2019 Wadestown School Election results

Mark Crofskey
Elected

I'm Mark Crofskey and my wife Jo and I have two boys at Wadestown School. Gus is in year 5 and Baden is in year 1. It would be an honour to work with the principal, staff and other parents who have worked so hard to build the school into the amazing taonga that it is. I have some experience with fundraising for non-profits. In my previous life as a partner in a commercial law firm, and then in one of the big 4 accountancy firms, I advised boards and businesses across a wide range of issues, including strategy and governance matters. One thing that Wadestown does not lack however is professional parents with great skills! Supporting our great teachers and doing the very best possible to ensure that they have what they need to continue their undoubted success to date is a great role and we are blessed to be in a community where there is a real depth and breadth of talent to draw from to help support the School's plans. I would work hard to ensure that all parents get the communication and transparency they want from the school and to help parents engage with the School and contribute to its continued success! My mobile is 027 6446585.

Huia Alison Nina Forbes
Elected

Tena tatou nga whanau o Wadestown School,

Ko Ngati Hikairo, Waikato, Maniapoto hoki nga iwi. My name is Huia Forbes and I am standing for election as a parent representative for the Wadestown School Board of Trustees.

My girls, Mihi (year 7) and Maea (year 4) are both happy students at Wadestown School. If elected as a member of the Board of Trustees I wish to ensure all our children are supported to achieve their best. From my perspective the Board plays a key role for the School setting its direction and providing leadership while also supporting the Principal and her management. Also, the Board must be accountable to the school community.

We are all aware of the great achievements and potential at Wadestown School alongside the challenges it faces. As education policy is currently changing it is important that the Board work to ensure "all the bases are covered" in our children's education and their development - be they making a start at Weld St or in year 7/8 making the transition to teenage years and what lies beyond. It is also essential that the Board works to create an environment that is a great place to work supporting both the retention and recruitment of excellent teachers.

With a new Board there will certainly be ideas for improvement. I support the broad direction of the school and hope to be able to grow this over the next three years. If opportunities for change are identified I think it is essential that they be implemented in a manner that ensures stability while also enhancing the children's education and preparedness for life beyond Wadestown School.

It gives me great pleasure to see my children's year groups grow and develop as they move through school. I want all of our children to be bright, confident and enthusiastic when they start year 9. This requires a solid foundation of both academic and social skills.

I'm a Wellington cliche having returned after a period overseas, being an ex-lawyer and now working as a public servant (Treaty negotiations at DOC). Along the way I did a PhD in Environmental Science. At home we try to be bilingual (english/maori) and I am part of the whanau group that supports reo at school.

Ma pango ma whero ka oti (by working together we can do it).

Genevieve Hancock
Elected

My name is Genevieve Hancock and I am standing for the Wadestown School Board. I have three girls at Wadestown School: Rose, Scarlett, and Lucia, who are in years 2, 4 and 7. I have lived in Wadestown for over 15 years (with kids at the school for over 6 years now) and I love being part of the Wadestown community. I work as a technology lawyer by day. I have my own legal practice working with both private and public sector clients on IT contracts and issues relating to data and intellectual property. I have previously served on volunteer boards including the Downstage Theatre Society and on the Council for the Wellington District Law Society (as it was previously). I also have experience with corporate boards of directors. I was the chair of the Wadestown School Parent Teachers Association for the last two years (ending in April this year). In that role, I had insight into the demands and the challenges that the school faces. I am very thankful for the amazing parents and caregivers that support the school. I am keen to now assist in terms of strategy and governance and on matters such as communication, transparency and community engagement. I communicate in an open and direct way whilst being respectful and empathetic. Ngā mihi, Genevieve

Fazleen Ismail
Elected

Kia ora koutou

I hail from London, the only child of Sri Lankan parents who emigrated to the UK in the 1960s. My husband, Richard, and I moved to New Zealand 12 years ago. Our two children, Izzy and Zak, are both at Wadestown school in years 5 and 6. We really enjoy being part of the Wadestown community. And our school is right at the heart of this community. I would love the opportunity to give back through being your parent representative on our school board.

To this role I would bring a broad range of skills, knowledge and experience. I started my career as economist in the UK government and then moved into management and leadership roles in a variety of different areas including science and technology policy, labour market policy, and competition and consumer law. Currently, I am a General Manager at the New Zealand Law Society. I am responsible for a broad portfolio that includes diversity and inclusion, wellbeing, access to justice, advising government on law reform, and delivering services such as education and events to property, family and in-house lawyers. My strengths are in strategic thinking, building effective and influential stakeholder relationships, and the different perspectives that I can offer. My personal style is collaborative, consultative, evidence-based and empathetic.

Our current board has played a vital stewardship role, setting the strategic direction and providing oversight of the school for the benefit of our children. A strong focus on quality has resulted in high standards of student achievement. If elected, I would like to build on the achievements of our current board. My focus would be on ensuring that our school is inclusive, a place where all of our children thrive, and where parents feel consulted and informed.

Thanks for reading this. I hope you’ll consider voting for me.

Noho ora mai

Fazleen

Neil Paviour-Smith
Elected

My name is Neil Paviour-Smith and I am re-standing for the Wadestown School Board of Trustees.

I have served four terms as a parent trustee and I am the current Board Chair. I am pleased to offer myself for re-election for a further term.

The school plays a key part in our local community as well as its essential role in educating our children. It is vital that the school and our outstanding Principal and teaching staff are well-supported to continue delivering the excellent teaching and student achievement outcomes at the school.

I am proud that our school has an exemplary reputation and is delivering the best it can - as noted in the last ERO report which stated the school supports best practice teaching and is well-placed to sustain equitable and excellent outcomes for all children.

I offer my experience on the Board to continue working on advancing our school.

If you wish to see the direction of the school and the achievement results being delivered to be sustained, through a governance approach that fully supports our Principal and teachers, please vote for me.

Phillipa and I have been resident in Wadestown for over 20 years and have 4 children, all students of the school including Sophia now in year 6.

I am CEO of sharebroking and investment banking firm Forsyth Barr. I have also worked in investment research and funds management roles with 30 years experience in New Zealand capital markets.

My other experience / roles includes: I am Chancellor of Victoria University of Wellington (a role akin to Board Chair), Chair the Chartered Accountants NZ Regulatory Board, Director of the NZ Art Show, Trustee of VUW Foundation and am on advisory committees for the State Services Commission and Tertiary Education Commission. I am a former Director of NZX and Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand.