Mel Sargent
Staff Representative -
Manawaru School Board of Trustees
Tell us something about yourself.
I am a Waikato girl through and through having only lived in Cambridge and Morrinsville my entire life. I earned my Bachelor of Education through Waikato University and received my first teaching job at Manawaru before moving away two years later. I'm very passionate about literacy and am a current member of the Waikato Literacy Association. Family and friends are very important. I'm often cheering at soccer games and marching competitions or enjoying a glass of wine and a catch up with mates on the weekend. Being a brownie leader and a guide leader for the last 20 years often means I also spend time away on Guiding events - which I love!
How was school for you?
I loved school. In fact when I was younger I used to play ‘schools’ with my sister - maybe I was destined to be a teacher. Education was important in my family. There was no pressure to be a Rhode Scholar but Mum and Dad insisted that whatever we did we did to the best of our ability. School enabled me to explore. I was free to make mistakes and try new things.
What is something you have learnt since coming on the Board of Trustees?
It's been an education being on the board and it's not as scary as I thought it would be. I've learnt that there is a difference between governance (which is the board's job) and management. I've also learnt that it's our responsibility as a board to show our parents that students here at Manawaru are being well prepared for life beyond school.