Executive Committee Members
Barbara Batchelor - Chairperson Barbara Batchelor is an independent Health Educator. She is a past Regional Facilitator for the Student Wellbeing: Mental Health Education professional development contract. She has a special interest in both Mental Health and Sexuality education. Barbara has been on the NZHEA Executive since 2004 and is currently the chair of the NZHEA Executive.
Barbara Ferguson Barbara Ferguson is a senior lecturer in health education and teaching studies at the University of Otago. She was a member of the New Zealand Drug Foundations Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2007. Barbara has special interest in the areas of drug education and mental health education. She is a past chairperson of the NZHEA.
Pip Woodward Pip Woodward was formerly employed by the University of Auckland as the National Coordinator for the Ministry of Education funded contract, 'Whole School Approach to Student Well-being'. She is currently the Deputy Principal at Otumoetai College in the Bay of Plenty and has been on the NZHEA Executive since 2007.
Brad Williamson Brad Williamson is currently the Head of Health Education at Aotea College. After studying at the University of Queensland, he taught in Brisbane, England and since 2004 in New Zealand. Brad is a strong advocate of student-centred learning strategies and has been on the NZHEA Executive since 2008.
brad.williamson@aoteacollege.school.nz
Diane Hobby Diane Hobby was a member of the MOE funded Student Wellbeing - Mental Health Contract Team, at the University of Auckland, Epsom. She has enjoyed working 'at the chalkface' for over 25 years, in both the primary and intermediate school sectors. Diane was welcomed into the NZHEA National Team during the national conference held in September 2009.
Karen Gill Karen Gill is currently teaching at Waiopehu College Levin. She is recently returned to the classroom after six years as an adviser in Health & Physical Education (secondary) and a facilitator on the Student Wellbeing: Mental Health Education professional development contract. Karen is enjoying being back with kids in the classroom and has found the change stimulating and rewarding. She is keen to develop a network for Health Teachers in the Horowhenua/Manawatu region.
Vicki Nicholson Vicki Nicholson is currently the Principal of Port Chalmers Primary School situated on the shores of the Otago Harbour. She has a Masters Degree from the University of Otago in Education - Teaching and Learning. Port Chalmers School is a health promoting school and adapted a model of resiliency across their learning community. Vicki has been actively involved in health education for more than 20 years and has been a lead teacher over this time. Vicki has also been involved in providing professional development workshops for teachers through the NZHEA, organising after school workshops and opportunities for networking across the primary and secondary education sector.
Bernard Butler Bernard Butler is a trained primary teacher who has taught in schools in the Auckland region. Bernard has recently been appointed as Deputy Principal at Te Uku School and is looking forward to this new challenge. His previous position was at The University of Waikato as the Director of the Student Wellbeing Professional Development contract. Bernard lives in Hamilton and enjoys working alongside primary and secondary teachers in the region to promote and support effective teaching and learning in health education.
bernardb@teuku.schoolzone.net.nz
Carol Power Carol Power is currently the Head of Health Education at Te Puke High School. She is passionate about health education and ensuring that it is meaningful for the students at Te Puke High. Her "hands on" experience in the classroom is of great value to the Executive Committee. Carol was also on the organising committee for the 2009 NZHEA Conference held in Tauranga.
Karyn Sheehan - Treasurer/Secretary Karyn Sheehan is married with five children and nine grandchildren! She works full time as school Secretary in a private school in Wellington and loves to spend her spare time with her grandchildren. As an Executive Assistant she has most recently worked for the Senior Field Officer at the NZ Apple and Pear Board, a Solicitor, and the Principal of St Mark's Church School, Wellington. Her vast experience also includes the financial management of various businesses and small companies in the Wellington region
Melissa Fenton - Website/Magazine Coordinator Melissa Fenton is currently a co-opted member of the NZHEA Executive. Her role is to coordinate and maintain the Association website and to edit the online magazine. A former lecturer in secondary health education at the University of Canterbury, Melissa is a passionate health educator with a special interest in the area of sexuality education. Melissa was voted onto the NZHEA Executive in 2006 and will continue her involvement as website coordinator from her home in Adelaide.
Lynne Aldridge - Honorary Life Member Lynne Aldridge has a Masters Degree in Education from the University of Otago as well as Associate and Licenciate diplomas in speech and drama. She has over thirty years of teaching and managerial experience in schools and as a senior lecturer in Health Education at the College of Education University of Otago. Lynne has been involved in the writing of current curriculum documents and facilitates courses in Otago and Southland. She serves on two other Trust Boards. The Operation New Direction Board which facilitates a youth mentoring programme in Dunedin and THeTA, a professional theatre group that promotes and enhances Health Education through the medium of drama in schools throughout New Zealand. As a founding member of the New Zealand Health Educator's Association, Lynne continues to be fully committed to promoting Health Education.
Dr Gillian Tasker - Honorary Life Member Dr Gillian Tasker has been the driving force in health education in New Zealand for the last two decades. She has been instrumental in its development and progression in all aspects. Gillian was the principal health education writer for the 1999 Health and Physical Education Curriculum and has developed numerous high quality health education resources to support curriculum implementation. She is internationally recognised as an expert in her field and was a founding member of the NZHEA. Gillian is currently working as an educational consultant and continues to be a strong advocate for health education in New Zealand.
