WHS Board

Mr Robert Sewell
Board Chairperson

I am Whanganui born and bred and have been living here on and off for most of my life. In 2014 we relocated back to Whanganui partly for lifestyle, but primarily because of the availability and access to high quality secondary school education.

I am married to Karen and we have four school-aged children, currently a son at Whanganui High School in Year 10 and a son and daughter to start in 2020 and 2021 respectively. Our eldest daughter is Year 13 at Girls’ College.

We are both self-employed, running our own successful businesses, I am director of an engineering consultancy, working in industrial capital project development. Karen is a chef and owns Honest Kitchen.

Since our children started preschool I have been active in education governance. My previous experience includes being a member and President of Whanganui Montessori Preschool Association for eight years, and Board member of Fordell School. I have a strong understanding and experience in the requirements and expectation of governance and how a Board of Trustees effectively supports the Principal and management team of a school.

I look forward to having the opportunity to play an active role in supporting the continual delivery of quality education for all our children.

Mr Keki Colaabavala

My name is Keki F D Colaabavala, people know me as Keki, and I am a current board member. It has been my honour and I am humbled by your choice of electing me to serve on the WHS board for the last 3 years. I have a son in Year 13, who is currently the Deputy Head Boy, while my other son is in Year 10. My daughter was a full time student at WHS, having been the Academic Prefect for 2018. She has since achieved a scholarship from Otago University as well as a full scholarship from Auckland University.

We came to Whanganui In 2004 from Whangarei, with a plan to work for 6 months and move on. During those 6 months we fell in love with the place and the people so stayed on, left the company and set up my own business. Still here in 2022. This is my home.

In my role as a Financial Advisor I have travelled extensively all over NZ, especially the North Island. Over the years I have owned and operated various successful businesses, some which have been sold. My work has helped me to understand the best way to move forward as a team.

I am passionate about education and wish to make sure every child at our school can reach their highest possible standard in educational achievement. I wish to ensure that every child can deliver extraordinary results. I will bring my own unique set of skills and experiences to the board. As it doesn't matter how many resources you have if you don't use them properly it will never be enough. I sincerely believe anything is possible with a positive mental attitude.

I will work to ensure the success of our school and a bright future for our children. We need an education system where all children are expected to succeed and one where we all take shared responsibility in ensuring this happens. As a current member of a school board I believe I can make things happen - and can make a difference.

Thank you for taking the time to reconsider me as your representative, it is a privilege and pleasure to serve on the board.

Nga mihi nui

Mr Myles Fothergill

I am a local family man and business owner of Q-West Boat Builders based in Whanganui. I have also been involved in various governance roles over the past 12 years across various business sectors, I am particularly passionate about education and supporting youth into meaningful employment through trade training.

I previously served on the Brunswick School Board of Trustees for two consecutive terms, with three of those years as Chairman.

I currently have a daughter in Year 11 at Whanganui High School, a granddaughter in Year 9 and another daughter due to start in 18 months’ time.

I am also currently Chairman of Whanganui District Council’s economic development agency, Whanganui and Partners (W&P), responsible for growing the district’s economy. A large component of W&P’s role is in the education space which gives me good insight into what needs doing in the future.

As a trustee on the Whanganui High School Board of Trustees my aim is to add value to what I believe is one of the best schools in our region. I bring considerable experience to the table, particularly around sound governance, leadership and career futures, particularly in trades.

Claire Lilley

Hi, my name is Claire Lilley. Let me tell you a little about myself.

I am a working mum of 3, with all that that entails – perpetual taxi driver, snack provider, and general butler - I am never more grateful to live in Whanganui than when I have to get three, differently interested children to their various clubs, sports, and social engagements each day! We emigrated to Whanganui from the UK around 7 years ago to give our children the experience of a different lifestyle and culture and to push us out of our comfort zone. We planned for it to be just a year but the sunshine, the people, and the landscape of New Zealand had us trapped. Moving across the other side of the world was always going to be tough but we have had amazing experiences and made such wonderful friends, this is now our home.

My working background is over 20 years in arboriculture, with experience in the private sector before moving into Local Authority as a Tree Officer in England, and continuing here with Whanganui District Council. I manage the trees that we have here in Whanganui and have responsibility for the cemetery service as well as lots of other parks related work. It’s safe to say that people either love or hate trees and I often choose an imaginary job when asked what I do, to avoid the inevitable tree conversation!

I have previously been a School Governor in the UK, for a primary school and only left that role when we moved here. I enjoyed the varied nature of the discussion and the experience it provided. I felt more connected to the school and the decisions that were made and I would like to be a voice contributing to those issues. I currently have two daughters at Whanganui High School, who are, of course, mortified by this nomination but I don’t have to work too hard to embarrass them so at least in this instance, I would be contributing to the community .

Yvette Moorhouse

Kia ora, my name is Yvette Moorhouse. I am married to Grant, and we have two children; Jakob (20, who attended Whanganui High School, with being the Head of Sport in his final year) and Chelsea, a Year 11 student who is currently attending Whanganui High School.

I have been in the education field for 28 years, with the last 6 years having the honour of being the Principal of Fordell School. I bring a positive attitude with experience in education, leadership, Boards, and a recognition for how important the role a school plays in guiding and supporting our children into their future. I believe a large part of our children being successful learners and citizens is quality education with a recognition of what each student excels/shines in; the partnership between home, school and the student being a key component. I am keen to help build on the many successes and opportunities that Whanganui High School is known for and for it to continue developing and improving into the future.

Martin McAllen
Principal

Welcome to Whanganui High School.

Whanganui High School is a leading co-educational secondary school. We have nearly 1500 students (including International students); over 100 specialist teachers and more than 50 support and administration staff.

The choice of secondary school for your daughter or son needs to be a carefully considered decision. Whanganui High School is an outstanding school, with nationally significant points of difference across all academic, cultural, sporting, and service to the community areas.

In addition, our school values of LIFE (Learning, Integrity, Fellowship, Excellence) constantly underpin the balanced and caring education we offer to all of our students.

Students at Whanganui High School enjoy all the advantages associated with attending a large well-functioning secondary school – a diverse range of educational opportunities; access to our dedicated and well-qualified teachers; a fully inclusive and welcoming learning environment – as well as benefitting from the personalised learning that occurs across the entire school.

Please feel very welcome to visit our school and meet with me at any time.

Mr Jos Berkhout

"When you’re called for, you step up," is pretty much the motto my parents instilled in us as kids. This has led me to serve for my student union, university and school boards, a football and a pony club board and currently as a member of a trust that runs the Dutch museum in Foxton.

During my career, which started in 1986, I have been a teacher, Head of Department, Team Leader (as part of SLT), Dean and TIC. In these capacities I have assembled many skills and plenty of experience in how to help a school community be the best they can be.

I seem to be someone who loves meetings and enjoys the process of making decisions. I hate wasting time and even more…to have my time wasted by others. Having said that, during meetings I always ask questions and speak my mind and I am sure there are people who think: "oh no, please…"

I will do my best to represent the staff in a way that they feel heard, respected and cared about. You may not always get what you want or how you want things done, but I promise to take you and your points seriously and if needed take them to the Board and have them addressed.

Nga mihi

Jos Berkhout

Carol Molan

I have been employed at Whanganui High School since September 2017 in the roles of Executive Assistant to the Principal and Board Secretary. These roles provide plenty of variety and challenges every day, and make for a very interesting and enjoyable job.

Dale Morpeth

I have held the position of Bursar at Whanganui High School since December 2021 having previously undertaken a finance support role at the school for the past 11 years.

I am responsible for the financial management of the school, along with payroll management, overall responsibility for the school’s support staff and oversight of the Property Department.

The Board has recently formed a Finance Sub-Committee, and I attend Board meetings in a support role, to present monthly financial reports.

I hold a 'NZ Diploma in Business' qualification. My interests include supporting my family and their sporting pursuits, undertaking DIY projects and exploring new places with our caravan.