Who are the Papakura High School's Board of Trustees?
Peter Goldsmith - Chairman
Peter has lived in Papakura since 1969, attending Ardmore Teachers College, going onto teach at Rosehill and Greenmeadows Intermediate and was elected Chairman of Rosehill College from 1994-2000. He has made a very significant contribution to New Zealand sport, including representing New Zealand as a Maori All Black from 1972 – 1977, then as CEO of Counties Manukau Sport and General Manager for sport development at SPARC. He has been a Papakura District Councillor since 2004, appointed Deputy Mayor in 2007. He has also been an independent member of the NZ Maori Rugby Board since 2008.
Peter was elected as a Trustee of Papakura High in 2008, becoming Chairman in 2009. He champions raising achievement for every student at Papakura, ensuring that the Board soundly governs the leadership and management of the school. He has a successful and proven track record in leading positive sustainable change.
He also champions the Education Brief for Papakura Council and has considerable experience in community development.
Peter’s wife Carol is also involved in education, working at Edmund Hillary Primary. They have two children.
Rosalie Freeman - Deputy Chairman
Rosalie joined the Papakura High School Board of Trustees in May 2008. Married to Ray, they have lived in Papakura for 25 years with three children: Matthew (now at Auckland University); Hayley and Hannah all current (or former) students at the school.
She attained a BSc. from Waikato University and worked at a Horticultural Research Station in Pukekohe, then spent 11 years at home with her children. For the past eight years she has worked at Cosgrove School, now as Office Manager and PA to the Principal. She also looks after the financial affairs of the school.
Her husband has been involved with Boards of Trustees since 1995 and she has developed an appreciation of the important role the Board of Trustees has in a school.
“Through my own education, work experience, parenting, and more latterly working in the school environment, I have gained an understanding of the importance and power of education. I am a great believer in the local community and the local school, and that our young people and their families, deserve to be served by the best school possible. I joined the Papakura High School Board because I believe that this school has a lot to offer our community and can be that ‘best school’.”
Murray Browne
Born in Middlemore Murray, a Registered Surveyor since 1975 was educated in Manurewa, Auckland University, and Otago University.
His career has seen him work in New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, Turkey, Pakistan, Singapore, India and China. Recently he has been surveying for Fletcher Construction on major projects.
Murray was elected as a Trustee of Papakura High in 2000 when both his children were students at the school and spent six years as the Board’s Chairman. He is a member of the Auckland District Committee for the Rotary Australian/New Zealand Student Exchange.
He brings a broad perspective and adaptability through his life, business and community experience.
Colin Cartwright
A co-opted member of the Board of Trustees, Colin has had a long involvement in education, in and around Papakura at professional, practical and political levels.
Having taught at Papakura Intermediate and Kelvin Road schools, then serving as Principal at Cosgrove and Conifer Grove schools, he has many and varied experiences as an educator.
Colin has lived in Papakura for 35 years and has seen many changes in the dynamics and demographics of Papakura and is keen for Papakura High School to recognise and meet the changes necessary.
“Community involvement is seen as a major issue to be addressed and student involvement with sport, another area where development could greatly benefit the school.”
Gavin Dudley
A senior manager in the Telecom Group for more than eight years Gavin represents Telecom in their
School-Business Partnership with Papakura High and was co-opted onto the Board of Trustees in 2007.
After completing aeronautical studies and a commercial pilot’s licence, he started working life as a pilot, teaching people to fly and flying for a regional airline. With roles in naval and aviation military manufacturing companies this eventually lead to IT and Telecommunications positions.
Three years ago, not long after he moved to New Zealand from Australia, Telecom selected Gavin, a graduate from their Post-Graduate Management Development Programme, to be Telecom’s representative on the Building Better Schools programme (BBS).
“My involvement with Papakura High has given me an opportunity to contribute to the country I now call home and to learn more about the community and social fabrics that underpin New Zealand,” he says.
Gavin’s wealth of business experience and outcomes based focus adds management and governance depth to the Board of Trustees. He and his wife Nearnie have a young daughter, Amelia.”
Chris Wood
Chris has been teaching for six years, working at Papakura High School since he arrived in New Zealand from England four years ago.
He chose teaching because he enjoys the challenge of teaching younger people and helping them to achieve their goals in life.
Science is his core area, with the odd bit of PE, but is key focus is trying to perfect his skills as a classroom teacher, however as he says “this seems to be a bit of a Holy grail and there’s always ways to improve teaching and learning.”
Chris took the opportunity to become the Staff Trustee in 2007 to help understand how schools are governed and how their direction is set plus to try and see the school from a different perspective.
“I feel I represent the staff well as I talk to them often and I try and give a staff perspective on issues at meetings as often and as clearly as I can. At the moment I am keen to see the community engagement doors widen and look forward to long term partnerships.”
Nancy McConnell
Co-opted onto the Board of Trustees for Papakura High in 2007, Nancy represents the School-Business Partnership with McConnell Group. Brought up in South Auckland, she lives on a farm and has two adult sons and three step-sons.
Educated at Auckland University with an MA (Hons), education has always been a core passion.
For nine years she was a Trustee of COMET (the City of Manukau Trust), a Council Controlled Organisation, which focuses on ‘Making Education Work for Manukau’. "My long term experience with this Trust has been invaluable in bringing a wider education perspective to Papakura High."
From a business perspective Nancy has owned and managed her own communications business since her early 20s working with some of New Zealand’s largest companies across infrastructure, construction and property leading internal and external communications, marketing communications, branding and community initiatives.
“I want to see every student have the opportunity to learn what success feels like. We need to partner together to make this school 'a great, safe, learning centre' which respects the needs and desires of students, staff, parents and the whole community.”
Mel Olsen
Born in Papakura to a Cook Island/Tahitian mother and a European father Mel has lived the past 13 years in Kawakawa Bay.
Educated in Manurewa, then completing tertiary study at MIT, she has owned and managed two home based businesses, and volunteered time to a number of charitable organisations, including Awhina Budgeting Services.
She has two sons currently attending Papakura High School and doing well.
Mel loves spending time with her family and is an avid fan of any sports particularly her sons playing rugby.
Elected as a Trustee of Papakura High School in 2007 she felt the need to get involved because of her genuine interest in education and student outcomes. Enhancing student achievement and building a broad base of community support is her focus.
And she is optimistic that with the full support of our community we can achieve great outcomes.
"The miracle is this – the more we share, the more we have". Leonard Nimoy
Feleti Lotulelei
Feleti is the Student Trustee on the Papakura High Board.
A 17 year old male of Tongan and Maori descent, he is in the sixth form at Papakura High. Before coming to Papakura High, Feleti went to Papakura Normal for both primary and intermediate education.
“At Papakura Normal, I learnt the basics of life but at Papakura High, you learn to realise who you really are, and what you want from both yourself and the world. I have set out to make a difference around school, ranging from the physical state of the school, to our reputation in the community. By myself I found this rather difficult, so being on the Board of Trustees has made this way easier.”
Feleti came onto the Board at last September elections, being the successor of Paris Naden.
“I’ve learnt a variety of things being on the Board, as I was able to see life from a different perspective many students don’t get to. “
One of his ideas for the school is that student leadership should be fostered.
“I see High School as a place where leaders and the successful are created, and that for this very purpose, my peers and myself are nurtured. I’m the advocate of all Students at Papakura High, and I strive to be the best for them, in ways of helping to make decisions that are always favourable to the student population.”
Trevor McKinlay - Acting Principal