Our Governance Group

Ally is an experienced educator of over 30 years in schools. She has taught across all levels of primary and have been specialist Director of Gifted and Talented in a large Auckland School. She then specialised in Digital Communication and Technologies, first as a cluster lead and then director of ICT in a full Primary School. Currently Ally is the principal of 12 years at Mulberry Grove School, a small isolated school on Great Barrier Island. Students have been involved with online learning with VLN Primary since 2012. Ally has facilitated and taught online connecting with a small group of rural schools for 2 years. Ally believes, “The ability for our students to connect with others, to share learning and experience the world with few boundaries is significant. Kōtui Ako embodies our school vision by “Opening a World of Possibilities.” 

Brendan’s connection with the VLN began 17 years ago while working at Fiordland College with Otagonet and SILK. Brendan began with teaching Geography online and was the coordinator for distance learning. Then he moved onto Coromandel Area School (Coronet) and then Waihi College (Volcanics). Throughout this time and including now as Principal of Reporoa College Brendan has been a strong advocate for the VLN as being the way for smaller rural secondary schools to compete with their larger urban cousins for curriculum delivery. Brendan believes that the strength of the organisation was demonstrated recently with the COVID-19 pandemic response and has a definite future in the education landscape of New Zealand.

Ruth is both delighted and humbled to have been appointed Chair of the Kotui Ako Virtual Learning Network Aotearoa, and looks forward to meeting with you and serving our outstanding organisation.

“I have a strong educational background, having held teaching, leadership and governance positions in the ECE, primary, secondary and tertiary sectors (public, integrated and private) in both Aotearoa NZ and internationally. I was involved for many years, leading the Te Kauhua national professional learning and development initiative, which sought to raise Māori and Pacific learner achievement outcomes in mainstream schools. Similarly, in Samoa and Vanuatu I worked in a professional learning and development capacity with principals and SLTs to strengthen learner achievement outcomes.

I have been an active researcher for three decades, particularly in the leadership space and translating research into practice for educators. I have undertaken numerous research and evaluation projects for the Ministry of Education and a range of other organisations.

More recently, I was CEO of a NFP charity. I am passionate about social justice and equity and much of my career has been committed to strengthening equitable outcomes for Māori and Pasifika tamariki and rangitahi in both education and health.

I am married with four adult children and eleven beautiful grandchildren. Without the demands of full-time employment, I am an avid mountain biker and skier (snow) and enjoy most outdoor adventures. My recent accomplishment was completing the Tour Aotearoa cycling from Cape Reinga to Bluff in 34 days. A tip spoken from painful experience – ensure you have the best seat on the market!!

I am honoured to serve on the Kotui Ako Board and will endeavour always to serve with integrity and abide by our organisation’s values.”

Keryl is an experienced rural teaching Principal of 22 years, and a founding member of the Rural and Remote Schools Project. She was an early member of the VLN Primary, first at Makuri School, and now at Tapora School, where she is currently Principal. Keryl has a deep love for the rural area, the school communities and students. She enjoys exercising her dogs along the beach, cycling, paddleboarding and skiing when the opportunities arise along with visiting her daughters and granddaughters.

Michael has been a principal for over 13 years, and is currently principal at Dargaville High School. He has been involved with the VLN over the past 5 years, and most recently his board has taken over the responsibility of hosting one of the e-Principals, Amanda King. Michael believes that the principles of Kōtui Ako VLN align with the core values of his school. Building respectful relationships, collaborating and contributing to enable access to wide curriculum opportunities for their students, supports this kaupapa. Michael is positive about the changes he has seen the VLN undertake in the last 12 months and is keen to support the new strategic direction of Kōtui Ako. 

Kia ora,

Ko Otawa tōku maunga

Ko Rapa-rapa-a-hoe tōku awa

Ko Hei tōku marae Ko Waitaha-a-Hei tōku iwi

Ko Te Arawa tōku waka

Nō Te Puke ahau

Ko Mikaere October tōku ingoa

Mikaere has worked in both a large secondary school and smaller community school, which gives him insight into the considerations of different settings. He is passionate about making education equitable and providing learning opportunities for ākonga through both curriculum and extra-curricular activities.