Head of Marsden Primary, Director of International Students

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Head of Marsden Primary, Director of International Students

Marsden School appointed Mrs Joanna (Jo) Burns to the position of Head of Primary halfway through 2022. In 2023 she also assumed the role of Director of International Students.

Outstanding Educator

Jo is an outstanding educator with over 20 years of experience in primary school education in a variety of contexts; both state and private education here in New Zealand and internationally. Jo and her family relocated back to New Zealand from China, where she had been teaching at Hangzhou International School. Prior to this she was a Team Leader and Lead Teacher of Inquiry Learning, Student Agency, at Havelock North Primary School.

Lifelong Learner

A lifelong learner, Jo is currently studying for a Master's in Educational Leadership and Administration at Massey University and is completing a certificate in Advanced Leadership with a focus on women in leadership. She has trained extensively in conceptual-based learning, inquiry instruction and differentiation.


By fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity, we lay the foundations for future learning, equipping our girls with a versatile skill set to conquer any path they choose to embark upon. At Marsden, we shape the young minds of today to become leaders of tomorrow.
Jo Burns

Passionate about Sport

Passionate about sport, Jo has played and coached netball and is involved in high-performance sport with New Zealand Artistic Swimming. Jo is an international Artistic Swimming judge, having judged at Olympics, Commonwealth Games, and World Championships.