PRESIDING MEMBER

Kia ora! I’m Katrina. I am passionate about education and this community and proud to be a member of the Te Kura Whakatipu of Kawarau Board and the Chair for the 2023 school year.

I have worked in the education sector my entire career (including abroad with the UN) and am an advocate for kids having fun and building resilience and life skills in school. I feel super fortunate to have moved to this community and that our tamariki are going to a school with such dedicated and motivated education professionals. I am proud to be elected to the Board and to be working with the community and the school to provide sound oversight and management via the board of trustees.

Ngā manaakitanga

Hi, I’m Devon. I’m a husband, a dad of 3, a musician, and an entrepreneur.

I’m currently learning how to build vibrant, connected, heart-centered communities. I’m so happy to be serving this beautiful kura.

It is my privilege to serve on the board of Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau. After spending my formative years in the USA, I have now called Queenstown home for 16 years. I have two children attending our kura.

My career has been a mixture of practicing law and starting and running small businesses. I have previous board experience as a trustee of multiple local charities involved in arts education and performances as well as providing services to local families with neurodiverse tamariki.

I have been a member of multiple parent associations, organising fundraising events and securing grants for local primary schools. I have a particular passion for the visual and performing arts which I advocate for when opportunities arise.

Like many Queenstown transplants, I have a strong affinity for our local environment and unique geographic features, especially the waterways where I coach sailing to young members of our community.

I am committed to working diligently and collaboratively to ensure that our school not only provides excellence in academics but also enriches our children’s lives through art and outdoor experiences, creating confident and well-rounded young learners with a strong connection to our community and environment.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

It’s an honour to serve on the Board of Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau and to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our awesome students. I truly believe that the time our children spend at school is a pivotal period of growth and development - I'm committed to ensuring we create a learning environment that nurtures their potential.

Queenstown has been my home for over a decade during which time I have forged a strong connection to this vibrant community. My background in advertising and marketing across diverse industries such as tourism and technology has equipped me with valuable skills and experience that I aim to apply for the benefit of our school.

Inclusivity is a core value I hold dear which is why I believe that our school should reflect the diverse cultural tapestry of our community. By embracing different perspectives and celebrating our multiculturalism, we can foster an inclusive and enriching educational environment.

I am also passionate about technology and the environment. Equipping our students with technological literacy and promoting sustainable practices will prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

I am grateful for the trust placed in me by the community and delighted to be working with such an amazing team to make our Kura the absolute best it can be.

I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve our community and contribute to the future of our students, as a member of the board. I am grateful for the trust placed in me to help guide the policies and decisions that impact the education of our precious tamariki.

With a background in management and finance, I understand the importance of balancing budgets while providing our students with the resources they need to succeed. I am committed to ensuring that our school is fiscally responsible while maintaining high-quality education for all students. This is a challenging task in today’s environment, but one that can be met by working collaboratively as a board, and with our community.

I strongly believe that education plays a crucial role in shaping our society, and it is our responsibility as board members to ensure that our schools are providing our students with the tools they need to succeed not only academically but also as citizens. I am committed to working collaboratively with fellow board members, educators, parents, and students to ensure that our school is a place to gather, learn and grow.

PRINCIPAL

See Tania’s profile information here.

STAFF REPRESENTATIVE

See Lara’s profile information here.

MINUTE SECRETARY

I am very happy to be a member of our board working in a supportive role as board secretary. To be involved with our board is an amazing experience as all members have the best intentions for the students, school and the wider community; it really is a fantastic combination of governance and stewardship! In my role as secretary I help primarily by taking minutes at meetings. Recording minutes is not everyones cup of tea but I love playing my part in making the board run smoothly. I was a company secretary in our previous business so it feels great to give back and put those skills learnt to good use.

My family moved to Queenstown from Dunedin at the end of 2021. My husband - Ryan and I have four boys; two older boys who live in Dunedin and are at Otago Uni and two younger boys who are attending Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau and are loving it. We moved from Dunedin to Queenstown after working in the Tech/Software industry for over 20 years. We built two successful businesses in that time and learnt an incredible amount about business and governance. Now we spend our time enjoying Queenstown and also giving back knowledge where we can to the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and in my case helping out the Board of Trustees. We love being part of this community and can't wait to see it develop into a thriving neighbourhood with the school at the heart of it all.