Introducing The Board

Principal

Dominic Killalea I was appointed as Deputy Principal at the end of 2005 and as Principal in 2017. I have worked in this school for nearly 20 years and I am passionate about our school’s identity and place in the heart of Wellington and I want our students to be a part of creative, collaborative and active communities. Our rich 139 year history has had us at the forefront of best educational practice over and over with our students at the core. We recognise that the individual has their own measure of success and excellence and we work closely with them and their whānau over a range of areas – academic, sporting, cultural, social and personal – to enable them to achieve their goals.

Parent representatives

Antonia Reid (Presiding Member)

Tēnā koutou katoa,

I am really pleased to be joining the Board at Wellington High and to be stepping into the role of presiding member (board chair). I take this responsibility seriously and will do my best to represent the interests of parents, students and the wider school community, to provide thoughtful and inclusive strategic leadership and to help foster an effective governance team.  
 
I currently work as a Policy Director at the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment, and my 20-plus year career as a public servant  has involved participating in a number of governance groups. I also have experience on a Board, as the President of the Wellington Playcentre Association. My husband James and I have two students currently at Wellington High –  Max in year 13 and Lorna is in year 10,  and we live in Berhampore. 
 
I am looking forward to the year ahead. 

 

Lucy Kebbell

Julie Reddish

 

Lars Stannard

David Cooling Tēnā koutou katoa, I am excited be on the WHS Board. I have three children: Xanthe, Peregrine and Allegra. Allegra started her secondary education at Wellington High School in 2022 and Xanthe completed hers in 2021. They have greatly benefited from the supportive, caring and inclusive environment and high standards of teaching that define our School.

Having been actively engaged in school governance since joining the Board of Roseneath School in 2016, I am looking forward to continuing the work of our Board, serving our community, and contributing to the learning and well-being of all our ākonga.

Nicky Birch E rere ana ngā mihi ki ngā tāngata whenua, ki ngā whānau o Te Kura Tuarua o Taraika ki Pukeahu.  

Kia ora, I joined the Board in 2022, as the māngai for our Te Whānau o Taraika, and have tamariki in year 13.  Previously I have held five education governance roles at a secondary school, an intermediate, a kura and two kōhanga reo of our tamariki.  For the previous 30 years I have worked in the area of Māori strategic communications and engagement, with both the public sector, iwi and kaupapa Māori entities. I look forward to working closely with whānau and the Board for the benefit of our rangatahi, kura and whānau.

Marama Steele Ko Hikurangi te maunga. Ko Waiapu te awa. Ko Ngati Porou te iwi. I am honoured to join the board in 2025, representing Te Whānau a Taraika. Two of my daughters attend WHS – they are currently in year 13 and year 10, and I am alumna myself, having graduated in 1996. I have worked in Māori affairs policy and consultancy since 2003, providing advisory services and assistance with strategic planning, project management, policy review, recruitment and stakeholder relationships, with a particular focus on incorporating a Māori perspective. I am committed to advocating for rangatahi Māori and their whānau here at WHS, and supporting our collective connection and success. I have a Bachelor of Arts (Anthropology and Art History) from Victoria University, Wellington.

Staff Representative

Sue Kemp

Student Representative

Isobel Butler