Introducing our new Board of Trustees parent Representatives to our community.

Ann Bixley

Tēnā koutou katoa, Nō Otautahi ahau, Nō Otepoti Tōku haiha inainei, Ko Ann Bixley tāku ingoa. I am married with two teenage children, a son in Year 12 at Otago Boys’ High School and a daughter in Year 10 at Otago Girls’ High School.

Over the last year and half I’ve been involved with Otago Girls’ High School I have been impressed with how the school community strives to uphold its vision – "Inspire, Empower, Challenge, Dream" – and I would like to have an active part in upholding this vision.

I believe that every student should be able to experience educational success in an emotionally and physically safe environment that meets their individual learning needs. The board’s role is to be kaitiaki/guardians for the school’s mission, to set the expectation of respect and pursuit of excellence, to resource the school to the best of its ability to meet identified priorities, and to monitor progress towards these identified priorities.

I am passionate about education, having trained as a secondary teacher (biology, science and maths) before moving into tertiary education (ecology and first year health science). Along with this I have been involved with school governance for the last 15 years. I have been a trustee on several early childhood boards as well as completing nearly three terms (8.5 years) on a local primary school board, and two years as board chair. For the last three years I have been employed as a governance advisor with the New Zealand School Trustees Association. In this role, I advise and support school boards, primarily in Otago and Southland, to have a strong strategic focus on raising student educational achievement; a focus on wellbeing and inclusive practices based on a partnership with their community; and to have good general governance policies and procedures.

Shane de la Harpe

I have significant experience which I believe will be a valuable addition to Otago Girls’ High School’s Board of Trustees. This experience spans more than 25 years in multiple industries and countries including the UK, Singapore, USA and New Zealand. In that time I have held numerous leadership positions within major companies and complex organisations. I have worked closely with colleagues from diverse cultures and have lead individuals and teams based in India, China, Australia, Singapore and the UK. This exposed me to individuals from multiple education backgrounds and has given me a great insight into what skillsets are needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive environment. I currently manage a large team of 50 plus engineers in Fisher and Paykel developing new cooking appliances. One enjoyable aspect of this role is the opportunity to support our next generation of engineers by offering summer student projects and recruiting graduates for full time positions from New Zealand Universities.

Finally, and most important, I have two girls currently attending Otago Girls'. One in Year 9 and the other in Year 11. I want to contribute in any way I can so that both of them, and all students at Otago Girls’ High school, have the best high school education possible.

Tony Gomez

I have a daughter attending Otago Girls’ High School in Year 11 and a son in his first year at University. As a parent it is fantastic to see your children thriving on so many different levels. For the last 15 years I have been on Boards of Trustees, starting with the Dunedin Kindergarten Association, then Grant’s Braes Schools and I am currently on the Tahuna Intermediate Board. I have held the position of Chairman on two of these boards and am presently on the Otago Girls' High School Sports Council. My position as Sports Coordinator at John McGlashan College is a rewarding job, where I get to work closely with the students and staff. I aim to encourage as many students as possible to have fun while playing sports with their friends, which I think helps them out in so many aspects of daily life.

The role of governance is an area which is important to me, and one that I have had professional development in. It is necessary to differentiate between Governance and Management. Being part of a team, which supports all members of our community; students, staff and parents is a priority for me. I will bring a positive, can-do attitude to the Board, and I also enjoy bringing alternative practical views to help positive outcomes.

Lyn Hurring

I have been a parent representative on the board of trustees since 2013, when my daughter was in Year 9.

I am Dunedin born and bred, and an Otago Girls' High School alumni, so my association with the school stretches back for some years.

I am a chartered accountant, employed as the Group Accountant at the University of Otago. I have worked as an accountant for more than 25 years, mostly in the area of non-profits, and this background has certainly helped in my being able to contribute to the Board’s finance committee over the past few years.

I look forward to being able to continue to contribute to the school as a member of the next Board of Trustees.

Phil Marsh

My wife and I have two girls currently attending Otago Girls' High School, in Years 10 and 12, and like any parent I want the best for my children. Since day one I have been impressed with the culture and spirit of the school. I work as part of the Region Leadership Team at Fire and Emergency New Zealand based in Dunedin. I have completed a Diploma in first line management (NZIM), a Graduate Certificate in Applied Management (AIPM), a Post Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership (Otago University), and I am a Graduate of the Institute of Fire Engineers.

I am currently the chair of the Sports Council at Otago Girls' High School, and I was the chair of the Abbotsford School Board of Trustees for four years.

I have a real interest in education, culture and sports, and a good working knowledge of safety, health and wellbeing. I have several other transferable skills from my working life that I could bring as part of the governance group including encouraging diversity and inclusion, setting strategy, and budget management. My occupation gives me the opportunity to interact with other emergency services and the wider community. I have assessed and helped with recidivist child fire lighters and their families through the Fire Awareness and Intervention Programme.

Outside of my work life I play music, enjoy the outdoors fishing and hunting and I spend most weekends on the side-line watching my daughters play sport.

Mau White

Warm pacific greetings. I am a former pupil of Otago Girls' with five children. I have one daughter attending Otago Girls' High School in Year 9 and three daughters to follow.

I am currently a Manager at Te Kāika which is a community driven medical centre with wrap around services. I am involved in the everyday running of the medical centre which also provides physio, dental and social services.

I own and run a music school with my husband. Discover your voice studio provides vocal training, instrumental tuition in piano, bass and guitar as well as a recording studio.

I am also the events coordinator for Tokelau language week in Dunedin. I am heavily involved with the Tokelau board community helping to keep our language alive, and a voice for the effects of climate change to our island.

Since my time at Otago Girls' High School I have seen the rise in the number of Māori and Pasifika students and their academic achievements. It has been great to see them thrive, but there is still more mahi to be done and I am committed to see this continue for future students in this great school.