Marcellin College Board

My name is Claudia Koenig. My husband Marcus and I have five wonderful children between the ages of six to 16. Our two eldest boys attend Marcellin College, while our three youngest currently attend a Catholic primary school.

I like to think of myself as an organisational and management powerhouse, especially with children. I have always had jobs where I’ve worked closely with kids. As my kids have been younger I worked at my home and in the homes of others and looked after the children of other families. My last job was to manage a kitchen in a daycare center this included to organize, cook and make sure all needs for the kids diet have been well looked after. Through all of this, I have learnt the importance of a strong relationship between children, their families, and the people entrusted with their care and education. A year ago I decided to stop working as a center chef and started managing my own growing family this involves coordinating the kids’ busy schedules, juggling their many sporting and musical engagements and also I’m a director working and office manager of our business.

I will soon have three of my children attending Marcellin College. I’ve nominated myself as a BoT-Parent representative because I am passionate about seeing the important student-parent-school relationship grow. If I am appointed as a representative, I look forward to working with other like-minded parents to ensure Marcellin’s Catholic values are upheld and built upon. I am excited about the future of the school and the children who are the future leaders of our communities.

I grew up in Mt Roskill and the St John Vianney parish completing my schooling at St Therese, Three Kings and Marcellin College (1978 – 1983). I have lived most of my life in central Auckland.

After management studies I worked and travelled overseas before completing a one year program in funeral service with a UK funeral home. I then returned to New Zealand and joined our family business, Davis Funerals, as a fourth generation Funeral Director. I have since had the privilege of a 30 plus year involvement in the funeral profession. I am passionate about the service Davis provides to the Auckland community and in particular, the Catholic community. 

Married to Angela we have three adult daughters schooled at St Michael’s Catholic School and then Baradene College.  Angela has worked for many years as Communications Manager at Sacred Heart College.

During my working career I have enjoyed the opportunity to serve in various roles at an industry association, church and community level. I have held the roles of President and Board member of the Funeral Directors Association of NZ, President of the Rotary Club of Epsom and Chair of the St Michael’s Parish Council.

I’m enjoying a reconnection with my former college and look forward to working alongside my fellow board members and staff as a proprietor representative on the journey ahead.  I’m passionate about developing a strong alumni network for the college and look forward to having this established.

Talofa lava.  I am an old girl of Marcellin College having attended with my five younger brothers a few years back. I am a first generation NZ Born Samoan, a mother of four children aged between 11-29 years, and a super proud nana of a five-year-old granddaughter.  My son Darius is currently in Year 7 and thoroughly enjoying his time at Marcellin, while my daughters are all grown up.  My background has primarily been within the Social Services Sector as a Public Servant and a Contracted Service Provider having worked with Ministries of Social Development, Education, Justice and Housing.  I have over 30 years operational and strategic management experience with have a high level of business administration skills.  I have held a number of Governance roles having served as a Parent Representative on a Board of Trustees (6 years), Council Member on the MIT Board of Council (14 years), Counties Manukau DHB Health Committees (7 years), Pacific Sub-Committees for MIT and DHB, and am currently an Accredited Provider with the New Zealand Schools of Trustees Association.  

As my children have grown up over the years, I found myself volunteering as a sports coach (school, club, representative levels), team manager (up to NZ Level), provincial administrator, tour manager, running touch modules, been a taxi driver, caterer, uniform distributor etc.  You name it, I’ve done it.  Anything so our kids, and everyone else’s kids could play.  Because of my extensive skills and experience, I am currently extremely honoured at being able to work within the sport sector, as the General Manager of CLM Community Sport, one of the four partners to the Auckland Approach to Community Sport for the Counties Manukau Region.  I have the privilege of leading and working alongside our team of 25 staff using sport, active recreation and play as a vehicle to engage our community groups, churches, primary/intermediate/secondary schools, sports clubs, key agencies and organisations.