Wellington Christian Education Trust is a charitable institution. We are committed to establishing an inter-denominational, Christian, integrated, co-ed school in Wellington. We believe in creating an affordable, excellent, Biblical environment for our children to learn in, supporting families as they raise their children.
Richie grew up in Auckland and moved to Wellington in 2005, where he works in private practice as a lawyer. Richie is husband to Marit and father to Arie, Penny, Ilda, Ursula, Moses and Saskia, and his immediate church family is the beautiful congregation at Wellington Reformed Church in Brooklyn. He’s passionate about Christian education and desperately want our kids to know, understand and live out, the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things (including maths!).
Vision Statement
To give glory to God by:
Matt Mansell is Senior Consultant; Strategy, Change and Governance at IntegrationQA. Prior to this, Matt was an IT Manager at the Department of Internal Affairs; and as the IT Director for Wellington Girls’ College after completing two years as an IT Teacher and Dorm Parent at Hebron International Christian School in India. Matt is also a father of four, with the eldest at college and the youngest is still a toddler. While working at Hebron School, Matt saw passionate Christian teachers delivering high quality education based on a Christ centred approach. Since returning to Wellington Matt has wanted there to be a school based on a Christ centred approach to education and to student welfare that he could send his kids to; a school that was as accessible to as many people as possible. In addition Matt’s work in the IT industry has shown him that what modern business needs from graduating students is changing. As an employer what he is looking for a graduates who are flexible and adaptable, who have a high degree of creativity, and who approach their work from a sound, ethical basis. His view is that a Christian school that educated children to live in the digital age is urgently needed in Wellington.
Matt is an active member of the Story Vineyard church plant. Previously he has lead various initiatives during the 18 years he’s been at Capital Vineyard including being a member of the teaching team. He has been involved in short and long term missions; primarily to India.
Vision statement
“I have a vision for a school that is a holy place set apart for the Lord. A place where students will be:
Transformed by the sacrificial love of Christ
Changed from the inside out by the infinite grace of God
Empowered by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
Made wise by the Godly pursuit of academic excellence.
I have a vision for a place that grows passionate citizens of Heaven and engaged citizens of the world.”
Now settled in Wellington, Rosemary and her husband Graeme are managing a student Christian hostel for international university students. Rosemary is also teaching at the Wellington Pacific Bible College. They have three children and eight grandchildren.
Rosemary herself grew up in India, where she attended Hebron, a boarding school in the Nilgiri Hills. Later she returned to New Zealand to complete her schooling and university studies. The next twenty years were spent in various parts of the world, including Rarotonga, Canada and notably India. Back in Wellington, Rosemary worked in Wellington College becoming head of department, before heading south to Middleton Grange to be Assistant Principal. From there, they moved to Beirut, Lebanon, where Rosemary became director of Eastwood College, an interdenominational Christian school.
Having the experience of teaching from the English, the New Zealand and the American curricula, to students from a wide range of nationalities, faiths, and backgrounds, has encouraged flexibility, as well as a respect for the diversity of educational approaches available. A life time of teaching in both secular and faith-based schools has convinced Rosemary of the security and joy that her Biblical Christian faith have provided to her both as teacher and lifelong learner. With her passion and commitment to education, Rosemary is privileged to offer her experience and energy to the establishment of an interdenominational Christian school in Wellington.
Vision for new School for my children and grandchildren
Interdenominational
Biblically-based
Christ-centred
valuing integrity, academic excellence and scholarship
committed to integration of faith and learning
a community where in harmony we sing the same song with a redemptive world-view grounded in the best of the past but also embracing the best of the new
preparing our children to be both responsible citizens of earth and passionate citizens of Heaven
nurturing the full range and expression of gifts: physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual, with servant hearts, living life to the full
growing in wisdom and grace.
Raised in India and New Zealand, Natalya went to Hebron School in India and then to Welington Girls’ in New Zealand. After working in IT for a few years, Natalya retrained as a teacher. Her husband, Matt, and 2 children, Zoe and Ezekiel, moved to India to work at Hebron School- teaching and looking after a dorm. Their third child, Judah was born while in India; their fourth, Malachi, was born in 2014. Since returning to New Zealand in 2005, Natalya has spent time working as a mum, and teaching at a variety of schools: state, integrated, private, co-ed, single sex (both boys and girls) schools. Natalya is passionate about education, enabling both the students and staff to excel.
Vision statement
“I am passionate about a school that considers the whole child, teaching them the ways of the Lord in all that they do. The Bible encourages us to excellence and love, and I believe that these principles should be evident in a school.”
Jude is a teacher, teaching intermediate and primary age students. She also has 2 teenage children. Jude has recently done some further studies in education through Bethlehem College.
During her experience as a teacher, a parent and her studies, Jude has become passionate about Christ-centered education. She looks forward to seeing an interdenominational, Christian school as a viable option for families in Wellington.
Jude is an active member of Titahi Bay Baptist church.
Vision statement
“My vision is for a school that:
Values and encourages relationship with God and people
Encourages kingdom and future thinking
Gives hope and shines”
Russell grew up in Australia and moved to Wellington where he works as a quantity surveyor. Russell and his wife have young children and value good Christian education. Russell is an active member of the Wellington Reformed Church.
Seth grew up in Wellington, and lives in Lower Hutt with his wife, Emma, and 4 children. He was blessed to have experienced a Christian education right through his schooling years, and would love for his children to experience the same.
Seth is an active member of the Reformed Church of Wellington, and also runs a digital marketing company.
Vision Statement: