The Board of Trustees of Houghton Valley School is responsible for the governance of the school.

The Board’s role is a strategic one, focused on the big picture and employing the Principal to manage the school.

The BOT is made up of the School Principal, a trustee from the school staff, several parent trustees who are elected by the parents, and other members who are appointed by the BOT.

The board’s role is set by the Education Act and the BOT is required to ensure the school meets the government’s National Education Priorities. These are:

  • Success for all
  • A safe learning environment
  • Improving Literacy and Numeracy
  • Better use of student achievement information
  • Improving outcomes for students at risk
  • Improving Maori student outcomes
  • Reporting

Houghton Valley School Charter 2019-2021

Parents are very welcome to attend board meetings.  This is a great way to learn about the board if you have an interest in becoming a parent representative.   Meeting dates are published in the school newsletter but don’t hesitate to get in touch with the board chair using the contact form below if you would like more information.

If you are a parent and have a question or an issue to raise with the board you are encouraged to speak with your child’s teacher in the first instance.  If any doubts remain, our principal makes a point of being highly available. Please do not hesitate to make contact.

Any issues that remain to be escalated to the board should be brought to the attention of the board chairperson.  You are welcome to use the contact form below to initiate contact.

BOT Chair – Bret McKenzie  – botchair@houghton.school.nz or botbret@houghton.school.nz

Parent Representative

Georgie Ferrari – botgeorgie@houghton.school.nz

Georgie Ferrari has more than 25 years experience working in and managing not for profit organisations in Aotearoa-New Zealand and Australia.  Georgie has a background in child and youth advocacy and well being, and is passionate about social justice. She is currently the CE of Sustainability Trust.  

Mother to Claude (aged 9), Georgie lives with her partner Billie-Jo, Billie’s two children, a cat who thinks he’s a dog and a dog who thinks he’s a cat.  

When Georgie was 10 years old she wanted to be a teacher, a horse rider and an artist.

Parent Representative – Kelly Williams – botkelly@houghton.school.nz

Parent Representative – Mike Brough– botmike@houghton.school.nz

Mike has lived in Houghton Valley for 10 years and is married to Cilla, who has recently started relieving at HVS.  We have two kids at HVS, Abi in year 5, and Poppy in year 2.  We also have Zach and Stan who finished at HVS a couple of years ago and are now at Wellington High and EBIS.  Mike is a business owner and has experience as a director and senior executive.  

When Mike was 10 he was sport mad and wanted to be an All Black, Black Cap, or professional skateboarder. 

Parent Representative – Vanessa Smith– botvanessa@houghton.school.nz

Vanessa has near to 20 years working in the arts, advertising and design industry across New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. Working for everyone from small boutique businesses through to the biggest tech giants, she loves how creative communication can capture and even change minds and hearts. She currently runs her own studio part time and feels privileged to be part of the HVS community and to represent the community on the Board.
 
Vanessa, along with Cameron, are parents to Harrison (aged 6) and Alexandra (aged 3).
 
When Vanessa was 10 she was an assistant teacher at her dance school and wanted to be a choreographer and go on tour with Madonna or Janet Jackson. 

Principal – Luana Carroll – principal@houghton.school.nz

luana-1.jpg

Luana has been the Tumuaki at Houghton Valley School since 2018. This is her first principalship.

She is a descendant of Ngāti kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Te Atiawa.

Luana has worked in education for over 25 years and is now working with the children of children she taught when she first started teaching. 

When Luana was 10 she wanted to be a school teacher and a silver fern. At least one came true!

Staff Trustee – Stephanie Bosch – stephanie@houghton.school.nz