BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees consists of five members elected by parents of children attending the School, the Principal and a Staff Representative.
The term of office for the Board of Trustees is for a period of three years. Next elections will be in June 2019.
The Board of Trustees is responsible for governing the school by formulating and reviewing policies that efficiently and effectively help achieve school goals for student learning and achievement. Students, and their learning are our main focus! The Principal is responsible for the day to day management of the school.
Board of Trustees meetings are usually held twice per term at 6.30pm in the School Staffroom. The date and venue are advertised in the School Newsletter. Parents and Caregivers are welcome to attend these meetings.
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BOARD MEMBERS
Brett Hall (Chairperson)
Ben Petro (Finance & Deputy Chairperson)
JoAnn White (Property)
Stephen Dykes (Communication)
Esther Harrop
Bradley Roberts (Principal)
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Manuela Hodgson(Secretary)
MEET THE STAFF AND BOARD
Principal – Bradley Roberts
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Kia ora,
I have been the Principal of Pauatahanui School since the beginning of 2014. Before that I spent 9 years on the West Coast of the South Island where I was the Principal of Karamea Area School for 5 years, Deputy Principal of Karamea Area School for 2 years and Deputy Principal of Paroa School- Greymouth for 2 years. Before moving to the Coast I spent time teaching at Titahi Bay Intermediate, Paraparaumu School and Reidsville Middle School in North Carolina.
I am a Wellingtonian through and through and it has been great to come home to live and work in an environment where Town truly meets Country. When I am not at work I enjoy spending time with family, fishing, cooking, staying active and the odd spot of gardening.
Deputy Principal / Rm9 Teacher – Matt Stanley
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Born in Lower Hutt, I have taught around the Wellington region for ten years. I have also spent time teaching in London. Happily married, my wife and I have a wonderful little girl. Our other family member is of the equine variety. In my spare time, I enjoy most sports, cooking, reading and travelling.
Assistant Principal / Rm5 Teacher - Anna Starr (Maternity Leave)
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Having lived in London for 16 years where I trained to become a teacher and taught in Twickenham, arriving at Pauatahanui School was a pleasant change of pace. I love working with the amazing children at our school and I feel very lucky to be a part of their lives. It’s a privilege to work with such an enthusiastic team who are dedicated to creating a special environment for our children. When I’m not at school, thinking about school and gathering resources for school or glued to my laptop I love to go on exciting adventures like mountain trekking in Vietnam or going on a safari in Kenya.
Rm 1 Teacher - Maria Breuss-McBride
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Kia ora koutou,
I am excited to join the team at Pauatahanui School. I have been teaching at Rangikura School for the past 7 years coming into teaching later in life. I have been living in Whitby for the past 20 years but am originally from the South Island. I have a wonderfully supportive husband and 2 sons (18 and 20). They have both now finished school and are furthering their education at Massey and Otago University. Many years have been involved in their sporting interests such as football, cricket, swimming and I believe sport teaches many great life lessons. I enjoy reading, spending time with family, walking and travelling. I am looking forward to getting to know the tamariki and their families during the coming year.
Rm 2 Teacher - Keryn Deller
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Kia ora koutou. I grew up in Lower Hutt and have lived in many places including Wellington, Dunedin, Masterton and most recently in Brunei, on the island of Borneo, where I worked at an international school for two years. Not surprisingly, I enjoy exploring new places in New Zealand and overseas! I love working with the great kids and staff at Pauatahanui School.
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Rm 3 Teacher - Jen Cooze
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Kia ora, koutou. I’m like a boomerang, returning to Pauatahanui School after a lengthy gap, which has included wonderful opportunities teaching in the UK and Kuwait. This gave me perfect opportunities to travel (a passion), particularly throughout Europe and the Middle East, where I picked up a smattering of Arabic.
I have taught all levels from New Entrants to Year 8 in a number of schools.
My adult children have all flown the coop, and I have three delightful grandchildren.
Interests include: reading, gardening, photography and painting. I enjoy running and cycling for fitness.
Rm 4 Teacher – Jade Ahrens
Jade is back after a mini adventure, ready to teach all our great kids again. Her passion for teaching is unwavered and her fur babies and wonderful husband are never far from her mind.
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Rm 5 Teacher – (Co-sharing with Sarah Taylor) Rochelle Kearney
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It is a privilege to be working at Pauatahanui School in 2018, as a parent of three past and present students I really love being involved in our awesome school community. I previously taught in Upper Hutt and relieved locally last year while taking some time off for family medical reasons. My husband Mat and I have lived in the area for 17 years and attended Lamb & Calf Days long before we were involved in school life.
I relish quality time and laughs with my family, gardening and using what I grow in my cooking, music and singing, sport, playing some and watching most.
Rm 5 Teacher – (Co-sharing with Rochelle Kearney) Sarah Taylor
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My name is Sarah Taylor and I am excited to be joining the team at Pauatahanui School in Term 2.
For the past nine years, I have been teaching at Titahi Bay School in different roles in between starting my own family.
I am a mother of five-year-old twins, a wife and a Whitby resident.
While not working or running after my own children, I enjoy running, wakeboarding, snowboarding, and relaxing with my friends, which always involves food- I am a real foodie!​
Rm 6 Teacher - Nadya Nicholson
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Kia ora, I'm Nadya. Originally from Hamilton, I moved to Wellington in 2010 to study French at Victoria Uni. Graduating with a degree in French took me to Europe where I lived and backpacked for a year. When I'm not at school I love reading, dancing, making art, and playing hockey. I love teaching as I am inspired every day by watching my students discover new things and follow their passions. I am so happy to be part of the team here at Pauatahanui.
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Rm 7 Teacher - Sharon Gibbs
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Hi, I am Sharon Gibson and I am the New entrant/Year one teacher. I have been a familiar face in the school for the last five years as our Librarian and working with groups of children supporting writing. It is very exciting to work with new families to our school and to see the enjoyment of new learners in Room 7. In my holidays, I enjoy spending time with my family - my husband and two daughters, travelling both here in NZ and overseas to learn about new places and new cultures. During the term we can be seen out walking, biking and kayaking locally here in Pauatahanui.
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Rm 8 Teacher - Maddy Bain
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Kia ora, I’m Maddy Bain. Originally from the sunny Hawkes Bay I moved to Wellington for four years to complete my Bachelor of Arts in English literacy, and then my post graduate diploma in Primary teaching. In my spare time I love reading, cooking, exercising, and spending time with family and friends. I am very excited to be joining the Pauatahanui team this year.
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Rm 9 Teacher - Becky Spencer
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Tena Koutou, I'm Becky Spencer and I've been at Pauatahanui School in various capacities over the last 10 years. I started my own family 6 years ago, and have 2 very busy and fun boys who keep me on my toes! It's exciting to come back in a more official capacity, returning to room 9 and teaching the wonderful year 7&8 students.
When I'm not at work, you would find me either watching football (both of my boys play!), running or horse riding!
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Learning Coach - Angela Zimmerman
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Angela joined us a couple of months ago and is adding invaluable assistance in our classrooms in order to support our kids. Angela has two children at the school and is an active busy mum with time to spare to help others.
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Reading Recovery and Release-Helen Langston
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Helen is a vital part of our team and not only assists kids in Reading Recovery but releases teachers for critical planning and professional development time.
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Executive Officer – Manuela Hodgson
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Manuela Joins us from a tertiary background, with much love for education and our community. Manuela has 2 children at the school and brings much value, personality and efficiency to her position.
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Learning Coach – Maree Dolman
Hi, my name is Maree and I am thoroughly enjoying my fourth year as a teacher aide at Pauatahanui School, along with my 2 children who also attend the school. We live locally and love being part of our great little community.
Learning Coach - Vicki Judd
I have been working at Pauatahanui School for about 4 years now and loving every bit of it. I have two children who attend Pauatahanui school. My children are the second generation to attend the school. I am look forward to working with all the children and getting to know the new faces.
Learning Coach - Sue Kennedy
After having done voluntary work at Pauatahanui School for the last 2 years it was with extreme pleasure that l accepted a position with the juniors of this wonderful school. When not at school my time is spent looking after grandchildren, following sport, gardening and spending time with family and close friends.
MEET OUR BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Brett Hall - Chairman
Hi my name is Brett Hall and I live on Moonshine Hill Road with my wife Tracy, Daughter Mackenzie (8), son Fletcher (6) and twins Angus & Zara (14mths). I have been lucky enough to call Pauatahanui my home for alot of my life having had stints away at the University of Canterbury to study engineering and the obligatory OE in Europe where I worked as a engineer for the Kent Fire and Rescue Service. Pauatahanui is a great place to live, I'm lucky enough to be one of our schools alumni having attended the school from 1985-1991 moving onto St Patricks college silverstream.
On Moonshine Hill Road we farm Hereford cattle and Coopworth sheep and operate a small agricultural contracting company servicing the wider Porirua region.
I'm often around the village or collecting our children from school so feel free to stop for a chat whether just to shoot the breeze or ask me anything about what the board of trustees are working on or even a concern you have at school.
Look forward to meeting you.
Ben Petro - Vice Chair (and Finance)
We have been part of the Pauatahanui community since we moved here in 2010. It has been an amazing place to live and we are very fortunate to be able to bring up our children in a rural environment similar to what Anna and I experienced when we were younger. My career has been predominantly in banking and finance having been employed both in NZ and overseas. In my spare time I enjoy being involved in our children's sport and some golf and fishing.
JoAnn White - Property
I have 3 children at Pauatahanui School, currently in years 1,3 & 6. I moved back to New Zealand with my family in 2015 after living in London and Singapore.
Being part of the Board of Trustees is important to me, to give something back to the school and the community, and help the school reach its full potential.
I am a qualified accountant, but have been working in project & programme management roles for the last 15 years in the telecoms sector, currently working for Chorus in Wellington. My project management experience has given me good planning, execution and communication skills that are instrumental to support the school deliver its goals.
I am driven and very motivated, and understand the importance of accountability & clear communication.
Stephen Dykes - Communication
I was born and raised in Wellington, and moved to Pauatahanui 5 Years ago. I am married to Sandy and have two children at Pauatahanui School, Alexi & Corbin.
In my working life, for the past 12 years I have been a business owner involved in the ever changing world of IT, which involves managing people, project management, meeting deadlines, providing solutions for my customers, and developing strong relationships.
Aside from a passion for technology, we are a sporty family who enjoy the outdoors, when I am not found on the side line or dance studio supporting the kids, time is spent with family and friends diving, spear fishing and both water & snow skiing. I have a huge passion for Motorsport…
Pauatahanui School has created a friendly, positive and diverse learning environment that our children have embraced. I am looking forward to contributing my skills and knowledge to the BOT in supporting the schools development.
Esther Harrop - Board Member
I am Esther Harrop, and my husband Steve and I have three boys at Pauatahanui School and another one at the local preschool. We are relatively new to Pauatahanui, having lived in the area for just over two and a half years. In this time however, we have developed many good friendships and networks through being involved in various fundraising, voluntary and sporting activities in the area - both in and outside of school.
I am a professional Army Officer and have held many leadership roles and management positions around NZ and overseas in my 22 year career with the New Zealand Defence Force. I have a Masters in Science, a PGDip in HR and a Bachelor of Commerce. I am also a busy working mother of four boys and along with my wonderful husband, a dedicated parent.
Some aspects of my experience that I believe will be of particular use for this role are: membership on international and national governance boards (including chairing the same), strategy development and execution, financial management, HR and recruitment (civilian and military), interpersonal relationships and PR. I am organised, driven and articulate and believe I can do a good job as a parental representative.