Board Members

Hi I'm Nikola Webster.  I currently have three children who attend Elmgrove, Annabelle, Fletcher and Hugo, no doubt you would have seen (or heard) us in the playground or walking Argyle St.  I keep myself busy by working part-time as an Accountant at Yardley Lo in Mornington and helping my husband Kurt with the admin of his building business amongst other things. I have a hands on approach to parenting and enjoy playing an active role in my children's busy lives.  I am honoured to be selected as a member of your board of trustees and will work with enthusiasm and commitment to represent the school community going forward. 

nikolaw@elmgrove.school.nz

Hi, I’m Aaron Whitley. My wife, Susie and I have five boys together - Zac, Flynn, Sam, and Jake who attend Taieri College, and Joel who is in Year 3 at Elmgrove School. We seem to be known in Mosgiel as the ‘family with five boys!’ Susie and I both grew up in South Otago and have settled in Mosgiel after being absent for several years for travel and work, to be closer to family.

I currently work as a helicopter pilot and hold the role of Chief Flying Instructor/Training Manager for Helicopters Otago.  Development of standards, training programmes, and compliance with the regulating body are a key part of this role. 

I feel excited and privileged to be elected to the Elmgrove Board of Trustees and I am committed to continuing the great work carried out by previous Board members.

Hi, I’m Jared Campbell, a financial adviser for Dunedin firm Polson Higgs Wealth Management.  I have pretty much always lived in Mosgiel and attended Elmgrove (then Mosgiel West) before heading off to Taieri College and university.

My wife, Anna, and I have two children, Heidi year 3 and Cooper year 1. 

This is my second school Board of Trustees term and I am looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting involved with the running of our fine school.

Hi, I’m Gemma Jenkins. My husband, Chris, and I have two children – Lucy who is in the middles at Elmgrove and Heidi who starts next year. I work as a consultant at an Agri-business company, AbacusBio. As well as working on science projects, I’m involved in strategy development, reporting to the board and represent our company on a national council. I’m a member of the Institute of Directors and have completed their governance development programme and finance essentials course. I believe that in Elmgrove we have a great school – a hardworking and quality team of teachers, support staff, fundraising committee and engaged school community. It is a privilege to have been elected to the Elmgrove Board of Trustees and I look forward to being involved at the board level and contributing to the school community.

Hi, I'm Marlené Du Toit-Parks. I am the proud mother of three young children (two of whom currently attend Elmgrove School) who keep my husband, Matthew and myself on our toes. Professionally, I am a Registered Children's Nurse with years of experience in Paediatrics, Neonatal and Paediatric Intensive Care areas, Community Care Management (in NZ and abroad) and enjoy my current role supporting children and families living with Congenital Heart Defects in Otago. 

It is a priviledge to have been elected to the Elmgrove School Board of Trustees and I look forward to being involved in decision making processes and governance at Elmgrove - informed by my knowledge, experience and interests in children's health, brain development, emotional wellbeing, health and safety, policy development/review,  education and empowerment of children and families.

I am the current staff representative on the current Board of Trustees. My three children were all lucky enough to attend Elmgrove and I have been a teacher at Elmgrove since 2016. I bring a number of personal strengths and interests to the role such as Maori language and tikanga perspectives but my role is primarily to bring a staff perspective to the Board alongside the parent representatives. It is a privilege to be involved in the decision making processes at a board level and to have a say in the direction we take for the tamariki at Elmgrove School.