Meet our Volunteer Trustees

Stuart Farquharson

CHAIR

Stuart joined Life Education North Shore in 2019 and has a background in financial services. Having grown up and been educated overseas, he missed out on experiencing the Life Education programme in school; but, with two young Kiwi kids who have participated in the programme he has seen first-hand the importance of Life Education and is immensely proud of Harold and our educators.
Stuart is a strong advocate for both our vision and purpose at Life Education and enjoys seeing the programme engaging so many children in schools across Auckland’s North Shore.

 Michelle Mackrell

TREASURER

Michelle joined the trust in 2017 having discovered Life Education through her children’s enthusiasm to share what they had learnt in the mobile classroom. Michelle has a background in technology management within large organizations and many years of experience in the governance and administration of not for profit organisations. She enjoys time with family and friends, being at the beach, walking and travelling.

Annemarie Hogenbirk

SECRETARY

As a clinical nutritionist, Annemarie is a strong advocate for the holistic approach of Life Education towards mental and physical well-being. She joined the local trust in 2010, and has been involved ever since as secretary, photographer, webmaster and event coordinator, as well as a regular volunteer to wear the Harold-costume at local schools. “Life Education Trust has shown that it really can make a difference and I’m truly excited and proud to be part of such an awesome programme.”

Barbara Dysart

TRUSTEE, ESM

Barbara is the Principal of Summerland Primary School. She has also spent many years as an ICT facilitator encouraging teachers and children to become a little more ICT literate. She is passionate about education and believes that the more informed children are, the better they are able to make good choices regarding their health. She says that being a Life Education Trustee is important to her to ensure children are able to access accurate information. There is a saying that, “it takes a village to raise a child”. Therefore being part of something that contributes benefits to society is something that she can do to make a difference. Her hope would be for all children to be able to experience what life education can offer them.

Leanne Pomare

TRUSTEE

Born and bred in Tokoroa, Leanne moved to Auckland for University many moons ago. After spending the last 4 years working in China she has returned home happy to be back on the North Shore and closer to family. Leanne puts together our newsletters and helps out wherever she can.

Geoff Sharman

TRUSTEE

Geoff joined Life Education North Shore in May 2017, a little before retiring after 20 years at Mainfreight Limited. He is married with two daughters and now has 3 grandchildren.
His daughters went to Kristin School from Kindergarten to Year 13 during the eighties and nineties and during that time were among the first recipients of the value that Life Education North Shore has to offer. Geoff served on the School’s Board of Governors for 10 years. He complements the business acumen on the Trust and aims to support the needs of our Educators and the children they teach.

Sandra Jacobs

VICE-CHAIR, ESM

​Sandra Jacobs is passionate about the teaching and learning programmes offered by Life Education. She has lived on the North Shore for 17 years with her husband Leon. She has two adult children who were both fortunate to experience the magical elements of the Life Education mobile classroom at both primary and intermediate school. As an educator on the Shore she is privileged to be part of Life Education North Shore.

​​Mike G. Wade

TRUSTEE

Mike recently retired from a 43 year teaching career, having taught physics, chemistry at high, intermediate and primary schools. He moved to New Zealand at the end of 2001 after resigning as a principal of a primary school in South Africa. He currently teaches science two days a week at a local school. Volunteering as a trustee, Mike believes that Life Education Trust is able to offer our students another source of sound and reliable information to make informed choices.