April 4 2021

We say farewell to Kath Johnson and Jenni Hammonds and thank them for their exceptional contribution to all that we do.

Janine Chin

Governance Group Trustee 2016 – 2018 Janine Chin manages the Confucius Institute in Auckland with the aim of promoting Chinese language and culture to all sectors of the community. A main focus is working with schools to enable students to successfully engage with Chinese people all over the world, particularly in China and in New… Read More

Melanie Matthews

Governance Group Trustee 2016 – 2018 In 2015 we started with a small group of 3 students to see how VLNP might fit in with our own school vision. It has now become an option for all our Year 6 students to participate in VLNP learning programmes. The VLNP fits with the management of our… Read More

Wayne Howes

Governance Group Trustee 2015 – 2018 Wayne is an experienced primary teacher from Moanataiari School. He has a strong background in supporting classroom teaching through the use of technologies.  I can see great potential for this form of teaching and learning   He has been a teacher for more than 30 years and throughout that time… Read More

Natasha Jackson

Governance Group Trustee 2014 – 2017 I am a teaching deputy principal at Oakura School in coastal Taranaki. I am starting my fourth year here after moving from Wellington where I spent the majority of my time teaching at Thorndon School. I first started my involvement with the VLN Primary as a teacher of Japanese… Read More

Lorraine Makutu

Governance Group Trustee 2014 – 2015 & 2018 – 2020 Lorraine is currently Deputy Principal at a full primary school in Auckland. She is passionate about being an advocate for the voiceless, whilst empowering learners to take flight. Lorraine was a previous member of the VLN Primary Governance Group and has previously been an ALLiS… Read More

Michael Brick

Governance Group Trustee 2014 – 2015 Michael Brick is Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs for Microsoft New Zealand and is based in Auckland. Michael joined Microsoft’s Global Legal and Corporate Affairs Team in 2004 in Redmond, Washington. Over the years he has supported different Microsoft product development and engineering teams, including Microsoft’s Online Services… Read More

Hinerangi Murphy

Governance Group Trustee 2017 – 2018 “Ka pu te ruha. Ka hao te rangatahi.” When wisdom emerges, transformation occurs. Toku maunga – Ko Putauaki  Toku awa – Ko Rangitaiki  Toku iwi – Ko Ngatiawa  Toku hapu – Ko Pahipoto Nau mai, Haere mai. Greetings and Welcome I was born Māori as Jeanette Hinerangi Eruera (now… Read More

Jen Vincent

Governance Group Trustee 2016 – 2018 Jen was Principal at Marco School and one of the founding principals and online teachers in the successful Rural and Remote Schools Project. Jen has been working collaboratively with other schools for more than a decade, supporting her students to connect with others and extend their experiences through online… Read More

Jared Chittenden

Governance Group Trustee 2014 – 2016 Jared was the first online teacher to work with the VLN Primary; teaching French, Spanish and Astronomy.  He was Principal at Matapu School, the first host school of the VLN Primary and left the Governance Group when he became Principal at Auroa School. Jarad believes that: “the new advances… Read More

Kath Johnson

Governance Group Trustee 2018 – 2021. Kath was a foundation trustee on the VLN Primary Governance Group, and initiated and leads the Rural & Remote Schools Project. Kath has been a primary school teacher for 25 years. She has spent the past 10 years as teaching principal of Halfmoon Bay School on Stewart Island. Kath… Read More