2019 Common Election results

Peter Cooper-Davies
Elected

Kai Ora,

My name is Peter Cooper-Davies and I am currently a member of the Board of Trustees at Deanwell School. I am married to Simone Cooper-Davies and we have two children, aged 6 and 9 years old, who attend Deanwell School. One role as a Parent Representative is to make sure our school meets all legal requiremnents as set by the Ministry of Education and to also have a say in what I beleive is needed to make Deanwell School as success. I was asked about 12months ago to fill a vacancy on the board as a parent representative due to another board member leaving. I have 12 years experience in employment contract negotiations/disputes representing both employers/employees and are currently working part-time for Sky TV on sports broadcast events around NZ. The rest of my time is spent caring for our children, supporting our community and being actively involved at the school. I am lucky to have the opportunity to spent time helping when I can in things like, coaching sports teams, attending school trips and supporting teachers at school camps. I have formed some awesome friendships with both teachers and children through being present at the school and by having our childrens school friends to our home to play. I am of the view that to make a difference in our childrens growth and education you need to be engaged and actively involved which both my wife and I are.

I would like to continue as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Thank you

Peter Cooper-Davies

Diana Donaldson
Elected

Kia Ora, my name is Diana Donaldson and I am standing for the Board of Trustees for Deanwell School.

I am married to Sean, and since having my first child 11 years ago I have spent the majority of my time raising five children at home. Isobel (Year 6), Lewis (Year 4), and Herman (Year 2) attend Deanwell School and are all in Kōkako Ohu. James (Year 5) attends Patricia Avenue School, and Finn currently attends Deanwell Kindergarten.

As a mother I have offered a supportive role to my children in the various school groups they have been involved with. I have also been a camp parent and a helper at school when needed. My skills include a passion for the welfare and learning of our beautiful tamariki, being a team player, people-focussed, a good communicator and all that comes with being a mother of five young children.

I believe that students come first and I feel privileged to be part of a school community that provides a quality education for our children. I want to continue to support the staff of Deanwell School as a parent, as a community member, and as someone who is passionate about providing the best education for our students.

Thank you for taking the time to consider me as your trustee, it would be a privilege to work representing you, your children and community.

Kia Orana, Malo e lelei, Talofa, Bula Vinaka, Fakalofa lahi atu and warm Pasifika greetings, My name is Melisa Fotu. I am a New Zealand born Cook Island/Tongan who was fortunate to grow up with strong culture values. I am a mother of 4 daughters, one at Tokoroa high school, one at Peachgrove Intermediate and two at Deanwell primary school. My Partner and I support Deanwell Pacific Poly group and I also support our sport teams with coaching.

I currently work at Wintec as a programme coordinator, supporting students to achieve NCEA level 2. I believe that with the right support young people can achieve anything they put their mind too. Education is important and is something I encourage young people to always find ways to learn. Working in the tertiary education sector, it provides me to opportunity to show leadership, and I love using this within my community and other settings. "service to others" Being selfless and empowering those around you by doing acts of kindness.

Natania Katene
Elected

He mihi nui, he mihi mahana tēnei ki a koutou katoa. Ko Natania Katene toku ingoa, no Ngāti Toa me Tuwharetoa ahau.

Kia ora I am Natania and I am honoured to be considered for the Deanwell School Board of Trustees.

I bring 13 years experience working in governance, executive management and operations (grassroots). I've worked in policy - I've been one of those people who have decided why things are the way they are. Strategy, developing a vision and plan on where we want to head, and how we are going to make it happen. Then on the ground, getting stuff done. I am currently working for Young Enterprise Trust supporting Year 9 - 13 secondary school tauira (Maori students) across New Zealand discover their potential in business and life.

Deanwell School holds a special place in my family. I've lived in this community since the age of 5. My brothers and I all attended back in the 1990s / 2000s. My greatest childhood memories happened right here.

I have 1 child and she is Year 5 this year, and my niece will be starting in July. I would love to serve our community as a member of the Board because this is my time to give back to a community that helped me to get to where I am, a community who believed in me.

Sarah Pitches
Elected

I have been pleased to be on the Deanwell school board for the past 3 years, and to be elected the board chairperson for the past 18 months. During this time we have appointed and welcomed our new principal and worked hard to support our teachers and school leaders as they strive to to provide the very best education for the children who attend Deanwell.

My husband Lance and I have 2 children at Deanwell School, Leo (year 4) and Grace (year 3). Lance and I are committed to continuing to contribute to the school and community through volunteering our time to a number of organisations. I believe that having the governance of our school right here in our community close to our staff and students is important.

It’s important to me that the board work closely with parents, and Iwi as we support the leadership team, the teachers, and students and make Deanwell a strong and nurturing environment.

I would be honoured and delighted to be able to continue to contribute to Deanwell School as part of the Deanwell School board.