Tēnā koutou katoa

Ko Mel Brouwer ahau.

He uri ahau no Tauranga Moana

Ko Ngāti Ranginui, Ko Ngāi Te Rangi ōku iwi.

Prior to settling in Tairāwhiti Gisborne in 2016 my husband Carl and I lived on the Chatham Islands and Masterton. Our girls Chase and Monroe are in year 5 at Awapuni School.

I have been on the board of trustees since 2020 and was recently elected as board chair.  

I want our tamariki to be strong, confident learners and to believe that they are important and can achieve their goals.

Our motivated and passionate board, dedicated teachers and staff are here to guide and support our tamariki to succeed.

Tēnā koutou katoa,

He mokopuna ahau nō Ngāpuhi, Te Roroa, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Pahauwera me Tūhoe.

Ko Marire Kuka ahau.

I spent a lot of my upbringing here in Tūranga, particularly in Makauri near Tārere Pā.

I attended Waikirikiri Primary and later Lytton High School.

My daughter attends GGHS and my son is a happy part of Team Kārerea.

I’ve been on the BoT since 2020 with a focus on the Community Engagement Portfolio. I love the way my son loves our school, this is a testament to the great learning environment we have. I would like to see us as a kura and community embrace meaningful Treaty partnership and balance the kōrero and history being provided to our tamariki.

Tēnā koutou,

Tēnā  koutou. Ko Renee Raroa ahau, Ko Ngāti Porou te iwi, Nō Rangitūkia ahau.

I have been a member of the Awapuni Primary School Board since 2016. Both my children have spent their full primary years at Awapuni School. The time has passed so quickly, with my son Awatere heading into his final year in 2022. I am humbled to be part of such a passionate and caring school community, my role on the board has provided a connection with the governance and operation of our school. 

We are lucky to be surrounded by a large whānau here in Gisborne and on the East Coast. Our whānau also has a historic connection to Awapuni School, with my great uncle being an Awapuni school principal back in the early 70s. 

To the board, I bring experience as an educator, as an advocate for environmental and community impact, as a mother and a member of the Tairāwhiti community.

I am happy to support our school in it’s positive trajectory. We have a driven and cohesive board, dedicated staff and a committed community working together to ensure our tamariki are strong, happy and have the confidence to be their best selves. 

Kia ora

My name is Sherryl Gomm and I have been at Awapuni School since 2000, and have taught across the junior, middle and senior teams of the school. I am currently teaching in Team Toroa with years 5 and 6 students. 

I am the Team Leader of mathematics and a within-school leader for the Turanganui A Kiwa/Gisborne Kahui Ako.

I have come into teaching with an accounting and business background having previously been an accounts clerk and having owned my own business. I am passionate about teaching and learning and have continued to study, upskilling my knowledge and practice throughout my 20 years of teaching.

My wide range of experience supports my role as the staff representative for the Board of Trustees.

Hello I’m Simone Morris, I have 3 children, Jensen 5 in Team Pūkeko, Jethro 11 - year 7 Gisborne Intermediate (past Awapuni student) and my daughter Eden 13 – year 9 Gisborne Girls High. My

husband Glenn and I moved our family to Gisborne at the beginning of 2019, we currently live on Kaharau Angus farm where he works.

In addition to being a mum, I also run my own business Sore No More Massage Therapy. Before we moved to Gisborne we were partners with Glenn’s family in a printing business in Te Awamutu for approx. 15 years. I am originally from Queensland, I moved to NZ 16 years ago after meeting Glenn on our OE’s.

I have been on the Awapuni School board since September last year, my portfolio is Health and Safety. I look forward to working with you all and I am excited to see Awapuni School grow.

Tēnā koutou katoa

Ko Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Whātua ōku iwi.

Ko Tanya Waru ahau.

Kia ora, I have been a member of the Awapuni School Board of Trustees since 2020.  I am from the Far North and Samoa, however 11 years ago my partner Wiremu and I decided to relocate to the sunny Gisborne beaches to raise our growing whānau.  Wiremu is born and raised in Tolaga Bay and is a teacher at Gisborne Boys High School, my eldest son Matariki also attends GBHS and our 3 younger children, Eraia, Wiremu and Kahurangi, attend Awapuni school.  

I have joined the Board to contribute my skills and experience in Finance but I also want to be involved in helping our school be the best that it can be.  I am passionate about success and helping all of our children move forward with their education, be that academically, culturally, in sports or any other area that will help them grow and succeed.