| Find out about the individuals that make up the wonderful Point Chevalier School Board of Trustees.
Richard Green- Chairperson
This is my second term on the Board, and my first as Chairperson.
Coming from a background in the not-for-profit sector, I understand fully the relationship and role between Governance and Management. The Trust I am executive director of, works in the arts field, providing opportunities and access irrespective or social, economic or geographical isolation. It offers a lot of challenges, but also skills such as business acumen, relationship management, project management, political acumen and social awareness which benefits my role as Chair.
I have had one son, Jackson, who has already passed through Point Chevalier School . Joshua is currently in Year 5 and Molly will start school in 2013. My commitment to the school and the wider community is therefore longterm. My commitment started as Chair of the kindy committee in 2002. I am lucky enough to have a job which also encompasses my passion, but outside of that I enjoy politics, music, reading, entertaining and especially watching my children and their friends grow into healthy members of our community. I will continue to support that however I can in the coming years.
Sandra Aitken - Principal
I view myself as an educationalist, having been a consumer or a provider for most of my life.
In my family life I have strong connections with education too. I am married to Graeme, a former secondary school teacher and now Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Auckland.
Together we have raised two girls , now 28 and 30 and we are the very proud grandparents of four girls aged 9, 8, 6 and 3. In a career spanning over 30 years I have worked across three education sectors- early childhood, primary and secondary.
After a brief two year venture into the ‘other world’ as a legal secretary, I was able to say that teaching was definitely the place for me. I came to Pt. Chevalier School over nineteen years ago, as part-time classroom teacher and part-time Assistant Principal leading the Junior School.
At the time I could not have imagined staying in one school for so long – but then I could not have imagined how much the school would change over that time. I have seen huge changes here – the increased roll and new buildings are the obvious things but the entire community has seen huge change in eighteen years. It is the change and the challenges it presents that have kept me interested and passionate about this school.
Louise Dempsey
My family and I love being part of Pt Chevalier Primary community and feel passionate about this vibrant school and the quality learning environment.
My son Felix is currently in Y5 and my daughter Nell is in Y1. My husband Phil Simpson is a professional photographer. I am currently working as a freelance Education Consultant, providing training, guidance and support to schools in the Auckland area and across the country, as well as running literacy training for teachers at the Kohia teachers’ Centre.
In addition to freelance work, I manage a professional learning project on the Mt Roskill Campus. This involves strengthening the links across the three schools (primary, intermediate and secondary) and building a learning community, so that teachers are working and learning together. We have had great success supporting our students’ learning as they move from school to school.
I feel privileged to be representing the community on the Board of Trustees at Pt Chevalier School and am learning a lot about the governance of schools. The community voted in a strong board with a diverse and rich skill base. We will continue to support Sandra and the staff to ensure our school provides quality resources, relationships, learning and information.
Bruce Houghton
I have lived in Pt Chevalier for the last 15 years and now have one past pupil and two girls still at Pt Chevalier School, Isabella (Yr 2) and Sophie (Yr 4). Accordingly, I have a large family involvement with Pt Chevalier School and a strong commitment to supporting the school in all that it does.
As legal counsel for an international transport company, I bring a wide range of legal, commercial, governance and management experience and skills to the Board. I am also a trustee on a charitable trust working in the disability sector which has given me an awareness of the demands and challenges of not-for-profit organisations balancing social, government and community involvement and objectives.
Over the years I have enjoyed and participated in various sports, outdoor adventure activities and music, all of which I look forward to sharing with my family and being involved in with the school. The girls are involved in the school netball teams and various school music and activity groups. In recent years I have had fun playing in the band for the school's musical production and spending a week on school camp with the senior school as a parent team leader.
We have a strong Board full of many skills, experience and a united passion for the school. I look forward to working with them and the great school team led by Sandra Aitken to support and guide the school forward in its goals and its daily activities.
Sean Lyons
Hello, my name is Sean and I live in Pt Chevalier with my wife Brigid, and our 3 sons. Eli is in Year 6, Archie is in Year 3 and Oscar is in Year 1.
I currently work for NetSafe (www.netsafe.org.nz), which is a not for profit organisation that, amongst other things, provides support, guidance and advice to schools on child safety online. Much of my work time is spent with School Boards, Principals and teachers looking at the ways in which they use technology to enhance the learning process, and trying to help them to provide the safest possible environment to do this in. I am a passionate believer in the value of the use technology in the way we educate our young people.
Before joining NetSafe I was a Science and IT teacher, working at Onehunga High School and Botany Downs Secondary College.
When I’m not working, I enjoy standing on the touchlines of junior sports games hoping not to get wet, mountain biking, taking photos and convincing myself that Arsenal Football club will once again rise to the glory days of the early 90’s.
Neil Waka
Neil Waka is one of New Zealand's foremost broadcasters with more than 26 years experience in the industry, 21 of those as a Television News Presenter/Journalist at both TVNZ and TV3.
Looking for challenges outside of Television, in 2000 Neil began a consultancy company and at the same time completed the Governments' course for company directors. Soon after he was shortlisted as a TVNZ Board member.
While hosting his own radio show at one of New Zealand's top radio stations, in 2000 Neil was offered his first role at TVNZ, presenting the news for the newly formed Breakfast Television show.
Neil has also presented the Late News, he worked alongside Judy Bailey on the 6pm News, presented and helped set up the 4.30pm News and enjoyed time reading news on Freeview.
After 21 years anchoring television news Neil decided to step outside his comfort zone yet again and challenge himself in the corporate world where he accepted a position with Holden New Zealand as its Corporate Affairs Manager.
Although Neil is said to be thriving in his new role at Holden, anyone who knows him knows that family is the focus of his life and with his younger daughter having her older sister, he is pleased that he made the decision to stand for the Board of Trustees at Point Chevalier School earlier this year.
Sitting on the board is a huge time commitment, but Neil felt it was important to do as much as he could to contribute to his daughters' futures while he had the chance.
Neil is also an accomplished athlete having played representative level in Rugby, Rugby League and Basketball with his most well known achievements winning not less than three Martial Arts and Kick Boxing Titles.
Waimania Wallace
My family and I have lived in Point Chevalier for 7 years and in that time both of my children have attended the school. Gene is in Yr 4 and Aniwa has now gone on to intermediate.
My working background has mainly been involved in the Visual Arts. I have been a ceramicist as well.
I am the Maori representative on the board. I took on this role because I felt it was important role. We have 60 Maori families at the school and I feel it would be of huge benefit to the Maori children attending the school if the relationship between Maori parents and the school was strengthened. I hope that with the help of my fellow Te Ora kaitiaki group that we can do this.
I have not been on the School Board for long so I have much to learn. So far I have found it very illuminating. I will endeavour to bring as much drive and commitment to the job as my fellow board members.
Tina Worrall - Staff representative
I am a New Zealand resident and have lived here with my partner and two children for 20 years.
I have been teaching Year 1 and 2 classes at Pt Chevalier Primary for 13 years. I enjoy working in a school that has an atmosphere of belonging, support and respect. This school looks after its staff and encourages us, as well as the children, to be lifelong learners. I have grown and improved as a teacher during my time here and I have valued the opportunity to do that.
Working on the Board of Trustees has given me a bigger picture of the work and systems that support the running of this school. It has been, and still is, a big learning curve.
I have great admiration for the strengths and qualities of my fellow board members. Each person brings expertise, common sense and commitment to the job.
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