2019 Common Election results

Our family have lived in Geraldine for nearly 10 years and we are delighted to be raising our two children here. Logan and Violet both attend and love Woodbury School and I really enjoyed my first term on the Woodbury School Board of Trustees, helping to contribute to the strategic governance of our awesome school. My professional background is in Human Resource Management and I have held several senior HR posts in both small non-profits and large multi-national corporates. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management and a Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel and Development. I am also a chartered member of the institute of Personnel Development (UK). Currently I undertake the role of promotions coordinator for Go Geraldine which allows me to connect with many different people and groups across our community. I am also an elected member of the Geraldine Community Board, a member of the Geraldine Combined Sports Association board and Bike Geraldine. In the past I have also contributed to a range of other community groups and relish the chance to give back to the community that has given my family so much. Like many parents I spend most of my time ferrying children to and from activities however in my spare time I love yoga, cherish my morning walk and live for the perfect hot chocolate. From an education perspective I am keen for our school to maintain its special character as a place for adventure play and independent thinking. Our kids have an amazing range of opportunities that are become rare in today’s world and we need to continue that path which offers our kids a broad education and encourages passion for life- long learning. I offer objective thinking, an open mind, strong commitment and a passion for our young people to the board and our school community.

Alister Charles Holmes
Elected

My name is Alister Holmes. I am a current member of the Woodbury School Board of Trustees. I farm on McKeown road with my wife Lyn and currently have 2 children at Woodbury School. I was a student at Woodbury School in the 1980's. I have enjoyed my time on the board working with our previous principal Claire Haugh and current principal Mike DeJoux. I have helped both Claire and Mike with issues regarding school property and maintenance. I am currently working with Mike DeJoux and Danette McKeown around the development of the bike track, plantings and playing area in the Glebe at the school. I have learned a lot about the running of a school and the careful management of the funds allocated. As a board member and parent I want what is best for our children, and a school needs to be a safe, caring and positive environment in which they can learn and grow, this is a priority for me. I have enjoyed working with the other board members and believe that we have a diverse array of skills which complement each other. I think that the school is in a great position due to a stable staff and roll and the commitment of parents on the school support group who fund raise tirelessly to provide the added extras that make Woodbury School the great place that it is. I want to help Mike and his staff and the other board members to continue the great work that has been done before us and to be able to maintain an excellent learning environment.

Currently hold parent representative position on Woodbury School Board of Trustees and have been on BoT for 9 and a half years with responsibility for governing the finance portfolio (budgeting, variance and financial reviews) and BoT Secretary. Am mother of 4 boys, all have gone to Woodbury, with 2 at Geraldine High School and 2 still at Woodbury. Am a self employed farmer/farm administrator including management of finances and budgets, accounting software, farm environment plan and farmsafe programmes. Work part time as Environmental Geologist (MSc Hons) specialising in contaminated land. My community involvements include Woodbury School, Geraldine Amateur Swimming Club Coach, Geraldine Amateur Rugby Club, Barkers Creek Catchment Group, and Geraldine Four Peaks Seido Karate.

My name is Kate McKeown and I am standing for the Board of Trustees for Woodbury School. My husband Matt and I moved our family back to his hometown of Woodbury in 2010, wanting our children to have the same experiences we were lucky enough to have growing up in rural communities, including the opportunity to attend a rural school. Our children - Olly, Tom and Pippa - are the fourth generation of the family to attend Woodbury School. I am passionate about education and ensuring that all young people, regardless of background or ability, have the chance to fulfil their potential. I have worked in the education sector for almost 15 years and currently teach Maths and am the Academic Dean at Geraldine High School. I have previously tutored trainee teachers through the University of Canterbury and spent two years working as a youth advisor at Aoraki Polytechnic. I have been heavily involved with Woodbury School since our eldest started in 2013. I have been a parent representative on the Board of Trustees for the past six years and am a member of the School Support Group. I thoroughly enjoy the different aspects and challenges of both of these roles. Woodbury School has gone from strength to strength in recent years. I would relish the opportunity to continue to contribute as we look to build on these successes and carry on providing an environment where all our children can flourish.

Keith Tyler-Smith
Elected

My name is Keith Tyler-Smith and I am standing for re-election to the Woodbury School BOT as I believe I have the necessary background, experience, skills and knowledge that enable me to make a valuable contribution to the school’s governance and future development.

I live in Woodbury and was co-opted onto the Woodbury School BOT in August of 2015 to set up an enrolment scheme process as requested by the MOE. Following the 2016 elections, I was elected to the role of Chair.

I have come to know the school well, regarding it as an excellent example of a happy, well run and well supported learning community. Over the past 9 years I have been involved in helping to set up and run pet days, judging for the arts and crafts show and providing a variety of practical support for school productions, among other events.

In 1994 following a career in TV Broadcasting, I took on the role of tutor at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology. In 1999 I earned a Bachelor of Broadcasting Communication and in 2006 I was awarded a Master of Education, majoring in Online Education from the University of Southern Queensland.

My term as BoT Chair has seen the completion and official opening of the new Tarahaoa classroom block and the Awa space connecting it to the other teaching spaces, as well as the refurbishment of the library and other classrooms. I have also overseen the selection and appointment of the new principal, Mike de Joux, ably assisted in this by an excellent Board, who work hard and harmoniously to see that the school continues to thrive and the children succeed.