Board of Trustees

Charlotte Alford - Presiding Member

1. Why I serve - What motivated you to join the School Board? What do you hope to contribute?
Whānau and community are at the heart of our kura. Serving on the School Board is a meaningful way to live out the gospel values that underpin our children’s education and to give back to the community that supports them. Working in education myself, I hope to contribute my experience, knowledge, and practical skills to help strengthen our school. My goal is to support positive outcomes for all ākonga and ensure our kura continues to be a place where every child feels valued, connected, and able to thrive.

2. What I Value About St Mary’s School 
I love the diversity of our community and the way we come together to support one another. We are blessed with ākonga, staff, and whānau who are all striving for the same thing — to create a caring, faith-filled environment where every child can grow, learn, and flourish. Our shared commitment and unity make our kura a truly special place.

3. Skills & Strengths I Bring 
I have worked in Early Childhood Education for over 20 years both in teaching and leadership roles. I have recently completed a Certificate in Christian Studies (Religious Education).

4. My Hopes & Vision for the School 
To live the school values of Manawanui, Whakaute and Whakamana.

5. A Little About Me 
I am married and have one child at St Mary's School in year 4, and two older stepchildren. My husband and I have an Arborculture business and I work at the Marlborough Kindergarten Association. I love to read, walk the Wither hills, partake in a Marlborough Chardonnay and as a family we enjoy camping.

6. Favourite thing about our school: 
Our community 

7. A quote or saying you try to live by:
He waka eke noa - we are all in this together

8. A fun fact about you: 
Before having my daughter, I never missed an opening day of duck shooting season!

Richard Vercoe - Proprietor Representative 

1. Why I serve - What motivated you to join the School Board? What do you hope to contribute?
I was tapped on the shoulder some years ago when my children were at the school and asked to hell out. I hope that my experience is helpful to the Board. 

2. What I Value About St Mary’s School 
While the School is over 150 years old it remains a vibrant part of our community. Every new group of students and teachers add to our story and grow the legacy.

3. Skills & Strengths I Bring 
I have been lucky to have been on the Board with many talented and hardworking people in my time and so I try to share what I have learned from them.

4. My Hopes & Vision for the School 
For the School to continue to be trusted by parents for their children’s education. I want it to continue to be a key part of the local community.

5. A Little About Me 
My wife and I have two adult children and we are lucky to have them both living here in Blenheim. Outside of Family and Work time I enjoy playing and watching sport, particularly football.

6. Favourite thing about our school: 
The achievements of our staff and children. 

7. A fun fact about you: 
I have played cricket in the same team as a Black Cap, rugby in the same team as an All Black, and football in the same team as an All White.

Louise Lee - Teacher Representative

1. Why I serve - What motivated you to join the School Board? What do you hope to contribute?
As a board member, my primary motivation is to empower and support our dedicated parent community in achieving their aspirations for our ākonga (students) and our kura (school). I hope to foster an environment where every child feels valued and successful, enabling them to confidently tackle new challenges and reach their full potential.

2. What I Value About St Mary’s School 
I deeply appreciate and love our school's uniquae Catholic character. It is a strength that is frequently noted and admired by visiting educators from other schools who come to share our practices, highlighting the warm, values-driven environment we provide.

3. Skills & Strengths I Bring 
I am passionate about helping all individuals achieve, aspire, and grow. My approach centers on positive reinforcement, acknowledging existing strengths, and building upon them. I believe this method cultivates a continuous sense of success, allowing students to tackle more challenging areas with confidence. Through this positive, strength-based approach, I achieve high academic outcomes and strong social skills.

4. My Hopes & Vision for the School 
My key aspiration for St Mary’s is to deeply embed and truly live our core values: Whakaute, Manawanui, and Whakamana. Living these values enables us to continue celebrating the diverse cultures within our school community through the guiding light of Christ.

5. A Little About Me 
I come from a wonderful whānau — my Mum and Dad live in Hawke’s Bay and gave me a great start in life. At university I met my amazing husband, Dave, and together we have three incredible children: Georgia, Samuel, and Isabella.

Outside of work, I love all things food — eating it, cooking it, and especially sharing it with whānau and friends.

6. Favourite thing about our school: 
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata — it is the people, it is the people, it is the people.

7. A quote or saying you try to live by:
He taonga te tamaiti, he taonga te oranga. — A child is a treasure.

8. A fun fact about you: 
My favourite colour is green.

Vili Kaufusi Fili - Parental representative (Pacific Islanders) 

1. Why I serve - What motivated you to join the School Board? What do you hope to contribute?
St Mary's School and the community is a multicultural community and I am really positive to be part of presenting culture in different ways.

2. What I Value About St Mary’s School 
I am a catholic and I know St Mary's school can help me teaching my kids about our catholic religion such as a good foundation for them in the future.

3. Skills & Strengths I Bring 
I am one of a supervisor at WW Marlborough for almost four years now.

4. My Hopes & Vision for the School 
I hope that saint Mary school can be the enjoyable and having the best atmosphere for the student when they start up the foundation for their future in different area such as the spiritual, well-being and culture as well. 

5. A Little About Me 
I am 36 years old and my wife is Lute Fili 
We have 4 beautiful daughters who are Fakaola Fili (RIP), Hola, Saane and Miracle.
I love playing any instrument such as guitar at the church every Saturday mass. 

6. Favourite thing about our school: 
St Mary's school is a Christian school

7. A quote or saying you try to live by:
Don't Give up, one step at a time.

8. A fun fact about you: 
if You do not understand please slow down a bit or give them a big smile on your face.

Jana Roberts - Health & Safety Representative

1. Why I serve - What motivated you to join the School Board? What do you hope to contribute?
I work in education and care about the future for my children and others in Aotearoa. 

2. What I Value About St Mary’s School 
I love how it is a small school that focuses on morals that align with the Gospel and is underpinning the values with Te Ao Maori. 

3. Skills & Strengths I Bring 
I have been an ECE teacher for 11 years so I bring knowledge from this to my role. 

4. My Hopes & Vision for the School 
That the kapa haka group will continue to grow and flourish for many years. Children will be more familiar with the history of Aotearoa and will keep Te Reo Maori alive.

5. A Little About Me 
I have been married for 19 years, we have two children and a dog. We moved here 4 years ago from Christchurch to be closer to my parents who live here. 
I love playing netball, reading books and spending time with family.

6. Favourite thing about our school: 
The committed teachers who care about the children.

7. A quote or saying you try to live by:
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 

8. A fun fact about you: 
I can speak Japanese.

Samantha Brice - Disciplinary Committee 

1. Why I serve - What motivated you to join the School Board? What do you hope to contribute?
I joined the School Board because I genuinely care about our kids, our community, and the quality of education they receive.

2. What I Value About St Mary’s School 
How everyone just looks out for each other. The kids are full of personality, the staff really care, and the whole community has such a positive vibe. It’s a place that feels supportive and genuine.

3. Skills & Strengths I Bring 
 I’m all about encouraging positive changes, backing the staff, and making sure students have what they need to thrive.

4. My Hopes & Vision for the School 
I aspire the school to keep being a place where every student feels supported, included, and confident to be their best.

5. A Little About Me 
I am a mum of 2 girls one that is in year 2 and another that will be starting next August. I own a hair salon in Marlborough. I love being out on the boat fishing. Drinking bubbles and gin and spending time with my family. 

6. Favourite thing about our school: 
My favourite thing is how my daughter feels happy and supported every day at St Mary’s really feels like a community.

7. A fun fact about you: 
I love makeup and making people feel amazing doing their hair it’s my happy place