By Simon Clarke | Posted: Wednesday May 29, 2019
A small section of Ros Allison personal statement was inadvertently left out in the initial paper work sent out to parents. Please find attached all of the candidate statements.
ROSALIND ALLISON
My name is Rosalind Allison (Ros) and I am hoping to be re-elected as a parent representative on the Kaikorai Primary School Board of Trustees.
Currently I have one daughter at Kaikorai – Libby who is in year 4. My other 2 daughters (Laura and Meg) are now at Balmacewen Intermediate.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the past 3-year term that I have been a representative on the Board of Trustees. I have learnt a lot about the Curriculum, Finance, Employment and Property aspects within Kaikorai and have enjoyed being able to strongly contribute to the effective Governance of our wonderful school. Last year’s ERO visit (which I enjoyed partaking in) and subsequent very positive report was just one indicator of how strongly our school is doing. We’re very lucky to have such dedicated and competent educators, staff and parents!!!
I have also really enjoyed being able to contribute thus far in the rebuild project and would love to be able to continue to work towards the completion of our brand new school during the next 3 year term on the Board of Trustees.
I believe that I have a lot to offer as a Parent Representative on the Board of Trustees. I am easy to get along with, have no problem standing up for what I believe in and enjoy working in a team. We have had a very successful past 3 years and I feel that I can provide some continuity and consistency with an evolving board moving forward.
I am a Registered Nurse working part-time at the Southern District Health Board and in my ‘free time’ I enjoy being a big part of my kids school loves. I like volunteering my time to help out with school trips, activities and fundraisers, am a regular Parent Reading helper on a Monday morning, a Road Patroller for a week each term, pizza lunch organiser and Secretary of our school Parents Group. I also know many of the school staff and children well.
I believe that my diversity has been beneficial to our Board of Trustees already and I hope to be re-elected so I can continue to be a valuable and well-rounded Board member again
KATIE DEVEREUX
Having recently been co-opted onto the Kaikorai School Board of Trustees for my financial and governance experience I would like to stand for re-election.
My husband Murray and I have three children at Kaikorai, Oliver – Y6, Sophie – Y5 and Lucy –Y1.
I am a Chartered Accountant and work full time at Forsyth Barr as Head of the Accounting & Finance team. I am also a member of the Institute of Directors and have completed a range of governance training. Murray and I also own and manage two Night ‘n Day stores in Dunedin.
I have been an active member of the Kaikorai Parents Group for the last 5 years and would love the opportunity to contribute to the school further in a governance role as a Board of Trustees member.
Kaikorai is a fabulous school in the heart of a great community. Kaikorai, has some challenging but exciting times ahead with the rebuild of the school and I would relish the opportunity to work with the Board and Management Team to support and build on Kaikorai’s current direction and make it even better!
ELIZABETH FENTON:
I have a son in Year 3 at Kaikorai Primary School, and another starting next year. I love the school and want to join the Board to contribute to its ongoing success, and the flourishing of the school community.
I am a lecturer in the Bioethics Centre at the University of Otago, where I teach ethics to students in the health sciences. I was born and raised in Dunedin and returned here in 2016 after many years in the US. I have held a range of advisory and research positions in public policy and tertiary education.
I’m thoughtful, friendly and conscientious, can rapidly digest and process information and am good at communicating and working with others in a team.
MALCOLM COULING
Who am I?
I have been on the Board of Trustees for the past 3 years and seek re-election. My wife, Joanna, and I have two children at Kaikorai: Ben who is the seniors and Ava is in the middles.
I am a senior associate at Anderson Lloyd Lawyers and specialise in employment, health and safety, mediation and disputes. Not surprisingly I took on the personnel and regulatory portfolios for the board, which covers a range of staffing issues and our legislative requirements.
Why do I want to be re-elected?
The past 3 years has been both rewarding and challenging. There have been some major highlights, including:
* The rebuild project, which the current (and previous) board has been working on and negotiating with the Ministry;
* Student achievement trending upwards and Kaikorai obtaining equitable and excellent outcomes for our children as well as significant gains in accelerated learning;
* ERO affirming the leadership of Simon Clarke and the great work of all of the teachers, staff and the board, which has contributed to the success of our children and ERO moving from a 3 to 5 year review.
What can I bring to the role?
The board is high functioning and hasn't been afraid to challenge and debate issues. That is largely due to the fact we get along with and respect each other and are all committed to making sure all students have a safe, fun and challenging learning environment. In my professional career I have seen first-hand what has happened at schools where the board doesn't work positively with the Principal and staff and the negative effect that it has then had on student learning.
Continuity on any board has been and is the key. Gene and Simon Hornal are not seeking re-election after 6 and 9 years respectively. Their experience meant that when I first started it was considerably easier for me to come up to speed and contribute. Going forward the new build project is going to be a not insignificant part of the boards' work. Having continuity will result in a successful new build for the school and future students.
I am immensely proud of Kaikorai School. The School has been leading the way in education. As a board member we are constantly evaluating our successes as well as what may not have worked so that we can achieve the best possible learning outcomes.
If I am re-elected I will continue to make sure the board drives the strategic direction of Kaikorai and works to achieve the goals that have been identified and set.
DOUGAL McGOWAN
I have a strong background in leadership, management and governance. I began my academic pathway at the University of Otago getting degrees in Physical Education and Science before graduating to Dunedin College of Education to complete my Diploma of teaching. My love of learning and drive to model continued education to those I was teaching while at John McGlashan College saw me continue my academic pursuits by obtaining a Diploma and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership through the University of Tasmania. This background quickly led to an educational leadership position as Assistant Principal in 2002. I was selected in the inaugural National Aspiring Principals Programme as one of the lower South Island nominees and graduated in 2008. A promotion to the role of Deputy Rector at Otago Boys High School in 2010 allowed for further growth and learning. I was recognised with a Furnware Leadership in Boys Education award 2012.
In 2001 I was appointed to the Otago Secondary School Sports Council Executive Committee. In 2004 I became the lower South island representative of New Zealand Secondary School Football where I took on the roles of New Zealand Secondary Schools Football International Committee and Manager and Tour Leader of New Zealand Secondary Schools U17 and U15 and eventually on to become Chairman from 2013 until 2015. In 2007 I was appointed to the board of Football South where I held the positions of Chair and Deputy Chair on a rotational basis from 2008 until last year. I was also elected to the board of New Zealand Football for 4 years.
I am currently Chair of Kaikorai Primary School Board of Trustees (3 years), on the Columba College Board of Trustees and the Columba College Board of Governors. Currently I am a Director of Business Otago, and on the Grow Dunedin Partnership and Study Dunedin Advisory boards. I have been actively involved in school’s governance and self-review since 2012 and recently completed the Otago University Business school review in 2018. I was appointed to the CEO role at the Otago Chamber of Commerce In 2015.
I have a strong commitment to education, learning and community. I have a passion to give back to the community that has served both my family and myself so well over the years. “I am passionate about Dunedin and Otago and what it offers, and relish the opportunity to continue raising the outcomes for schools, teachers and their learners”.
TIM HODGSON
I am keen to join the Board of Trustee to get more involved in my children’s education. I will have four kids at Kaikorai Primary in 2020 and it is a pleasure to see how much they enjoy coming to school every week. I am proud of the way they have been brought up to tackle any task with boundless energy and enthusiasm.
I aspire to bring the same energy to the Board, as well as provide integrity and clear decision making. Whether on the sports field or in the workplace I have always been a team player who works well with others. I have an invested interest in ensuring the school’s values are upheld, and its children receive a quality education that prepares them for the future.
DAVID COOPER
I am married to Charlotte, a teacher at Balmacewen Intermediate, and we have two boys Finley (9) and Leon (7) attending Kaikorai Primary. We are lucky to have such a great local school. The opportunities and education provided to students are a credit to the staff and management, and the support provided by the wider community.
My motivation in standing for the Board is to support this good work. My job as a Principal Policy Advisor for Federated Farmers involves dealing with central and local government policy on a daily basis. As sad as it may seem, I enjoy reading through detailed policy documents, considering the implications and providing feedback to improve those policies. I also understand the need to engage with parents and effectively represent parent views, while at the same time listening to and considering the views of the school staff who have to work with our children. These are relevant skills given the Board’s duties in reviewing and setting the strategic direction for the school, working with the Principal and acting as a representative of school parents.
The school is facing a period of change, with new buildings and the potential for changes as a result of the Tomorrow’s Schools Review I would enjoy being a part of the Board working with the management team through this period of change to deliver for all students.