Introducing a few of our Board Members to the Breens community.

Current Board of Trustees Members

• Ryan Young - Chairperson
• Shane Hollis
• Sonya Nuku
• Ross Heslop
• Megan Abercrombie
• Nikki Clarke - Principal
• Debbie McGrath - Staff Rep
• Liz Maclennan - BOT Secretary

BOT Profiles

Ryan Young - Chairperson

I provide academic services for Polytechnics, facilitating Horticulture programmes including delivering, and writing as a topic specialist. I have a background in Amenity Horticulture, Nursery Production, Landscaping and Consultation and run my own Landscape Gardening business. I have authored books on New Zealand Plants, textbooks and databases including information content and photos. I have held titles of President, Vice President and trustee of many groups and societies. I have been part of the ‘Adopt a Scientist’ High School programme for science students on extension programmes. I have worked with an Intermediate level school as a horticulture programme mentor. I won the Supreme Design award and Supreme Overall Best in Show at the Ellerslie International Flower Show 2009 (the first time in Christchurch) ‘Bush Telly’ an indigenous eco-system exhibit with a great team of friends. This would have to be a highlight for me!

My daughter Lucia finished at Breens last year and is now at Marian College. My wife Louise is a Collection Curator at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens. I came from 7 brothers and sisters (Christchurch) and Louise 14 (Kaikoura). Monty is my best friend and is a 13-year Chocolate Labrador.

I enjoy tramping and trekking here In New Zealand and overseas. I love family holidays with family and friends. I do masters swimming with QE2 Masters including pool and open water and spend a bit of time in the gym. I have also coached junior Touch Rugby at club and representative level, I am also a qualified junior surf lifesaving coach and recently High School water polo coach. Earlier in life I spent time in the Military (Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment 1st Battalion) yes, I was what was affectionately known as ‘A Grunt!’. I was a representative rugby and cricket player in my youth.

I Really enjoy trying to help where I can and so putting my name forward for the board was an extension for that. But I must admit at Harewood School where it all started, I thought I was turning up to a PTA information night and had got the dates wrong. I have never looked back and like the challenge being a trustee. To complement good people and their work on the BoT I feel is very rewarding.    

Sonya Nuku

FAMILY:  I am married to Karl and have three daughters. Billie and Neve, who are both now at Papanui High and Piper who is currently at Breens Intermediate.

WORK:  I work in a few schools as a part-time primary school teacher. Before children, I worked full-time in teaching for about 10 years.

INTERESTS:

• Watching our girls sport. This mostly includes being all day, Saturday, at the netball courts in winter; basketball, volleyball and touch rugby.
• Exercising myself when I can fit it in!
• Family trips.
• Movies and a good book!

CONNECTION TO BREENS:  Our connection with Breens started in 2017 when our eldest daughter Billie started there in Year 7.  Neve then started in 2018 and we now have Piper who started in 2020. We love Breens, the school and the staff. Our girls have thrived there and loved their experiences and all Breens has to offer. Considering going on the board was a no-brainer for me. I have been on the board since mid 2019.

Debbie McGrath - Staff Representative

I have been a teacher at Breens for 11 years & currently teacher of Mapuna 3. Things I most enjoy about being a teacher are;

• Working alongside the students, getting to know them and forming relationships.

• Seeing their reactions when they have that aha moment in their learning when it clicks.

• Getting to know the students outside the classroom on the EOTC trips and camp and seeing them push themselves.   

• I am also responsible for the the Breens Challenge/Mathematics & Team Leader of Mapuna. 

Family - My Mum & Dad live in Ashburton.  My sister, brother in law, & their family also live in Ashburton.  I was fortunate to have my Grandparents play a huge part of my life growing up.  Also cannot leave out my cute dog - Coco (Shih Tzu) who is at school regularly & assists students who are having a bad day! 

Interests - Gym/Running/Sewing/Reading/Listening to Music/Latin & Ballroom Dancing/Watching & playing tennis & trying to develop an interest in gardening.  Favourite Memory / Trip was going to Argentina for 3 months as part of AFS Teacher exchange programme. Living with Aunty Irma who only spoke Spanish and German and me who spoke limited Spanish and English. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences. While there I went to Iguazu Falls which are amazing and spent a week in Buenos Aires with other teachers that were on the exchange programme. I also taught English and visited many schools, which was very different to NZ.  I would love to go back one day and look around some more and meet up with all the lovely people I meet.  Trip to Manase, Samoa with a group of friends and staying in a fale on the beach.

Shane Hollis

Family - Father of four children, husband of one beautiful wife and happily married for 18 years. 

Work -  I work part time as a community worker in Linwood where I teach wood work. My role is running community programs for people with disabilities, for young people, as well as running the Men’s Shed and a community workshop.

The rest of the time I run a programming company, keep bees, enjoy the outdoors, participating in a home group and annoying the kids with ‘dad jokes’. Often you can find me at the gym or training at Chans with my kids, where I hope to stay one step ahead of them at grading. 

Ross Heslop

Kia Ora Breens community,  I’m Ross Heslop, Issy’s Dad, I was fortunate to be co-opted onto the BOT this year, I have enjoyed my time in this important roll so far. Work wise, I hold a senior position in the Union E tū, where we represent workers employment interests & I’ve held various governance rolls through my time in the Union movement. Kerry (Issy’s Mum) and I have two other daughters, Aurelia and Xanthe, they go to St Albans Primary School and are lucky to be in the bilingual unit there. COVID has been a challenging time for us all, Nikki and her team have done a fantastic job of supporting our Tamariki and we thank you all for the Aroha and dedication to their education and well-being.

Megan Abercrombie

Profile pending