Board of Trustees

Shaun Burney

Chairperson

Shaun is a returning trustee, having already served one term on the Board. He has recently been voted in as the Board Chairman. Currently employed by Classic Builders as their General Manager, Shaun manages a large team of people. He brings strong communicative skills, and extensive financial and business acumen to the Board.

"I have two children at OPS (Kaia Yr 5 and Ollie Yr 3), and one starting school next year (Ariana). Previous to my role at Classic Builders, I was employed by BNZ for 10 years and gained valuable experience working with a variety of organisations ranging from small business through to corporate sized enterprises. 

With the new management team in place following Geoff’s departure, I am excited about where the school is heading and wish to contribute where I can to ensure the school can grow and adapt in what is a rapidly changing learning environment.  I believe that the school plays a fundamental role in a strong community, and I look forward to contributing to this in my involvement as a Trustee."

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 ‘Actively Involved Learners’.  We are looking forward to a productive year of learning and community participation and engagement in 2021.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, Engari he toa takitini.
Success is not the work of one but the work of many.

Penny Rae

Parent Representative

Penny is a newly elected trustee. She brings a wealth of knowledge about Psychology and Human Resources to the Board.

"Kia ora! I’m really pleased to be a member of the OPS Board of Trustees.  We have a great school and school community.  I would like to deepen my understanding of how it all runs, and I am excited by the opportunity to shape and influence our direction.

I am a Mum of two children - my daughter Bailey is in Year 4 and my son Sebastian will be joining the school as a new entrant in Term 1 next year.  My studies in Psychology, and career in Human Resources, have provided a platform for me to understand the vital role that engagement and motivation have to play in outcome achievement and this is something that I am passionate about. I would use my time on the board to bring focus and attention to this, for both our teachers and our children.

I am originally from South Africa and have lived in New Zealand for 14 years with my husband, Grant (a Kiwi), who I met while living in Scotland.  Until recently I worked at Zespri as part of their People Team. My decision to leave has been purely for my family - to enable a better personal balance and the chance to get more involved with my children day to day. It also means I now have the head-space and capacity to commit to a role such as this."

Stephanie Macdonald

Parent Representative

Stephanie is a newly elected trustee. She works as the Community Engagement Advisor for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and brings excellent communication and collaboration skills to the Board.

"I believe it’s important for families to support our school where we can to be the best it can be for our children and community. Working in community engagement, I’m frequently facilitating diverse groups of people to ensure their voices are heard in the decision making processes that affect them. I try to ensure a wide range of perspectives are considered, negotiate through conflict and support groups to work towards outcomes that all participants can live with.  I hope these skills would be a valuable in the Board discussions.

While our family is new to OPS this year, I’m familiar with the education sector. Over the last ten years, I’ve regularly worked with education institutions from early childhood through to tertiary on sustainability initiatives, project funding and environmental education programmes. I’ve also volunteered as a Parent Representative on an Advisory Committee at Opeys to support their centre through recent changes. While I would have a lot to learn as a new Board of Trustees member, I would work hard to come up to speed quickly and contribute fully to the team."

Brett Farquhar

Parent Representative

Brett is a newly elected trustee. He is a degree-qualified Resource Management Planner and principal shareholder at 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 Otumoetai for the last 12 years. We have two children at Otumoetai Primary School; Nate is in Year 3 and Mason in Year 1.

Part of my role as one of the business owners of Stratum Consultants Ltd is to attend regular board meetings 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, walking or mountain-biking.

 

Sean Putty

Parent Representative

Sean is a newly elected trustee. His work within the health sector brings invaluable experience about mental health and wellbeing to the OPS BOT.

"I immigrated to New Zealand from England in 2010, moving to my wife’s home town. I have three children, two sons who currently attend Otumoetai Primary and a daughter who now attends Otumoetai Intermediate.

 I am an Occupational Therapist by profession and have worked within a range of mental health services for the past 20 plus years. I currently work for the BOPDHB for the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Team (MICAMHS). This work enables me to meet and work with children or youth from different backgrounds, cultures and who present with an array of needs. I currently specialise in working with children and young people experiencing a crisis relating to their emotional wellbeing.

 I am a strong advocate for children, youth and whanau, and thoroughly enjoy supporting them to develop the skills required and access the support that they need to meet their mental health and emotional wellbeing needs.

I am a highly motivated individual who is an actively involved parent within Otumoetai Primary School. I have excellent knowledge and skills around health and wellbeing and believe there are an important attribute to offer to the Board. I am well connected and have a good relationship with a range of community agencies that specialise in services for children.

Outside of work I continue to enjoy exploring the beautiful city we live in with my family. I am a keen sportsman and you will often see me out running through the streets of Otumoetai."

Jeff Stringer

Parent Representative

Jeff is a newly appointed trustee due to a selection process following a recent resignation.
He is a solicitor, currently an Associate at Cooney Lees Morgan Solicitors in Tauranga,
although he brings a diverse professional background to the role.

"My wife Catherine and I have lived in Otumoetai for over 8 years. Our children both attend OPS. We have all enjoyed becoming a part of the school and its community. I see being
involved as a board member as an opportunity to continue to deepen my engagement with this community while also doing something of use for that community.
My current role includes advising clients around risks and obligations, as well as ensuring good governance principles are observed. Prior to this role I was a Commercial Banker for 8
years. I have also worked in central government, as a adviser around 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.
You may see me dropping off or picking up my children, which I do most days, often with our Labrador puppy; Coco in tow. If we have not met yet please come and introduce yourself."

Kendyll Reeve

Staff Representative

"I was born and raised in Tauranga, and have moved back after teaching in Whakatane. I have been teaching for the last eight years across different ages, from Year 0 to Year 8. My last three years have been spent at Otumoetai Primary School, in the Weka Syndicate with Year 5 and 6 students. I love working with the students and staff at Otumoetai, especially in Room 5. This year, I was elected as the Board Representative, which is very exciting. I look forward to learning new skills and being involved in enhancing student learning."

Felicity Balmer

Board Secretary

Felicity brings a strong skill base to this position. 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”.