Te Mata School Board

The Te Mata School Board would like to welcome you and your family to our school. As a board we love having the opportunity to represent our community by helping to lead our school into the future. 

The focus of all our planning and work is ensuring that we make informed and future focussed decisions with our children, staff and community at the centre.  We strive to uphold and strengthen our school in alignment with our values of Tūrangawaewae (Belonging), Manaakitanga (Respect and Kindness), Auahatanga (Creativity and Innovation) and Whakapuāwai (Personal Excellence).  As a result we have a strong community and family culture and our children "Seek the Heights"  with high levels of learning, while having fun in their everyday school life.

We look forward to getting to know you and your family.

Te Mata Board MemberPortfolioEmail
Jon Lewin

Presiding Member (Board Chairperson) and Privacy Officer.   

jlewin@temata.school.nz 
Patrice O'ConnorPrincipalprincipal@temata.school.nz
Pia Bradshaw

Community Liason  Sustainability

pbradshaw@temata.school.nz
Jay UkaHealth and Safetyjuka@temata.school.nz
TBC in MarchProperty
Darren de KlerkPoliciesddeklerk@temata.school.nz
Diana MillsStaff Representativedmills@temata.school.nz 
Sacha PettittFinancespettitt@temata.school.nz 


What is the role of the Board?

The role of the Board is to help govern the school to ensure that it meets all its needs – legally and ethically as representatives from their community and as employers to the staff.

The primary foci of the Board are to ensure that the school

  • Has a clear direction for the future (Charter and Strategic Plan) that enables the school to provide future focussed and successful educational outcomes and decisions for children and the wider school in alignment with our NZ Curriculum.
  • Upholds our school values and positive school culture.
  • Supports the Principal and Senior Leadership Team to oversee all major decisions within the school eg: Strategic Planning, Property, Finance, Personnel,  Achievement and Progress of learners, Community etc

How many people are on the Board?

The Board typically has 8 members

  • Six members elected by parents.  These are elected for a three year term, with elections every 18 months for 3 members.  This means that half of our board remain consistent and provide continuity in decision making throughout the election process.  Next election is September 2025 for 3 members.
  • The School Principal.
  • A Staff Representative elected by the Teachers and Support Staff.

In addition to these, the Board can co-opt four additional members, so that they can, as far as is reasonably practicable, reflect the ethnic and socio-economic composition of the school’s student body and the country’s gender balance, or co-opt for a specific skill or additional support with large projects that the current board requires.

When does the Board meet?

The Board meets each month in our staffroom.  You can find out when the next meeting is in our school newsletter.

Meetings of the Board are open to the public unless they are required to go into committee for a private, case sensitive and confidential matter.

How can I access information?

If parents would like a copy of the Board's agenda you can visit the school office or email boardsecretary@temata.school.nz .  Agendas are finalised the Friday afternoon prior to the meeting.

All agendas and minutes from the Board meetings are public record and can be accessed from the school office.

For further information about the Board, you can go online to education.govt.nz

Annual Accounts

One of the Board roles is overseeing our school accounts and finances.  Every year our school finances are audited to ensure we are complying with all financial legislation and practices.  Copies of our accounts can be found on our school website in accordance to these legislative requirements.

Please note:  The successful candidate for the Casual Vacancy position will be focused on their ability to lead with the principal the Property Portfolio.  For more information about what this portfolio involves please contact our Presiding Member or Principal.