Our Trustees

Sue Carran | Chairperson

HI, I am Susan Carran and live on a sheep farm just out of Otautau. I am married to Graeme and we have 3 children. When I last wrote this 3 years ago, our eldest was just starting school, now Jonty, Charlie and Libby all attend Otautau School.

I was born, raised and schooled in Otautau, living on a farm in Aparima. After finishing high school I went to Dunedin Teachers College and completed a Bachelor of Education.I feel privileged to once again be a trustee on the school board. Over the past three years the school has continued to improve in many aspects and with Ben’s leadership and a positive and supportive board this can only continue to go forward. It is very important to be a part of your children’s education and getting involved this way has many rewards also challenges.

It is all about giving children the best start in life through education. I bring experience and understanding of the teaching profession. Also, I share the role and concerns of a parent and knowledge of a teacher that is beneficial to the board, school and you as a parent. I am a positive and friendly person and have a very good listening ear. I love to see a school which its children enjoy learning and are community proud.
Dave Haywood
Ben Witheford | Principal

The task of education is one that still has huge purpose, influence in creating and moulding young lives so they are productive members of the world in which they find themselves. That might sound a bit airy, fairy but in a short sentence it does describe a nugget of truth. I enjoy immensely the challenge of leading and creating a school community that gives all children that opportunity. Otautau School has done and continues to do well at providing our kids with the best in innovative programs and tools while maintaining an anchored link to the past.

When I'm not at work, I enjoy playing with technology, mountain biking, spending time with my family including the best chocolate lab, Bono.
Nigel Manson

Hi my name is Nigel Manson married to Megan, we have three girls Hannah, Courtney & Maggie two currently attending Otautau School.

I am a Dairy Farmer fourth generation on our family farm at Bayswater. An ex pupil of Otautau school and Central Southland College. In my spare time I enjoy mountain biking and am a member of Otautau Fire Brigade.
I am a practical and approachable person looking forward to working with the new board members. It will be a challenge but feel confident that we will work well together. I am keen to see all students at our school have the best educational opportunities to succeed in life.
Ginny Cowie

My name is Ginny Cowie and I moved to Otautau with my husband Dave and our three children Max, Harrison and Tessa 18 months ago. We currently have Max in Year 3.

While we have only been part of the Otautau community for a short time I have been over whelmed with the community spirit and feel that the school is at the hub of this, something that I believe is an important role of the school. I am proud to have my child attend Otautau School and look forward to being part of its continuing development over the next three years.

I am an early childhood teacher, having worked as a Kindergarten teacher for many years. I understand the importance of teachers and parents working together to strive for continual improvement and progress for all children. I enjoy working as part of a team both contributing ideas and listening to others perspectives and understand the need to be open and flexible when making decisions. I look forward to the challenge ahead and to working with the other members on the Board of Trustees.
Dianne Davidson | Staff Rep

A Southlander born and bred , I have the privilege of having spent over 30 years living in Otautau and following my passion in life - teaching children. I am at the stage now, where I am teaching children of the children I have taught.

My husband, Kenneth and I live on the outskirts of Otautau and love our rural outlook and lifestyle. Kenneth hunts, fishes and grows multitudes of vegetables (our potato crop lasts from one season to the next!). Whereas my own interests include: reading, walking, photography, gardening and occasionally, fishing. Our daughter, Niki and her husband Andrew live in Arrowtown, Niki works for the BNZ bank in Queenstown and Andrew is a Stonemason.

My passion for teaching senior primary school children has challenged me to continually re-assess my own thinking and the way I teach, in order to make a difference in each child's life. As Deputy Principal & BoT staff representative, I value the role I play in the senior management of our school, working alongside competent teachers, devoted parents and enthusiastic children.
Fleur Van Brecht

Hello

My name is Fleur Van Brecht and I live in the Aparima district.

I am married to Michael and we have three boys, Mitchell, Regan and Caleb all of whom go to Otautau Primary school.We live on a dairy farm and have been in the farming industry for 17 years. We started out as sharemilkers in the North Waikato in the North Island and purchased our first dairy farm in Aparima road 5 years ago. In the early years I attended Paparimu primary and went on to Papakura High School in South Auckland progressing into a career in the ANZ and ASB banks for 13 years.

Since our shift south we have been involved in various community/school groups and events of which we have experienced a great community spirit.I have been a committee member of Friends of the School for the last 4 years and was also a member for the Friends Action Group as sponsorship co-ordinator for the very successful school fundraiser “The Full Monty”. I enjoy working in a team environment and am looking forward to being part of our schools BOT.Our children's learning and development in the formative years is important to me as it “arms” them with knowledge, ability and direction to succeed throughout their schooling, careers and life.

I believe Otautau school is offering quality education for our children and have no doubt its success will continue.

Portfolios

Health & Safety / Curriculum / Disciplinary committee