BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTIONS - Lyall Bay School

BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTIONS
CANDIDATES’ STATEMENTS
John Barrow:
I would like to help contribute to the community where my family lives. With two children now starting
at Lyall Bay School I would like to support my community by doing what I can for the school. My family
has recently returned from four years in Singapore and it is nice to be part of Lyall Bay again.
I have worked in the IT field for over fifteen years in a number of roles and would bring both
management and IT skills to the board. I am also a qualified secondary school teacher and have
some understanding of how a school runs and some of the challenges pupils, parents, teachers and
administrators face. T he two fields I have worked in led me to ICT Professional Development, of
which I would be happy to help the school with as required.
Currently my primary role is child care while my wife works full time. I have a part time job as the
Regional Manager (Asia) for Mako networks (an IT security firm) which allows me to be free to focus
on family and commitments such as the school board.
I look forward to helping everyone involved with Lyall Bay School and supporting our community.
Melissa Booth:
I am open-minded about the path of education for young New Zealanders but also motivated to see
my children and their friends benefit from their environment being the best it can possibly be. I love
that Lyall Bay School has a pool and some grass and a Dental Clinic. I think the school disco is
awesome and miss the fair. I think it is extremely im portant for the school to embrace the community,
and for its values, culture and opinions to be embraced by the school.
I have three extremely busy, loud, much loved children; Milo 7, Esme 5 and Flynn 3. We live a short
scooter ride from school, we love the beach, we love our home, we love Maranui coffee and Milo and
Esme love school. T he kids have been/are actively involved in music, dance, gymnastics and sport in
the area and my partner, Steve, who is the General Manager of the Rugby Sevens, has coached and
plays for Poneke Rugby Club. Along with running and Bikram yoga I also take hip-hop lessons in
Kilbirnie. I love this area for its history, cultural diversity, salty air and potential, and I think my children
are privileged and lucky to grow up in a place that offers so much.
I have a University Degree in English and Psychology and both of my parents are qualified teachers
and have worked in education for decades. I held the position of Chairperson of the Kilbirnie
Community Creche for nearly four years. T his position was fun (sometimes), challenging, involved a
great deal of diplomacy, imagination and persistence. I work part-time in the film industry in PR in
Miramar. A few years ago now I worked for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and so am very
familiar with the inner workings of the education system, both good and bad.
I have a great deal of experience with policies and strategic plans in education. I’m not afraid to
speak my mind. I’m proactive and determined and offer an energetic good-humoured approach to
everything I take on. I’m looking for something new to sink my teeth into.
Richard Galloway:
Lyall Bay is fortunate to have a great school as one of the key foundations of the community. My
previous experience of youth leadership has shown me the lifelong benefits that good education and
positive values give to young people.
I am passionate about investing in people's futures, not least of all my own four boys. I have had the
incredible privilege of having an extra day at home with them each week during their preschool years,
as I have been able to condense my work as a civil engineer into four days. From next month, all
four boys will be at Lyall Bay School.
If elected, I will gladly contribute what I can from my experience in youth leadership, civil engineering
and project management to provide strong governance to support the sc hool's management and
teachers.

Paul Kotrotsos:
As a past pupil of Lyall Bay School, this would be my second term on the board. I have learnt plenty in
my first term and have seen great progress with the school especially the rebuild of the Junior block
and the latest ERO report. It’s been great to be able to give something back to the school which has
given me, my nephews and nieces, and now my children so much over the years. I feel I have a lot to
offer the Board of T rustees, and understand the importance of working together to achieve the best
for the school. I think my greatest strengths are being able to get on with the job at hand, and making
sure it is done properly and on time.
Being of Greek heritage, I am passionate about soccer, and I spend most weekends managing,
coaching, playing or watching. I love to watch as the children become passionate about their own
sports now. I enjoy the great outdoors, and love to get the family out and about exploring whatever
Wellington has on offer.
I have been actively involved with the Olympic Soccer Club for the past 20 years, which has allowed
me to take on a number of roles. T his year I am coaching the Under 15 Prem St Patricks College
football team.
I believe Lyall Bay School offers a great environment for our children to grow and learn in. I would like
to ensure it continues to do so in the future, and to help them build even closer links with the
surrounding community.
Tiffany Matsis:
My family and I have lived beside Lyall Bay School for over a decade. I would be proud to represent
the parents of this wonderful school on its Board of T rustees.
I am a qualified lawyer, with a Masters in Environmental Law, and, prior to having children, I worked
as a lawyer for eight years in Auckland, London and then Wellington. I am keen to use those skills to
help the Board and the school. As a stay-home parent, I am fortunate enough to have the time and
energy to devote to the role of trustee.
I have been an active member of the Friends of Lyall Bay School since my daughter Elisabeth started
school. She is now in year 4 and my son, George, is in year 1. As a member of the Friends, I
coordinated and implemented the first Silent Auction at the School Fair in 2011 which raised close to
$3,000. I also organised the replacement slide in the senior playground in 2012. I have enjoyed
working with other parents to organise fun events for the benefit of the school and its students.
I have a deep respect for different cultures, having married into a Greek Cypriot family, and lived in Fiji
for four years as a child. I value the richness that different cultures bring to our school and to our
community.
I believe strongly in the value of childhood education. I believe Lyall Bay School provides a high
quality education and a positive social environment. If I am elected to the Board, I will do my best to
support the management team, staff and students in any way I can so that the School’s long and
proud history continues.
Katherine Norton:
Iwi: T e Atiawa, Ngāi T ahu
Bachelor of Education (Victoria University), Diploma of T eaching (Wellington College of Education),
Institute for Strategic Leadership Programme, (Queenstown NZ).
I am a grandmother of two children at Lyall Bay School, I believe it takes a village to raise a child and
we all have an obligation to contribute to the education and wellbeing of the children in our
communities. I am passionate about education and know a successful education provides students
with choices for their future.
I have worked in education for 25 years, previously as a primary teacher, an assistant principal and a
professional development facilitator. I am currently General Manager Creative Services at Learning
Media, responsible for the development and delivery of print and digital products and services.
I have extensive business experience working as an operational director and manager at private
enterprise company, CWA with a multi-million dollar turnover. I also have considerable international
experience, working over a 3 year period in Malaysia/T hailand, as part of an “NZ Inc” education team.

Katherine Norton (continued):
In New Zealand, work in the education sector has included providing professional learning and
resource development in the areas of e-learning, technology, ICT consultancy, curriculum,
assessment and family engagement, for the Ministry of Education, professional learning and
development advisers, school leadership, classroom teachers, and Boards of T rustees.
For the last 13 years I have been a T rustee on the 2020 National Communications T rust (the T rust is
responsible for a number of initiatives including the National Computers in Homes project) providing
IT thought leadership nationally with a focus on equitable access to IT for all New Zealanders.
If elected I would bring considerable experience and expertise to the position of school trustee for
Lyall Bay School.
John Rauhihi:
I have been the Caretaker at Lyall Bay School for the past 10 years, so know the school staff,
property and children extremely well. I have had three children attend the school, with one more still
to come through. I have coached netball and miniball teams for the school and also co-manage a
local netball academy, helping to improve the skills of young netballers in the community.
I believe with my knowledge of school property and issues relating to this, I am in a fortunate position
to be able to offer the board my expertise and support my children’s education at the same time.
Grant Riley:
My name is Grant Riley and I wish to be considered for election as a parent representative on the
Lyall Bay School Board of T rustees. My wife Brigit and I have our older son Noah in year two at the
school, and our younger son Nate will join him there in a couple of years. We think Lyall Bay is a
great school, with excellent teachers, a vibrant atmosphere, and a caring community.
I am eager to use my life skills and my business and commercial experience to support the school
and benefit its students. In my professional life, I am a Director at KPMG Management Consulting. I
work with KPMG’s clients in developing organisational strategy, improving performance, monitoring
delivery, consulting with external stakeholders, and helping manage the day to day complexity of their
organisations. One of my major clients is a Crown Entity in the education sector for whom I provide
ongoing advice and support. I manage high performing teams as an engagement director and as a
performance manager. T his includes setting goals and providing guidance and feedback, both
positive and negative, on performance. I have previously worked for KPMG International for a decade
in Europe, but when I returned to New Zealand in 2006 I took up a position in the public sector. From
2006 to 2011, I worked for the Ministry of Research, Science and T echnology where I was first the
Director of Knowledge (CIO) and later a member of the Senior Management T eam with responsibility
for the delivery of Legal, IT , Finance, HR and Communications. I rejoined KPMG New Zealand in
2011.
I understand many of the issues facing schools and the wider public sector as more needs to be done
with less. At the same time, schools need to provide quality education, implement new technologies,
and meet higher expectations from government and communities. I have strong experience in both
governance and management and, as a parent and a community member. I am keen that Lyall Bay
School prospers and benefits our children and community. I believe that I have a lot to offer and that I
will be an effective T rustee.
Joe Serevi:
Bula Vinaka, my name is Joe Serevi and I am T he Salvation Army Officer in Kilbirnie. I am married to
Jeannine and have three children. Josiah & Rosey now attend EBIS and Annie is a year 5 student at
Lyall Bay School. I am passionate about being on the board and having input into our children’s
education. Making sure that they get the very best opportunities to grow and learn in all areas
including academic, sporting and social achievements. I am a strong advocate for equal opportunities
for all students and I will strongly encourage Pacific Island and Maori students to push themselves to
their full potential. I believe in our children and I want them to believe in themselves. T hey can do
anything if they try and if we as parents encourage them.

Liz Stewart:
Hi, my name is Liz Stewart and I am a current member of the Board of T rustees, having been voted
on at the last election (2010). I live locally here in Lyall Bay with my husband Mike and our 3 children.
Although our eldest daughter is now at EBIS, we have a second daughter in the Middle School and
our son is due to start as a New Entrant at the end of this year.
I joined the Board of T rustees because I believe primary school has a huge impact on our children’s
long term education and on the community as a whole. I hoped my business background might be of
some help to the Board (I’m currently working for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and
Employment as the Director, Capital Portfolio Office) but mainly I wanted to take the opportunity to be
involved in and support the school.
T he last 3 years has been a busy time as we have dealt with some complex issues, from the
introduction of National Standards through to supporting Dennis (Principal) to secure funding and
consents for our new classroom builds. At the same time we have revised and built a solid foundation
of governance policies which will assist the Board through future years. It’s very rewarding to see the
progress now being made and to know what a difference this is going to m ake to the school
environment. If voted in, I would be happy to continue this work with the in-coming Board, to build on
the positive changes made to date.
Chris Taylor:
I have enjoyed the challenge of board duties in the last board term. It has been rewarding to see
the school’s building programme progress well and see the school receive a very good ERO
Report.
I would like to volunteer for a second term on the board while my children (April and Leo) are at
Lyall Bay School.
Hamish Tweedie:
I’m Hamish T weedie and my daughter, Hazel, has just started at Lyall Bay School in the last week. I
would love to be more involved in the school and Hazel’s education now that I have the time and
resources available to do so.
I have lived in Lyall Bay for approximately 10 years with Hazel, my partner Angerlia and step daughter
Alana who is attending university. We live on Queens Drive and are obviously interested in any local
factors impacting the school.
I was bought up in Brooklyn and Worser Bay and attended Evans Bay Intermediate and Wellington
High School before obtaining degrees from Victoria University and Massey University in Mathematics
and Commerce. I then travelled and worked in the UK and Canada before returning to New Zealand
and working for T elecom and T odd Energy/Nova Energy where I worked in senior executive roles. My
last role was managing the gas operations of T odd/Nova which provided me with the opportunity to
enhance my skills in the commercial, HR and governance areas.
Approximately two years ago I stopped working in a corporate environment and decided to focus on
managing our own investments while spending more time with Hazel while she was a pre -schooler,
which I have found very enjoyable and rewarding.
My own pre-school years were spent at an ‘Alternative School’ in Brooklyn called Children’s Learning
Group that aimed to equip children with a love of learning via teaching techniques that were non -
traditional at the time (e.g. children learning at their own pace recognising their different needs, high
levels of parental involvement, learning via activities rather than rote, etc).
My aim would be to, where possible, utilise the skills and knowledge I have gained in a commercial
environment to help ensure the school has the maximum level of resourcing possible to create a
learning environment that is attractive and imbues children with a love of learning so as to set the
framework for them to be happy individuals who can achieve their full potential later in life.