The Board
Murray Burton (Board Chair)
I have been the Principal of Elim Christian College for 18 years and prior to that I was Principal of four state schools in various parts of Aotearoa. I serve on the boards of two not-for-profit educational institutions and on the executive of the HPPA. I am passionate regarding strategic ideas to redefine the path to be a high-performing school. It’s an honour to serve the work of SAMs to shape student futures through excellent practices and timeless principles referenced to a strong foundation, a moral compass.
Karen van Gemerden (Proprietors Trustee)
Karen is the CEO of the Villa Education Trust. VET secured the contract for SAMS Partnership School and then oversaw the transition to a Special Character School. I am passionate about education opportunities for all children in NZ and I believe the model we have at SAMS provides opportunities for academic success for all. All children have remarkable potential and the environment we provide at SAMS helps them achieve this.
Hayley Parsons (Staff Trustee)
Hayley was previously on the Villa Education Trust board, has experience serving on many committees in New Zealand and overseas and is currently Chair of two South Auckland Business Association and Community Boards. She has a long association with SAMS being a foundational staff member following an intermediate teaching role in the Manawatu and as inaugural patron of Villa Education Trust. Hayley is passionate about creating connected communities where members can learn, thrive and contribute and feel safe, supported and valued.
Josefina Me Fuimaono-Sapolu (Proprietors Trustee)
Talofa, Kia ora. It is an honour to be serving on the South Auckland Middle School (“SAMS”) Board of Trustees. I am a Trustee appointed by the Villa Education Trust. I also am a Member of the Villa Education Trust Board. I was a Board Member for Middle School West Auckland (“MSWA”), and a former Secretary for both the SAMS and MSWA Boards. I have been a practising lawyer in New Zealand and Samoa, since 2005. Most of my life has been based in Manurewa, South Auckland, which I am proud to call Home. I also took up teacher-aiding at SAMS in 2021 and 2022, and office management at Mt Hobson Middle School in 2020. Being a mother of 2 young Samoan children, and having worked in law and education, I hope to use my expertise to help serve our brilliant SAMS Community to the best of my ability. Ngā mihi / Fa’afetai lava.
Terry Pouono (Parent Trustee)
Terry Pouono and Helen have four children. John, the eldest child, graduated from SAMS in 2022, and Terry currently has two children at SAMS.
He is a lecturer at Laidlaw College, teaching in the School of Theology. Other than his teaching obligations, Terry spends his time doing research. His interests include writing articles for publication in the areas such as the Pacific diaspora church, Pacific theology, education, and health and wellbeing.
Terry is a qualified security guard working for Platform 4 Group security at sports events, mainly at Eden Park. In addition, he volunteers for the Cancer Society collections in the Manurewa area and is also a member of the school board at Roscommon School. Terry hopes to strengthen relationships between the school and the wider SAMS community. Fa’afetai lava!