Board of Trustees

Matakana School is managed by a parent appointed board, with the Principal and a staff representative making up the full board.

The board members are:
Chairperson Lisa Bindon
Secretary Karen Davies
Treasurer Craig Dawson
Property Trustee Graeme Smith
Trustee Phil Randle
Principal Darrel Goosen
Staff Trustee Claire Allen
   

Introducing the Board of Trustees
 

 

Lisa Bindon - Chairperson
I grew up in Matakana, and attended Matakana School when it was a little country school of 90 kids. 9 years ago my husband Greg and I decided that Matakana was where we wanted to raise our children, so we moved back into the area - the best move we ever made! We have 3 children, Nicole is in Year 8 at Mahu College, Jacob is in Year 6, and Alex is in Year 3.
 
My official training is as a landscape designer, but for the past 10 years I have worked as a self-employed artist. I am very fortunate to have the time and flexibility to actively involve myself in many school activities, and carry out the often time-consuming work involved in being part of the Board.
 
I have been a parent rep on the Board for the past 3 years. My role on the Board at the moment is as Board Chair, which involves liaising with the Principal, and checking that Board work is getting done. I am also a member of the Finance committee, and the Policy Review committee.
Like most parents in the area, my children’s education and their opportunities to learn are one of my top priorities. I want my children to be excited about learning, and to achieve their full potential. I believe that Matakana School fosters this by providing our children with an amazing range of learning experiences, and I look forward to seeing what new ideas unfold under the leadership of our new Principal.
 
Karen Davies - Secretary
Originally from California, I have lived in New Zealand on and off for the last 15 years, before settling in Leigh about 12 years ago. Mother to Hannah in Year 6 and Kate in Year 4, I work part time and do the usual taxi service to activities around the area after school and on the weekends. I joined the Board of Trustees a year ago on a bi-election and then decided to run again in 2010 for the three year term. I love our little school and am really passionate about giving kids as many opportunities and choices as possible, whether it be on the sporting field or in the classroom. It’s a really exciting time for our school and I’m so pleased to be part of developing the future for our kids. I look forward to working with the great team on the Board and all the wonderful staff at Matakana Primary over the next three years.
 

Craig Dawson

Craig moved to the Matakana region from Auckland 10 years ago following the sale of his business interests in the investment and finance industry. Craig and wife Rachel are strong believers in the principle that it takes a good community to raise a child well. Having grown up in a semi-rural environment, Craig felt that Matakana would be an ideal place to start and raise a family. They have two girls at Matakana Primary School. The proximity of Matakana to the coast and islands of the Hauraki Gulf was also a huge attraction for Craig, given his favourite pastimes are diving and fishing. 
 
Phil Randle
I moved to NZ in 1987 from the UK and met my future wife
Annabelle Guinness on my first night here! Annabelle was born and raised in the area so I have been visiting and living here for over 20 years. After some time in Auckland and travelling the world, Annabelle and I moved to Leigh in 1994 and started
the Leigh Sawmill Café with her parents and brothers. In 2000 moved to our current home in Matakana.

I mainly work in the geotechnical and environmental science fields, although I have spent many years in the hospitality industry and maintain an interest through part-time work and helping Annabelle with her catering business.

Our three children Saffron (15), Theo (13) and Roman (6) attended (or are still attending in Roman’s case) Matakana Primary School. I continue to be surprised and proud of the incredible community support for the school, which continues year after year, and at the calibre and dedication of the staff.

We should all feel privileged to have such an amazing local school in our community and I look forward to doing my bit to help.

 
 
Graeme Smith
I’m 50 years old and married to Christine Hill. Both of our children are at Matakana School; Logan (9) is in year 5 and Maia (7) is in year 3. We live in Matakana having moved to this area four years ago. I’m a registered land surveyor working for a small consultancy in Warkworth. I’ve worked in the survey profession since graduating from the University of Otago in 1983. A significant portion of my career has been spent working in exotic places around the world such as Egypt, Tanzania, Turkey, Brunei, Belize, Samoa, Yap and Barking! These experiences have helped me realise that New Zealand is (arguably) the best place in the world to bring up children and this area in particular is one of the best environments to do so.
Christine and I have been very happy with the standard of education our two have enjoyed thus far at Matakana School. The challenge for the new Board and Principal is to maintain the School’s high standards and to explore avenues for improvement. I have volunteered my services to assist in this endeavour wherever I can and to do my level best for all of our children. A significant part of my role on the Board will be as a member of the property sub-committee.
 

Claire Allen - Staff Trustee - My name is Claire Allen. I am a teacher at Matakana School and have recently taken on the role of BOT staff rep. I have been teaching since 2001. I started my career in Auckland having taught in a couple of different schools working with various age groups ranging from Year 5 through to Year 8.

I moved to the Warkworth area and began teaching at Matakana School in 2007. I became the senior syndicate team leader in 2009. I really enjoy working at Matakana School and am looking forward to my new role as staff rep.
 
Darrel Goosen - Principal  -New Zealand became my home in the last century after spending the first part of my life in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. I have never been happier than to call New Zealand home! I taught at several outstanding schools in Auckland before coming to Matakana.

Teaching and learning are my passion and I look forward to coming to work each day to see children and teachers interacting.  To be able to lead this quality school as the Principal is just magic!

There is an old Hebrew saying that I hold very close to my heart ‘Confine not your children to your own understanding, for they were born in a different time’. That’s what makes understanding children’s learning so important to me.
 
My wife, Janet is a teacher and my son, Selkirk and daughter, Erynne are both at University. I love friends, family, fishing, tramping, reading, movies and gastronomic delights!

 
To contact a member of the Board of Trustees, please email bot@matakana.school.nz or write care of the school office.  Emails will be directed to the Board Chair.  You may also leave a message at the office on 422 7309.

 

 

 

 

AttachmentSize
Minutes of BOT Meeting - 14 November 2011.pdf69.2 KB
Minutes of BOT Meeting - 26 September 2011.pdf85.97 KB
Minutes of BOT Meeting - 22 August 2011.pdf67.08 KB
Minutes of BOT Meeting - 4 July 2011.pdf73.38 KB
Minutes of BOT Meeting - 23 May 2011.pdf86.54 KB
Minutes of BOT Meeting - 28 March 2011.pdf78.67 KB
Minutes of BOT Meeting - 7 February 2011.pdf86.84 KB