Governance

Ficino School is owned by the Ficino Educational Trust, established in 1998 and governed by seven appointed trustees. The Board of Trustees meets every month and is primarily responsible for the strategic and financial governance of the school and management of school assets.

As guardians of the school, the Board is committed to ensuring that the unique qualities of the founding charter are maintained and that the pupils and staff have the best possible environment in which to realise their greatest potential.

The Board sets the purpose and policies of the school, including establishing and monitoring the strategic development needed for school growth; and each year agrees the annual plan and objectives in consultation with the Principal for the following year. They receive progress reports throughout the year.

Board sub committees, sometimes with co-opted non-board members, are established from time-to-time to attend to specific projects. Board members can be contacted via the School Manager.

The present trustees are:

Bruce Watson, Chairman

Bruce has held various senior management roles including Managing Director of Kent Heating and Group GM of Hume Industries. For the last 20 years he has been consulting to boards and management on strategy, business development and product development. Bruce has been a member of Rotary for over 15 years, is currently a volunteer Business Mentor and has represented NZ in yachting. He has three adult children and has worked closely with Ficino School since its inception, managing the design and construction projects on the property.

Sue Andreassen

A member of the School of Philosophy for many years, Sue’s son was a student in the inaugural intake for Ficino School back in 1997.  Sue spent a number of years working in administration at an Auckland school, and brings her on-the-job experience to her role on the Board of Trustees.

Her recent retirement has enabled her to step in at Ficino School reception as holiday cover when staff are away.

Rosemary Auld, MA, Dip Ed

Rosemary is a longstanding supporter of Ficino School and the School of Philosophy. Her two daughters were both educated at Ficino School. Rosemary is a qualified primary school teacher and dance teacher and was responsible for the development and teaching of the Ficino School dance curriculum for eleven years. Her qualifications and career history have included town planning and local government administration as well as dance and choreography at a variety of schools. She is currently part owner of a long established Auckland family company.

 Mark Rassie, BE, BCom

Mark has held various management positions within major New Zealand corporates and recently retired from employment with Fletcher Building Limited. His work has focused on manufacturing and he particularly enjoys the organisational change and HR aspects of this. Mark offers mentoring support to small business organisations through Business in the Community and to students through the University of Auckland’s Alumni Careers Network. He enjoys cycling and an active family life.

Anna Winter, MSc (Chem Eng), Dip Bus

Anna is a past parent and highly supportive of Ficino School, and also a member of the School of Philosophy. Her affiliation to Ficino School began in 2003 when her first son started school. She has two sons who both attended 8 years at Ficino and works together with her husband, in the property and marine fields. Her previous work experience was within a leading NZ food industry organisation in project management and research and development. She enjoys running projects and taking a systematic approach to tasks; and also enjoys spending time with family and friends.