E tipu, e rea - Grow tender young shoot
Introducing our School Board
Fiona Deehan - Presiding Member
I'm Fiona or Fi….I’ll answer to either! I’m really happy to introduce myself to you as the newly appointed Board Chair of the Board of Trustees for our kura. My daughter, Cara, is 7 years old and in Tawai and my son, Lucas, has just turned 8 months. I’m Irish, married to James (who is also Irish) and we have lived in Ōtautahi for almost 13 years. In my paid work, I am a strengths coach, facilitator and consultant for leadership and wellbeing in communities and workplaces. Seeing individuals, workplaces and communities flourish and thrive is what motivates me.
If you see me around school, please say hi or kia ora. I’m happy to chat to any of you about what you see is working well and what’s not working well in our kura - I think we should celebrate and acknowledge our strengths and successes as well as identify what needs to be improved and how we might work together to uplift and support our tamariki, our whānau and our wider school community to succeed.
Robbie Blakelock - Deputy Presiding Member and Parent Rep
Kia orana, ni sa bula vinaka, talofa lava, kia ora e te whānau I'm Robbie, and I’m stoked to be the Deputy Chair of our School Board. I’ll be working with Fi to co-lead our Board and support our amazing kaiako, kaimahi, ākonga and whānau. I’ve got two kids, and you’ll see Jamie (6) cruising around Māhoe, and Esther (4) playing in the sandpit and on the playgroud at pickups with my partner Emma. I’m Tangata Tiriti and Tangata Moana and my pronouns are he/him. My dad’s parents came over from Rarotonga and Kadavu back in the late 1950s and my mum’s family have roots in England and France. Mum grew up in Golden Bay on a farm, Dad was born in Wainoni and grew up in Motueka, but I was born in Auckland and lived in Hamilton for a while before moving to Ōtautahi in 2003. I’m from all over the motu and the Moana! I’m the oldest of three kids, and our whole family loves playing music.
I keep busy during the day as a manager at Tatauranga Aotearoa (Statistics NZ), and I love creating space for people to be themselves and do work they’re proud of. I look after the Disability Insights Team, and I’m super passionate about learning and leading in more inclusive ways. I’m always keen for a yarn - especially if there’s coffee! I love sharing radical ideas for ways we can work together as a whole community to care for, support, and develop all of our tamariki mokopuna to have awesome achievement, brilliant behaviours and be connected citizens! I think our kura is pretty awesome, our community is full of strength, and I’m excited for our future.Waea mai e te whānau - get in touch!
robbie.blakelock@addington.school.nz
Andrew Green - Elected Member and Parent Rep
Kia ora koutou. I am Andrew Green and this is my second term on the Board of Trustees for our kura. My eldest, Evie finished at Addington in 2021 and my son Fletch is currently in year 4. My wife Rach has previously been on staff here as a Teacher Aide in Conductive Education. We have lived in Addington for over 10 years and have strong links to many friends in the area. The new playground is both a source of pride as a board member and an enjoyable place to come and spend time with the kids on weekends. Seeing this resource used so well by the community outside of school hours is fantastic and a goal achieved. My background is in both the carpentry and joinery trades having completed my joinery apprenticeship in 2008 here in Addington. I have since moved into education with the BCITO – Te Pūkenga where I advocate for our learners with disabilities. I keep my hands on the tools over the weekends when I like building furniture and slowly renovating our house. I often pick up Fletch from school, so if you see me around, please say hello and let me know your thoughts on our kura.
Sarah Masters - Parent Rep
Kia Ora, I am Sarah and I am excited to have the opportunity to be on the board and to support our amazing kura. I have 2 wonderful boys, Elliot who is 6 and in Kanuka, and Henry who is 3 and they are fun and full of energy. My husband and I have lived in Addington for 8 years and we have a real passion for the Addington Community and all it has to offer.
My background is in Early Childhood Education for about 20 years (I have taught a few children from Addington) and from this my strengths are building relationships, working in a team, and creating environments where our tamariki can learn and thrive. I am currently working at Conductive Education in the preschool as an early childhood teacher and an education support worker, as well as studying part time through Ara/Te Pūkenga to become a Pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting educator. You will see my face on most pickups and drop offs outside the classroom, connecting with whānau, or chasing my 3 year old around the playground. Please feel free to come up and say hi at any time.
sarah.masters@addington.school.nz
Mark Rangi - Parent Rep
My name is Mark Tamakehu Rangi and I descend from the iwi / tribes of Ngāi Tahu, Ngā Rauru and Tainui. I am connected to Te Kura Taumatua – Addington School, through our daughter who has been a student within the Harakeke – Conductive Education Unit for the last 4 years. We have been fortunate enough to have had the specialist skills and expertise to support our daughter develop and flourish, not to mention the dedication and compassion of the staff that work with her day to day. In regards to my skills and expertise that may be beneficial to the school board, I have been involved in education for the past 25 years. I have developed from a beginning teacher to a head of faculty, from an associate principal and ultimately to a tumuaki/principal role. I have worked in Te Reo Māori and Mātauranga Māori settings throughout those 25 years. I fully believe in the cultural narrative of Te Kura Taumatua - Addington School.
He rākau taumatua , he huinga manu.*
A large tree that protects is a place for the all of the birds to come together.
mark.rangi@addington.school.nz
Sheryn Follero - Staff Rep
Kia ora Tatou, I am Sheryn Follero, known at school as Whaea Sheryn, I have been a teaching staff member at our Kura for the past 5 years. I have been lucky enough to have worked across all teaching teams in the school. I am currently teaching in the Senior school in the Year 5 and 6 learning space. I also coordinate the ESOL initiatives to support and celebrate the students of our school which are culturally and linguistically diverse, and who have travelled to make NZ their home.
I am a resident of our community living just a few streets over in Spreydon. I am passionate about our Kura, our amazing staff and our wider community.
sheryn.follero@addington.school.nz
