Our Board of Trustees/Council

What does the Poari Kaitiaki (Board of Trustees ) do?

The Poari Kaitiaki (Board of Trustees) and Poari Rangatōpū (Board of Proprietors) work together to govern our kura, ensuring we provide the best possible environment for our ākonga to learn and thrive. Our role includes overseeing school resources, preserving our special āhuatanga Montessori (Montessori character), and maintaining and enhancing our wahi ako (learning spaces).

We meet regularly, with much of our mahi carried out by rōpū āpiti (subcommittees) focused on key areas:

Property – Managing and improving our kura facilities to create a safe, functional, and inspiring wahi ako (learning environment).

Finance – Preparing budgets and prioritising resources to support the needs of our kura effectively.

Constitution– Reviewing governance structures to ensure compliance with regulations and support collaboration.

Strategic Planning – Updating the vision and direction of our kura, with input from our whānau and hapori.

We work closely with kaiako (teachers) and kaiārahi kura (school leaders), reviewing ākonga achievement and initiatives to support learning across the curriculum. Our goal is to ensure the kura remains well-resourced, future-focused, and true to its tikanga Montessori (Montessori philosophy).

To learn more, you are welcome to join us at our next AGM in June (date tbc).

*Please note that Board of Trustees/Council meeting minutes must be approved at the following meeting before they can be uploaded to the website. As a result, there will always be a delay in their availability.

BoT/Council Members

Stacey Newlands

Presiding Member

Tēnā koutou katoa, ko Stacey Newlands tōku ingoa. Mark and I are parents to Angus and Margot, and we have been part of the Wā Ora community since joining playgroup in 2012. In my time here so far, I’ve enjoyed connecting with other families and contributing as PTA secretary, on bush walks, at school camps and as parent representative for several classes. I love the opportunity at Wā Ora for our children and their classmates to learn in a Montessori environment, with their days full of hands-on experiences, challenges that build their critical thinking skills and the need to participate actively in the communities within their classrooms. In my working life, I specialise in policy and regulation, and have qualifications in law and public policy. I enjoy collaborating with others and making the most of the skills and experience each person brings to the table. I’d love a chat if you see me around the school.

stacey@waora.school.nz

Rod Webster

Deputy Presiding Member

Tēnā tātou katoa, e te hapori mo Te Kura o Wa Ora Montessori. Ko Ngāpuhi, ko Ngāti Pāhauwera, me Te Iwi Morehu aku Iwi. Ko Rod Webster taku ingoa.

Greetings to you all. My name is Rod Webster. My wife Connie and I have two children who currently attend Wā Ora Montessori School (Kura). My son Jachin-Arepa, is a year 13 student in Tawari, and my daughter Psalms-Rangimarie is a year 10 student in Kawakawa. Our son first started at Wā Ora as a 4 year-old in Nikau Preschool class. Our daughter first started at Wā Ora just before her 3rd birthday in Nikau Preschool class after her brother. We also have a 4 year-old daughter Te Aroha, who currently attends Paparakau Tuarua Kohanga Reo in Naenae. Like her older siblings, she will start her journey at Wā Ora one day.

I am very mindful that I’m privileged to be voted onto the board by our Wā Ora hapori (community). At the same time, it is an honour to represent our parent and student body on the Board. If you see me at either one of our Kura campuses, I invite you to come up and introduce yourself.

rod@waora.school.nz

Ava Szabo

Principal

I have been at Wā Ora since 2011, initially as Deputy Principal High School and stepped up to the role of principal in 2017. I hold a Bachelor of Science and a Postgraduate Diploma of Teaching and have attended the Adolescent Orientation in Cleveland, Ohio. What I love about Wā Ora is the passion students bring to their learning – they are honest and open minded. I live in the Hutt Valley with my husband and four sons.

principal@waora.school.nz

Maryann Robertson

Parent Rep

Kia ora koutou, ko Maryann tōku ingoa.

My daughter started at Wā Ora Montessori in March 2024, and it’s been a joy to see her and her peers thrive in such a nurturing and curious learning environment.

Professionally, I’ve spent nearly 10 years working in communications and engagement across the public sector and not-for-profit spaces. My mahi has always grounded in connecting with people, sharing information clearly, and helping communities feel heard and supported.

I’m passionate about inclusion, sustainability, and building strong communities. I feel privileged to be part of the Board and to contribute to the continued growth of our kura and hāpori.

Mauri ora!

maryann@waora.school.nz

Allie Ganapathy

Parent Rep

Hi! I’m Allie Ganapathy, a Wellington local, parent, and someone who deeply appreciates good conversations, and embrace lifelong learning.

I have called New Zealand my home for past 15 years, live with my family and love balancing work, parenting and connecting with people. I’m thrilled to be a part of our school community.

allie@waora.school.nz

Jenny Jellicoe

Parent Rep

jenny@waora.school.nz

Rhiannon Jarvis

Parent Rep

Tēnā koutou katoa,

Ko Rhiannon Jarvis taku ingoa.

Our whānau joined Wā Ora in 2019, and my husband Daniel and I currently have a child in both the Nīkau and Rātā classes.

We also have three “big kids” — now 17, 19, and 20 — who went through other schools around the Hutt Valley.

My background is in events and marketing, mainly in the hospitality world, but for the past eight years Daniel and I have been running our plumbing business here in Stokes Valley. Small business experience has given me real-world governance strengths — from financial know-how and strategic planning to managing people, resources, and risk under pressure.

It has also strengthened my belief in doing business — and life — the right way: always working ethically, and putting people and community before profit.

Last year I developed an interest in governance and was keen to get more involved in our kura. I was honoured to be nominated and elected to the Board at the 2025 AGM, and it’s been such a privilege to represent our parent community since then.

Being on the Board is something I take very seriously. My promise to our community is that I will always listen first, understand all sides, educate myself on the issue at hand, and make thoughtful, values-based decisions that support the growth and wellbeing of our tamariki, staff, and community.

rhiannon@waora.school.nz

Sarah Sue

Parent Rep

sarah@waora.school.nz

Tara Israelson

Council Appointee

I started my Montessori career in America as an assistant in a classroom in Boston and I was so excited by Montessori that I went on to gain my AMI diploma and Masters of Education in Portland, Oregon. The opportunity to live and work in a new country and learn about a new culture inspired me to join the Wā Ora community in 2008 as the Head Teacher in Nikau. Outside of the classroom I enjoy cooking, fishing, and exploring the New Zealand bush with my son.

tara@waora.school.nz

Lucy Bayliss

Preschool Staff Rep

Kia ora, my name is Lucy and I’m delighted to be joining the Wā Ora community this year (2025). I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and a Bachelor of Education (Teaching) Early Childhood. I have been part of the early childhood education sector for the past 20 years, fulfilling various teaching and leadership roles that span community-based, privately owned centres, kindergartens, large national organisations and homebased care. I am excited to continue my leadership journey at Wā Ora, and look forward to drawing on the expertise of current staff to inform my Montessori learning.

I’m mum to two beautiful children, one teen and one almost-teen, and in my time outside of work I am dedicated to my family life, which I try to link to my love of cuisine in any way possible. I also enjoy reading (a lot) and spending time with our ‘third child’; 2year old collie/retriever Kip.

lucy@waora.school.nz

Anna McLean

Area School Staff Rep

I joined Wā Ora in 2018 having spent the previous 10 years teaching in a 6-12 classroom at Tawa School. I have both AMI 3-6 and 6-12 Montessori training and a Bachelor of Education Degree (Teaching) Primary from Massey University. Prior to teaching, I worked in the corporate world, which gave me a range of skills and experiences that I have been able to draw on in my roles since. I like sharing my passion for Montessori and I never tire of talking to people about it. I live in Tawa with my husband and two older children and in my spare time I like reading and I am getting used to being a gardener.

anna@waora.school.nz