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 Myles Guy
Parent Representative

Mr Mark Huang
Parent Representative

Claire Lilley
Parent Representative

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 .

Mr Jason Wright
Parent Representative

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.

Mrs Elaine Hughes
Staff Representative

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.