When: Thursday 30 May 2019
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: Western Springs College staff room.
Candidate Statements 3 Year term:
Belinda DRAKE:
My name is Belinda Drake and I am standing for the Board of Trustees for Western Springs College-Ngā Puna o Waiōrea.
I’m a mum to three boys – the youngest is a Year 10 at Springs, and the older two are currently uni students who are proud Springs’ alumni (Year 13s in 2015 and 2018).
I’m passionate about supporting local schools as a wonderful basis of community, which is an excellent foundation for both a great education and a healthy society. I’ve been a Board member at Springs since September 2017 when I was selected by the Board to replace a resigning trustee. I also served on the Board at Pasadena Intermediate, as Chair, from mid 2013 until the end of 2017. I was involved as Chair in supporting the establishment of our Kāhui Ako (network of local schools) and was elected to be on the Selection Panel for appointing the Kāhui leadership role, followed by the seven Across School Teachers. I have further governance experience on a Body Corporate which is New Zealand’s first mixed residential and commercial Body Corp. Other than governance, I have tried to support our local schools and their students in many ways, such as co-ordinating the parent-reading program at Westmere, being a reader/writer for students at Springs, managing sports teams, and being the secretary of PAG for the last few years.
I am a firm believer that Boards of Trustees play a crucial role in supporting excellent educational outcomes for students. I strongly support the co-governance kaupapa at Springs that has been developed over many years and with this election comes truly into being. I’m also an advocate of the learning support kaupapa that is so important at Springs. With any change, the continuation of a high-trust, hard-working and collegial governance team is all the more important, and the move into the new building is a huge and exciting new era for our school.
As the Board transitions to its mid-term election cycle under the new constitution, I have put my name forward for a three-year term. This would bring me close to the end of my youngest son’s time at Springs. Until then, I have the time, passion and commitment to devote to the school, and it would be a privilege to continue to represent and serve our diverse community as part of a dedicated governance team working hard for Springs.
Richard GREEN:
Tēnā koutou katoa.
My name is Richard Green and I am seeking re-election for the Western Springs College board.
I was elected in the last cycle, but with dissolution of the board I am standing again to support the new kaupapa.
High on my list of priorities is working with other board members to see through the changes in our constitution, and support an environment where achievement, both personal and academic, is attainable for all our students. And this sits at the heart of what I believe is the role of a trustee, a member of our community, and a parent supporting our local school.
My experience in an educational governance role is extensive, having sat on the Point Chevalier School board for twelve years, with eight years as chair, as well as being on the Pasadena Intermediate School board for six years.
I am currently an elected member of the New Zealand School Trustees national board, which governs the organisation.
Also I am a member of the NZ International Comedy Festival board, and spent some time sitting on the Massive Company board.
During this time I have employed two principals, been through fires, roll growth and property issues, and alongside that developed effective relationships both internally and externally.
I was also selected by my peers to sit on the selection panel for the Kahui Ako (COL), employing the Lead Principal and Across School Teachers.
In 2014 and 2016 I was awarded the Crombie Lockward Study Grant for trustees – 2014 looking at Māori achievement in Pākehā schools, and 2016 looking at the Impact of Roll Growth on our schools in Western Bays.
My work as a treaty educator, training and facilitating workshops around te Tiriti O Waitangi for NGOs, schools, corporates, the health and education sector, as well as for other governing bodies, fuels my enthusiasm for continuing my work on the board, as well as the co-governance model.
In my other life I am the executive director of a charitable arts trust, bringing business, financial, and political acumen.
Having had two children, Jackson and Joshua, already through the school, I look forward to a continued relationship with my daughter Molly arriving in 2020.
My commitment is therefore long term.
I stand with proven experience in governance and a desire to see Western Springs College continue its goal to provide excellent educational outcomes for all students in our community.
Craig MOLLER:
Kia ora, I’m Craig Moller. I have two children at Western Springs College-Ngā Puna o Waiōrea; Harry in year 11 and Claudia in year 9. I am an Architect and a Director of Moller Architects.
I am currently on the Board of Trustees at Western Springs College-Ngā Puna o Waiōrea. I am keen to be re-elected so that I can continue to contribute to the governance of our school. I was on the Board of Trustees at Freemans Bay School for 7 1/2 years, and on the Board of Trustees at Ponsonby Intermediate for the last 3 years.
As an architect with extensive experience in large scale projects, I can assist the board in making sound decisions about the school’s property and built environment. This is at the forefront of the school’s development in the immediate future, not only with the completion of the current new build but for projected developments into the future.
Having been a Trustee at Freemans Bay School for the duration of their own new build and progression into Innovative Learning Environments, I have a sound knowledge of the thinking and progression that is needed, not only physically adapting but also emotionally and mentally adapting from the single cell class to open learning environments. There is a lot to still be learned about how this is going to work and how best to support our students through the transition, and to educate our whanau and wider community about the benefits of this way of learning.
With Springs’ current enrolment policy of in-zone only, we have a great opportunity to be involved with our local community, and to collectively contribute to the governance of our school, along with senior management, to deliver the school curriculum.
I studied architecture at Auckland University and then completed a Master of Architecture at Yale University in the USA. I have held a teaching role at the School of Architecture since 2007; I also serve on Review Panels for the Schools of Architecture in New Zealand, to ensure they meet academic standards for accreditation. I am an assessor for the New Zealand Registered Architects Board and a member of the Auckland Urban Design Panel.
I enjoy the outdoors and, as a cyclist, I get to experience the wider Auckland environs. I believe that our future generations’ use of the outdoor environment is as important for their mental and emotional development as the classroom itself. We are very fortunate to have such large open spaces at WSC/NPoW and the development of these will have a marked effect on the way the school functions.
Linda PIRRIT:
Tēnā koutou katoa.
My name is Linda Pirrit and I am standing for a second term on the Board of Trustees for Western Springs College-Ngā Puna o Waiōrea. Our children are now in Year 10 and 13.
As a proud member of the Western Springs community, I have enjoyed the opportunity to see first-hand Springs students succeeding at school. I have seen them achieve strong academic results, while also developing into young adults that understand themselves, are respectful of people from different cultures, backgrounds and interests, and are well prepared for their lives after high school. I have also been proud to support the new build and look forward to seeing it come to life next term.
I have been a doctor in general practice for more than 15 years with a focus on youth, education and, most recently, on Māori and Pacific Communities. I currently work as a GP at both Manurewa Marae and Auckland Girls Grammar and am a Medical Educator for the Royal New Zealand College of General Practioners.
My work demonstrates my commitment to, and understanding of, the broader issues that contribute to youth education, well-being and young people’s ability to thrive. I believe this experience provides me with a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the school and our students.
I have also been able to expand my understanding of bi-cultural practice through my work at Manurewa Marae and am excited about the opportunities our new co-governance board can bring to the school and our wider community.
I look forward to the opportunity to serve for an additional term on the Western Springs College Ngā Puna o Waiōrea Board. I am committed to supporting the school as it transitions into the new buildings and learning environments, further develops the co-governance model and continues to provide an outstanding academic environment in which each student’s overall well-being and development is a priority.
Ngā mihi nui
Linda Pirrit
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