Please vote in BoT Election. Election voting closes noon Wednesday 7 September. Papers on how you vote electronically will be distributed by email on Wednesday 10 August 2022.

Profiles of the candidates.

Cameron MacPherson

My name is Cameron MacPherson and I am standing for the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo School Board. I am married to Ryoko, and we have two children - Emma (year 6) and Sarah (year 4). I work in the building and construction industry, and have worked as a chartered structural engineer for 18 years. I am a Director of a Christchurch based engineering consulting company and also serve as chairperson for a Charitable Trust responsible for a Montessori early childhood education school in Christchurch. I will bring management, leadership and decision-making skills to the board, and experience working collaboratively in teams. In my spare time, I’ll usually be found with my family, snowboarding and refereeing rugby in winter, and travelling to Japan as often as we’re able to visit family and enjoy the culture - and the food! I am grateful for the opportunity to give back to the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo School community. I believe I have the expertise and leadership qualities to offer the board and I look forward to the opportunity to use these skills for the benefit of our amazing SMART Somerfield tamariki, staff and whānau.

Elizabeth Eastmure

My name is Elizabeth Eastmure and I am standing for the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo School Board. I am a single parent to my 8 year old son James, who is in Year 4. We joined the school community in January this year when we returned to Christchurch from London (UK). I work in health research and manage the Research Office for Health New Zealand Canterbury. My background is in project management and health policy, and I previously worked in environmental policy. I also have experience running a consultancy business and managing successful teams. I am committed to supporting our school, and the development of our children into thriving young people who enjoy school and are eager to learn. I will bring a fresh perspective, and provide enthusiasm, and financial and management skills to the Board. I prioritise a love of learning, and will seek to ensure our children get the best possible support for their learning and wellbeing. Thank you for considering my application.

Tony Steffens  

My name is Tony Steffens and I am standing for election to the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo School Board. I was fortunate to have been co-opted to serve on the current Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo Board of Trustees, allowing the opportunity to learn from the wealth of experience of current board members.

With a background in several fields, including insurance, accounting, business assurance, and more recently information technology, I aim to contribute a broad range of skills to the board. My current role is in the agriculture sector, leading a team of data analysts and engineers. Other relevant experience includes financial management (I am a Chartered Accountant) and strategic planning.

In my free time, you can find me heading into the mountains tramping or skiing, getting on my mountain bike, having a run round on the squash court, or getting lost in a book. My wife Lotte and I have our three children (Oskar year 5, Mathilda year 3 and Ursula year 0) attending Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo. I have thoroughly enjoyed becoming part of this fantastic community over the last four years as a parent, and am now looking forward to contributing on a different level.

Tim McIntosh

Tēnā koutou kātoa Ko Aoraki te maunga te rū nei taku ngākau Nō Marēhia rāua ko Kotimana ōku tīpuna Nō Ōtautahi ahau Ko Tim McIntosh tōku ingoa Mauri ora! My name is Tim McIntosh and am seeking election onto the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo Board of Trustees. It is a privilege to currently serve as a co-opted member of the Board and I am looking for your support to continue representing our tamariki. My partner Ana and I have two children at Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo, Maia (Year 4) and Hana (Year 2). I am driven to ensure that the school environment and experience of all of our tamariki ensures they have the best start in education and are well on the journey to becoming well rounded, confident life-long learners. Our whānau are strongly invested in promoting Te Ao Māori and hope to support and advocate for the excellent approach Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo takes for building this capability of all our tamariki. I currently manage a team of analysts and designers working on systems development, data wrangling and operational planning and implementation. My background has been in project management in both public and private sector roles and I hope to continue to contribute skills to the Board including planning, strategic thought and operational delivery – making things happen! I am also fortunate to be heavily involved in a number of rūnanga driven projects through the connection to the marae of our wider whānau. When I'm not working you'll find me (and the family) on a mountain bike, out tramping or in the water - sea or river! I will bring energy and drive that benefits all of our SMART tamariki, staff and wider school community.

Tim Joll 

Tena koutou katoa.

I am married to Kelly, and we have three children under the age of 7. We have lived in Somerfield since shifting to Christchurch more than a decade ago. Somerfield has a fantastic community, and I am always looking for ways to contribute positively.

I am a Town Planner and Partner of a national planning firm and am also a member of the Canterbury/Westland Branch of the New Zealand Planning Institute. I have worked on dozens of redevelopment projects for schools throughout New Zealand, including preparing the Application to the City Council for the 2017 work undertaken at Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo. I have strong connections with central and local government departments and agencies involved in planning and the wider construction industry.

I spend my downtime hanging out with my family, mountain biking, fishing and skiing. I also dabble in ripper rugby coaching, tantrum negotiations and sleep deprivation.

Stephanie Muller

My name is Stephanie Muller and I am standing for the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo School Board. I have a daughter Lucy in Year 4. I have served on the Board of Trustees as an elected parent representative since June 2016 and I am currently the Chairperson of the Board. My key role is to lead the Board and to partner with the principal and leadership team to maximise the achievement and wellbeing of our tamariki. With 4 current Board members not standing for re-election, if re-elected I could assist to provide some continuity and help to ensure a smooth transition to the new Board. The Board’s overall responsibility to its parents and community includes legal obligations covering curriculum, property, personnel, finance and health and safety. As a lawyer and parent, I would welcome the opportunity to continue to positively influence and benefit the school community through serving as a member of the Board.

Lucy Green  

Kia ora tātou
Ko Lucy Green tōku ingoa. I am an elected parent representative on the Board of Trustees. My eldest son Noah is in his first year at Christchurch South Karamata, having completed his journey at Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo and loved his time at the school. My youngest, Xander, will be starting as a new entrant next year. My husband Callum and I are excited to see him become part of the SMART Somerfield whānau and all the opportunities this will bring for him.

I have worked in communications, fundraising and marketing for a national not-for-profit for many years.  I also serve on the board of a local charity.  I bring skills in copy writing and editing, public and media relations and strategic planning.

I am a parent representative on the Somerfield Te Kura Wairepo Board of Trustees and my primary responsibility is to support the Tamuaki and Senior Leadrship team with recruitment.

I feel grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer on the board of a school so committed to values-based teaching - brought to life in our SMARTs - and seeing all our  ākonga (students) thrive.