SFDS
School BoardBoard of Trustees
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| Peter Chew | Presiding Member (Chairperson) Proprietor's Representative |
bot.chair@sfds.school.nz |
| Aaron Withers Father Biju Xavier |
Proprietor's Representative Proprietor's Representative |
|
| Andrew McPhee Raulle Paolo Sol Cruz Lydia Wadsworth Mary Direen Deanna Mallon |
Parent Representative Parent Representative Parent Representative Parent Representative Parent Representative |
|
| Nikolai Solia | Principal | principal@sfds.school.nz |
| Sarah Fountain | Staff Representative | sarah.fountain@sfds.school.nz |
BOT member profiles
I moved to Wellington with my wife, Andrea (a Finance Manager) in 2010, following ten years working in London. Since then, we have had three children, Sammy, Thalia and Benny. After four years getting to know Wellington, we moved to Island Bay, our favourite Wellington suburb. We are members of the parish community and feel very much at home here. Thalia is in year 5 and Benny is in year 1. My wife has banned me from further supporting the growth of the school roll.
I am a Partner at KPMG New Zealand, having spent more than twenty years advising government agencies and businesses in the UK and New Zealand to drive improved operational efficiency, cost reduction and performance improvement. I am currently leading a number of projects for the Ministry of Education in response to the findings of the Tomorrow's Schools Review
I am accustomed to supporting organisations at a governance level, having advised the Boards of major NZX-listed organisations, as well as charities and smaller private institutions. In the UK, I sat on the Board of a school in St Albans, where I provided a financial lens on the performance of the organisation, reviewed financial accounts and provided advice to the operational leadership on potential improvements. From my significant experience working with Boards and management, I am acutely aware of the importance of the different roles of management and governance, as well as the need for governors not to manage.
I am particularly passionate about a Catholic education, am proud to sit on the Board of Trustees for St Francis de Sales, am proud to be part of a thriving Catholic community and would be pleased to support the success of the school wherever possible.
Deanna Mallon
Kia ora, Ko Deanna Mallon tōku ingoa. Ko Ngāpuhi rāua Ko Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi ōku iwi. I live locally in Island Bay with my husband and four tamariki, and work as a nurse at the local general practice.
Presently three out of my four children attend St Francis de Sales school. This allows me to spend time with my children being involved in school activities and sports, fundraising, pastoral care and our whānau group that support our Māori ākonga. I am currently a member of the Board of Trustees which I have enjoyed for the past 3 years. I hope to continue this role as an advocate for our tamariki and whānau of our school as a parent representative.
Nikolai Solia -Tumuaki/Principal
Kia ora, Talofa Lava
Ko Ngāti Hamoa toku iwi
Ko Safotu raua ko Falealopu ōku hapu
No Ta Whanganui a Tara ahau
Ko Nikolai Solia toku ingoa
It is with great honour to introduce myself as the Tumuaki (Principal) of this beautiful school. St Francis de Sales School holds a special place in my heart as this is the place where my teaching career started. And after 17 years I have finally come home and I look forward to sharing my gifts and talents once more.
Emma, my beautiful partner, and my daughter Clara, and I live in Johnsonville. Family is very important to us and I hope to grow that love of family and belonging here at St Francis de Sales School.
Outside of family, I enjoy playing and watching a range of sports (big fan of the WAH's!) and engaging with community.
He aha te mea nui o te ao?
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata!
What is the most important thing in the world?
It is people, it is people, it is people!
Aaron Withers
Kia ora, I am Aaron Withers. Our family have called Island Bay home for some time but only moved back to Wellington 5 years ago. We currently have 3 children attending SFDS and have been blessed to be part of this school community.
I am one of the Proprietor’s Representative on the Board of Trustees. This role is to ensure the Catholic character of SFDS is maintained and it continues to provide a Catholic education for our leaners while being aware of and sensitive to the diversity of our community.
Thank-you for the opportunity of contributing to the discussion and decision making of the Board of Trustees while ensuring our school’s Catholic character is preserved. I look forward to representing you and continuing to make SFDS a great school.
Mary Direen
Kia ora, I'm Mary and together with my partner Greg Wassell we're proud parents of Tommy Wassell who started at St Francis de Sales in 2022. Our family loves being part of the school community and getting involved in school life wherever we can.
I am a communications and marketing professional, currently working for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. I am passionate about the power of clear, inclusive and timely communication to build trust and connection and am looking forward to serving on the Board.
We have a wonderful school community and I am excited to contribute my skills to ensure our tamariki continue to thrive.
Raulle Paolo Sol Cruz
Since moving from the Philippines in 2011, my family and I have embraced the strong sense of community that makes Wellington unique. Our daughter Portia has been part of St Francis de Sales since 2021, and as parents we are committed to supporting a school environment where children grow in confidence, faith, and learning.
Education has always been a driving passion for me. I am currently completing a doctorate focused on the professional development of the clinical research workforce, building on my experience in both clinical practice and health research. My career has taken me from clinical roles in ICU to leading research activities across the district for Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora. Along the way, I have developed skills in governance, strategic planning, and managing complex projects, while keeping people at the centre of everything I do.
Beyond work, I am dedicated to creating connections and supporting communities. I founded the Pinoy Ballers of Wellington, a basketball club that brings people together through sport, and I serve on the editorial board of Nursing Praxis academic journal. These roles reflect my belief in collaboration and the importance of spaces where people feel supported and valued.
Becoming part of the Board of Trustees is an opportunity to bring together my background and expertise to contribute to St Francis de Sales. I am committed to helping the school continue to thrive as a vibrant, faith-filled environment where every child can flourish.