Head of Peace Education, Christina Barruel has trained thousands of student peer mediators and teachers during her 24 year association with Cool Schools both as a School Programme Coordinator and in her present position as Head of Peace Education for The Peace Foundation. In this role she leads a team of 10 other programme facilitators who work in schools throughout New Zealand empowering students and staff with life-long conflict management skills for both personal and professional use. Christina has also introduced the programme to schools in Fiji, Hong Kong, Iceland, Los Angeles and Japan. Christina comes from a primary teaching background. She has had over 25 years teaching experience in both primary and secondary schools. Her contribution to The Peace Foundation has been invaluable. She has worked at developing world-class peaceful conflict resolution and peer mediation programmes for schools. During 2013, Christina was recognized for her contribution to peace education in New Zealand and was awarded a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship. This enabled her to spend time with an organization in Seattle, Washington State, USA, who also provide successful peer mediation programmes for schools nationwide. “This amazing experience equipped me with lots of ideas and strategies. These have really helped to enhance our own Cool Schools and Leadership through Peer Mediation (LtPM) programmes for New Zealand schools.” During 2018, Christina developed and facilitated a four week practical conflict resolution module for a Level 4 paper at AUT. Components of this module were also taught to Japanese students over two days at Hirosaki University in northern Japan. Christina continues to remain passionate about her work. She considers it a privilege to work in education institutions teaching peaceful conflict resolution and peer mediation skills ... what she loves most. Furthermore, she says, "I have the opportunity every day to remind myself... I must practise what I preach!" Christina enjoys cycling, running, dancing and yoga to keep in good shape. Her regular social activities with family and friends always bring great joy and happiness.  

 

 

 

Hilary has been working in mediation and dispute resolution for over 12 years. She is currently working as a mediator and practice leader for the Human Rights Commission. She is believes understanding and learning about conflict resolution contributes to the realisation of peace at work, school, home and in our community.

She was born in Timaru, to pākehā parents who believed in social justice and using our privileges for the betterment of society. She initially commenced a law degree at Otago University but dropped it as it didn't fit her idealised view of justice. She then completed a Diploma in Parks and Recreation at Lincoln College, but returned to law having discovered that working in National Parks didn't fit her idealised view of being at one with nature either... She started out as a family lawyer but ultimately realised she preferred resolving disputes to the actual practice of keeping people in conflict. She then completed a graduate Diploma in Dispute Resolution at La Trobe University in Melbourne.

Hilary lives and works in Wellington with her partner and 2 children. She has an abiding interest in mental health and peace studies and working with the Peace Foundation feels like a natural fit.

Hilary loves going on adventures with her family. They recently spent 3 months living and working on a ski resort in a Japanese village. She enjoys anything that involves spending time in nature, and getting together with friends and family, also meditation, skiing, yoga, tramping, dancing, painting and writing.

Katherine has worked with The Peace Foundation for 3.5 years and has been co-facilitating LtPM secondary training's for two years. Katherine comes from a TESOL teaching background where she has over 8 years experience teaching in Japan and New Zealand. She is trained in NVC (compassionate communication) and facilitation, skills she uses when facilitating LtPM.

Katherine runs after school youth communication groups where she is passionate about expanding youths emotional literacy and communication skills. "I believe that communication is part of good health and getting to know how to communicate effectively is vital to create connection in our relationships and with ourselves".

Katherine enjoys paddle boarding and hiking New Zealand trails as a way to relax and have fun.

Jan is a qualified teacher and has been involved in both primary and secondary schools for 40 years on the West Coast of the South Island. She worked at Westland High School for 33 years and recently retired, both as a classroom teacher and Guidance Counsellor. Jan became involved with the Peace Foundation when she was teaching peer support, mediation skills and empowering leadership skills to high school students in 1997. It was a unique opportunity to be involved with the Peace Foundation on a secondary level, where soon a programme was designed and delivered to high schools. She is delighted to once again support the Peace Foundation here on the West Coast working with both primary and secondary schools. It is an opportunity to share her experiences and knowledge. Jan believes it is a privilege to work along side the Peace Foundation.

The West Coast has many opportunities. Jan and her husband live on three acres near the Hokitika Gorge. Spending time with family and grandchildren in Canterbury and overseas, is a priority. She also enjoys time in the garden, spinning, knitting, tramping and cycling.

Lizzy Glynn-Harder has twenty years' experience in Secondary Schools teaching Te Reo Māori, Social Studies and English. For the last thirteen years she and her Swiss husband have also enjoyed the challenges of being parents; currently to two primary school aged daughters, a teenage surfer and a puppy. Lizzy's whanau are based in Raglan, a proud multi-cultural and environmentally focused, community with a strong bi-cultural heritage.

More recently, she has followed her interest in mindfulness meditation and Hauora into Mental Health Education. From 2013-2017 Lizzy completed a post-graduate diploma in Education at Canterbury University as well as training in the FRIENDS programme, Mindful Schools and Pause Breathe Smile, New Zealand's only curriculum linked mindfulness course.

Lizzy also works in Raglan as a researcher and kaitautoko for Te Mauri Tau, a kaupapa Māori, Community and Environmental Education organisation which links closely with Enviro-Schools and Kura Kaupapa Māori around Aotearoa.

As of 2019, Lizzy is The Peace Foundation's LtPM and Cool Schools facilitator for the Waikato, Rotorua and Bay of Plenty regions. She is also honoured to be considered a Māori Liason Support, for Peace Education in The Peace Foundation, Te Tuapapa Rongomau o Aotearoa. In 2019 we are exploring our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We hope to develop a relationship with mana whenua Ngāti Whātua in Auckland, so that:

     1. We can develop more culturally resonsive and applicable bi-cultural resources (protection).

     2. In future we would have more Māori from all regions involved at all levels of Peer Mediation training (partnership).

     3. Ultimately we hope to see improved Hauora / Wellbeing actions and outcomes, by and for rangatahi Maori in our schools (participation).

When not working, Lizzy enjoys spending time with her friends, whanau and dog; walking, swimming and kayaking in Raglan; reading, relaxing and getting away to The East Cape.

Shireen has recently moved to Nelson from Auckland and is continuing her work as an employment mediator and facilitator for The Peace Foundation working with the Cool Schools programme for primary schools and the Leadership through Peer Mediation (LtPM) programme for secondary schools. Her experience spans over 25 years in the field of conflict resolution and peace education both in New Zealand and overseas with a strong commitment to equipping young people with the life skills that the school programmes offer. Her focus on engagement and building rapport with the students derives from her previous career in the acting profession and the sessions combine experimental learning with enjoyment of acquiring new skills which are of practical use for the students future.

Shireen looks forward to facilitating the Cool Schools and LtPM Programmes in her region. Do call her with any queries or to discuss the programme suitable for your school.