Have a read about those on the Board of Trustees.

The Board of Trustees

Dominic Dravitzki. 

 I have been a member of the Board of Trustees for a number of years and the Chair for the last two. Nicky and I have four sons who are all either attending St Thomas or who have in the recent past. I am an old boy of the college (now many years ago!). I believe the education provided by St Thomas is special and really does grow fine young men. The college is growing and vibrant with much to offer it's pupils.

I see the role of the board as working with senior management to formulate the schools strategic plan and then to support them, and all the staff, in implementing it. I am happy to be contacted direct about any board issues. I am employed as a lawyer in private practice with a specialty in family law.

Penetito Pelenato. 

I am married to Rebecca & am a father of 6. We have 4 adult & 2 school aged children. Our youngest son Matthew will be attending the College in 2017 & our sons Stephen, Viane & Sebastian are past pupils. I work for the Dept. of Corrections as a Community Work Supervisor. My role is to encourage and ensure offenders complete their community based sentence. Our family have been part of the St Thomas community since 2001. I have been a board member since 2010.

I am passionate about student achievement in the school with a special emphasis on our Pasifika students. I am part of a Pasifika parents group that meet on a regular basis to look at ways in raising the achievement of our students. At present I belong to StMary's Pro-Cathedral Parish & am on the Parish Council. I am also the secretary of the Samoan Catholic Community with a responsibility of 27 families & have held this position since 2002.

Andy Steel. 

I am married to Anna and we have four sons, the oldest of which is attending the College with the rest to follow! I am an old boy of the College attending from 1982 to 1988. I am a partner in the law the firm of Steel & Co where I practice primarily in property/commercial law. The Steel family have a strong historical connection to the College and the Christian Brothers. Whilst it has been some years since the Christian Brothers walked the corridors and the grounds of the College I am very impressed with the way the Edmund Rice teaching ethos has been fostered in the current environment through its emphasis on social justice. The College is a well led, vibrant school offering plenty of opportunities. I look forward to playing my part in ensuring the College’s continued progress and growth.  

Richard Coleman. 

 I am married to Kate with 3 children – Ted, Harry and Margot. Ted (Year 11) and Harry (Year 9) both attend the College, having started in Year 7, with Margot in her first year at Villa Maria.

Kate and I strongly support the leadership and educational philosophies and principles of the College. We are sure the bonds created between the boys will endure well after they leave the school. This is testament to the strong and inclusive STC culture and one we are pleased to have our boys develop within.

My high school years were spent at St Bede’s College before attending and completing an accounting and finance degree at Lincoln University. I am now a director at Koau Capital Partners Ltd, an investment advisory, strategy and asset management firm specialising in the commercial Maori economy. Prior to Koau, I spent 15 years working for Ngai Tahu across its various investment and operational entities.

I look forward to making a positive contribution to the strategic direction and governance of the College over the remainder of my term on the Board of Trustees.

Grant Boore 

I have Carter in Year 7 with Oskar planning to join the STC community next year. My background is that of a career military officer but since 2011 I have been heavily in involved in earthquake recovery programmes in my hometown of Christchurch. 

Currently I am back in the Defense Force leading the Youth Development Unit based at Burnham Military Camp. This unit runs several different programmes that aim to instill the values of self-discipline, courage, cooperation and respect in young people in order to arm them with skills and experience to succeed in life. I sense that there may be many synergies with my professional role and the values of St Thomas and I look forward to serving our school as a dedicated Trustee.

Julie Maxwell

I am the staff representative on the Board of Trustees. I have been at St Thomas' for four years, the last three have been as HOF Mathematics. I totally believe in the vision and values of St Thomas' and am passionate about student success.  

Patrick Hansen

This year the boys at STC have given me the privilege of serving as their BOT Student Representative for 2016/2017. As well as this, I have been honoured with the role of Cultural Captain for 2017. My choice to run for BOT Rep this year came from an eagerness to have the student voice heard in all matters, especially since your boy's experience the impacts of the board’s decisions more than anyone else. In my candidacy speech this year, I referred to the famous quote by the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for country.” During my term as the BOT Student Representative, these will be the words I will live by as I work to make your sons the best St. Thomas’ men they can be.