Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees (BOT) is the Crown entity responsible for the governance and the control of the management of the school. That means that our BOT is responsible for setting the overall strategic direction of the school, in consultation with parents, staff and students. It is also responsible for ensuring that we provide a safe environment and quality education for the students at Hokowhitu School.

The BOT meets monthly in the school staff room, and meeting dates and times are advised in school newsletters and on the school’s electronic calendar. Board meetings are open to all members of the public, except for matters where issues of confidentiality require us to move into closed session, and we welcome all interested visitors.  If you wish to add an item to the agenda for the BOT to discuss, please contact Lin or the Chairperson (via the school office) in advance.

Our Board of Trustees is made up of our principal, an elected staff representative, and five elected parent representatives.

	Tim Foss is Chairperson and responsible for the Finance portfolio. Tim’s two sons recently attended Hokowhitu School.  Tim is a Chartered Accountant with over twenty years of experience at Thompson+Partners Ltd.
	Philip Steer is Deputy Chairperson and responsible for the Policy portfolio. This is his third term on the Board, and he has previously held the Community and Projects portfolios. He has three children now at Hokowhitu School, and one who finished in 2017. He teaches English at Massey University, where he is also the Associate Head of School in the School of English and Media Studies.
	Mike Campbell is responsible for the Property and Project Management portfolio. He has a daughter at Hokowhitu School. Mike has been in the construction industry for over 20 years and has run his own building company for the last 12 years. Mike has extensive expertise in construction project management, overseeing numerous projects at once, human resources and the day to day operation of a business.
	Rachel Buckley is responsible for the Grants and Personnel portfolios.  Rachel has one child attending Hokowhitu School.  Rachel is an Early Childhood Teacher with over 20 years in the sector, she is currently working with teenage parents and their children.
	Rafea Naffa is responsible for the Community portfolio. He has two daughters at Hokowhitu School. Rafea completed his PhD in Biochemistry from Massey University and works as a Research Scientist at New Zealand Leather and Shoe Research Association in Palmerston North. He has a passion for education and science. Rafea enjoys playing soccer and is an official referee with New Zealand Central Football.
	Carlee Hodge is the Hokowhitu School Staff Representative. This is her second term representing the staff at Hokowhitu School. She has taught both here and in the United Kingdom. She has two children who currently attend Hokowhitu and are loving it.

Community consultation

The Board is committed to developing and maintaining a close and positive relationship between the school and its community. Consultation with the school community occurs in a variety of ways, including regular surveys of opinion.

The results of our most recent consultation surveys are available here:

• Community Consultation Survey (2018)
• Community Consultation Survey (2016)
• Christian Religious Education Consultation Survey (2015)
• Christian Religious Education Consultation Survey (2014)
• Community Consultation Survey (2013)