Welcome to Trident!
Welcome to Carmen Kendal! Mrs Kendal is an English, Social Studies and Digital Technology Teacher who is passionate about her students, language and education. She has a husband, Grant, and two sons, Joseph and Hunter. Her sons currently attend Ohope Beach School, and her husband is a civil engineer working in Opotiki. Mrs Kendal moved to New Zealand in October 2018 from Durban, South Africa, and lived and worked in Hamilton until July 2021. During her time in Hamilton, she enjoyed three years teaching at Rototuna High School, where she gained experience with integrated, collaborative, topic-based learning. After arriving in Whakatane in July 2021, she started relieving and teaching at Trident High School throughout Terms 3 and 4. She has enjoyed getting to know our kura and community, and looks forward to continuing her journey at Trident going forward. Outside of the classroom, Mrs Kendal has a plethora of interests that extend to reading, writing, debating, baking, crafting, fencing, music, languages... She looks forward to sharing her interests, culture, heritage, and knowledge, and is also looking forward to learning from her new community.
Welcome to Ms Clarke!
"My name is Robyn Clarke. I was born in Whakatane but my whanau are originally from Te Araroa. However, I have spent most of my life teaching in the Tai Tokerau rohe. My whanau are also from Kaikohe/Ngawha. I am a Nga Puhi girl! Before Trident, I was Hub leader for Year 7-10 at Murupara Area School and shared a SENco position putting support in place for students who are struggling at kura. My position at Trident is very similar where I share an LSC (Learning Support Coordinator) position with a colleague. I also teach Social Studies and have a year 10 Whanau Ako class. Something interesting about me is that I am getting married soon, so very exciting! I feel inspired by students. I believe they teach us, as teachers, how to be the best we can be!"
Welcome to Mr Richard Pinckney! Mr Pinckney has joined our PE department where he will teach PE and Health as well as being a part of the Social Science department teaching Social Studies. Before joining us at Trident Mr Pinckney was teaching at Paraparaumu College, 40 mins north of Wellington where he was for 13 years. He has moved to Whakatane where the promise of a lovely small town and great climate awaits, but he also heard that at Trident we have great students so he is excited to join our Trident whanau. Asked what inspires him, Mr Pinckney says that he likes to see students achieve their goals and he is motivated through his active pursuits. Something interesting you may like to know.... If you hear of another Mr Pinckney teaching PE outside of Trident you are not mistaken... he has a twin brother who also teaches PE!