Board of Trustees

Nathan McLachlan

Presiding Member

I am married to Kirsty with three children. Kenzie is now a Duntroon graduate in her first year at St Hildas, with Cohen yr7 and Sadie yr5 at Duntroon.

Kirsty and I operate two dairy farms with 2200 cows and a runoff with a beef finishing block at Loch Lomond that we also use as a base for the Danseys Pass Trail Ride.

From my experiences in our farming business I have strong skills in strategic planning and financial management that I can bring to the role along with HR and management skills, I have also completed the NZID governance programme.

I have had children at Duntroon for 9 years and previously been chair of the Home and School for 3 years so have a strong connection to the school and community. Outside the school I coach at the Kurow Cricket Club and the North Otago U13 cricket team, I also chair the North Otago Junior Cricket Committee and organize the club cricket for the region.

I am very proud of our school and wider community and I am enthusiastic about playing a part in ensuring our kids continue to get the best education possible while at Duntroon. I am honored to have the opportunity to serve our community as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Paige Wills

Deputy Presiding Member

My name is Paige Wills. My husband Richard and I have two children Amelia is now in Year 9 and Hazel in Year 6. My family and I have a long standing connection with Duntroon School, with our daughters now being the fifth generation of our family to attend. 

Because of this, I am truly passionate about seeing it continue as the fantastic school that it currently is by providing fantastic academic, sporting, cultural and life skills to set our children up for the best start in life. Our Board and Staff are doing a great job and I love being part of the team that will continue this into the future. 

My aim as a trustee is to ensure that the quality of education at Duntroon is maintained at the highest level and that all students feel empowered and supported to attain their best possible standard. 

Linda Guildford

Hi, I'm Linda Mullenger,  I moved to this beautiful area from Dunedin at the end of May 2014.

Duntroon School has a real sense of family and is led by a group of truly dedicated staff who care about our kids. I feel lucky to be part of it.

I was very pleased to be co-opted onto the Board in June 2018 and am now an elected member learning more about the role of the Board of Trustees and making a useful contribution.

Lowri O'Callaghan

Hi. My name is Lowri O'Callaghan. I have 3 children. My oldest, Huw and Eleanor are at Duntroon school and Ioan my youngest will start next year.

My husband Andrew, and I farm on the outskirts of Duntroon. When not on farm, we enjoy spending time outdoors, tramping, biking or boating.

I look forward to contributing to the board and continue to build on a great school community. 

 I will endeavour to see the pupils, teachers and school grow and thrive. 

Mike Andrews

I am a proud husband and father of my wife Meg and our three daughters, Olivia 14, Mila 12 & Annabelle 10.  

We live on our dairy farm just outside of Duntroon.  All of our girls have had the pleasure of being educated at Duntroon School.

After seeing first hand how organised and well run this school is through being part of the Home & School it lead me to want to contribute my time, knowledge & experience to help continue to run the school at such a high level.  I look forward to working with the board on new ideas & strategies to maintain the quality standard that Duntroon School currently operates at.

Lou Tait

Staff Representative

My name is Lou (Loretta) Tait. I have lived in Duntroon since 2006 with my husband Hamish who is Duntroon born and raised. I have two children Connor (13) and Alaina (10).
Together we operate a small transport business, servicing the needs of our local farmers, who we are very lucky to have as our clients. Hamish does all the driving and I do all the administration. Along with this, I also work full time at the school where I am a Teacher Aide for 3 days a week and in the office for 2 days.

I have a love for music and a lot of sports particularly horse riding, cricket and hockey and I get a massive kick out helping and supporting kids to be the best they can be by passing on my knowledge of these amazing sports.

When I am not at school you can find me out in my horse paddocks or at a show. I am also proudly a member of the Duntroon Firebrigade, or I like getting stuck into community projects. Even  though I'm sure Hamish would rather I just sit still sometimes.

I consider myself very lucky to be part of such a great team at Duntroon School, it is truly an amazing school with a genuine community feel.