School Board
Parent Elected Member - Paolo Abarro
"My name is Paolo Abarro. I am a finance and accounting professional with more than a decade of corporate experience. My interest lies in systems, improving processes and procedures and helping people develop. I have a family of three and my son is diagnosed within the autism spectrum. Socially, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, doing barbeques and organising a general get together. I enjoy playing basketball and mountain biking".
Parent Elected Member - Jason Nand
Jason joined the board in August 2020 to fill a vacated position. He is a native of Fiji and moved with his parents to Auckland in 1996. He graduated from Mt Roskill Grammar School in 1988 and attended AMES Information Technology Academy and began his initial journey into the Cyber Security field in 2003. Jason has worked with various NZ based Government projects across technology and currently is the Territory Manager - NZ & Oceania with Check Point Software Technologies. Jason is married to Josephine and they have 2 children. Their son has been diagnosed with autism and is in his first year at Arohanui School.
"As a believer in "in scientia fortitudo" (In knowledge lies strength) I want to do what I can to help Arohanui Special School to serve our community and do what is best for our children to educate them and prepare them for productive and meaningful lives ahead".
Parent Elected and Presiding Member - Fuimaono Semi Asafo (Semi)
"My name is Fuimaono Semi Asafo and I am the Business Operations Manager for a Trust in South Auckland. I have experience in the philanthropic sector, education and legal fields, having practised law in West Auckland for a number of years.
My wife and I have six children, two of whom have been diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. You are most likely to find us on the sidelines at Glenora Rugby League Club, Trusts Stadium or the local pools cheering our children on."
Staff Elected Member - vacant position
Parent Elected Member - Catherine (Cate) Mitchell
"My name is Catherine Mitchell. I am a full time parent to two lovely children aged 14 and 15 years, one of whom has special needs. In addition to being a parent, I am undertaking my Masters in Law part time at the University of Auckland. I am scheduled to complete this in 2022. The focus of my Masters has been disability rights, a subject that I am quite passionate about. Prior to becoming a full time parent, I was a taxation and litigation Solicitor."
Parent Elected Member - Katherine (Kate) Bennett
"I feel very strongly about advocating for change, understanding and inclusion for all in our community. Having a child of my own at an Arohanui satellite class, I want to assist in continuing to build upon Arohanui reputation and strategic planning for the future."
Co-Opted Board Member - Tui Pomare
Principal - Shaki Padayatchi
Board Secretary - Nicole Upham
The board meets on a Wednesday evening at 6pm. The 2024 dates are:
20 March
22 May
19 June
14 August
11 September
6 November
4 December