Jane Townsend

Top of the South Region representative

Current Position: Deputy Principal, Nayland College, and former Acting Deputy Principal at Mount Maunganui College

I have worked in education for over twenty years, five in Senior Leadership; eight in Middle Management, and six as a full time Physical Education, Outdoor Education and Health Teacher.

My current responsibilities include Curriculum and Pedagogy with an emphasis on place and culturally responsive pedagogy. I also lead an integrated curriculum programme called active pedagogies and have developed an Institute of Sport programme at Nayland College. 

I have previously taught at Mount Maunganui College, Hamilton’s Fraser High School School and Selwyn College prior to joining Nayland College.  I have also designed and facilitated workshops for Education Outdoors New Zealand, facilitated workshops for Physical education New Zealand and NZQA, and have been a tutor for a Post-Graduate Senior Physical Education course.

I am passionate about the outdoors and the learning opportunities and benefits to wellbeing that connecting with our significant places offers. I am also passionate about increasing student engagement and achieving this through culturally and place responsive approaches across and through the curriculum.

As an Executive Member of NASDAP my intention is to advocate for Assistant and Deputy Principals, further develop our regional networka, and  to share great practice and innovative ideas in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for all of our students.