KHS Board Members 2022-2025

Hi, I am Dan Cleaver and it is my privilege to stand for the Kamo High School Board. First a little about me. My wife, a primary teacher, and I have 2 children currently attending Kamo High School, Eli yr. 13 and Paige yr. 10. I currently own and manage my own business employing 7 staff. Prior to this I spent 20 years as a sworn member of the NZ Police, the last 2 years as part of the District Leadership Team. I have previously served 2 terms on the Hurupaki School Board of Trustees. Kamo High School has been through several challenges over the past few years and the Commissioner and Whaea Natasha have begun to make some of the required changes. I believe now, more than ever, the school requires strong governance to ensure it rebuilds back to a place the community can be proud of. Student and parent engagement will be key in ensuring the school continues to be relevant to the community it serves and this would be a key focus for me.

Dan Cleaver (Board Chair)

The Board will need to be prepared to spend the time required with the school & management team to support them in making decisions that will see the school grow and thrive in the coming years. I am in the fortunate position where I can manage my own time and can be available whenever required for school matters, when dealing with youth timeliness is all important. I have a history of management and governance in my previous roles, both professional and personal and have carried several portfolios that will assist in providing a strong Board for Kamo High School. I look forward to being able to give back to the school and community that has given so much to my children over the past few years and hope that I can make it a place students will want to continue to attend for years to come.

Terri Duff 

Kia ora koutou katoa,

 

I am a loyal advocate of Kamo High School and am excited to put forward my nomination for parent representative of the new Kamo High School Board. I have been motivated to do this as I would like to be actively involved in the support of the strong and progressive leadership of the school. I believe that a strong and collaborative board will help support and build the wider community engagement that will encourage the best student outcomes for all.   I taught at KHS for many years and have continued to be a passionate supporter of the school’s community.  I have always cared about the education in the Kamo community and want to continue to make a difference for our tamariki.  It would be a privilege to be part of the KHS board and help set the strategic direction of the school.

I am currently employed by the Northern Health School, a school for students (Year 0-14) who are too unwell to attend their usual school.  I work with a diverse range of families, many of whom are part of the Kamo High School community. I quite often pop into KHS both as a teacher and a parent and have seen first-hand the incredible amount of work that the dedicated team of senior management, teachers and support staff put into ensuring the best possible outcomes for all students.

I am married to Julz and have two sons, one of whom attends KHS, in Year 10. We live locally with our boys and our dog Vinnie. I grew up in Tokoroa which has given me ability to feel at ease in different social and multicultural settings.  I spent my last year of high school in the USA before returning to study and work in hospitality.  I was lucky enough to travel extensively around New Zealand with employment in Fox Glacier, Taupo, Mt Ruapehu, Rotorua, and the Bay of Islands.  In addition to qualifications in Hospitality, I completed a Bachelor of Social Science at Waikato University, followed by a postgraduate Diploma in teaching at Christchurch Teachers College. This led to my employment at KHS, then The Northern Health School - a career spanning over 21 years.

I am a team player who is hard working, organised, adaptable and not afraid to ask the challenging questions.  As a board member I would work hard to make sure all students can reach their highest possible standard in educational achievement and that it is done so in an inclusive and safe environment for all.

Ngā mihi nui

My name is Stephen Martin more commonly known as “Tractor”. I am a former KHS student.  I’ve spent the past 13 years in the rural service sector in various management roles and prior to that dairy farming. I have held numerous governance roles in the community at both local and national level. These organisations include Young farmers to local Rugby, Hockey, Community Hall, residents and ratepayers’ group along with 12 years on the Matarau school BOT. More recently I have been appointed president of the Whakapara pony club. All three of my children have attended KHS over the last 9 years with Ella currently in year 10. I’ve had an active interest in numerous activities and groups during their attendance, from school camps to the Mini MotoGP at Manfield to winning the national TeenAg club of the year. I’m all for the best outcomes for every student while supporting the School to provide the best environment for the students to learn.

Stephen Martin 

I fully understand the difference between Management and Governance and look forward to making our school the best school in Whangarei. We need a strong governance team to lead our school forward. I am approachable and easy to get along with and looking forward to the challenge. Thank you

Mo Matautia-Tepania 

(co-opted) 

Ko Whakarara, ko Matakā ngā maunga

Ko Taumarere te awa

Ko Matauri Bay te moana

Ko Hiruhāramahou, ko Te Tāpui ngā marae

Ko Mātaatua te waka

Ko Ngāpuhi, ko Hāmoa ngā iwi

Ko Ngāti Rēhia ko Ngāti Kura, ko Te Iva ngā hapu

Ko Jason tōku tane

Ko Danica, ko Huiarangi, ko Te Wairere ngā tamariki

Ko Mo Matautia-Tepania tōku ingoa

I have been involved in tertiary education for 20 years.  Beginning 2001, I tutored level 2 programmes to tauira for 8 years then moved to Ministry of Social Development (MSD) employment programmes (Training for Work) for 9 years.  My leadership abilities took me to key middle management roles ie, Team Leader, Cluster Leader and Moderator.  I co-designed programmes for my clusters and piloted 2 MSD initiatives for my organisation in Whangarei, Motivate and KODE.  Both pilots exceeded outcomes with over 80% of clients moving into full time employment or further education.

I accepted a Navigator position at I Have A Dream Charitable Trust NZ in 2018 with year 9 and 10 dreamers. We’re a local charity partnered with kura in the Tikipunga and Otangarei communities.  Mid-2020, I was promoted to my current role of Navigator Manager.   Over the past year, I have established productive relationships with kura management and staff and lead a spectacular team of unique Navigators and Praxis Interns.  Together, we support academic achievement and roll out 40+ after school programmes for dreamers each week.

I’ve served 6 years on the Whangarei Netball Centre executive committee before it moved to a Board structure.  During my time we introduced Friday Night Premier Netball, indoors and introduced year 1/2 netball with shorter hoops.  I went on to become the President of my club, Manawanui Netball Club.  I have served for 20 consecutive years as a player, coach, umpire and committee member.  I was honoured to receive my Life Member Award in 2019 and still coach collegiate age group.

My passions and strengths are serving young people, co-designing wraparound support programmes, supportive leadership, relationships, inclusivity and achievement. My son is the last in kura and is year 11 at Kamo High, he makes my heart sing.  I simply need to give back to his kura.  My aspirations are to champion education, support and opportunities for all tauira and whanau, remain my authentic self and learn.

No reira tena koutou katoa.

Tēnā koutou katoa,

As a proud member of the Kamo community, I am submitting my nomination  for parent representative on the Kamo High School Board. I am married to Kelly, a former student and teacher at Kamo High School, and have three children, the older two of whom currently attend Kamo High in years 12 and 9.

 

I have worked at Sport Northland for the last 20 years in a range of roles including event management, sport development, and currently the Spaces and Places Manager in the Senior Leadership Team. Much of my role involves working with a diverse range of people from such organisations as district and regional councils, national and regional sports organisations, funders, contractors and community groups. 

Stu Middleton 

I have been heavily involved in the upgrade of current facilities across Northland and the development of new community facilities from ground zero through to operation. I have worked on the Bowls New Zealand Advisory Committee, and as a board member on the Northland Suns Basketball Development Trust, Bike Northland Inc and Northland Athletics and Gymnasium Stadium Trust, providing me with a sound understanding of governance, and the ability to think strategically and work collaboratively to make effective decisions.

 

I strongly believe in Kamo High School as a place to nourish the potential of all our young people and would relish the opportunity to support management, staff and students to further bolster the educational, cultural and sporting outcomes of our community.

 

Ngā mihi nui

Julie Steward

Kia Ora - my name is Julie Steward and I am excited about the prospect of being a part of the board at Kamo High School. I am originally from the Far North, and after a number of years living both overseas and in other parts of New Zealand, I moved to Whangarei with my husband and 3 children. I currently have 2 boys in Year 10 at Kamo High School. 

Professionally, I am Social Work trained and have had a long career in the industry working in a variety of settings including child protection, mental health and addictions and family violence. Upon moving to Whangarei ten years ago, I set up my own business and currently provide clinical supervision to social workers and other professionals working in the helping profession.

Previously, I was lucky enough to be elected to the board at Kamo Intermediate and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. The experience provided me with significant insight into the role of board governance and what is needed to successfully run a school. It was also an interesting time to be on the board, as we went through the process of appointing a new principal and supporting other positive changes within the school.  I am interested in being on the board at Kamo High School because I am passionate about our community in Kamo and the role the school has as an integral part of that.  Also, given the recent changes in the leadership team I think this is an exciting opportunity to be involved in creating a new strategic direction for the school.

I feel passionate about students receiving the education they deserve within a school that has good leadership, is well managed and well-staffed. I strongly believe that all students should have the opportunity to utilise their strengths, be that in academia, sport, music or leadership etc. I support a school that is inclusive of the parent community and is open to consultation and feedback. I am committed to being a proactive and responsive board member who represents the community with integrity. I am a grounded, approachable and friendly person who is highly organised, articulate, assertive and not afraid to hold systems accountable. Thankyou.

Julie Steward

Ngā mihi mahana nui ki a koutou katoa.

 

Ko Ngāpuhi te Iwi. Nō Takuira ahau. Kei Pipiwai ahau e noho ana.


Ko Angela Taitoko tōku ingoa.

 

My name is Angela Taitoko , I am a Northlander, raised in Dargaville and now living in Pipiwai.

 

I am married to Aaron Taitoko (Tainui/Ngāti Maniapoto) we own an automation engineering company. We have 4 children.

 

3 of our children currently attend Te Kamo High School and our youngest will start there in 2023.  

I have been involved in the school community since 2019 and hope to be involved for many more years to come.

Angela Taitoko (co-opted)

I have a Business Degree in Accounting and Management and have worked in many different accounting roles for a variety of large and small organisations. However,  more importantly I listen and want everybody to succeed.

Since becoming a parent in 2005  I have always been active at various levels at the kura our children have attended. I was Treasurer at both Raumanga Kindergarten and the Maunu School PTA for many years and more recently on the Board at Whangarei Intermediate School. I WILL continue to be involved.

I would like you to elect me to be part of the Board to represent your values and support our  Principal to enhance OUR school and have every ākonga/student reach THEIR full potential.

I plan on doing this by

● Ensure effective teaching for ALL students through informed governance.

● Make a positive difference for EVERY single student by ensuring the school is a physically & emotionally safe place for students and staff.

● Help set goals and strategic direction through consultation.

● Ensure we continue to monitor progress and keep parents informed.

Poipoia te kākano kia puāwai. Nurture the seed and it will blossom.