Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees

Board of Trustees Chairperson:  Kim Sullivan

Hi, I am Kim Sullivan and I have the honor of being the current Board Chair. 

Together with my husband Daniel, and son Connor, I have lived in this community since 2005. I am a Headlands dairy farm consultant and a dairy cow veterinarian. Connor is currently at Tauhara College and is enjoying the new opportunities being in senior school is giving him.

I love the outdoors and make the most of this wonderful area that we live in. My family and I enjoy wakeboarding, kayaking, mountain biking, tramping and family trail bike rides. As small time sheep farmers on our little block, I enjoy the space that living rurally gives me.

I believe a successful school depends on a sound partnership between the school, parents and community. It is good quality education, combined with developing a love of learning, building strength of character and excelling in what we do, that will provide our children with the skills needed to face our ever changing future.

As a parent representative on the Board of Trustees, I enjoy taking an active role in steering the direction of our school, building on the strengths of our teachers and pupils, and continuing to make the school a rewarding and enjoyable place for all.

I am honoured to be on the Board, and with my core values of integrity, excellence and family, I believe I make a valuable contribution to the governance of Tauhara College.

Parent Representative: Matthew Maynard

Kia ora koutou e te whanau o Tauhara College. My name is Matthew Maynard and I am honoured to be elected as a parent representative on the Board of Trustees. While I am new to the role of trustee, I have 17 years of experience in the education sector, having worked in senior leadership and Director roles with Te Wananga o Aotearoa. My prior experience also includes working in project management, leadership and advisory roles with the Ministry of Social Development and Inland Revenue.

I was born and bred on the sunny coast of the north island, Puketapu te maunga, Te Arai te awa, Takitimu te waka, Rongowhakaata te iwi, no Manutuke ahau. My wife and two of our children moved permanently to Taupo almost 2 years ago and we have enjoyed the transition from the Wellington region, our home for 20 years, to the beautiful backdrop of the mountains and lake. 

It was important that we found a college that would support our daughter, a current student, on her educational journey. Since day one, I have been impressed with the culture and spirit of Tauhara College and all it has to offer. I would like to see the school continue to grow and will work hard to ensure that as a board we support our leaders, staff and parents to prepare our children not only for the challenges that they face now, but for the challenges that they will face when they leave school and beyond into the future. 

Te manu ka kai i te miro, nōna te ngahere. Te manu ka kai i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.  

The bird that partakes of the miro berry, reigns in the forest. The bird that partakes of knowledge, accesses the world

Student Representative: Isabella Johnson 

Hello, my name is Isabella Johnson and I’m so excited to be Tauhara College’s new student board representative. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and want to do my part for the students of this school. I hope to serve as an easy-to-talk-to representative that brings students’ ideas into fruition. I want to create communication between the Student Body and Board easier, and do whatever I can to improve student engagement at school.

At Tauhara College, I have been warmed by the supportive community we have here. We are like a family at Tauhara, always talking to each other and working together. The students at Tauhara are unique individuals with fun personalities, they all have creative and bold ideas that I want to bring to the Board. I am happy to represent my Student Body and serve them well. I want the Board and the students of Tauhara to work as a team to create the best schooling environment possible. I’m looking forward to all the challenges and changes.

Here’s to a great year!

Parent Representative: John Curtis

I settled in Tāupo to prove you should live where you love and let everything else work itself out! It’s a great place to raise a family and my three children will be going through Tauhara College over the next decade.

I’m a software developer and technologist, and co-founded two businesses based in Tāupo but running nationally and globally respectively. I also run Tāupo’s co-working space as part of my commitment to connecting people and growing Tāupo’s business community. As a keen musician I play locally and teach at the Tāupo School of Music.

I believe in giving our young people the freedom to be fully self expressed, with schools facilitating their discovery of what’s possible. Education and life beyond school is becoming increasingly complex so I’m honoured to be part of a team focused on the future of all those at Tauhara College.

Parent Representative: Tim Fletcher

Kia ora koutou, My name is Tim Fletcher and I am proud to be part of the Tauhara College Board of Trustees team.  

I have four daughters attending Tauhara College with another to start in a few years so I envisage a long association with the school.  

I have experience in education as a teacher and principal in various primary schools around the Waikato.  I am currently employed by Tāupo Baptist Church to work with children and young families.

Parent Representative: James Wiltsher

My name is James Wiltsher. I am married to Louisa and we have four children, two at Tauhara College and two at Hilltop School. We have lived in Taupo since 2014 and love being part of this amazing community.

My background is in teaching with many years of experience across a range of age groups. I am passionate about future-focused education and lifelong learning. Currently, I work as a Digital Lead Teacher supporting staff and students with the implementation of the new Digital Curriculum. 

I am very excited to be a member of the Tauhara College Board of Trustees. I bring a range of experiences and skills that will support our teachers and learners. I look forward to being part of the team that will continue to develop the future direction of Tauhara College.

Parent Representative: Tim Lovelock

Hi, I’m Tim Lovelock. I have three children, all of whom are at Tauhara College. Grace, Noah and Jacob. We have a great high school that has a unique culture of its own. With Ben as Principal, and alongside our staff, Tauhara College is well placed to continue to innovate and respond to the needs of our children. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to support our school and its leadership team by serving on our school’s board.

Parent Representative: Chris James

Hi my name is Chris James and I am seeking to be appointed to the school board of trustees, I have four children and I am based in Turangi. I have a real passion for serving my community and a strong governance background which I hope to bring to the board. I currently own my own business and I am the Deputy Chairman of Capital Football.

I believe a high performing school must ensure it has a well-established culture that embraces the diverse and talented student body and provides clear pathways to ensure our kids are set to be amazing members of our society. The board is fundamental in ensuring the strategy is set and continues to inspire, motivate and empower our principal, the staff and our students.

I will be fully committed to embracing a strong cultural, educational and sporting focus to the board to ensure Tauhara College continues to shine and prosper in the Taupo and wider Taupo area.

Staff Representative: Elise Power

Kia ora koutou, my name is Elise Power and it is my privilege to be representing the staff on the Board of Trustees. I have been in Education for more than 20 Years, with experience across sectors from Year 1 through to Senior Secondary level. 
 
My teaching philosophy is that life is about learning and that it is more fun when there is shared understanding, and easier when we are generally travelling in the same direction. As an teacher, I believe in the importance of creating culturally-responsive, caring classrooms; and building learning-focused relationships between teachers, students, and whanau; through open and respectful communication.
 
I am looking forward to serving on the board and working alongside teachers, school leaders, and whanau, to help support and nurture Tauhara College, as we all continue to adapt to a changing world.