Board of Trustees

MICHAEL LAWRENCE

Chairman

CRAIG HART

• PNBHS and College House Old Boy 1965-1969
• Two sons are recent  Old Boys
• Trustee and Supervisor of the College House Parents’ Education Trust
• Partner of a  Manawatu Law Firm

As the past Board Chairman, I have had almost daily contact with the Rector, Tim O’Connor. Tim and  I have developed a happy, easy relationship together and  I have  been able to support him and  his  staff promptly on any matter; be it staff related, financial, disciplinary, property, or  in the school’s constant communication with the  Ministry of Education.

ROLF LEENARDS

I have many fond memories of PNBHS whilst a student in the 70’s. I was  certainly not  the ‘perfect’ student, but  can say with hand  on heart that I did enjoy  my  years there and  managed to be a part of the 1st XV rugby for a couple  of  years as well as the 1st XI Cricket and basketball. From the school, I have  travelled for a number  of years and  played top level rugby in England and South Africa, then back to PN where I played Manawatu representative Rugby XV’s and 7’s.  Because life is not all about sport, in 1991 I began construction work in both the residential and commercial arena as a self-employed builder. These days we run a building company as well as property development and property management.  I have been married to Karin for 22 years and have two daughters Tessa(18) and Brigit(16) and  son Jack(14) who is  in Year 10 at PNBHS.
I am proud to be an Old Boy of PNBHS. I am passionate about the school and what it offers. I admire how the standards of the school continue to remain high and the discipline strong especially with all the pressures coming from the outside. Along with many others, I firmly believe in maintaining the traditions and values as a basis for our young men as they grow and develop. I appreciate how the school has always, and continues to, encourage its young men to embrace opportunities and promotes the successes. I believe it is an exciting place to be a part of as it continues to produce outstanding men who are contributing to our communities in many ways.
What I bring to the Board?

• Local knowledge and business experience
• Project Management experience –concept to completion
• Solid decision making
• No-nonsense approach
• Practical with a can-do attitude
• Genuine interest in the school today and in the future
• Close  ties with the school –PNBHS Old Boys Committee member since 2003
• An opportunity for me to give  back to a school that has  given me so much

I would look forward to supporting the Rector and staff of PNBHS. I will listen, ask questions and work hard alongside all the other parents who at the end of the day only want the best for our boys.

GRANT WATTS

• Current PNBHS Board member
• Member  of Property, Finance and Discipline subcommittees

I have appreciated the chance to contribute to the future of PNBHS. I am impressed by the standards and achievements shown by our students in all aspects of school life, including academic, cultural and sporting. I am focused on ensuring continued support from the board for the Rector and his management team to ensure those opportunities continue to be given to all young men at PNBHS.  I would appreciate the opportunity to continue projects that the school has started and see them through to their completion in the coming three years.
I have been married to Shelley for 24 years and have 8 children aged between 8 and 19 years old. We currently have one boy in Year 12 at PNBHS with two more boys in Year 6 and 8 still to join the PNBHS community. After 20 years in sales and marketing I joined the NZ Police in 2007. I am involved with Central Districts Squash and assist with running the SquashGym Academy for High performance athletes.
My oldest son Joseph excelled at PNBHS becoming a prefect in his last year and has gone on to achieve much, due to the leadership skills and opportunities he was offered at PNBHS. I am very keen to ensure these opportunities that Joseph was privileged to have, are offered to all students and that the school does all it can to ensure all students take up these opportunities. I am also keen to look at new initiatives that the school can offer to ensure every young man finds something they can succeed at.
I am a strong believer in the traditions of PNBHS and will work hard to ensure the high standards and clear boundaries are maintained. I am approachable and would be very keen to talk to any parent who has concerns about any aspect of life at PNBHS.

KEVIN BURNETT

Palmerston North Boys’ High School is one of the country’s leading education insitutions for boys. Its culture, ethos and values set it apart from many, and provide a solid foundation for the educational and social development of every young man in the school. PNBHS’s leadership in the New Zealand secondary schools community is based on its traditional approach coupled with a contemporary outlook and good understanding of the future in boys’ education; among other school initiatives PNBHS’ Leadership programme demonstrates this. I fully support the approach that PNBHS takes in the education of our young men and am a strong advocate for the maintenance and enhancement of a well structured rules based environment in which students can excel in academic, sporting and cultural activities.
Having been a senior officer in the New Zealand Army I am an experienced leader and manager. I have considerable practice in the leadership of small and large organisations and am adept at meeting organisational challenges in often complex situations. I have had the opportunity to lead training organisations that focus on the development of a positive culture and strong values as the basis of all skills, knowledge and attitudes. I have also been closely engaged in the development of young leaders. My extensive experience in leadership and management of organisations, along with my understanding of planning, training and education fit well with the responsibilities for governance at, and I will make a positive contribution to, PNBHS.
I am a PNBHS Old Boy (1972-1976) and greatly value the education I received in these formative years. I have three sons who have all attended PNBHS. I have enjoyed witnessing my sons progress in the school’s environment and have been an active participant in student-teacher-parent contract for the development of each son.
I enjoy contributing to the further development of PNBHS as New Zealand’s premier Boys’ School as a member of the School’s Board of Trustees.

Mr Rob Ferreira (Staff Representative)

  Toby Miles (Student Representative)

Mr Tim O'Connor (Rector)

 (Secretary)

Mr David Bovey (Associate Rector)