Puketapu School Newsletter
Board of Trustees Election Special
Empower All People to be Healthy, Lifelong Learners
Kia kaha - do your best * Kia māia - be courageous * Kia manawanui - have a heart
Board of Trustees Elections 2019
It happens only once every three years...
It is your opportunity to vote for candidates who will make a positive difference for your children’s education.
Trustees are active leaders in our schools. They have an important role of supporting strong professional leadership and ensuring effective teaching for all students through informed governance.
Our Board needs to represent the diversity of our school community to ensure a bright future for all our children.
It is time for you to Vote
We are delighted to announce that we have EIGHT candidates who are standing for our Board of Trustees. You will be able to vote for FIVE of them to become our next Board of Trustees.
The candidates are, in alphabetical order:
Hayley ADAMS
Who am I?/Ko wai au?
My name is Hayley Adams. I have two children currently attending Puketapu school, one in Rimu and one in Totara, and a three year old who will enrol next year.
I was raised in Taranaki and my husband was a Bell Block local, who came to Puketapu School along with his siblings. That was a big draw for me when choosing this school and I have been an active, passionate member of the Puketapu whanau since.
In the six years we have lived in Bell Block I have made a huge effort to be involved in the community and organisations such as Bell Block Playgroup and Puketapu Kindergarten.
I love this community, and often get teased from my nephew about how I am ‘friends with everyone’ when walking in or out of the school grounds or at the local shops.
This year I have taken over the running of the Kickstart Breakfast Club, along with an amazing group of parents/grandparents. I am passionate about this as this can mean a better start to a child’s day – whether it be kai, or milo or just a friendly greeting (or a reminder to use manners).
Why do I want to be on the board/He aha te take e tū ai au hei mema mō te poari ?
I am running for the Board of Trustees this year because I love this school and I want to bring a positive, open minded and practical point of view to the table.
Leanne HARDGRAVE
Who am I?/Ko wai au?
Hi everyone, my name is Leanne Hardgrave. I am 35 and very lucky to have two wonderful children attending Puketapu School; Charlie who is seven and Layla aged six.
We live here in Bell Block, a short stroll from school and I work in the parklands shopping complex. From here I run my own small business “Off Road Refunds Limited”.
I grew up here in Bell Block and enjoyed the benefits of this strong, close community which I still cherish today. At the age of 18 I moved to Wellington then Christchurch where I completed two degrees; a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Philosophy and a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Strategic Management.
During these years I also worked for Child Youth and Family, working with troubled young people in secure residential facilities. This was a challenging and eye opening role which I found very meaningful and where I came to understand a great deal more about life. I then moved to London where I worked in the high paced corporate world and travelled extensively. This was an amazing time. Seeing so much of the rest of the planet gave me a deeper appreciation for how relaxed, beautiful, fresh and authentic New Zealand is.
Eventually I began to crave the idea of having a family and settling back down into our community. So here I am.
Why do I want to be on the board/He aha te take e tū ai au hei mema mō te poari ?
I am very passionate about helping our community thrive and ensuring that our people feel safe, encouraged, empowered, valued and loved. I feel that being on the School Board is the most effective way that I can support our community at this time in my life as a parent.
I started my own company six years ago, and the skills I have gained on this journey, combined with a compressive education and a broad range of life experiences should ensure that I am up to the challenge and able to add substantial value.
I am friendly, approachable, curious and energetic by nature and love having fun but I am also very careful to make the best strategic decisions possible in order that life may be smooth, well organised and wonderful. I understand that good governance is crucial in creating the best outcomes for individuals, families, communities and countries and I want to help ensure this is the case at our school, Puketapu.
Steph Julian
Who am I?/Ko wai au?
Kia ora Puketapu Whanau,
My name is Steph and I’ve been nominated to serve on the board for Puketapu Kura. I’m the proud Mum of Anika – who is currently in Totara 1, and Amalia (Mali) – who goes to Henwood Kindy and will be joining Puketapu next year. I’m married to Lars and we also have two cute but naughty dogs called Sarge and Eddie.
I was born and raised in Taranaki, my parents are from Manaia, and I whakapapa to Ngati Porou ki Hauraki on Dad’s side, and England and Wales on my Mum’s side.
We joined the Bell Block community about 5 years ago, after a stint overseas in both Norway and Australia. Since we’ve come back I’ve retrained as a secondary school teacher and now teach English and Media Studies at Spotswood College.
Some of my other interests include netball coaching (I coach the Spotswood Junior A team), writing and spending as much time as I can with my family. I’m also working towards getting my Masters from Massey University.
Why do I want to be on the board/He aha te take e tū ai au hei mema mō te poari ?
I am really keen to serve on the board for Puketapu as I am very interested in moving education into the future, and I feel that both Puketapu and Spotswood are schools that are embracing what is best for our students.
Many parents have memories of the ‘bad old days’ of education (School C, being made to fit into a box that wasn’t quite the right shape), and I really want to make sure that our kids have better memories of good times and innovative learning at their school.
I want to help Puketapu teachers and staff ensure that our kids are the focus and that every student is supported to do their very best. I would love to be more closely involved with the big picture planning at Puketapu and I feel like I could offer a unique perspective as both a mum and an educator.
Paul Rauputu
Who am I?/Ko wai au?
Mōkau ki runga Tamaki ki raro
Mangatoatoa kei waenganui
Ko Pare Hauraki
Ko Pare Waikato
Te Kaokaoroa o Pātetere
Ki te nehenehnui
Tēnā koutou – My name is Paul. I am excited to be nominated for the first time to the board at Puketapu school. I am married to Briar and have two children, Ella and Rico, at school.
I was born and raised in Piopio on our whānau farm. After finishing school and university I was drawn to Asia where I spent 6 years in South Korea teaching English; a thoroughly rewarding experience. Having had our babies in Korea we wanted to return to Aotearoa and ultimately happened upon an awesome community called Bell Block where we currently reside.
I am working for Parininihi ki Waitotara (PKW) as an accountant. My interests include cul-de-sac sports with the neighbourhood kids, playing golf, farm life and watching most sports on TV.
Why do I want to be on the board/He aha te take e tū ai au hei mema mō te poari ?
I wish to contribute to the progress Puketapu school is making in strengthening the foundation that shapes our children’s education, well being and self worth. I believe that this is an opportunity to help create a positive difference in our children’s lives.
I want to see each and every student given the upmost oppourtunity to shine no matter their background and ultimately continue on to be an engaged member of their community.
In recent times the growth of our school has been unprecedented and this is bringing capacity and learning environment challenges. I hope to be able to assist the staff and community through this exciting period of development by helping to set clear strategies to optimise the overall performance of the school.
No reira, tēnā koutou katoa
Marnie Reinfelds
Who am I?/Ko wai au?
E āku rangatira, tēnei te mihi maioha ki a koutou katoa.
He mokopuna ahau o te mounga titohea, he uri ahau o Ngāti Mutunga, Taranaki, Te Atiawa me Ngāti Toarangatira.
Tēnā tatou
My name is Marnie Reinfelds. I am married to Glen Skipper and our four tamariki; Ngāmotu, Tiki, Pare and Te Wai are all students at Puketapu School. I am a trained secondary school teacher but have worked over the last fifteen years in the health sector in a variety of roles. My last position was Portfolio Manager - Child Health and I was part of the Planning and Funding Team at the Taranaki District Health Board.
My passion is health and wellbeing. I am also passionate about education and see it as a life-long process.
I am currently undertaking my Doctorate in Population Health as a distance student with the University of Auckland. This is a three-year degree programme and I am looking at the experiences of birth trauma and how we might go about developing more trauma informed health care delivery in the maternity health care space. I acknowledge the significant role education plays in personal and population health.
When I’m not busy studying you will see me supporting my tamariki in their sporting pursuits, tending the gardens at Glen’s marae and cooking the produce that we harvest. I am also an active member of my iwi Ngāti Mutunga and maintain my ancestral links to Parihaka Pa. I am a current Board member of Tu Tamawahine o Taranaki and Te Kopae Piripono Early Childhood Centre and have enjoyed supporting both these organisations to aspire in their strategic visions.
Why do I want to be on the board/He aha te take e tū ai au hei mema mō te poari ?
I have accepted the nomination to stand for the Board of Trustees at Puketapu School as I see it as a way I can use my skills, education, professional background and broad community networks to give back to the school community. I am thankful for the caring and stimulating environment the school has provided to my tamariki and have been witness to their amazing growth and development whilst being at Puketapu. It is also a nice touch that as my tamariki are descendants of Puketapu Hapū they can attend a school that is at the heart of the traditional lands of their ancestors.
I would very much like the opportunity to be a part of the Board to support the school with a solutions focus in continuing to live the values of Kia Kaha, Kia Māia and Kia Manawanui. This will ensure all those who are a part of Puketapu School are empowered to be “Healthy, Lifelong Learners”.
Ngā mihi me ngā makaakitanga
Shannen Robinson
Who am I?/Ko wai au?
Tena Koutou Katoa
Ko Taranaki te maunga
Ko Pungarere o Kahu te awa
Ko Kurahaupo te waka
Ko Ngati Haupoto te hapi
Ko Taranaki te iwi
Ko Potaka te marae
Ko Shannen Robinson toku ingoa
Kia Ora whanau, my name is Shannen, my partner Haki and I have 6 tamariki all who have attended Puketapu School, four of whom are very proud and loyal ex-students, Ropata (22yrs) tragically passed away at 15yrs, Tamara (19yrs), Trinity (16yrs), Tiara (15yrs). Oracle (11yrs) and Raiden (8yrs) currently attend Puketapu School.
Born and raised in New Plymouth my family moved to Stokes Valley when I was 15. In 2002 the yearning to come home was overwhelming so we returned to Taranaki and settled in Bell Block. 2002 was also the year our whanau started our Journey at Puketapu School.
I have been part of Puketapu School and the Bell Block community for the past 17 years, actively involved in many areas of the school, coaching a variety of sports, helping with fundraising, school trips, Kapa Haka, supporting other parents and this year coaching Puketapu Magic Year 7&8 Netball.
I am an actively supporting parent on and off the sideline of BBK Marist Dragons Rugby League, this year managing the Under 9s League team and the Rangatahi Netball team.
Four of our tamariki also attended Te Kohanga Reo o Waiwhakaiho, where I was elected Chairperson for several consecutive years. Although whanau run the kaupapa is basically the same “In the best interest of the child, to grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society.”
I currently work locally at Tegel Foods Ltd, and I am in a 2IC supervisor role to a team of 100 plus people. I enjoy my demanding role and the diversity of the people I work alongside of.
Why do I want to be on the board/He aha te take e tū ai au hei mema mō te poari ?
I believe for our school to continue to move forward and grow, we need to consistently be looking to where we have been, what we have learnt from our past and how it can help us in our future.
I am also a firm believer in the age old saying ‘It takes a community to raise a child’ and my desire to be on the Board of Trustees stems from this.
I love the Bell Block community and I love Puketapu School, I love the fact the we are not just parents, students or teachers we are all whanau, and to me that is what matters most of all.
No reira. Tena koutou tena tatou katoa
Maria Upton
Who am I?/Ko wai au?
Hi there I am Maria Upton. I am a (single) very proud Mum to 5 amazing children: Max 20 (studying at Lincoln), Lily 18 (currently on a Gap year placement in the UK, working in a prep school), Bethan 15 (a boarder at St Mary’s in Stratford and currently choosing to live with her Dad), Connie 6 (in Rimu 4) and Lucy 5 (currently at Puketapu Kindy) – so quite an age range!
I am a “newbie” both to Puketapu School and to the Bell Block community having only moved to Bell Block (from Stratford) in August last year but we are all loving being part of the community here, both in Bell Block and at Puketapu School where we have felt welcome from day 1.
I am from the UK originally but settled here in New Zealand 22 years ago after graduating from Uni with a degree in agriculture/business studies.
I have been a full time Mum for much of the past 20 years but have worked for MAFS (as it was then called) as a quarantine officer at Auckland International Airport, been a teacher aide, managed a shoe shop and was Campus Programme Manager for Taratahi here in Taranaki, responsible for our full-time level 3 students.
Over the years I have been closely involved with Playcentre, school and lots of community groups and organisations, generally taking on an office holder position – Chairperson, secretary or treasurer – and when my “big kids” were at Midhirst Primary School I served two terms on the Board of Trustees there, my second term in the treasurer/finance role.
At present I am the treasurer for No. 8 Squadron Air Training Corps in New Plymouth.
Why do I want to be on the board/He aha te take e tū ai au hei mema mō te poari ?
I would relish the opportunity to be part of the governance of Puketapu School and to be part of the team helping making the important decisions in the interests of our tamariki, whanau and wider community and I believe I have some very relevant skills and experience to “bring to the table”.
I very much believe in the saying “it takes a village to raise a child” – and I very much would like to do my bit in ensuring that our school is at the heart of our village and that our tamariki have a place where they belong and are loved and valued, as mental health issues in our young people is something that concerns me greatly.
Mike Warring
Who am I?/Ko wai au?
Kia Ora Puketapu Whanau
I am Mike, married to Fiona who is part of our Puketapu team and loves teaching in Rimu.
We currently have two kids attending Puketapu, Emma who is in Kowhai and Rhys who is in Totara. Our eldest son, Reuben, graduated from Puketapu last year and is a Year 9 at New Plymouth Boys High School.
We have lived in Bell Block for the last 10 years and I am passionate about this community.
I love our school and believe it has enormous potential. As a family we are well
connected within the Puketapu community. Fiona and I believe in participating and taking an
active role in our kids’ education and other interests. We want to be involved in providing a positive environment for our children to grow up in. I believe that hands on leadership is important in modelling what you want kids to do.
After 10 years of being the Senior Pastor at Northpoint Baptist Church I have recently taken on a new work challenge - currently, I am working for Osflow Fertiliser driving a truck which delivers wood shavings to chicken farms all around Taranaki. Quite a change, but I am enjoying the new experience and meeting new people from all over this wonderful province.
Why do I want to be on the board/He aha te take e tū ai au hei mema mō te poari ?
I have chaired the Board at Puketapu for the last 6 years and have really enjoyed the process. It has been both rewarding and challenging and I am proud of what we have achieved. I am also very excited about the prospect of serving for the next 3 years if I am re-elected.
I want to continue to be on the Board as I believe it takes a village to raise a child, that it is important for us to be involved in our Kura (school) making sure that our tamariki (children) get the best opportunities possible, as they are empowered to become healthy lifelong learners.
I believe Puketapu School is in a great place, but also faces some challenges moving forward as we continue in an exciting season of community and school growth.
I feel I have skills and experience to offer, especially now that we will have a whole new Board starting. In addition to the Puketapu Board of Trustees, I have many years’ governance experience and I have served on the National Governance Board for the Baptist Churches of NZ.
I believe these skills will help navigate some of the challenges and continue to encourage our awesome Principal and Senior Leadership team. We have such an amazing school with an awesome staff team.
It has been in a privilege to lead in this way for the last 6 years and if you elect me I look forward to serving our community for this next season.
How to Vote
When your envelope arrives, please read the instructions carefully.
Select up to FIVE people by placing a tick next to their name n the voting paper.
Place your voting paper in the return envelope and get it to the school office before noon on Friday 7 June.
Important:
Votes must be made on the voting form and must be returned to the Returning Officer at school in the envelope that came with the voting paper.
There can only be one voting form in each envelope.
You can post your voting paper back however you must post this before Friday 7 June and must be received by Friday 12 June to be counted.
Puketapu School
Email: office@puketapu.school.nz
Website: www.puketapu.school.nz
Location: Dillon Drive, Bell Block, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Phone: 06 755 0973