Board of Trustees
Wayne Todd (Staff Representative)
Occupation: Middle School teacher at MSWA.
Connection to MSWA: I have been a Music and Social Studies teacher at MSWA for the past 7 years. I have been in the teaching profession for over 30 years, of which 20 years were spent at a tertiary level performing arts school, so I have plenty of experience to draw from.
Commitment to MSWA BOT: I am passionate about piquing the curiosity of learners, expanding their world views and engaging in meaningful and thought-provoking dialogues on a wide range of topics. Encouraging students to engage in independent thought through their project and class work is a priority as is creative expression, especially in the music classes that I take.
Establishing core values based on sound Christian living is also key. Ultimately, I want to enable students to grow in their confidence not only academically, but in their ability to problem solve and engage meaningfully and with integrity in a variety of contexts.
Warren Cook (Principal)
Connection to MSWA: I am privileged to be the Principal of Middle School West Auckland (MSWA). The journey that bought me here, included being raised and educated in Kaitaia, then completing my teacher training at Waikato University. I taught at four schools in the Far North and then moved to Auckland to be the Senior House Master at the ‘In Zone’ Hostel for Maori and Pasifika boys. I then stepped into a teacher and management role at South Auckland Middle School before taking on the Principalship at MSWA in 2018.
Commitment to MSWA BOT: I am very fortunate to be working with the MSWA students, whanau and community. Believing in our students and effectively involving them in learning will ensure educational success. Together we can make a difference in the lives of our students. I believe in our Special Character and am motivated to provide each and every student with every opportunity to reach their potential: to be confident, successful (in whatever way you might choose to measure success), to have a strong set of core values, to care for others and to be happy. This can only be achieved through effective, positive partnerships with all members of MSWA community, especially the Board of Trustees. Together, we set the strategic direction of our school to achieve our goals.
Karen van Gemerden (Presiding Member)
Occupation: Villa Education Trust CEO.
Connection to MSWA: Member of VET which secured contract for MSWA Partnership school and then oversaw transition to Special character school.
Commitment to MSWA BOT: I am passionate about education opportunities for all children in NZ and I believe the model we have at MSWA provides opportunities for academic success for all. All children have remarkable potential and the environment we provide at MSWA helps them achieve this.
Kate Rooney (Parent Trustee)
Occupation: Chief Operations Officer, The Sustainable Coastlines Charitable Trust.
Connection to MSWA: Parent of current student
Commitment to MSWA BOT: I am thrilled to support the student centric, whanau inclusive, bi-cultural and multi-cultural focus, and project-based learning model at MSWA. The special character, principles, Christian philosophy, and values enable students to grow a foundation that enables personal growth and sets foundations for positive lifelong learning.