Board Chair (Presiding Member): Le-arna Russ (board_chair@sps.kiwi.nz)
Parent Elected Members: Jack Whitikia, Fiona Jansma, Le-arna Russ, Nathan Taingahue, Fiona Riddick and Jason Bolton.
Staff Rep: Deborah Campbell
Principal: Jason Elder
Board Members and Board Sub Committees: Click here to view
Board Minutes 2022:
14 February 2022, 28 March 2022, 23 May 2022,
27 June 2022, 15 August 2022, 19 September 2022, 31 October 2022, 30 November 2022
Board Minutes 2023:
27 February 2023; 27 March 2023; 15 May 2023, 26 June 2023, 14 August 2023, 11 September 2023, 31 October 2023; 29 November 2023
Board Minutes 2024:
12 February 2024; 25 March 2024; 20 May 2024; 24 June 2024; 29 July 2024; 2 September 2024; 21 October 2024; 13 November 2024; 10 February 2025, 7 April 2025 (Yet to be approved).
Work of the Board:
“The board is entrusted to work on behalf of all stakeholders and is accountable for the school’s performance. It emphasises strategic leadership, sets the vision for the school, and ensures that it complies with legal and policy requirements. Policies are at a governance level and outline clear delegations to the principal.
The board and principal form the leadership team, with the role of each documented and understood. The principal reports to the board as a whole with committees used sparingly and only when a need is identified in order to contribute to board work. The board is proactive rather than reactive in its operations and decision making and does not involve itself in the administrative details of the day-to-day running of the school. The board is encouraged to ask the right questions. Enhancing student achievement is its focus”.
All of New Zealand’s state and state-integrated schools have a board of trustees. The board of trustees is the Crown entity responsible for the governance and the control of the management of the school. The board is the employer of all staff in the school, is responsible for setting the school’s strategic direction in consultation with parents, staff and students, and ensuring that its school provides a safe environment and quality education for all its students. Boards are also responsible for overseeing the management of personnel, curriculum, property, finance and administration. To find out more about becoming a Board of Trustee Representative for Stratford Primary School, click on the following link: https://www.trustee-election.co.nz/
Making-A-Difference-booklet-2019
Board of Trustees
Why did I stand for the Stratford Primary School Board
Kia ora koutou whānau,
My name is Le-arna Russ and I have been on the SPS Board for nearly 2 years and am currently the Presiding Member. I thoroughly enjoy this role and the learning involved in this position.
Together, my husband and I have 4 children who have all attended Stratford Primary School. I have a son and daughter who still attend and are enjoying the opportunities that Stratford Primary School has to offer. My family has a strong interest in community sports and I spend a lot of my time supporting on the side lines.
Education has played a big part of my professional life as I have worked in the Early Childhood Sector for over 20 years. I am currently the Head Teacher at Koru Kindergarten where I have worked for 13 years. I am passionate about positive transitions to school and this has enabled me to form strong relationships with local primary schools in our district.
I joined the SPS Board because I wanted to be a part of a team that improves student achievement and supports our tamariki to be the best they can be. I highly value inclusive practice and believe every child has the right to a positive Education.
I would love to continue to represent the Board to uphold the vision of our community to create a positive future for our tamariki
Le-arna Russ
Email: board_chair@sps.kiwi.nz
Hello, my name is Fiona Riddick, a chartered accountant at CMK Accountants here in Stratford.
I am originally from Ireland and moved to my husband’s hometown of Stratford in 2007. We have two boys here at Stratford Primary School, Hunter year 5 and Charlie year 3. Stratford Primary School is an amazing school with awesome teaching and support staff that provide our boys with wonderful opportunities and a positive fun environment to learn.
By joining the board, I hope to use by professional financial knowledge to support the management of the school in the future, I believe in open and honest communication and that role of the board is to support the leadership team to ensure our school maintains its high standards and continues to provide the safe and positive environment for our children to be able to fulfill their potential.
The Stratford Community is a wonderful community to be part of. Our boys are actively involved in sports, and I currently sit on the Stratford Eltham Junior Rugby committee as Treasurer and Stratford Cricket Club as a committee member.
Fiona Riddick
Why did I stand for the Stratford Primary School Board
My name is Nathan Taingahue. Four years ago, with my wife and four kids, we made the move from the Coast to Stratford.
After taking a walk through the school with Mr Moore and learning about the kaupapa/philosophy of the school we knew this was the place for our tamariki.
Once getting to know more of the community we realised that the kaupapa- AIM High: To be the best I can be- went beyond the gates.
To ensure that all tamariki have a safe environment where they can fulfil their potential it takes the commitment of the wider community and the dedication of the staff.
For this reason I decided to join the Board and hope to support the community and staff, but most importantly, all tamariki.
Nathan Taingahue
Why did I stand for the Stratford Primary School Board
I joined the Board in 2020 when a position was made vacant. My journey with the Board started a long time before this. I moved to Stratford in 2006 with my husband Bart. We now have three children, Corrin, Elise and Adam. When it was time to choose a school, it was a no brainer, Stratford Primary was the place for our children. The walk through made us completely at ease, the staff and students were all smiles and welcoming.
Shortly after, I joined the Home and School (PTA) in the role of secretary, as I wanted to give back to the School. I was then asked by the Principal to do the minutes for the Board, which I accepted, as I thought it was a great opportunity to learn about what the Board was all about. My role was to write up the minutes, I have filled this role since 2018. This has given me a good insight into the roles and responsibilities of the board.
I believe SPS is an awesome school for children to learn and grow. I love seeing the passion that the teachers and children have for our school, I want to help support the school in making SPS even greater.
Our school provides so many opportunities for the children. I love being involved with the school in any way I can, seeing the children progress and develop over the years that they are here, brings me great satisfaction and I would enjoy the opportunity to continue to do this.
Fiona Jansma
Why did I stand for the Stratford Primary School Board
I was encouraged to join the Board in 2019 by a group of friends in the community that know me well. They knew I enjoy helping our community’s groups and kids, through our business and the local sports clubs. I was really unsure how I could possibly help with the governance of our school as I have always been better hands-on.
At the first Board Meeting I was really nervous, however, this was quickly alleviated through the great support of other Board members and the School Leadership Team. Board members helped me to quickly understand the role of representing the community through the eyes of every community member. The Leadership Team also made it easy to unpack how tamariki are supported to be AIM High learners.
During my time serving on the SPS Board, I have realised you do not have to be a rocket scientist or a scholar to be on here. All you need is a desire and willingness to take the time to care about other children and their learning needs, just as much as your care for you own children.
As a family, we have always hoped that our children will develop into well rounded citizens of the world. For example, Stratford Primary School is a great place for our children to learn with so many other children who are from diverse backgrounds. This is a true reflection of New Zealand.
I have been extremely lucky to have helped steer the school on its current path for the last three years and I know we are in good stead for the path ahead. I am seeking re-election as I am keen to continue this journey with SPS.
Jack Whitikia
Hello my name is Jason Bolton, my wife and I have two, nearly three children at Stratford Primary School.
In my experience so far, SPS is an awesome school, great teachers and has a fantastic culture. My wife and I feel our children are thriving at SPS.
I have joined the SPS Board to get more involved in the school community, and to gain a better understanding of what is involved in our children’s education.
My family is involved in a lot of community sport, whether it’s watching from the side lines, coaching or on the committees. I look forward to be apart of this team that provides a safe environment for our children and support them to achieve their goals.
