Community Relations

Role and Responsibilities

Katherine Priddle works in Community Relations at Marsden. She organises a wide range of school occasions, including student and parent breakfasts, school dances, the cherished Leavers’ Ball, and a variety of community events throughout the year.

 

Katherine is the school liaison for both the Parents and Friends’ Group and the Marsden Old Girls’ Association (MOGA), working closely with each to strengthen connections between families, alumnae and the school. She is also a member of the 150th Jubilee Planning Committee, contributing to preparations for this significant milestone in Marsden’s history.

Working Background

Katherine first joined Marsden in 2021, but her connection to the school runs deeper, as an Old Girl, making her return to Marsden feel like coming full circle. Before stepping into her current role, Katherine spent over 10 years working in the design and print industry, developing a strong foundation in organisation and communication. She holds a Certificate in Publishing and a BA (Hons) in Linguistics, reflecting her lifelong love of language.

 

Approach and Contribution

Katherine thrives on building relationships and loves the sense of community at Marsden. She finds great satisfaction in seeing an event come to life and enjoys creating experiences that bring people together. One highlight has been the school’s first Matariki celebration, which began as a simple idea and blossomed into a special gathering for the entire Marsden whānau.

 

Motivated by a commitment to doing things well, Katherine takes pride in her work and finds joy in seeing a job done properly. While she describes herself as more of a steady advocate, she is a strong supporter of Marsden and is always proud to represent the school.

 

Interests and hobbies

Outside of work, Katherine values time with her family, she has three sons and two stepsons, and although they are not all at home now, she appreciates every opportunity to bring everyone together for meals. A keen knitter, Katherine always has a project on the go. She has also been a member of the same book group for over 20 years and loves supporting the arts, especially attending NZSO concerts whenever she can.