2019 Common Election results

Jenner Ballinger-Judd
Elected

Kia ora, my name is Jenner Ballinger-Judd and I am seeking re-election to the Bellevue School Board of Trustees. I joined the Board in 2016, shortly after my eldest son started at Bellevue School. All 3 of our children are now attending Bellevue - Berkeley is Y4, Clarke is Y2 and my daughter Bennett is a new entrant in the Kowhai Room, having started earlier this term.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the Board over the last 3 years and I have been involved on the hiring committee, Sports and Performing Arts Centre committee and the promotions committee. I'm also an active member of the school PTA and can be seen regularly at school events helping out.

I've always taken an active interest in my local community. I am the current President for the Tauranga Parents Centre and volunteer for a number of organisations including Altzheimers NZ and the New Zealand College of Midwives. I enjoy volunteering my time in an effort to contribute positively to the community, as well as giving back to organisations that have provided support to my whanau and I when we have needed it.

Prior to starting our family I worked as a Policy Analyst in the state sector, specialising in housing policy and I was involved in a number of high profile projects across the country. I have found my previous work history to be a real asset as a Board member and I have enjoyed combining my pre-Mum skillset with my enthusiasm about helping to ensure that Bellevue School remains a terrific place for us all to send our children to.

I currently work part-time in a number of roles and my husband likes to refer to me as a Hustler! Amongst my many side hustles I am a Midwifery Standards Reviewer, I provide policy work for local iwi projects, I manage a small portfolio of housing and I am also a budding writer, running my own parenting blog as well as a separate food website.

I feel that my varied work experience combined with my enthusiasm and support for Bellevue School makes me a valuable and positive member of the Board of Trustees as a parent representative. Thank you.

Heather Jayne Gourley
Elected

My name is Heather Gourley and I am standing for the Board of Trustees for Bellevue Primary School. My daughter, Poppy, is in year 3 and Archie, my 10 month old, will start school just as Poppy moves on to Intermediate. So Bellevue Primary will remain an important part of our family's lives for a very long time!

As an active member of the school community I was asked by a fellow Mum to consider standing for election to the Board of Trustees. I hope that my positive relationships with many fellow parents means that I will not only be able to provide my own perspective as a Bellevue School parent, but also represent the views of others.

As well as being a stay-at-home Mum, who helps in class and engages with other parents at every drop off and pick up, I have also been a working Mum, who drops at the gate and rushes off with minimal opportunity to participate in school life. Each brings a different school parent perspective.

I am an Occupational Therapist by profession with over ten years experience in the field of mental health. It is my ambition to ensure that consideration of the mental and emotional well-being of our children remains paramount throughout the process of governing our school.

Thank you for your consideration of my application to be your Board of Trustees representative.

I am again standing for the Bellevue School Board of Trustees because I believe that quality education is the one thing all people have the right to. Bellevue School enjoys the reputation of being one of the top schools in Tauranga and I am keen continue to be involved in its ongoing success.

I am a secondary school teacher at Tauranga Boys’ College, and I have had three children go through Bellevue school, with another in Year 3. I also taught in England for nine years, where I was Housemaster in a boarding school, at both senior and primary level. Having had experience in different education systems, I believe Bellevue School offers the best all-round education for our children.

I coach rugby and cricket, junior rugby at Judea Rugby Club, and also Junior Surf Lifesaving. I have also been involved in coaching different Bellevue School sports teams.

I see the role of a Board of Trustee member as being someone who is there to support and enable the principal to get on with the job of running their school. This does not mean that I will always agree with decisions made, and I will not be afraid to voice my opinion when necessary. I intend to be available to all parents for either a friendly chat, or for them to voice concerns around the running of the school, or to act as a sounding board for parents who wish to offer an opinion.

I am passionate about education, especially for our youngsters, and believe I have the experience and expertise to make a difference in the lives of our children.

Maia Jon Ririnui
Elected

My name is Maia Ririnui and I am seeking re-election to the Bellevue School Board of Trustees. I have served two terms as Treasurer, Montessori liaison and as a member of the Board’s finance and property subcommittees and am keen to continue.

It is important that Board members understand the difference between operational and governance matters and have knowledge and experience that will help senior management ensure its student progress and achievement goals are appropriately set and met. I think I have something to offer on both counts.

In addition to serving on Bellevue’s Board of Trustees I also have governance roles as a Trustee and Treasurer for Tauranga Montessori Education Trust and as an Executive Committee member for the Tauranga City Association Football Club. So I have, and am continuing to build, relevant governance experience.

I’m a qualified accountant with experience in the accountancy, investment banking, media and sustainability sectors gained in NZ and the UK. I’ve worked in small business start-ups and have run departments within large multi-national corporates. In my day job I head the Asia Pacific unit of a global derivatives news service. My varied work experience is relevant and useful because in many respects schools operate as specialised businesses.

On Bellevue’s behalf I have been involved in negotiations with the Ministry of Education on a range of matters in recent years. With several board members moving on this year I would ensure there is some continuity and that this historical knowledge is accessible.

Football is my passion. I coach junior, youth and senior teams at Tauranga City and also assist with the delivery of talent programmes for the Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation.

A strong connection to the school is important. My wife Lee and I live in Mount Maunganui with our four children, all of whom have been, or are still at, Bellevue. Our sons Tay and Luca have moved on in recent years but our daughters Lane and Belle are still enjoying their time at Bellevue and will keep us linked to school for the next few years.

Being of Ngai Te Rangi-Ngati He descent, I have strong local whanau ties. I was brought up in the South Island, attended Otago University and then spent fifteen years living and working in the UK before returning to the Bay of Plenty.