Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees wish to extend a warm welcome to all new pupils and their families to Mt Roskill Primary School. We offer a secure, stimulating, safe and happy learning environment for our children. Mt Roskill Primary School produces successful young achievers every year, which we are very proud of, and we owe a lot to our dedicated staff. We endeavour to create a stimulating learning environment and the strategic plan that is developed in consultation with the staff directs us in developing Active, Engaged, Successful Learners.
The Board, Principal and Staff want to work together with you collaboratively in the development of our children and our school. Mt Roskill Primary School offers a wide range of extracurricular activities along with the core subjects to produce well rounded successful children. You are very welcome to attend our monthly Board meetings which are advertised in the fortnightly school newsletter and we want to know your hopes and aspirations for your children so we can help achieve these goals collectively.
Our Board of Trustees currently consists of six members;
Nerys Major – Current Chairperson & Parent Representative
Paul Booth – Parent Representative
Rachel Brennan – Parent Representative
Nishad Parkar – Parent Representative
Naadira Hassen de Medeiros – Parent Representative
Charissa Towers – Staff Trustee
Mike O’Reilly – Principal
I would like to extend our best wishes to you and trust that by all working together we achieve the best for our children.
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Nerys Major
Chairperson & Parent Representative
Kia ora Mt Roskill Primary whānau, My name is Nerys, and I’m excited to put my hand up again for the Board of Trustees. I have two children currently at Mt Roskill Primary, in Years 5 and 6, and over the years, four of my other children have also attended this fantastic school. I’m currently the Board Chairperson and have loved working alongside our teachers, staff, and school families to support our tamariki. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of this community and want to continue giving back. Children have always been my passion, not just at home but in my professional life as well. I used to work at Mt Roskill Early Childhood Centre and am now a Year 1 teacher at Three Kings School. Through all these experiences, I’ve seen firsthand just how important it is to put children front and centre, whether it’s supporting their learning at home, helping them grow in the classroom, or making decisions on the Board. I believe all children should feel valued, included, and supported to reach their potential.
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I bring strong communication skills—I’m always happy to listen, chat, and share ideas with other parents. I enjoy working as part of a team to solve problems and drive initiatives that benefit our school. I also understand how the curriculum works and what helps children to succeed at every stage. If I’m re-elected, I’ll keep focusing on making Mt Roskill Primary a safe, welcoming place where all our children can thrive. I’ll work hard to ensure your voices are heard and that we continue to aim high for every single student. Thank you for considering me for another term on the Board. I care deeply about our school, and I would love to continue working together to make it the best it can be for all our children.
Paul Booth
Parent Representative
My family has been an integral part of the Mt Roskill community for the past 32 years. My wife, Debbie, and I are proud parents of three adult children, all of whom benefited from the strong start provided by Mt Roskill Primary, Intermediate, and Grammar School. I have had the privilege of serving four terms as a Board member at Mt Roskill Primary School. During this time, the Board has actively supported school management through various essential building upgrades and significant curriculum changes, always striving to achieve a better, more dynamic learning environment for both our students and dedicated staff. My Board experience has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the school’s operations, challenges, and opportunities.
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I believe that it is essential for our children to be given every opportunity to learn and achieve in a safe, nurturing environment, supported by the best teachers and resources possible. Mt Roskill Primary School is, in my view, a wonderful institution for developing our children into positive, rounded individuals who are eager to learn and thrive. Professionally, I am a fleet operations specialist with significant experience in sustainability management, finance, procurement, and governance across the retail and transport industries. These professional competencies are transferable and valuable to the strategic oversight and financial stewardship required of an effective school board member. I consider Mt Roskill Primary School to be a valuable and central part of our diverse community. I am pleased to offer my time, experience, and continued dedication to the benefit of the school and the wider community. I am committed to supporting the school leadership in delivering the best possible learning outcomes for all our children.
Rachel Brennan
Parent Representative
Fakaalofa lahi atu, Kia ora koutou, My name is Rachel Brennan, and I’m a proud parent of two children – one at Mt Roskill Primary and the other at Mt Roskill Intermediate. I’m also a former student of Mt Roskill Primary, and it’s special to see my children walking in the same halls I once did. Over the years, I’ve seen this school through a few different lenses – first as a student, then as a parent, and now as someone passionate about education and helping our children thrive.
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I’m in my third year of studying toward a Bachelor of Education (Primary), working closely with families to support attendance and engagement. Through this work, I’ve seen how important it is for schools, whānau, and communities to come together to support our children and ensure they feel seen, included, and proud of who they are. Outside of study and work, I’m also involved with the Marist Rugby League Club, helping support the mini-mod teams and the U12s. This includes assisting in organising family days, muster days, and prize givings – another way I stay connected to our local kids and families.
I am putting my hand up for the board because I care deeply about our community and school. I want to be a voice for our families – someone who listens, speaks up, and brings honesty, heart and high expectation expectations into every conversation. I’m committed to ensuring Mt Roskill Primary remains where all learners are valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Fakaaue lahi, ngā mihi nui
Nishad Parkar
Parent Representative
Kia ora koutou,
My name is Nishad Parkar, and I am a proud parent of two wonderful children at Mt Roskill Primary School, who love coming to school each day. I am standing for election to the school board because I believe in the power of community involvement in education. Having lived in Mt Roskill for several years, I feel it’s time for me to give back by actively contributing to the success and wellbeing of our school.
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I am a pharmacist with a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences and have spent much of my career working at the intersection of science, education, and innovation. My experience spans building strong partnerships between academia and industry, teaching undergraduate pharmacy students, and as a medical communication specialist for pharmaceutical clients. I currently work as a Partnerships and Innovation Manager at UniServices, where I lead the drug development portfolio and help researchers at the University of Auckland translate their work into real-world impact. This role has equipped me with valuable skills in strategic planning, governance, leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement, all of which I believe are highly relevant to school board responsibilities. As a parent, I am passionate about fostering an environment where all children feel supported to grow, learn, and thrive. I value the inclusive and nurturing culture at Mt Roskill Primary School, and I am committed to supporting the principal, staff, and wider school community to build on this strong foundation. I am especially interested in strengthening community connections, promoting student wellbeing, and helping ensure the school continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of learners and families. If elected, I will bring an open-minded, collaborative approach to the board and work constructively with others to make thoughtful, student-centred decisions. I would welcome the opportunity to contribute to the school’s strategic direction and to support initiatives that enhance learning outcomes and promote a positive, inclusive, and safe environment for all. Thank you for considering my nomination. I am grateful for the opportunity to give back and support our Tamariki, staff, and whānau.
Ngā mihi nui
Naadira Hassen de Medeiros Parent Representative
My name is Naadira and I have two tamariki that attend Mount Roskill Primary, in Year 6 and Year 2. I was born in a little town in Johannesburg, South Africa and moved to Aotearoa in 1998 with my family as a teenager. I attended Mt Roskill Grammar School and The University of Auckland. I completed a Master of Public Health, a Bachelors of Health Science and Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science. I am currently the Senior Policy Analyst for Safekids Aotearoa, the national injury prevention service of Starship Child Health. In my role I am a member of the Joint Australia and NZ Standards committees for Child Restraints (car seats) and the Safety of Toys.
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I also work with other organisations like Drowning Prevention Auckland, Auckland Transport and the Ministry of Business to help keep tamariki safe on the roads, on water and while playing. I am a strong advocate for tamariki and whānau wellbeing that is holistic. I’ve worked in health research, as a heart health advocate for the Heart Foundation, and for the South Auckland Social Wellbeing Board so bring knowledge of good nutrition, and cross-sector ways of working that place whānau and tamariki at the centre of all decisions.
I would love the opportunity to represent the families of Mt Roskill Primary on the BOT. I want to contribute to the efforts that the BOT is already making to see our tamariki, teachers and community thrive and to help bring in new opportunities for learning and growth.
