NZ Christian Proprietors Trust | A Charitable Trust providing National Synergy with Local Identity as the Proprietor of a Network of State-Integrated Schools in New Zealand since 2008
Trustees
Trust Chair
Mark Larson
Mark taught in the state network as a secondary teacher (Humanities, Mathematics, Special Education) for 22 years before becoming the Principal at Middleton Grange School in 1999. In 2010, Mark left the Principalship to become CEO of the Christian Schools’ Trust, the Proprietor of Middleton Grange School, Ashburton Christian School, Aidanfield Christian School, and Rolleston Christian School. He has recently retired as CEO of the Association of Integrated Schools. Mark is an Honorary Life Member of both the NZ Association of Christian Schools and the Association of Integrated Schools Aotearoa NZ.
Mark is married to Anne and has four children and 13 grandchildren, all of whom live in Christchurch. Principals and school Boards will lead their school communities with vision and passion if the Proprietor creates the right conditions – Mark loves having that kind of role and influence for the Kingdom!
Trust Deputy Chair
Stephanie Corban
Stephanie is passionate about Christian families having the choice to send their children to local Christian schools, which are centred on God’s truth, where staff encourage children to grow in their love and knowledge of God, and children are equipped to live out their faith in their communities. Stephanie is a lawyer and joined the Trust in June 2022.
Stephanie is married to John, and they have had three children. All three attended Immanuel Christian School in Avondale. Immanuel School was located at the site where Jireh Christian School is now located. Stephanie’s husband served on Immanuel’s Board as Treasurer for 9 years, and then Stephanie served for two years, during which time negotiations with KingsWay Trust to relocate Jireh Christian School occurred.
Trustee
Carolyn Stuart
Carolyn's career in education has always been underpinned by a belief that schools need to be relevant to, and make sense for, students. This sense-making emerges through authentic relationships, whānau partnerships, and leveraging the tools of today's world. Carolyn has a Master's in Education with a specialisation in Leadership.
Carolyn’s extensive career in education has included serving as Principal of Southbridge School and Tawa Intermediate School, working in a seconded role for a year in the Ministry of Education, and holding a Deputy Chief Executive position at Network for Learning. In 2019, she founded her own company, Weaving Futures Ltd, and writes a weekly blog that is followed by many with an interest in education, design thinking, and transformational change.
Carolyn is married to Geoff and has two adult children, both of whom are married. Carolyn and Geoff are active members of Arise Church in Wellington.
Trustee
Peter Wilding
Peter is married to Rachel and together they have three children who have all completed their schooling attending a Christian School. He regularly attends church on the North Shore in Auckland. Peter has been associated with Christian schools for over two decades and is a passionate supporter of quality Christian Education. He has been an active board member of several schools and non-profit organisations for many years bringing extensive governance experience to help boards and their organisations flourish. He currently sits as a trustee/Chairperson on the boards of a number of charitable trusts in New Zealand and Australia.
Peter sees Christian schools as strategically important assets to the body of Christ. By educating young people through a framework of Christian education, these schools are growing and releasing young people to carry the heartbeat of Father God into our communities.