2019 Common Election results

Tony Boyte
Elected

Hello, my name is Tony Boyte and I have lived in the Bayview area for 13 years along with my wife and two girls (Samantha who had a great six years at Manuka Primary before leaving for Intermediate this year and Aimee-Lee who is now in Year 5). As a current Board of Trustees member, I have found it incredibly fulfilling to be involved in helping to oversee decisions that determine the learning environment of our children and I would very much love to continue this work for the next three years.

As a parent Board member I see our role as representing the community to ensure the school continues to do the utmost to help all students learn to the best of their abilities. And to ensure that staff gain the support required in their role so they can continue to teach at their full potential.

I am a Director at Nielsen, a global performance management compaby, based in Takapuna and have been with the company for 12 years. Having worked successfully in business leadership roles for many years, I possess a broad range of skills relevant to school trusteeship, in particular working with and managing strong teams, financial awareness and strategic development. I see having a position on the Manuka Primary School Board of Trustees as a way of giving back to the community especially in supporting our younger members who may well become future leaders.

James Greene
Elected

I’m a Manuka Dad, learning a lot about Netball, gymnastics, tap dance, funk dance, and Pippins. Things I cannot do, but generally the activities that occupy what I’m told is my free time. The first four years of my working life, were spent in the education system, working with children with severe behavior disorders. My work took me from my home in London, to Sydney, followed by a two year stint living and working in the USA as Director of the Akron Rotary Camp for Children with Special Needs. I have called Auckland home for thirteen years. A simple twist of fate took me from Education, into the Financial Advice profession (long story). I now run my own business. I currently serve as a Board member of a Not for Profit organisation, called A Supported Life. I'm also the Treasurer. Part of my role means I'll be attending the "Better Boards conference in late July, in Brisbane. I also serve as committee member for the local Toy Library. I like being active in the community. As a parent of a Manuka School pupil, and another joining late this year, this is a great opportunity to support, provide governance, and add Value to the future strategy/goals/planning of Manuka Primary School, The future is an exciting place.

Heather Johns
Elected

My name is Heather Johns and I am standing for the Manuka Primary School Board.

I own and run a small local dance school - Rhythm & Grace Dance. I have a passion for dance, specifically teaching it and spreading the joy of it to others. I am a qualified NZAMD teacher and I teach children from age 3 to adult in ballet, tap, jazz and contemporary dance. My school has an emphasis on building confidence, performance skills and strong dance technique as well as the important values of team work, camaraderie, commitment and perseverance. We do this through weekly classes, annual exams, an annual show and social events. I also believe we provide a space where students and their families feel wanted, encouraged and safe for long term learning outside of school.

My two daughters - Georgia and Lily are in rooms 2 and 6 respectively and my husband (Aaron) and I have been immensely grateful for the wonderful start they have both had to their school years. We enjoy the good vibe Manuka projects, have great respect for the Principal, Teachers and Staff and the core values they instill in the children as well as the learning curriculum, and extra opportunities on offer for all students. I am also thankful that the hours of my job mean that I am available to be involved in their school lives.

I am one of the leaders of the Walking School Bus, whom we walk with every morning. I have been parent help on most school trips and assisted with in-school activities such as EOTC, Tread Lightly Caravan and swimming at Glenfield Pools for Georgia's first year, I assist the junior school by putting away the home readers on a daily basis and I enjoy attending the school assemblies, parades, disco's, the Footsteps dance performance, and parent information evenings.

I am very interested in being more involved with the school and would relish the opportunity to be a member of the Board.

Stephen 'Skip' Parker
Elected

I have been actively involved with the Manuka Primary Board of Trustees for the past two election cycles, most recently as the Chairperson. This has been a rewarding experience working along side a fantastic team of trustees and senior school leaders. I am passionate about the school and seeing its continued success and community spirit, and hope to contribute towards another three years of that success at Manuka Primary. I live in the Bayview community with my wife Janelle and son Kaleb (Year 6) and work as the Technical Operations Manager for Rhema Media.

My name is Sheree Taylor and I am standing for the Manuka Primary School Board of Trustees. I am a current member of the Board and have been for the last three years.

I live in Glenfield with my partner Mark and our three children – Jordyn is in year 8 at Glenfield Intermediate, Logan is year 5 at Manuka Primary and our 20 month old Lincoln attends day care at Best Start Glenfield and will start Manuka Primary in 2022!

I have been heavily involved with the school for about five years now. I am currently Chairperson of the Manuka Fundraising Group and have held that role for three of the five years I have been part of the MFG. Through my job at Countdown Glenfield I have been a big part of securing a good relationship between the school and the store. Not only has this led to fundraiser sponsorship but great opportunities for the kids, such as the Kapa Haka performing at the re-opening of Countdown and the recent free sausage sizzle for the senior EOTC.

Being on the Board of Trustees for the last three years has been a great experience for me. I have enjoyed being a part of the positive changes in the school and working with Deb, the Board and staff to keep Manuka Primary the best school it can be. There have definitely been some challenging times with the good but I would love the opportunity to sit for another three years.