Kia ora,

I was elected to the board in 2019 and am employed as Corporate Agribusiness Manager at the BNZ. I am married to Megan who is an alumni of Southland Girls High School. We have three children – Amelia who graduated from SGHS in 2019, Paige who graduated SGHS in 2022 and a son Max who attended Southland Boys’ High School.

I am a strong advocate for our students to receive the very best education possible: to be actively engaged in a school environment that both motivates and inspires them to be the very best they can be. To ensure they have full access to the school curriculum: academic, sporting, arts and culture and relevant life skills.

Southland Girls’ High School provides an excellent education for its students and produces confident, well rounded young women ready to take on the world.

The challenge in today’s world is delivering a high level of education consistently. That takes a considerable amount of effort by teachers, support staff and other stakeholders with the support and leadership of a strong BOT.

Kia Ora,

I first was elected to the board in 2019 and am currently serving my second term.  I work as a Community Partnership Leader for the Southland District Council – a role that takes me all over Southland.

My husband and I live in Otautau and we have two children – our daughter finished at SGHS in 2023 and our son is in year 11 at SBHS.

I’ve enjoyed my time to date as a parent representative on the Southland Girls’ High School Board of Trustees, where the focus is very much on developing an inclusive learning environment, where our girls have every opportunity to achieve their goals and grow into fantastic women of the future.

Kia ora tātou. I’m Liz Henry, a parent representative on the SGHS Board of Trustees.

In my day job, I am a solicitor and the sole director of Mee & Henry Law Limited.

Along with the key responsibilities of setting the strategic direction of the school and developing a long-term plan; monitoring and evaluating student learning outcomes and ensuring continuous improvement; managing the school’s financial resources, ensuring the efficient use of funds; and supporting open communication with the parents, staff and the wider community, I believe in the potential of every student and strive to ensure SGHS is a positive learning environment that is inclusive, supportive and challenging.

I am passionate about fostering student success and well-being and working collaboratively with the school leadership, staff, and wider school community to achieve this shared vision.
Kia kaha te waka, e whānau. Tena koutou katoa ki te whānau o SGHS.
(May the canoe go strong, family. Greetings to all the families of SGHS, a reminder of the collective journey of the school community, and the importance of whānau in the school’s success).

My name is Michelle Mitchell, and together with my husband Glen, we farm our Sheep and Beef farm at Lumsden. I am a trained teacher, and am still very active in our local schools, teaching on a regular basis. We have three children – Fynn who is in his first year at Lincoln University; and Maisie and Tilly who are both at Southland Girls; boarding at Enwood House.

Today’s students are tomorrow’s future, and it is paramount that every student at SGHS receives the best education possible. It is a challenging world we live in, and we must equip our students with all the skills they need to succeed in it!

It is an honour and a privilege to represent the parent community. I am very committed to supporting both staff and students in the development of our tamariki, ensuring they become strong, confident young people; keen and eager to learn, and ready to face an ever-changing world.

I joined the SGHS Board in 2023.  I manage my own business that actively supports the growth and resilience of Southland businesses. Prior to this, I served as an Engineer in the Royal New Zealand Navy and held senior leadership roles at both Tiwai and Invercargill Airport.

My wife and I have a lifestyle block just outside of Invercargill, and we are proud parents of two children. Our daughter, Sara, is a 4th Generation Red Shoes girl currently in Year 9, while our son, Cooper, attends Makarewa School.

As an experienced board member, I bring extensive governance expertise and a diverse skill set to advance the vision, goals, and strategies of Southland Girls’ High School. I am committed to fostering an inclusive and forward-thinking environment that empowers not only the school but, most importantly, the students to thrive.