OLIVIA PATERSONI am pleased to have the opportunity to represent our school community on the Board of Trustees and am looking forward to being part of the decision making process of what is best for our school.I am a mother of two girls, Sophia and Amelia Cave and married to Grant. Sophia is in Mrs Cody's class in Room 2 and Amelia will be going to Muritai next year. I grew up in Eastbourne and attended Muritai School and have very fond memories of my time there. We recently returned from Melbourne to bring up our family in a community that I love. I have a strong desire to be actively involved in the community and feel I have much to contribute to the school as a member of the Board of Trustees.
I have taken a break from my career while the kids are young but have over 20 years experience in senior management roles in the Health sector ranging from policy analysis, business planning, project management and strategic planning. I derive a real sense of achievement when working with people who hold a range of viewpoints, including representatives of government agencies and community groups, and bringing them together to achieve the best outcome for all. I am an excellent communicator and am passionate about ensuring Eastbourne has a school it can continue to be proud of and maintaining its important role in our community.
STUART STOCK
In the time we've been associated with the school we've been extremely impressed by the calibre of staff and the encouraging and community focused environment they've created for our children to learn and grow. I would like to help safeguard this and help set and achieve future goals for the school towards even greater achievements.
I was born in Australia (but don't hold that against me) and raised in Upper Hutt (or that) and studied law at Victoria University in Wellington. I practised as a lawyer in the Hutt and in London before moving to Eastbourne in 2000 to run what was then Circus Cafe on Oroua Street with my wife Penny. We immediately fell in love with Eastbourne. Making hundreds of coffees a day is a great way to get to know people and we found Eastbourne's embracing village and community feel rare and unique.
Penny is English, so we went for a 'holiday' to the UK in 2005 for the kids to get to know their extended family, finally returning to Eastbourne at the beginning of this year. Maisie (3) was born in the UK. She is now at Eastbourne Kindy and already looking forward to going to "big school" at Muritai.
I return to my old firm in London and remain a partner there, working remotely overnight (I sleep during the morning). Although it seems crazy to many, this enables a wonderful quality of life. I'm around every day to pick the kids up, get involved in after school activities, cook dinner and be part of their lives in a way that is not otherwise possible. It also frees up my time to be involved in their schooling and any contribution I can make to the Board of Trustees I see as an extension of this.
So that's me. I'm passionate about Eastbourne, Muritai School and the community here, and most of all, I'm passionate about my family. I want to see my children grow up in the best possible environment and be all that they can be. Muritai School is a huge part of that environment and I would like to be a part of protecting, fostering and building that for the benefit of all of our families.
CRAIG GRIFFITHS
I was born and raised in Eastbourne and have great memories of my time at Muritai School. Since returning to Eastbourne in 2004, Lily (Yr 4) and Tom (Yr 2) have started at the School, becoming the fourth generation of my family to attend Muritai.
It hasn't taken long to see that it remains a School where kids of all abilities are encouraged to fulfil their potential. I think this is the greatest thing a school (and community) can do for its kids and I'm very keen to play a role in helping to safeguard and develop this approach further. The link between the school and the local community is extremely important and I am particularly interested in seeing that it is fostered. I think my strengths lie in developing people and fostering teamwork and creative environments - all of which I believe would be useful to the School Board.
My background is in Sales and Marketing. After a stint in Banking and Financing, both here and overseas, I decided it was not for me and changed tack to combine my love of sport and business. I am currently Sponsorship Manager for Contact Energy and prior to that I was Sponsorship and Marketing Manager for the Hurricanes and Wellington Rugby.
With two kids that love their sport (as much as I do), weekends are flat out at our place. I've co-coached the Eastbourne Rockets rugby team for the last three years, am helping to coach the Green Caps Y3 cricket team this year as well as helping Lily discover the magic of sailing. My wife, Angela and I are huge movie fans (luckily, so are the kids) and when the energy runs out, the lawns are mown and our dog Pipi has had a good run along the beach we like nothing more than sitting down as a family to watch a good movie.
LISA ALLEN
I represent the Muritai Staff on the Board.
I have only just taken on this role and am learning as I go along.
Currently I teach in Room 14 in a year 5 and 6 class. I love my class! We have a lot of fun together and already I can see amazing progress with them. You can see just what we are up to by visiting our class blog: muritairoom14.blogspot.com
I also have a 14 month-old little girl called Hettie who is just adorable and a 4 -year-old boy called Harrison who is just lovely too. He is a fantastic big brother and he loves his sister to bits. He is a big help. I love spending time with my family, it is very special. I live in Eastbourne with my partner Bradley and like many families in Eastbourne we are working hard on renovating the house! We are finding that trying to decorate with two children and no money is quite challenging though!
Last year I taught a year 6 class with Ruth Hooke teaching on a Friday. This worked extremely well as we work closely together and have a great working relationship. This has also grown into a lovely friendship. We now think of her as part of the family! This year she teaches on a Wednesday for me in Room 14.
Previous to teaching on this side of the road I was a Year 7 teacher in the Senior Wing. I taught there for two and a half years after returning from England, which was my home for seven years. This seems a lifetime ago now! While I was there I taught a variety of levels in a school on Canvey Island in Essex. I taught Year 3 through to Year 7 and just loved it! It was very different to Muritai and fantastic for my behaviour management!
On the way home my partner and I travelled for a year. We travelled through Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Iran, Nepal and India. A trip to Peru was also squeezed in where we walked the Inca trail.
In my spare time (I’m not sure I even remember what spare time is now!) I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, walking, reading, painting, gardening and going to the theatre.
I love teaching and really enjoy being in the classroom. I especially love getting to know each of my children and learning about their needs and how to move them forward. I am enthusiastic about my job and enjoy my time with the children.
I return to my old firm in London and remain a partner there, working remotely overnight (I sleep during the morning). Although it seems crazy to many, this enables a wonderful quality of life. I'm around every day to pick the kids up, get involved in after school activities, cook dinner and be part of their lives in a way that is not otherwise possible. It also frees up my time to be involved in their schooling and any contribution I can make to the Board of Trustees I see as an extension of this.
So that's me. I'm passionate about Eastbourne, Muritai School and the community here, and most of all, I'm passionate about my family. I want to see my children grow up in the best possible environment and be all that they can be. Muritai School is a huge part of that environment and I would like to be a part of protecting, fostering and building that for the benefit of all of our families.
CRAIG GRIFFITHS
I was born and raised in Eastbourne and have great memories of my time at Muritai School. Since returning to Eastbourne in 2004, Lily (Yr 4) and Tom (Yr 2) have started at the School, becoming the fourth generation of my family to attend Muritai.
It hasn't taken long to see that it remains a School where kids of all abilities are encouraged to fulfil their potential. I think this is the greatest thing a school (and community) can do for its kids and I'm very keen to play a role in helping to safeguard and develop this approach further. The link between the school and the local community is extremely important and I am particularly interested in seeing that it is fostered. I think my strengths lie in developing people and fostering teamwork and creative environments - all of which I believe would be useful to the School Board.
My background is in Sales and Marketing. After a stint in Banking and Financing, both here and overseas, I decided it was not for me and changed tack to combine my love of sport and business. I am currently Sponsorship Manager for Contact Energy and prior to that I was Sponsorship and Marketing Manager for the Hurricanes and Wellington Rugby.
With two kids that love their sport (as much as I do), weekends are flat out at our place. I've co-coached the Eastbourne Rockets rugby team for the last three years, am helping to coach the Green Caps Y3 cricket team this year as well as helping Lily discover the magic of sailing. My wife, Angela and I are huge movie fans (luckily, so are the kids) and when the energy runs out, the lawns are mown and our dog Pipi has had a good run along the beach we like nothing more than sitting down as a family to watch a good movie.
LISA ALLEN
I represent the Muritai Staff on the Board.
I have only just taken on this role and am learning as I go along.Currently I teach in Room 14 in a year 5 and 6 class. I love my class! We have a lot of fun together and already I can see amazing progress with them. You can see just what we are up to by visiting our class blog: muritairoom14.blogspot.com
I also have a 14 month-old little girl called Hettie who is just adorable and a 4 -year-old boy called Harrison who is just lovely too. He is a fantastic big brother and he loves his sister to bits. He is a big help. I love spending time with my family, it is very special. I live in Eastbourne with my partner Bradley and like many families in Eastbourne we are working hard on renovating the house! We are finding that trying to decorate with two children and no money is quite challenging though!
Last year I taught a year 6 class with Ruth Hooke teaching on a Friday. This worked extremely well as we work closely together and have a great working relationship. This has also grown into a lovely friendship. We now think of her as part of the family! This year she teaches on a Wednesday for me in Room 14.
Previous to teaching on this side of the road I was a Year 7 teacher in the Senior Wing. I taught there for two and a half years after returning from England, which was my home for seven years. This seems a lifetime ago now! While I was there I taught a variety of levels in a school on Canvey Island in Essex. I taught Year 3 through to Year 7 and just loved it! It was very different to Muritai and fantastic for my behaviour management!
On the way home my partner and I travelled for a year. We travelled through Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Iran, Nepal and India. A trip to Peru was also squeezed in where we walked the Inca trail.
In my spare time (I’m not sure I even remember what spare time is now!) I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, walking, reading, painting, gardening and going to the theatre.
I love teaching and really enjoy being in the classroom. I especially love getting to know each of my children and learning about their needs and how to move them forward. I am enthusiastic about my job and enjoy my time with the children.
ANDREW BIRD
Tena koutou katoa,
Ko Andrew Bird toku ingoa
I have been Principal of Muritai for over 9 years having being appointed in May 2001. Family is my first priority and a big part of my life. Jan and I have 3 children – Lucy and Sally are at Muritai now and Max will join the school family next January. Sally was one week old when I started as principal at Muritai so she is a good measuring stick of my time here.
I came back to the education world after enjoying my post high school days as a member of the New Zealand rowing team where I managed to travel widely and have many rich experiences. It was during visiting "nearly every primary school" in Christchurch on my return from the Seoul Olympics in 1988 that I developed a real desire to be a primary school teacher and I have never regretted my decision to be part of our children’s future.
Teaching is a fantastic profession. Being principal offers me the chance to realize the potential of the whole school in partnership with the beliefs, values, aspirations and support of the wider school community. I am proud of where Muritai School is in 2010 and proud of the way our people keep the school moving forward by following tradition, embracing innovation and some good old fashioned hard work.
Teaching is a fantastic profession. Being principal offers me the chance to realize the potential of the whole school in partnership with the beliefs, values, aspirations and support of the wider school community. I am proud of where Muritai School is in 2010 and proud of the way our people keep the school moving forward by following tradition, embracing innovation and some good old fashioned hard work.
