Meet the Otautau School Board of Trustees
click on the picture to view each
trustee's bio
Jeff Woolf Chairperson
Sue Carran
Amanda McCracken
Jim Andrew
Dianne Davidson Staff Rep
Peter Simpson
Ben Witheford Principal
Jeff Woolf
I am a 36 years old and have been in Otautau since December 2002 when I took up the O/C Police Constable position here, after living in various places in both the North and South Islands. My wife, Ana, and I have three children all of which attend Otautau Primary School. I have been on the Board of Trustees since 2004 during this time I have held the Property, Health & Safety and Finance portfolios (prior to joining the Police I worked a number of years in an Accounting firm). In 2007 I was handed the reigns of Chairman. I believe we have a great school. I have been more than happy with Ben's leadership style and the quality of teaching being delivered. I am extremely confident that our school will continue to grow from strength to strength giving our children a solid foundation for learning and life.
I am a 36 years old and have been in Otautau since December 2002 when I took up the O/C Police Constable position here, after living in various places in both the North and South Islands. My wife, Ana, and I have three children all of which attend Otautau Primary School. I have been on the Board of Trustees since 2004 during this time I have held the Property, Health & Safety and Finance portfolios (prior to joining the Police I worked a number of years in an Accounting firm). In 2007 I was handed the reigns of Chairman. I believe we have a great school. I have been more than happy with Ben's leadership style and the quality of teaching being delivered. I am extremely confident that our school will continue to grow from strength to strength giving our children a solid foundation for learning and life.
Sue Carran
I live on a sheep farm just out of Otautau. I am married to Graeme and we have three children, Jonty age 5, Charlie 4 and Libby will be 3 next April.
I was born and bred in the Otautau area living on sheep farm for 15 years. Attended Central Southland College and then did a Bachelor of Education in Dunedin for 4 years. Trained as a primary school teacher I did my first three years of teaching in New Plymouth. I then got the travel bug and travelled to London where I worked and travelled for 3 years. I returned to Queenstown and taught for 4 years and moved to Otautau where we started our family.
This is the first year I have been on the board. My areas of responsibility are curriculum, policies and documentation. I am also on the appointments committee.
I live on a sheep farm just out of Otautau. I am married to Graeme and we have three children, Jonty age 5, Charlie 4 and Libby will be 3 next April.
I was born and bred in the Otautau area living on sheep farm for 15 years. Attended Central Southland College and then did a Bachelor of Education in Dunedin for 4 years. Trained as a primary school teacher I did my first three years of teaching in New Plymouth. I then got the travel bug and travelled to London where I worked and travelled for 3 years. I returned to Queenstown and taught for 4 years and moved to Otautau where we started our family.
This is the first year I have been on the board. My areas of responsibility are curriculum, policies and documentation. I am also on the appointments committee.
Amanda McCracken
My name is Amanda McCracken and am in my first term on the BOT of Otautau Primary School. I have a seven year association with both the Otautau Primary School and the community, and hold the Health and Safety portfolio which links in well with my varied professional role as a rural primary health care nurse in Otautau. My interest in education has been life-long and I have experienced the challenges and rewards that ongoing education can offer. As a member of the Otautau school community, I wish to be involved with providing our children with a positive learning experience that enables them to strive for excellence, and prepare them both socially and academically for their secondary school years.
My name is Amanda McCracken and am in my first term on the BOT of Otautau Primary School. I have a seven year association with both the Otautau Primary School and the community, and hold the Health and Safety portfolio which links in well with my varied professional role as a rural primary health care nurse in Otautau. My interest in education has been life-long and I have experienced the challenges and rewards that ongoing education can offer. As a member of the Otautau school community, I wish to be involved with providing our children with a positive learning experience that enables them to strive for excellence, and prepare them both socially and academically for their secondary school years.
Jim Andrew
I put myself up for election as a trustee of Otautau Primary this year because the school could benefit from the range of practical, financial and management skills, I’ve gained from a varied professional background- not.
The truth is, my children had 3 years left at the school, we’d moved 9 times since 1992 and it’s been nice to put down roots at last, so I decided to “get involved”, ( plus I had not seen any fellow dairy farmers represented for a while)
I am a firm believer that we make our own luck and direction in life. But I can still pinpoint 3-4 people of major influence in my life (excluding family) who were my guiding lights.
I see the influence of the school, in much the same way. Therefore it is great to see Otautau Primary with a really good principal, supported by a dedicated bunch of teachers.
I think they refer to my position as “parks & reserves and a little bit of building”
If there was one thing I’d like to see improved is how the school celebrates it’s success. We need to be able to share, feed off and drive from the celebration. Watch this space.
I put myself up for election as a trustee of Otautau Primary this year because the school could benefit from the range of practical, financial and management skills, I’ve gained from a varied professional background- not.
The truth is, my children had 3 years left at the school, we’d moved 9 times since 1992 and it’s been nice to put down roots at last, so I decided to “get involved”, ( plus I had not seen any fellow dairy farmers represented for a while)
I am a firm believer that we make our own luck and direction in life. But I can still pinpoint 3-4 people of major influence in my life (excluding family) who were my guiding lights.
I see the influence of the school, in much the same way. Therefore it is great to see Otautau Primary with a really good principal, supported by a dedicated bunch of teachers.
I think they refer to my position as “parks & reserves and a little bit of building”
If there was one thing I’d like to see improved is how the school celebrates it’s success. We need to be able to share, feed off and drive from the celebration. Watch this space.
Dianne Davidson
I am the staff representative on the BOT, and bring over 25 years of teaching experience (much of this in senior management) to the position. I bring my strong knowledge of curriculum and teaching and learning for the future, to the Otautau BOT. My husband, Kenneth and I, reside on the outskirts of Otautau and very much value our rural view and lifestyle, which includes, gardening, fishing and hunting. Our daughter, Niki and her husband Andrew live in Arrowtown. Niki works for the BNZ in Queenstown and Andrew is a stonemason. The latest addition to our family has come in the form of a black Labrador puppy, who we have named Storm. Storm has livened up the life of our other dog, 9 year old Chase, a golden Labrador, who he constantly harasses.
I am the staff representative on the BOT, and bring over 25 years of teaching experience (much of this in senior management) to the position. I bring my strong knowledge of curriculum and teaching and learning for the future, to the Otautau BOT. My husband, Kenneth and I, reside on the outskirts of Otautau and very much value our rural view and lifestyle, which includes, gardening, fishing and hunting. Our daughter, Niki and her husband Andrew live in Arrowtown. Niki works for the BNZ in Queenstown and Andrew is a stonemason. The latest addition to our family has come in the form of a black Labrador puppy, who we have named Storm. Storm has livened up the life of our other dog, 9 year old Chase, a golden Labrador, who he constantly harasses.
Peter Simpson
My name is Peter Simpson. I spent my primary schooling at Otautau School and then went to CSC before graduating from Lincoln University I then returned to Otautau to run the family sheep farm. I am married to Joanna and we have 3 children. I am the Deputy Chief of the Otautau Volunteer Fire Brigade. I like to be involved with my children’s activities, I am a trampoline and tumbling coach as well as helping with children’s’ cricket and golf ventures.
My name is Peter Simpson. I spent my primary schooling at Otautau School and then went to CSC before graduating from Lincoln University I then returned to Otautau to run the family sheep farm. I am married to Joanna and we have 3 children. I am the Deputy Chief of the Otautau Volunteer Fire Brigade. I like to be involved with my children’s activities, I am a trampoline and tumbling coach as well as helping with children’s’ cricket and golf ventures.
Ben Witheford
As I write this I have had the privilege of leading Otautau School for 2.5 years. I believe we have a learning organisation that is made up of people who are committed and passionate to the best for the children they are charged with growing. When I'm not at work I love spending time with my family (my wife Sharon, 2 children Hannah and Caleb). Relaxing is reading, following sport and spending time on 'emdart'. My 18 foot trailer sailer, named after her place of purchase, 'Trade Me'
As I write this I have had the privilege of leading Otautau School for 2.5 years. I believe we have a learning organisation that is made up of people who are committed and passionate to the best for the children they are charged with growing. When I'm not at work I love spending time with my family (my wife Sharon, 2 children Hannah and Caleb). Relaxing is reading, following sport and spending time on 'emdart'. My 18 foot trailer sailer, named after her place of purchase, 'Trade Me'