Board of Trustees

Stephanie Macdonald

Board Chair

Steph Macdonald is a returning trustee, having already served one term on the Board. She has recently been voted in as the Board Chair. Currently employed by Bay of Plenty Regional Council as their Community Engagement Team Leader, Steph works with diverse communities in decision making processes. She brings strong communication, facilitation and advocacy skills, to the Board.

I have two children at Ōtūmoetai Primary (Samantha Yr 4 and Hazel Yr 1). Locally, I’ve gained valuable experience working with community funding, volunteer organisations, environmental programmes, plus earlier experiences teaching English abroad.

Despite the obvious challenges of covid in recent years, Ōtūmoetai Primary has maintained great results for our students while also rebuilding the relationship with Ngāi Tamarāwaho, significant property works and welcoming International students to the school. I look forward to working with the rest of the Board and management team to support all students to achieve their best and grow as actively involved learners.

Brett Farquhar

Parent Representative

Brett is a returning trustee. He is a degree-qualified Resource Management Planner and Director of Stratum Consultants Ltd, which is a local Bay of Plenty planning, engineering and surveying consultancy. He brings strong business management skills and board experience to the OPS BOT.

I am married to Bridget and we have lived in Ōtūmoetai for the last 15 years. We have two children at Ōtūmoetai Primary School; Nate is in Year 6 and Mason in Year 4.

Part of my role as one of the business owners of Stratum Consultants Ltd is to manage the company’s strategic direction, personnel and financial affairs. 

I have a passion for sports and the outdoors with many of my personal and family extra-curricular activities based around this. You will often see us out kicking/hitting a ball around, at the beach or the lake, or mountain-biking.

I have been immensely privileged to serve on our schools Board of Trustees in the last board term. Ōtūmoetai Primary is a fantastic school and I look forward to continuing to make a meaningful contribution to ensure it continues to thrive.

Jeff Stringer

Parent Representative

Jeff is a returning trustee. He is a solicitor, currently an Associate at Cooney Lees Morgan Solicitors in Tauranga, and he brings a diverse professional background to the role.

Kia Ora, my name is Jeff Stringer. I am one of the parent representatives on the OPS board of trustees. I joined the board in July 2021, following a vacancy. In my time on the board I have learnt a lot and also found opportunities to contribute.  

I grew up in Timaru and attended university in Christchurch. Following an OE and four years in Wellington, I moved to Tauranga in 2008, chasing my now wife; Catherine. We have lived in Ōtūmoetai for almost 10 years and our children attend OPS; in years 6 and 2. Our family has enjoyed becoming a part of the school and its community. Being involved as a trustee is an opportunity for me to do something of use for our community. 

I bring relevant skills and experience to the Board. I am a solicitor and my role includes  advising clients around risks and obligations, and ensuring good governance principles are observed. Prior to this role, I was a commercial banker for eight years, so I have a good understanding of financial matters. I have also worked in central government, as an adviser  on economic policy, including a stint in the Beehive in the office of the Minister of Commerce.  My background means I have experience in working successfully with a variety of people,  and building and maintaining good relationships often while helping resolve complex issues. 

I am honoured to serve the school community by representing you on the OPS Board.

Lisa Kerr

Parent Representative

Lisa is a newly elected trustee. She owns a small, fun restaurant and bar named Fox’s Hawker House at the Mount. She has numerous years management in the service industry from large UK corporations to New Zealand-based franchised businesses. She has experience in change management, people management, communication, and building communities.

I am a business owner and mother of two: Elias, a bubbly 6 year old in Year 2, and an energetic four year old, Adeline, who will be starting OPS after the summer holidays! I believe OPS is an amazing school and is on the path to do what’s best for the leaders of the future. I would love to help contribute where I can, to see our kids thrive in today’s world. I believe in inclusive learning and having an evidence-based path for our neurodiverse and children with extra needs. I get pretty passionate but just want the best for our children!

Kayla Kerr

Parent Representative

Kayla is a newly elected trustee. She is a trained teacher and used to work at OPS part time in between having her four tamariki! Kayla will bring her valuable knowledge of education to the BOT, as well as local knowledge of the Ōtūmoetai community and Tauranga.

Kia ora, I’m Kayla Kerr. I was born and raised here in the beautiful Bay and am a proud ex Ōtūmoetai pupil. I'm a mother of 4; our 3 girls are currently here at OPS in years 5, 3 and 1, while our son is the definition of ‘the terrible twos’ (he’s 18 months old!). I’m also a teacher, which I love. I look forward to the day I’m back in the classroom full time but at the moment I’m making the most of being māmā to my children and know how privileged I am to be able to do that. I have previously worked at Ōtūmoetai Intermediate, part time here at OPS, and also in Melbourne as a relief teacher. 

My favourite things to do are spending time in our luscious ngahere, climbing our maunga, and chilling on the tātahi with my whānau. I look forward to the opportunities that being on the Board of Trustees will bring for myself and my whānau. I will endeavour to provide an open and fair contribution to any and all discussions that take place. But what I am most looking forward to is contributing in a meaningful way to our community through our tamariki here at OPS.

Virginie Lafont

Parent Representative

Zara McIndoe

Principal

Tēnā koutou! 

Zara McIndoe is Ōtūmoetai Primary School's Principal.  Her teaching and leadership experience spans over 30 years in a range of schools in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

Our school is bursting with enthusiastic children, dedicated and hard working staff, friendly and involved families and a supportive and committed PTA and BOT all working together towards our school vision of being ‘Actively Involved Learners’.  
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, Engari he toa takitini.
Success is not the work of one but the work of many.

Carmelina Taylor

Staff Representative

Carmelina is a part-time teacher at our kura and is excited to be our staff representative on the Board of Trustees.

I am originally from the USA and moved to Tauranga 8 years ago with my husband Garth.  I earned my teaching degree in the States and worked for six years as an intermediate teacher. After my first child reached school age, I continued my teaching career in New Zealand.  I feel very privileged to teach part-time at Ōtūmoetai Primary School as a release teacher, as well as have my two children attend this amazing school.  I love working with the kaiako and ākonga at Ōtūmoetai Primary and I look forward to being a part of the Board of Trustees. 

Felicity Balmer

Board Secretary

Felicity brings a strong skill base to the position of Board Secretary. She has 15+ years experience as an executive assistant  within the global financial services and horticultural industries.

Having our eldest child at OPS has presented the opportunity to gain insight into the school’s operations, community reputation and the way it conducts its business, all of which I am very proud to be a part of.  I look forward to my involvement with the Board in supporting the members in their role as Trustees as they continue to enhance student learning.