Board and governance

We are extremely lucky to have a group of dedicated professionals and parents supporting the school. They all give their time so generously and continue to help us to implement our vision for the school.

Bruce McIntyre

Trustee, Chair

After a year at university and disillusioned with conventional education, I decided to start my own business. Macpac grew to be a substantial and successful business, employing up to 250 people. We cared a lot about environment, product performance and an open, friendly, egalitarian culture. The original vision for Seven Oaks grew out of that inspiring environment.I bring 50 years of innovation, leadership and a wide range of business experience to my role on the Board.

I have 4 children and 7 grandchildren. My youngest son was a foundation student when Seven Oaks opened in 2009.

Kane Bunting

Parent, Campus

Returning from the UK in 2007, I switched from working in contract management to a procurement role with City Care. After seven years growing procurement at City Care, I created a residential property management company and now work from home. The work flexibility I now have has given me the opportunity to join the school board.

I am married to Jo and we have three children, Cooper (9), Tait (7) and Miri (5). The school has been a great choice for our family with the tailor-made education for each individual child, holistic curriculum and ethos a match to our parenting style at home.

I look to bring commercial business experience and support to the finance committee.

Mary Rowley

Parent, HR/Processes

I am passionate about providing businesses with bespoke People Solutions from supporting development of you people strategy, to Team and Leadership Development to ensure you are fully enabled to build and lead a successful, thriving and positive business. I am an experienced consultant and facilitator with a passion for enabling businesses to grow and a knack for thinking outside the box and providing strategic people advice to businesses.

My son Noah joined Seven Oaks this year and I am excites to be able to support the school to develop and grow so that it can continue to support children to develop their sense of self.

Bridget Edwards

Parent, Treasurer

I have been a qualified Chartered Accountant since 2007. I have worked in a variety of different sectors, including an accounting firm, a large registered charity and CFO for our own high growth business. At the start of 2020, I finished working in the family business to focus on our family. This has given me time to help at Seven Oaks. I am excited about being on the Board of Seven Oaks School. I use my accounting knowledge and business experience to help with treasurer duties and advice.

Kurt Janssen and I are parents to Theo and Harvey. Our boys absolutely love Seven Oaks as it allows them to develop at their own pace in a peaceful, caring, and supportive environment. The school has given them a positive disposition towards learning and they are moving ahead in leaps and bounds.”

Ellie Bell

Parent, Deputy Chair

Originally from the UK I moved to NZ in 2013 to work as an event director for Wellington and Napier venues for Cricket World Cup 2015. During this time I met my now husband Matt and we moved down to Lincoln from Wellington in 2019 before the birth of our second daughter.

My background is working in marketing, communications, and major events both here and in the UK. I decided after having children that I wanted a change of career and I am now a certified life coach who supports women to access their inner wisdom to be the person they want to be for themselves and for the people important to them.

Our eldest daughter Emily started at Seven Oaks at the start of 2022 and our youngest, Phoebe, is at the Seven Oaks Preschool. We chose the school because of the values and principles it stands for and with the work that I do, I think it’s important we teach our children how to be confident in who they are and what they stand for, Seven Oaks seems to be a place that encourages and inspires children to do just this.

I have joined the board as it’s important to me to give back to my community and I want to be able to support the vision of the school to a wider audience so that we can continue to grow.

“Moving her to Seven Oaks was the best decision we have ever made”

Amazing school. My daughter was not coping well with the modern learning environment at her previous primary school. She was... Read more

Meeghan, parent

“Both of our children instantly felt a strong sense of belonging at their new school”

The decision to move our children to Seven Oaks School was based upon the fact that we wanted our children... Read more

Leeane, parent

“We love the wide curriculum”

Seven Oaks School offers the individual approach we were looking for our children and we would highly recommend it. We... Read more

Jo, parent

“Our son thrives when he can learn in a hands-on environment”

Seven Oaks has been a fantastic fit for our family. In particular, the play-based learning philosophy for the new entrants... Read more

Matthew, parent

“All about developing more than just educational outcomes!!!” 

The right school... Small class sizes. Play-based learning is developing our child amazingly well. Key element for me is it's... Read more

Liam, parent

Hear it from our families

“Moving her to Seven Oaks was the best decision we have ever made”

Amazing school. My daughter was not coping well with the modern learning environment at her previous primary school. She was... Read more

Meeghan, parent

“Both of our children instantly felt a strong sense of belonging at their new school”

The decision to move our children to Seven Oaks School was based upon the fact that we wanted our children... Read more

Leeane, parent

“We love the wide curriculum”

Seven Oaks School offers the individual approach we were looking for our children and we would highly recommend it. We... Read more

Jo, parent

“Our son thrives when he can learn in a hands-on environment”

Seven Oaks has been a fantastic fit for our family. In particular, the play-based learning philosophy for the new entrants... Read more

Matthew, parent

“All about developing more than just educational outcomes!!!” 

The right school... Small class sizes. Play-based learning is developing our child amazingly well. Key element for me is it's... Read more

Liam, parent

“Can’t wait to send our youngest next year!”

We are happy we made the choice to send our 5-year-old son (now 6.5) to Seven Oaks. He has been... Read more

Kurt, parent

“Both our children have thrived”

We chose Seven Oaks because of its holistic, child-centred approach to education. In today’s environment of large class sizes, Seven... Read more

Fiona, parent

“His energy can be focused on learning and not worrying”

Seven Oaks School would have been off my radar had it not been recommended by a leading Christchurch businesssoman, whose... Read more

Di, parent

“Our boys look forward to going to school and they are engaged”

We are delighted with our experience at Seven Oaks School. All of the educators, as well as the head of... Read more

Cecily, parent