The Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo Board of Trustees is made up of six elected parent representatives, our Tumuaki/Principal Denise Torrey and Rowan Lockton who is our staff representative.
We provide strategic leadership and direction to the school and we work in partnership with the community, teachers, support staff, the Ministry of Education and other key agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes for all students.
As a board, we value and actively encourage your feedback and input. Board of trustee members are not the immediate point of contact for concerns or complaints unless these are of a serious nature. Please contact your child’s classroom teacher in the first instance, then the ropu leaders before seeing the Principal.
If you would like to provide feedback, raise a matter for board consideration or ask a question, you can contact our Chairperson here:
Board meetings are public, so you are very welcome to attend if you would like to learn more about what we do. Meetings are held in the staffroom at 6 pm. You can find our upcoming events and minutes from our meetings below. Speaking rights can be granted to non-board members at the discretion of the board. Please contact Denise in advance if you would like to discuss something with the board. You should know that when we are dealing with confidential issues, we go “into committee”. Members of the public are not able to attend this part of the meeting unless they have been invited for a specific purpose.
Meeting dates
18 February – 6 pm start
19 March – 6 pm start
20 May – 6 pm start
1 July – 6 pm start
12 August – 6 pm start
16 September – 6 pm start. Online only due to Covid Alert Level 2, please contact the office for the zoom code if you wish to join this meeting.
5 & 6 November BoT Strategic Planning Meeting
9 December – 6 pm start
BOT Minutes
Subject to confirmation by the Board at its next meeting.
The charter is a binding agreement between the board of trustees and the Minister of Education. Community consultation is a critical part of the process for developing and monitoring our charter.
Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo’s charter and strategic directions are currently under review, in consultation with ākonga, staff and the school community.
An updated charter is due to be made available in late 2021.
School CharterIf you are interested in becoming a school trustee, there are a variety of ways this can be achieved outside of the trustee elections. We encourage you to come along to a meeting.
If you want to find out about standing for election, nominating someone else and voting in the election – get in touch with the school office. You can also find out more on the New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA) website.
Use the provided login details when prompted:
Username: Somerfield
Password: smart
Board of Trustees
The Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo Board of Trustees is made up of six elected parent representatives, our Tumuaki/Principal Denise Torrey and Rowan Lockton who is our staff representative.
We provide strategic leadership and direction to the school and we work in partnership with the community, teachers, support staff, the Ministry of Education and other key agencies to ensure the best possible outcomes for all students.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.