2019 Common Election results

Kia ora koutou,

I have had the privilege of being a parent trustee for Rutherford College for the last three years. I would welcome the opportunity to continue on the board for another term. I now have two children at Rutherford College, a son in Year 11 and a daughter in Year 9. We are so fortunate to have our children attend such a wonderful school.

I have extensive governance experience, having been a member of the Flanshaw kindergarten board for three years, two years on the Te Atatu Rugby league club schoolboys committee, including one year as treasurer, three years on the Tirimoana School board, four years on the Rangeview Intermediate board as a staff representative and the last three years on the Rutherford College board.

I am a teacher, so I bring a good understanding of education. I am committed to ensuring that our school continues to be the best it can be for all our children. Having been a teacher in West Auckland for 20 years, 10 of those in Te Atatu, I am committed to all the children of our community. My children and I are actively involved members of our community in sport and cultural endeavours. My connection to a wide range of community members, means I bring a broad view to the board and and can share the perspectives of many members of our community.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my term on the Rutherford College board and acknowledge the great job the current board has done. I hope to have the opportunity to continue to serve the community as an elected member of the board.

Nga mihi nui

My name is Chris Larking and I am standing for the Rutherford College School Board.

As a former student of Rutherford, it is a privilege to serve the School that helped shape my life. Both of my Sons have attended Rutherford and my youngest is in Yr 11. My working background is in Hotel Management, Retail and Education. I currently run a training business throughout Auckland which sees me facilitating workshops in High Schools as well as businesses. I also Tutored for a year at the New Zealand School of Tourism. So I definitely have empathy with some of the classroom management challenges our hard-working teachers face!

As a current Rutherford College BOT Member I am seeking re-election so that I can continue to be a part of the forward momentum the Board has in terms of governance, curriculum and building infrastructure. As a business owner, I bring a strong financial and analytical skill set to the Board along with teaching experience, whilst pursuing the highest level of accountability from School Management and all Trustees.

I am also seeking re-election for my 3rd term (have been on the TAI Board for 6 years) as a BOT member at TAI. I believe that it is of great value to have a Board Member who serves on both the Rutherford and TAI Boards at the same time. This dual role allows for a better understanding of how both Schools interact with each other and how we can continue to streamline and manage the transition of students from TAI, (as the largest contributing school) to Rutherford College.

Our children are our future. They need to be valued, listened to and supported. Your vote allows me to be an important part of the Board's quest to provide quality governance so that the culture of the school can flourish. And so that our motto 'Tohea' - "the striving for personal excellence" - is not just talked about, but attained.

Ko Hikurangi te maunga, ko Waiapu te awa, ko Horouta te waka, ko Hinerupe me Awatere nga Marae, Ko Ngati Porou te iwi. Ko era atu iwi, ko Ngai Tai, Waikato, Ngati Whatua, Ngati Hine, Ngapuhi, Te Whanau a Apanui nga Iwi. Ko Erihapeti Ngata-Aerengamate toku ingoa.

My name is Erihapeti Ngata-Aerengamate, also known as Liz, I am standing for the Rutherford College School Board of Trustee’s.

I am the current Chairperson of the Te Kotuku Kapa Haka Whanau - parent group and Kaitiaki of the school marae. I am a local, my whānau have lived in Te Atatu Peninsula for 49 years. We moved from Te Araroa on the East Coast in 1970. I am a former student along with my 6 siblings, I attended the school from 1974 – 1977. My husband is Kimiora Aerengamate, we have 6 children, Te Kura 27 years old, Maia 25, Te Amohaere 23, Paratene 21, Truth 18 and Tiare 15, our youngest and last one through, she is in Year 11. We are blessed with the kid’s academic, sporting and cultural achievements at our school over 14 years. As parents we have been actively involved within the school in this time with kapa haka, rugby and the Cook Islands group from 2013 – 2015.

I stand as a Parent Representative to offer a “Maori Perspective,” at a governance level and to support the school to build on what has been done, to progress what is to be done and to create opportunities ahead for ALL students and their whānau (families) from our communities. I bring with me a kete of knowledge and experience from various sectors such as; my current role with Te Whānau Awhina as Programme Co-ordinator, Restorative Justice at Hoani Waititi Marae, Human Rights (Education), Maori Development (Policy), Internal Affairs (funding), Youth, Community and Recreation. I have also tutored kapa haka at Peninsula Primary for 16 years, voluntarily and part time. At the forefront of one’s experience I believe the learning opportunities, environment and well-being of all the students is paramount.

Finally, as a close-knit Community with a unique and dynamic school, it is our responsibility as a Community to ‘awhi and manaaki,’ look after, support and take pride in our school, its students, teachers and management.

“Ko tatou Hapori, Ko tatou Kura “

“Our Community, our School”

Sera Schwalger
Elected

Tena koutou katoa, My name is Sera Schwalger and I am standing for the Rutherford College School Board. I was raised in Massey and now live in Henderson with my husband Tony, also a former Rutherford student and our four children, two who are current students. I am also a current board member at Rutherford College and would love the opportunity to be re-elected again. Our local schools are an integral part of the community and as a family, we have supported, volunteered and developed loyal ties with Glendene Playcentre, Freyberg Community School, Rangeview Intermediate, Rutherford College and Te Atatu Rugby League club. Throughout my children’s education, I have served and volunteered on different committees and sports teams and developed many administration, fundraising and financial skills and learned to work co-operatively with diverse groups of people, growing my leadership skills, confidence and ability. Serving within my local church - Church Unlimited, I’ve gained invaluable experience and skills in organisation and communication, strategic planning and decision making but most of all my people skills through community engagement. I serve alongside volunteers and families of different cultures and this has expanded my world view and helped with managing conflict resolution and mediation more effectively. I believe the professional and varied life skills gained, have given me a mature, balanced and open minded perspective. I have enjoyed being part of the current board, under the committed leadership of Mr Moore. I believe I can offer valuable input to the decision making, planning and review processes from a Maori and Pacific perspective, through my Maori (Ngati Maniapoto) and Cook Island heritage and husband’s Samoan culture. We carrying with us the values important to our Maori & Pacific community and understand the many factors that can influence education for Maori and Pacific children. We have an invested interest in the future of Rutherford College, and I would consider it a privilege to be part of building that for our children and future generations to come. Nga mihi nui, thank you for your time Sera Schwalger

Faga Siaki
Elected

Talofa and Warm Pacific Greetings,

I am a New Zealand born Samoan/Niuean who is married to my beautiful wife Leanne and have a 14 year old son attending Rutherford College and an 8 year old daughter. I am currently employed by the New Zealand Police and have been so for a number of years.

I am applying for re-election to the Board of Trustees because I want to offer my experiences as a Pacific parent, a Police Officer and a member of this community.

I enjoy working with and for our young people and hope to ensure that our young people achieve all that they can through our education system.

I love playing all sports especially Rugby League and Touch Rugby, relaxing with my family, going to the movies and mowing the lawns.

I have been fortunate enough to play sports at all levels and also enjoy coaching. At present I am associated with the Te Atatu Roosters Rugby League Club and assisting with coaching/managing my daughters’ school netball team.

Rutherford College is an exemplary high school in West Auckland and I hope I can add a little bit of my values to the Rutherford College ideal of striving for excellence.

Kind Regards

Faga Siaki : )