Our Board
Harriet McKee – Presiding Member
I have one daughter currently attending St Mary’s Catholic School (and one who has recently moved on to Aquinas College), as my siblings and I did as children. I feel privileged to be a parent representative and the Presiding Member on the School Board.
I have a professional background as a Planner and currently work for a large engineering consultancy in the environment and planning space where I have been for 19+ years, leading our New Zealand team.
I am passionate about St Mary’s Catholic School and ensuring that we continue to foster our solid sense of community through meaningful partnerships between our families, caregivers, and school staff based on the Catholic faith.
Fay Warnock – Principal
It is a deep honour to serve as Principal of St Mary’s. This school holds a special place in my heart, not only as a leader, but as a parent. I am married to George, and our two sons, Will and James, were blessed to complete their primary years at St Mary’s. Experiencing our school community through the eyes of both a parent and an educator has strengthened my commitment to nurturing a place where every child is known, valued and encouraged to flourish.
With more than twenty five years of experience in teaching and leadership, I never lose sight of the privilege it is to walk alongside our tamariki and their whānau each day. I am deeply passionate about ensuring every learner is supported to achieve their personal best. At St Mary’s, we offer a rich and engaging curriculum grounded firmly in our Special Character. I acknowledge the vital role our Board plays in stewarding the governance of our school. Their thoughtful guidance, strategic oversight and commitment to our vision ensure that St Mary’s continues to thrive for current and future generations.
Cathy Bywater-Lutman – Parent Representative
I have sat on the St Mary’s School Board as a parent representative since 2022 and previously served on the board of another school. I currently lead the policy committee and endeavour to keep on top of the policy and legislative changes that form the vast regulatory scheme in which New Zealand schools operate.
As a parent, I feel very lucky that my children have been able to attend St Mary’s. I am honoured to represent the parent body on the Board and to contribute to our beautiful kura katorika.
Terry Consedine – Proprietors Representative
Terry is married to Wendy, has two children and two grandchildren all of whom bring him great joy! He has been involved in teaching secondary students for many years, most recently as Deputy Principal at Aquinas College, a position he retired from a number of years ago. More recently, Terry is currently employed by the Diocese as part of a team-leading Catholic Character Evaluations in schools in the Diocese.
Sr Emeli – Proprietors Representative
St Mary’s Catholic School is one of the many schools founded by the Congregation of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny. As a Cluny Sister for more than 20 years, I find myself blessed to live and work alongside women of great faith, passionate to “Do a Little Good” wherever they are sent as daughters of Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey. Having agreed to be a Board representative for Bishop Stephen Lowe, it is a privilege to work with such a great team to sustain the Catholic Character and school charism, and for all families entrusted to their care at St Mary’s.
Jason Liddall – Parent Representative
I am grateful and humble to be elected as a parent representative on the School Board for the school where my two daughters attend. I am committed to being the most approachable and dependable board member possible to continue the high standard of previous and current members. With my many years in the education sector, I hope to bring a new perspective. As a regular member of the Parish of Saint Thomas Aquinas in town, I am fully involved in the Catholic Community and am looking forward to serving the parents, students and staff of St Mary’s Catholic Primary School. I am also active outside of the classroom, playing American Football for the Tauranga City Tridents. I love to give back to my community and support the growth of our school culture. I look forward to being of service to you all.
Kylie McIntosh – Parent Representative
I am privileged to serve our school community on the St. Mary’s School Board for a second term.
My husband Daniel and I have three children who are attending or have attended St Mary’s. My special connection with our school stems from being employed as a part-time teacher for eight years until the end of 2023 when I became the proud owner of NumberWorks’nWords Tauranga – a tuition business with a mission to make a positive difference to children’s lives.
I love our unique and wonderful school and have built strong relationships within our school community, which I endeavour to strengthen further as a re-elected parent representative on our School Board. I hold a Business Degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Primary Education, and I am passionate about educating the whole person, in a positive environment, and building confidence and success in our tamariki.
Shaun Cooney – Parent Representative
Ko Mauao te Maunga
Ko Tauranga te Moana
Ko Ngāti Ranginui te iwi
Ko Pirirakau te Hapū
Ko Paparoa te Marae
Ko Shaun Cooney tōku ingoa
I feel very blessed to be a parent representative on the School Board.
My wife Laurissa and I have been lucky to have both our sons attend this Kura Katorika and grasp a hold of the taonga (treasures) that have been gifted daily to all our tamariki.
“Kia tū kotahi tātou”
“We stand together”
Sally Washer – Proprietors Representative
My family has had a very long association with St Mary’s School. My husband Peter and our three children, Matthew, Emma and John were all pupils at St Mary’s School.
I have been on the staff of St Mary’s since 1983 and have held various roles during that time including being DRS for sixteen years.
St Mary’s was established by the Cluny Sisters who followed the ancient tradition of Catholic Education having Jesus Christ at the centre of everything. The Cluny Sisters, following their foundress Blessed Anne Marie Javouhey in particular focused on the individual educational needs of each child.
As a member of St Mary’s School Board I will endeavour to continue the mission commenced by the Cluny Sisters where each child is recognized as an unique gift from God and their learning and talents are encouraged and
celebrated.
I am delighted to serve the St Mary’s School community as a trustee of our School Board.
Kelly Schischka – Proprietors Representative
As a former student of St Mary’s Catholic School and now a parent to two children here, St Mary’s is a community that I feel deeply connected to.
With more than 20 years’ professional experience in event management – including working on major sporting events in New Zealand and overseas – and seven years in local government, it is a privilege to be one of the
proprietor representatives and contribute my skills and experience to support a school community that has given to much to me and my own family.
I am especially committed to ensuring that our students, and the school’s unique Catholic character, remain at the heart of every decision.
Louisa Strange – Staff Representative
I have had a long association with St Mary’s School after beginning my educational journey here as a five year old! Over the past two decades I have held various teaching roles within the school and in recent years it has been special to have my own three children alongside me at St Mary’s. I am honoured to represent my colleagues in my role as Staff Representative on the Board and look forward to serving our community.