Board

Kyle Gibson

PRESIDING MEMBER; Parent Representative

I have two children at the school, Sol in Class Seven and Zac in Class Five.

My wife Angie and most of her extended family are also part of the school community. I have worked in information security and privacy for longer than I care to admit, 11 years of which I ran my own companies. I’m a member of the Institute of Directors and enjoy the opportunity to use what I have learnt through their board training programs to make a positive contribution to the school and community.

Out of work I spend time with Angie and our boys, extended family and friends. When I’m not socializing or working round the house, I enjoy brewing, sustainability technologies, home automation and permaculture agriculture. Weather and time permitting, I love to get out for a ride on my ebike.

Andrea Wakelin

Parent Representative

I am a parent of an ex-Raphael House student.  I have been on the board since 2017 and as the Chair for two years during that time. I am also the Chair for Steiner Education Aotearoa New Zealand – the peak body for Steiner Education in NZ.  

I bring 30 years’ experience designing and implementing business models and supporting organisation to develop, implement changes and fix problems. 15 years of this was spent in England. The basis of my approach to all work is based on relationships. 

During my days I balance a homeopathic practice, consultancy work, governance work and family life.  Outside of work I enjoy all kinds of music and the outdoors – especially hiking and kayaking, and dog walks in the hills with my partner.  

Why did I join the Board?  I have spent many years helping large public sector organisations develop or redefine themselves to improve services for their customers.  I wanted to bring this knowledge and experience to an organisation where I also have a specific personal interest.  I love what Waldorf education offers tamariki and communities and feel privileged to be part of a team developing Raphael House. 

Karen Thrumble

Parent Representative

I live just up the road from the school in Tirohanga with Francis my lovely partner, my twin daughters Anya and Esme (Class 6) and our three fluffy chickens.

We have been part of the school since we moved to Lower Hutt in 2018. Prior to that the girls had attended the Edinburgh Steiner School.

I feel strongly about Steiner education and the importance of a strong community to support it. To those ends I have been the Treasurer of the PTFA for the last four years and I joined the Board in the middle of 2022. I hope that this will strengthen the bonds between the groups; both committed to the special character and to making the school the best it can be for our children.

After graduating in Psychology, specializing in monkeys I followed the natural career path into finance. I have worked in investments for my entire career, advising major institutions on pension fund strategy. In recent years my work has focused more on engagement – representing those institutions in negotiations with the companies they invest in – to attempt to improve environmental, social and governance outcomes. 

Matthias Vest

Parent Represntative

Christine Nicholls

Proprietors Representative

I am a Raphael House parent and ex-pupil (Class 12, 1999). My daughter Zoe is in Class 4 and my son Eli is in Class 2.

I’ve been on the Trust and Board since 2019 and bring over 15 years’ experience in Communications with me. I am excited to be part of creating a strong and sustainable Raphael House for our children and our grandchildren.

Janet Molloy

Proprietors Representative

I am honoured to serve the Raphael House community on two governing bodies; as a Trust member and Trust Representative on the Board.

I am a state and Steiner qualified teacher and, although now retired from the classroom, I have had a successful teaching career in both lower and upper schools.

I have also had the privilege of leading four different Steiner schools as Principal in both Aotearoa New Zealand and three Australian states.

I have a deep and ongoing involvement in the study of anthroposophy and contemporary education as well as helping to further Steiner/Waldorf education in Aotearoa and the world.

I have had several of my four children attend Raphael House and other Steiner schools as well as two grandchildren, so the family has had a long association with Raphael House.

My experience in leading schools has led me to an acute awareness that the three areas of governing, relational and systems leadership. All need to have a sound understanding of their roles and to be working to support, check, balance and correct one another in order for the whole school system to function healthily.

Currently, my paid work is that of CEO for Steiner Education Aotearoa.

Tim Angus

Staff Representative

Max Letifov

Student Representative