About the Trust

Sarah Martin is Principal at Stonefields School. She is an educational 'provocateur' who thrives on problem-solving, conceptualising solutions, developing and implementing strategy, maintaining change momentum, building individuals' and team capacity, and challenging teachers' and leaders' mindsets and thinking. As an experienced school leader, she has significant expertise to draw upon, and a strong desire to improve outcomes for all. 

Rachel Ward-McCarten  has over 25 years experience working in intermediate and secondary schools across Auckland, and a brief stint as a teacher in London. She is now privileged to be Tumuaki at Te Kura Waenga o Wēteri | Wesley Intermediate and part of the Stonefields Collaborative Trust's Improvement Network. She is passionate about equity across the sector, and about supporting educators to be the best they can be to create excellent outcomes for young people. Rachel has a strong interest in engaging, inspiring curriculum design and relational neuroscience.

Brenda Martin has been an educator for 30 years, with over 20 of those years in leadership positions.  Her experience includes national and international schools, new schools and those well established.  She has served low and high socio-economic school communities as Tumuaki/ Principal.

As an internationally accredited coach Brenda continues to contribute to education, working across governance, leadership and teacher development. 

She passionately believes that strong relationships and effective communication can build respectful, inclusive learning environments that enable students to succeed.

Chris Sullivan brings a wide range of experiences to The Stonefields Collaborative Trust as an experienced director, consultant, general manager and project manager and more than 15 years of experience working with public, private, and not-for-profit clients. His areas of expertise include learning design, change management, stakeholder and partner management in new and established teams and organisations. 

Chris currently leads development and strategy at Springboard Trust and is on the boards of the New Zealand Youth Mentoring Trust and Ako Mātātupu Teach First New Zealand.

Chris has worked in a range of sectors including education, GLAM, publishing, B2B, youth and health. Chris has led significant local, regional, national, and international projects. His interest lies primarily in education and the interface of strategy and practice; the use of data and evidence to inform change; and relationship management in complex multi-sector and multi-agency environments. 

Matt Evans is a current business owner and former primary teacher with a real passion for all things education, especially with our young learners inside the classroom and life outside. Originally from Central Otago, with lengthy stays in the UK & Australia, he’s ended up as a long-term resident in Stonefields (14 years and counting). He worked closely with Sarah Martin as Chair of the Stonefields School Board. He truly loves to see young learners grow and learn, no matter how big or small these learnings are, and he wants to give back where he can. 

Jana Benson is our Programme Lead.  She is passionate about learner agency, having completed her doctoral study in this area, and Stonefields School was used as the context for her study.  With extensive experience as a teacher and school leader, Jana now serves as an education facilitator in New Zealand. Her PLD sessions are effective, with evidence and a measure of high participant engagement.  Jana is passionate about asking the question, ‘How much of an impact have we made, and how do we know?’

Brooke Bowers is our Executive Administrator and brings her passion for learning and education to her work. Her great communication and organisational skills support the smooth running of the Trust. Brooke has extensive experience in Ecommerce & Marketing and enjoys continually staying abreast of new developments in the ever-changing digital landscape.