CASS - Key Persons
I am on staff at CASS and before that was at Carlson School. I am a speech-language therapist and love belonging to a team that seeks to give our students a voice. As part of the therapy team at CASS I am privileged to work across a range of classes, syndicates and satellite locations. I believe this gives me a well-rounded insight into some of the issues that we face. I firmly believe that good school governance is a key to ensuring that our students receive the very best education. I am proud to be the staff representative on the Board of Trustees, supporting the school to inspire engagement and realise the potential of all.
Job Titles:
- Therapy Team Co - Leader )
I am thrilled to be the Board Chair of Central Auckland Specialist School (CASS). Jayden, my-eight year-old son attends the Oranga Satellite class, and Zoe, my nine-year-old daughter attends Stonefields School. I have a keen interest in school improvement because I was a facilitator to primary schools in Auckland for 10 years and this is what was the motivation for me to apply for a board position. I have a strong belief that all children can learn, and it is the adaptable teacher who makes this happen. I am currently relieving in Bairds Mainfreight School, Otara, which I enjoy immensely. My husband Dave, the children and I, spend a lot of our time in Pauanui in the Coromandel; it has a lot of flat terrain and Jayden loves cycling around in his bike trailer. CASS is a unique school with a very dedicated staff and community, and my vision is to continue to build and promote the expectations of the community for the best learning and teaching for our students.
I am an educator and building influence through communication is central to my role; I view my parent trustee role at CASS as vital to building bridges of understanding between the parent and the school community. Having a child with autism has highlighted for me the importance of establishing significant networks that can provide long-term support and fulfilment to our special needs group. I come from diversity and I understand the challenges that may be faced by fringe communities and the possible potential that may be realized with the pertinent identification of needs and the timely support to be organised.
As a parent trustee, I have gained a parallel community of my own and, one, which also allows me to carry out my sense of purpose towards serving the community, maintain and develop relationships, and specifically to give voice and recognition to our special needs group.
Job Titles:
- Therapy Team Co - Leader )
I joined the Board of CASS as a parent representative in 2019. I have an almost 10 year-old son who has attended CASS (and previously Sunnydene) since he commenced his primary schooling. I also have a daughter attending a mainstream Catholic school, and a son still in kindergarten.
After finding that early childhood education was not supportive of nor particularly welcoming to children with disabilities, I am delighted that CASS provides a place of acceptance and belonging to children and young adults with different and diverse learning needs.