I have served on the Board of Trustees as an elected parent representative since June 2016 and I am currently the Chairperson of the Board. My key role is to lead the board and to partner with the principal and leadership team to maximise the achievement and wellbeing of our tamariki.
The board’s overall responsibility to its parents and community includes legal obligations covering curriculum, property, personnel, finance and health and safety. As a lawyer and parent, I have welcomed the opportunity to positively influence and benefit the school community through serving as a member of the board.

Rowan Lockton is Deputy Principal and Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO) at Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo and is staff representative on the Board of Trustees. Rowan is retiring at the end of term 4 and shares her experiences as an educator and champion for kids with additional educational needs.

I was born in Christchurch, but my teaching career has taken me to many different parts of New Zealand. My husband, Gavin, and I have lived in Governors Bay for nearly 40 years. I have two grown children, Ben and Luke, two daughter-in-laws and two granddaughters.

I began teaching at Westburn School in Christchurch. In my third year I was posted to Taupo Primary School and spent two years teaching there. From Taupo I went to a remote country school in Southland. After two terms the Principal, who started there at the same time as me, decided it was too remote and I became the Principal. On returning to Christchurch several years later I taught at St Margaret’s College until our eldest son, Ben, was born.

When the boys were little my friend Denise Hellebrekers asked if I was interested in relieving at Cholmondeley School and that began my long involvement with Cholmondeley Children’s Home. Over 12 years I was in a job-sharing position with Denise first as a teacher and then as Co-Principal. I stayed on the Board of the Home for several years after I left the school.

After completing my first Post Graduate Diploma I became a Resource Teacher of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB). During this time, I completed my second Post Graduate Diploma. I worked as an RTLB in schools in the Riccarton area. One day the Principal of Russley asked if I was interested in a secondment to Deputy Principal. Those two terms made me realise I wanted to be back in a school and I came to Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo as Deputy Principal and SENCO 11 years ago.

I think Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo is a special place because of the commitment the staff have to helping children succeed and flourish. The values of equity, relationships and wellbeing are at the centre of all we do, and these values resonate strongly with me personally.

I often say I have the best job in the school. I love supporting families, teachers and students to ensure our tamariki succeed. Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo is a wonderful community to be part of.

I have always attended Board meetings in my role as Deputy Principal and became elected staff representative on the Board of Trustees six years ago. The purpose of the staff representative role is to bring the perspective of the staff into the board’s thinking and planning. I have particularly enjoyed being involved in the strategic planning of the board.

One of the most exciting developments over my time at Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo is the redevelopment and move to collaborative teaching. It was wonderful to be part of this process. It involved a lot of learning, planning and communication between the Board of Trustees, staff, community and tamariki. The new school environment allows many exciting learning opportunities to occur, so it is very rewarding to have been part of this process.

When I retire, I plan to join my husband on his walks around the hills. We belong to a walking group in the harbour area and I look forward to regularly joining in! I also intend to spend lots of time in our garden, re-joining the garden club and finishing my many craft projects.

Most exciting for me, is to be able to dedicate more time to our two beautiful granddaughters, one of whom lives in Christchurch and the other who lives in Feilding. I intend to make the most of every opportunity to spend time with them during term time – taking them to school, picking them up and being part of their after-school activities. I may even be able to help on school trips! Gavin and I also plan to travel around exploring our beautiful country.

I know I will feel incredibly sad leaving Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo and all the special people here. It helps to know that my role is in very good hands. It has been a wonderful 11 years and I feel very fortunate to be finishing my career in such a wonderful school.

I would like to wish the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo whānau all the very best for the future. Look after yourselves, look after each other and remember once a SMART Somerfield person always a SMART Somerfield person.

I have worked in the banking industry for approximately 31 years both in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. I am also lucky enough to be Chair of the Board of Trustees for Christchurch South Karamata Intermediate. I bring skill in finance, governance, and working in a team.

I am a parent representative on the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo Board of Trustees and my primary responsibility is that of Treasurer, working with management, finance team and auditors to help prepare and monitor our budget.

I certainly enjoy serving on the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo board. It provides an excellent opportunity to utilise skills learned in business for the good of the community, I get to work collaboratively with a great bunch of people with a broad range of skillsets all working towards the greater goal of ‘Smart Kids for Life’.

I have worked in communications, fundraising and marketing for a national not-for-profit for many years. I also serve on the board of a local charity. I bring skills in copy writing and editing, public and media relations and strategic planning.
I am a parent representative on the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo Board of Trustees and my primary responsibility is to support the Tumuaki and Senior Leadership team with recruitment.
I feel grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer on the board of a school so committed to values-based teaching – brought to life in our SMARTs – and seeing all our ākonga (students) thrive.

With a background in law, I hold a number of board appointments in different sectors ranging from social services to health regulation. I am driven by a values base, and offer legal, governance, strategic, communication and advocacy skills to the board’s capability mix.
I was elected as a parent representative to the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo Board of Trustees in 2019, and have responsibility for school policy alongside our Tumuaki and leadership team.
Wellbeing and equity are key underlying principles which guide the board and leadership in accordance with our legislated mandate. These principles ensure that our tamariki thrive, and it is a great privilege to be able to be a part of the board and serve in this capacity.

Kō Marty tōku ingoa. I am a Māori parent representative on the Board of Trustees here at Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo.

A key part of my role on the board involves ensuring our kura remains culturally responsive to the needs of whānau. We believe that it’s important that a Māori worldview is reflected the school’s governance for all our tamariki and the wider school community.

For me, bringing these concepts to life simply means a focus on relationships. It is through connections with our people (past and present), our place and our purpose - and the way these elements co-exist that makes Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo so unique.

Bringing these relationships to life ensures all our tamariki are given the opportunity to thrive.

One of the ways we do this is through our annual Whānau Hui which was held in Term 2. This event was kicked-off with an impressive performance from our very enthusiastic (and VERY large) kapa haka rōpū, followed by our consultation with the parents of our Māori students. Our hui are always well-attended by whānau and provide a fantastic opportunity to report back to our community as well as giving our tamariki a platform to express themselves and their learning through their culture.

An exciting project in the pipeline is a new school mural which will be installed in the school hall. This mural will outline the cultural narrative of our kura: our relationship with and acknowledgment of mana whenua, our unique position in the world and our shared values. The mural has been designed by Daniel Caigou and work will begin on this soon. Watch this space!

If you are interested in connecting with our Māori school community or joining future hui, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. You’ll see me doing the school drop-off/pick-up or feel free to drop into the office to leave a message.

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou katoa,

Marty Needham.

Tena koutou katoa.
I have worked in construction for many years specialising in Quantity Surveying and cost management. I am a Director of a national firm and bring governance, leadership and strategic decision-making skills to the board.
I am married to Anna and have three sons.
I am a parent representative on the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo Board of Trustees and my primary responsibility is to support the Tumuaki and Senior Leadership team with Health & Safety and property.
As a family we have been part of the school community for 12 years and it has been thoroughly rewarding to have the opportunity to use my skills and expertise for the benefit of our SMART tamariki, staff and whānau.