2019 Election Candidates

Borren, Thur

I have a passion for education, and am currently the Head of Mathematics at Pakuranga College and have a beautiful 5 year old who has just started at Stonefields School.

I have been teaching for 10 years, but have worked as an Engineer for 14 years prior to teaching, having corporate management roles in different international companies. These jobs meant I have lived and worked in The Netherlands, Hong Kong and England but I always wanted to come home and have a family here in New Zealand.

I am originally from the Kapiti coast but moved up to Auckland the first year I was teaching.

I have passion for sport and enjoy reading and music. Until recently I coached the Varsity prem men’s hockey team now just play in the past masters team for fun myself.

I have coached the school girls 1st 11 hockey team at both high schools and am dedicated to helping students achieve their personal and sporting goals as well as their learning goals.

I also mentor and support the Whanau students. Taking them to a special Whanau camp each year.

I am also passionate that our education system has equity, supporting students regardless of gender, identity, behaviour and learning needs. This is especially important given the social and technology issues facing our children. I understand how schools are run and the education system works.

I believe I have to offer in terms of experience and would love the opportunity to help support parents in the running of Stonefields School.

Evans, Mathew Owen

Kia Ora Stonefields School Community,

My name is Matt Evans and I am standing for re-election to the Board of Trustees for Stonefields School.

Our family has been part of the ever-growing Stonefields community since 2010 and my wife Sarah & I are the parents of two girls at Stonefields School. I have been on the Stonefields School Board for the past three years and have been privileged to lead the Board in the role as Chair for the last 18 months.

Originally, I hail from country Central Otago and as a former primary school teacher with a Bachelor of Education & Diploma of Teaching, I taught for a number of years in NZ and abroad. I currently own a Technology & Financial Services business with staff across NZ, am currently a commercial board member as well as sitting on a number of senior executive management groups.

Being sports mad, I still participate (and sometimes compete!) in a number of different sports and have previously played at provincial and national levels. I believe that these skills along with a healthy dose of practicality, have helped me throughout my own career and are equally important developmentally for learners of all ages.

I’m extremely privileged and proud to have been involved in the governance & strategy of our ever-growing school and I’m passionate about continuing in this role. The current NZ Education environment can be summed up as “extremely challenging” with impacts on the horizon due to the Tomorrow’s Schools report findings and the current teacher crisis. With changes likely to impact how school boards will operate in the future, teacher shortages, a new school build just ahead of us and the hot topic of negotiations for the Primary Teachers’ and Principals' Collective Agreements this year, stability and momentum will support the school positively through this period of change. After three years as a Stonefields School board member, I remain deeply passionate about the school and committed to governing with rigor and balance through the changes ahead of us.

On a final note, personally I love and enjoy representing our school community. If re-elected, I am confident that the huge amount of hard work and commitment by the past and present boards will continue into the future. Ultimately this provides both our school staff and learners with the skills and worldly experience to succeed in an ever-changing world.

Fox, Bryan William

Kia ora, my name is Bryan Fox and I am standing for the Board of Trustees for Stonefields School. I consider the role as an elected member of the board to be a real privilege, as our school is the absolute hub of our community.

My wife, Theresa and I have two children, Cooper and Mahalia, at Stonefields. They are thriving as learners at Stonefields and we continue to be impressed with what the school has provided to unlock their development.

As a family, we are actively involved in the school Kapa Haka rōpū and the wider whānau committee to support Māori enrichment activities at school. As a tutor for the past 6 years, I’ve had the opportunity to share my knowledge of my culture but also learn alongside the students and develop my own understanding of Te Ao Māori.

I am passionate about providing opportunities to help build well-rounded young people and believe the school years are fundamental to this journey. As a member of the Board of Trustees, I would look to support the continuation of the provision of opportunities that learners may otherwise not have.

Outside of school, I am the Junior Club Chairman for the Auckland Marist Rugby Club. It is a role where I feel a responsibility to be a guardian of the legacy of the club for the local community. I’m proud of what our junior club has done for many local players and families and consider the learnings to be applicable for us at Stonefields School too.

Professionally, I work as an auditor where I lead teams who review quality performance. My strengths are in leading technical teams and identifying opportunities for improvement. Considering elements that will make a difference to the long-term strategy. I believe these skills are useful within a governance team.

The school has challenges ahead, including a significant new build and the change in learning environment this will bring. I was co-opted onto the board last year and have thoroughly enjoyed representing the community. I am confident that the hard work of the present board has established an environment to ensure the school is well governed with a strategy in place to ensure the best learning and development outcomes for our children. I would relish the opportunity to continue to be a board member and see this strategy come to life.

Thank you for your support.

Gaskin, Marie

Hi, my name is Marie Gaskin, and I am standing for re-election to the Board of Trustees for Stonefields School. I have had the privilege of serving with the current board for three years and would love to continue be a part of the governance of this fantastic school.

I am Mum to three: Joshua (year 3), Grace (year 0) and Paige (still at daycare), based up in Harding Ave. I have enjoyed watching Grace join Hub Koru at the start of term 2 – hearing the excitement and joy in her voice as she describes her days. I feel proud to send my children to Stonefields. They are thriving. The school’s values are reflected in every aspect of their learning and development.

I am Group Finance Manager for The Skills Organisation, an Industry Training Organisation. I am passionate about education and enjoy the challenges that come with working with a dynamic and diverse group of people. The changes currently under proposal for the Vocational Education space are provoking much discussion, as are the proposed changes to primary and secondary education. It’s certainly an exciting time to be involved in the governance of a school such as Stonefields.

Prior to my role with the ITO, I was an Audit Senior Manager with KPMG. As part of KPMG’s community commitment, I was co-opted onto the board of Edmund Hillary School in Papakura for 5 years. My experience with this board has proved valuable during my time on the Stonefields Board.

My finance background and prior experience provides me with a unique skillset to continue to serve on this board. If re-elected I look forward to continuing work with the other board members, and amazing management and teaching staff, through the many challenges ahead. These include the new build, the proposed governance structure changes, ERO review and the teaching shortages. Not to mention the business as usual of supporting Sarah and the team through achieving the best learning outcomes for your children.

Ivarsson, James Allan

My history with Stonefields School dates back to before the school was named, before ground was broken, when I met with the founding Board in the first show home in Stonefields around 10 years ago. There were a lot fewer homes back then! I was there to build the school’s first website, one with a lot less content than what we have now. From the beginning I was impressed with the vision for the school and the way Sarah wanted to push the boundaries of what was possibly in using technology within the learning environment.

When Jade was 2.5 we moved into Stonefields to become part of the community as we felt strongly that Stonefields School was going to provide the best education for her. Our first school event was the 2014 School Fair and it was evident what a great community surrounded the school. From that moment, Jade was very eager to start school and is now in Year 3. Throughout her time there, I have enjoyed helping the school wherever possible, whether it’s bouncing at the door of the school disco, pretending to be an auctioneer or coaching netball.

Technology in learning has certainly come a long way and at times can be controversial. How much screen time is too much? How can technology capture learning milestones, but what risks does this bring to our learner’s and their whanau, data and privacy? How do we balance the empowerment of our next generation of digital natives, while fostering a love of activity, exercise and real-world skills?

As the Head of Technology for realestate.co.nz, I’ve built a career in the digital technology space and I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly side of technology. Having observed numerous BoT meetings over the last 12 months, I believe in our school’s vision and its choice to embrace technology to drive learning, but I also want to protect my child and the other learners at the school. As an elected parent member of the School Board, I believe the technology governance I’ve provided numerous businesses over the years combined with my love of sport, music and helping people grow, will further contribute to the school by balancing the desire to adopt technology where opportunities arise, but to also play devils advocate where there is any potential risk to our learners.

Laurenson, Austin

Austin is married with three children, the youngest of which is in Year 5 at Stonefields School.

He is passionate about education that is relevant to the needs of our students and our communities. This includes a safe school environment, good social outcomes and opportunities for your children to be successful in an ever changing world.

Austin has previously been a member of the Glen Taylor Primary School Board of Trustees, has held voluntary roles at Cornwall Park District School and more recently has been a regular camp parent at Stonefields School. He has also held a number of regional and national volunteer roles with St John, Coastguard and the Red Cross.

Qualified in teaching, education and business, Austin works as a senior executive in the farming, manufacturing and consumer goods industries.

“I’m passionate about great education that helps develop our children to be well rounded and successful people. I’d greatly appreciate your support so that I can represent your voice and the interests of our children to help ensure that Stonefields School continues to thrive”.

Naidoo, Tarusha

My name is Tarusha Naidoo and I am standing for the Stonefields School Board. I have been a part of the Stonefields School community for 6 years.

My son Dhevan is in year 8 and leads the school kapa haka group and pre school afternoons and is also the school representative for the Manaiakalani Trust. My daughter Mishara is in year 5 and represents the school in netball (which my husband Ross coaches) and she is also a member of the school dance group.

I am of South African Indian decent and have lived in New Zealand for nearly 30 years.

I grew up in Gisborne on the east coast before moving to Auckland to attend university.

I have 20 years experience in banking and financial services with a background in communications and change management. I currently lead change and communications at ANZ, and my role is responsible for leading a team of communication and change managers to deliver change and quality communications to all ANZ frontline staff. In addition to this I also have experience in leading large corporate events and conferences, which has enabled me to manage large budgets effectively.

If I was elected as a parent representative on the school board, I’d bring a fresh perspective, strategic thought, energy and a focus on engagement and continuous improvement. I’d also bring diversity in ethnicity and diversity in thought, reflective of the Stonefields community and school.

Being a full time working parent, I have an appreciation for the demands placed on working parents and will work hard to ensure these parents (together with all our Stonefields parents) feel engaged with what’s happening at the school. I’d love the opportunity to represent you and be your voice on the board.

Smith, Grant

Hi, my name is Grant Smith proud father of two boys, Ethan & Noah who attend Stonefields School.

Little about myself, I’m an Australian who moved for work to New Zealand in 2014. Loving my time in NZ, and a beautiful spot to bring up a young family.

Currently I work in the hotel industry, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) who I’ve been with for 15 years. I look after the Finance, Business Support and Owner relations for 6 hotels around New Zealand and love what I do. I believe myself to be an ideal candidate for the role of Board Member at Stonefields School. In my current position, I have had the chance to truly hone my skill set and development strengths in many areas which I could apply to this exciting opportunity. Such areas include; training & mentoring, stakeholder management, owners relations, commercial savviness and being a father of course.

I had the opportunity to attend school camp last year with my son and I think I got more out of it than he did to be honest. Just to see the confidence grow in young adults was a treat. In return, I would like to be a valued member of the board and contribute back to the local community who welcomed my family with open arms.

Look forward to exploring this opportunity and learning more

Grant

Stanley, Margaret

Tēnā koutou katoa

Ko Kapukataumahaka te maunga

Ko Owheo te awa

Nō Otepoti ahau

Ko Ngāti Pākehā te iwi

Ko Margaret toku ingoa

My name is Margaret Stanley and I am standing for re-election to the Board of Trustees for Stonefields School. I am an Associate Professor in the University of Auckland’s School of Biological Sciences. As a scientist, I undertake research in the areas of conservation ecology, biosecurity and urban ecology, and so have a keen interest in the environment. In my role as a lecturer, I strive to achieve the best learning outcomes for my students.

I believe I have much to offer the Stonefields School community. As a scientist, I collect and analyse data to help policymakers make evidence-based decisions. I also sit on a range of advisory boards for agencies such as the Ministry for Primary Industries, Auckland Council and community environmental restoration groups. As a lecturer, I understand the tertiary education system that many of our learners will one day be part of.

My husband Darren and I live in St Johns, and are proud to send our children – Jamie (Y8) and Lucy (Y5) - to Stonefields School. Our school instils the values of respect and inclusion among our children, and the cultural diversity within our school is one of its strengths. During my time on the Board (since 2016) I have come to admire the dedication of the teaching and management staff in continually pushing themselves to improve their teaching and systems, and have seen first-hand their genuine care for our children.

I would be privileged to continue to serve the school community, particularly during this time of uncertainty and change for Boards of Trustees, a new build, teacher shortages, and the upcoming Education Review Office (ERO) review. I see continuity of the Board as being critical to support new Board members with the knowledge and skills gained in the past Board term. The current Board has thrived as a team – driving school governance and strategy, asking the hard questions when needed, but pragmatic in supporting the school management and staff to achieve the best outcomes for our school, whether it be academic, sporting or cultural.

If re-elected, I will continue to support our dedicated and highly professional teachers achieve great outcomes for our tamariki. Ngā mihi nui.

Unka, Satish

My name is Satish Unka and I am standing for Stonefields School Board.

As a father of two children, I believe that it is important to hear all voices from within the

school and the community, so that our children have equal opportunities and for all to learn

and develop whilst at Stonefields School.

l have a passion in ensuring all our children experience success within their school life. As

board member believe it is important to ensure all children are in a safe learning

environment, and that they have full access to all opportunities and a high standard of

education.

In my past roles of being a Service Manager, have to deal with teams of over 30 staff, I

believe my leadership skills and the ability to plan and deliver both short and long term

goals, would be beneficial to Stonefields School.

l feel that I am able to make unbiased decisions based on fact and reason, rather the pride

and emotion, has been a positive and transparent trait in my past roles

Being well organised and efficient with time management and see value in investing time

into our children's lives and would like to be a voice to advocate how best our children can

make progress.

I believe strongly about our children being brought up in the right environment and also

conscious of the community we build and expose them too, as our children are a product of

who we are.

I feel that being on the Board of Trustee it is not only looking after the school‘s functions,

property and the commercial aspect of the school, but it is an investment of time and effort

into our children, installing the right culture and preparing them as best we can for the future.

Kind Regards

Satish Unka