusiastic involvement in anything outside the classroom from tramping to white water kayaking and abseiling to complement his love of the outdoors especially mountain climbing. He also likes to mountain bike and has recently taken up golf.

Adrian is passionate about his House and teaching and is always keen to see the best from his students. He is married with four adult children and four lovely grandchildren.

Rob Hawley

Teacher of Physics & MS Science

BE (Electrical) Hons Auckland, Dip Tchg
Phone: 04 388 0850
Email: hawleyr@scotscollege.school.nz

Rob joined our staff at Scots College in 2019. He brings a wealth of experience in teaching Physics and the sciences. He has taught Bursary, Scholarship, A Level, IB and NCEA Physics in New Zealand and England. Previous appointments include HOD Physics positions in Physics at Wellington College, St Pat’s Silverstream, Brentwood School  (Essex, 2008-9) and  Queen Margaret’s College. He has 10 years of IB experience.

Rob’s background in Electrical Engineering finds expression in his passion for Digital Technology with its applications to support teaching.

His first computer was a Commodore 128D, the D was a disk drive when all the other computers on the market were using cassette tapes to store the programs. Using Basic, Rob designed a motorised markbook before excel became the standard spreadsheet used by most teachers. He has continued to experiment with technology, it took him two years to design and develop a computerised model train set using a Basic Stamp which was the processor to the Arduino.

He brings his experience in designing and successfully pioneering a technology program utilising a laser cutter, and robot technologies with mBot and Arduino platforms.

Rob’s teaching roles have been happily juggled in support of his wife Jackie’s training and career as an obstetrician and gynaecologist. He particularly enjoyed the opportunities to be house dad and teach overseas. Rob is a musician and plays regularly in a church band. He also is an experienced sound technician and lighting coordinator and been involved in the technical production of school shows over the years. To keep fit Rob is presently mountain biking the tracks around Wellington.

Barbara Manighetti

HoD Middle School Science
Teacher of Chemistry and Physics (Senior School)
Teacher of Science (Middle School)

Ph.D. (Cambridge) Palaeoceanography; B.Sc. Hons. (Leicester) Geology; B.Sc. Hons. (Victoria) Psychology; P. Grad. Dip. Clinical Psychology (Victoria); Grad. Dip. Tchg (Victoria)
Phone: 04 4 388 0850 ext 510
Email: manighettib@scotscollege.school.nz

Barbara moved to Scots College in 2016 from Queen Margaret College, where she taught IB Diploma Physics and Chemistry, Level 1 and Year 7 Science. A latecomer to teaching, Barbara gained her Ph.D. at Cambridge and worked as a researcher in the Climate Change arena. In 1996 she moved to NIWA in Wellington, authoring numerous publications across a range of subject areas. In the mid-2000s Barbara retrained as a Clinical Psychologist, and practised in Adult Mental Health.

Eventually “seeing the light”, she found her passion and has not looked back since commencing teaching. Now a great advocate of IB education, Barbara brings a multidisciplinary perspective to school science and is continually thrilled by the chance to learn new stuff every day and get paid for it.

Before having children, Barbara spent quite some time away from home, including four trips to Antarctica, sea voyages in the Atlantic and a bicycle trip across Russia. She loves to try out new languages and explore different cultures and religious beliefs.

Barbara has two sons at Scots, and is therefore especially invested in the academic, cultural and social success of the College. She and husband Simon are avid followers of the rugby teams, fans of the choir and orchestra, and Barbara hopes to join in with whichever clubs and activities can use a willing hand and a sense of humour. Service to the community is dear to her heart, and development of the moral and ethical, as well as intellectual stature of our young men is her top priority.

Mark Redgrave

Acting LAC Science
HoD Biology

DipTch; MSc; BSc
Phone: 04 388 0850
Email redgravem@scotscollege.school.nz

Mark joined Scots in 2018 as an experienced Biology and Science teacher. Mark brings with him over 17 years of experience in teaching, starting in Auckland and for the past ten years in Canterbury. Over this time he has fulfilled diverse roles in schools, including; Head of Learning, Science, IT manager, as well as pastoral care and administrative positions.

He believe that a passion for his subject and a holistic approach is essential in developing young people as well-rounded individuals. As a teacher Mark has supported this belief by being involved in a range of extracurricular activities: managing and coaching hockey, rugby and football teams. He has a background in the outdoors and enjoys sharing this with students by taking groups into the wilds of New Zealand.

Outside of school Mark enjoys time with family, playing hockey, walking, camping and tramping.

Paul Rutherford

Acting HOD Chemistry
Teacher of Science and Chemistry

BSc, MSc (1st class hons, Auckland), DipResMan (Massey), Dip Tchg (Wgtn College of Ed)
Phone: 04 388 0850 ext 624
Email rutherfordp@scotscollege.school.nz

Paul re-joined the science department at Scots College mid-2013 and currently teaches senior chemistry for both NCEA and the IB Diploma together with MS science. He looks after underwater hockey at Scots and is proud to be involved with MacKenzie House.

Growing up in Rotorua surrounded by sulphur and geysers sparked a lifelong interest in science, and he majored in geology at the University of Auckland. This was followed by an extensive period working as an exploration geologist in the minerals industry in New Zealand as well as overseas. Paul’s teaching career kicked off at Mana College and then an initial stint at Scots from 2002 through to 2007. He then took time out for some further geological adventures in Australia, Indonesia, China and Mongolia. Paul was delighted to have the opportunity to return to Scots College which occupies a unique place in the educational landscape.

His personal experiences have highlighted for Paul the importance of an all-round education and creating life-long learners with a global awareness. In the classroom he likes to relate aspects of the science to real life applications. He remains keen on the outdoors and actively supports the EOTC programme.

Gerald Bajema

Teacher of Science & Physics

B.AgSc; DipTchg; M.AgSc
Phone: 04 388 0850
Email: Bajemag@scotscollege.school.nz

Gerald attended Nelson College and undertook his tertiary study at the University of Canterbury and Lincoln University.

He has 30 years teaching experience including Hawarden Area School, St Patrick’s College Silverstream and Chilton St James School. Gerald’s interests are wide and varied. A fan of all sports bar none, outdoor pursuits, home maintenance and family.