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 over 16 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 136 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 & Community Trustees
David Cooling (Chair) Tēnā koutou katoa, I am excited be on the WHS Board, elected to the role of Presiding Member (Chair) in August 2022. I have three children: Xanthe, Peregrine and Allegra. Allegra started her secondary education at Wellington High School this year 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.
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 this year – 2022, as the māngai for our Te Whānau o Taraika, and have two tamariki in year 10. 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.
Evžen Novak I have been a parent at Wellington High School for over 5 years and am really interested in helping every student achieve the most they can at a fantastic school. Specialist skills I bring to the Board are prior experience of school governance and a specialist knowledge of buildings and facilities. I am very pleased to help design the school’s future pathway and be contributing to the school, its students and its community.
Nick Tramandounas I was born and bred in Wellington.Attended Wellington College and studied at Otago. Returned to Wellington and have worked as a Dental Surgeon in Miramar for the last 40 years. Have involved in various school committees over the years. My belief is that we parents, must involve ourselves in our children’s education to see them succeed.
Staff Trustee
Hannah Paton-Smith Kia ora all! My name is Hannah Paton-Smith (they/them) and I am the new staff representative for the board of trustees, as well as the teacher in charge of Classical Studies, and Year 9 Dean. In my 13 years here at WHS I have been a teacher aide, a reliever, a PCT, a classroom teacher, a TIC, PPTA branch chair, and now a Dean. I have worked across four learning areas and faculties. Due to this extensive experience as a part of the WHS staff, I feel like I understand the needs of the diverse areas within our school community, and hope to be able to represent these on our Board.