Board of Trustees (BOT)
Introducing our Board of Trustees 2026
Brook Yates
Presiding Member (BOT Chairman)
I am fairly new to the BOT but have deep roots in the local community, having grown up in the area and now continue to call it home.
As a past pupil of Fernside School, I am grateful for the opportunities that were provided to me through the school. It is with pride that I am seeing my own children (Honor, Arlo and now Owen) as well as several nieces and nephews attend Fernside also.
As a local real estate agent for Bayleys, I have the privilege of interacting with a diverse range of people throughout the community. This experience gives me valuable insights into the community, which I believe are useful at a board level. I am committed to using this knowledge to make informed decisions that benefit the school community.
Being involved in the school board is my way of giving back to the community that has given me so much. With many fond memories of my time at Fernside School, I am passionate about making a positive impact for the current and future generations of students. By doing so, I hope to contribute to a more enriching and fulfilling school experience for all the children at Fernside.
Michael Keir-Stanley
It is an honour and privilege to serve on the Fernside School Board and contribute to the ongoing success of our school. I am committed to working alongside my fellow Trustees, staff, and the wider school community to ensure Fernside continues to provide a thriving and supportive environment for our children.
Being reasonably new to Canterbury and Fernside, Astrid and I have been grateful for the generosity and strong sense of community we’ve experienced. Our two boys, Alex and Max, are thriving at Fernside School, and this has reinforced my belief in the vital role a school plays in shaping not just children’s education, but their well-being and sense of belonging. This perspective drives my commitment to ensuring the school continues to provide a positive, inclusive, and enriching environment for all students.
Professionally, I am the Manager of a well-known charitable trust focused on children’s health and well-being—an area that, like education, plays a crucial role in shaping young lives. My career across the education, health, and community sectors has given me valuable insight into the challenges facing today’s youth, and I remain committed to helping Fernside School navigate these challenges while building on its strong foundation.
I look forward to continuing to support the school’s vision and ensuring the best possible opportunities for our children.
Lisa Bailey
I am grateful for the opportunity to be on the Fernside School BOT and to represent our children, parents/carers and our wider Fernside community. I have a broad range of skills and experience both professionally and personally including involvement in governance and senior management experience from a career spanning more than 10 years at Foodstuffs.
I am married to Stu and together we have a small family dairy farm in Fernside. Two of our three children attend Fernside School (Anna and Grace).
Fernside is a great place to go to school and my goal is for it to continue to be a positive, fun and safe place for our children to learn, thrive and achieve great things.
Jen Eastwick
My husband, Kieran, and I both grew up in North Canterbury, where we are now raising our three children — Pippa, Leo, and Kate. With our oldest, Pippa, starting her school journey at Fernside School last year, we feel especially fortunate to be part of a welcoming and supportive school that plays such an important role in the lives of local families.
Professionally, I have 14 years of experience as a primary school teacher, working in both public and private schools in a range of educational roles. Over this time, I’ve gained a deep understanding of how schools operate, what helps children thrive in their learning, and the importance of strong partnerships between teachers, families, and the wider community. I believe these insights will be valuable in my role as a trustee as we make decisions that shape the future of our school.
I am truly grateful to the Fernside community for placing their trust in me by electing me to the Board of Trustees. I’m excited to work alongside the rest of the board to ensure every student at Fernside School has the opportunity to grow, learn, and flourish.
Kari Reid
I live in Fernside with my husband Sam and our three boys Otto, Theo and Alex. The boys all attend Fernside school and we as a family love being part of the school community.
I am a Secondary School teacher and I currently work part time at Rangiora High School.
I am honoured to be able to represent the families of Fernside School on the Board of Trustees. I know that as a board we will endeavour to make the best decisions for the current and future students of Fernside School.
My aim is to be a voice for the families of Fernside school on the BOT. When you get a chance please come and find me for a catch up. I will be more than happy to hear the thoughts you have about our wonderful school.