Introducing our Front Office Staff
Pip Palmer Business Manager
Gwen Livingston Receptionist
How would you describe your role? Full of variety would be the key words. The Business Manager role has a wide range of responsibilities. I not only look after the budgeting and financial reporting, but also oversee the managing of property and equipment and property projects, the canteen, and all the Human resource aspects of the colleges support staff.
How would you describe your role? Often busy, with a mix of everything from meeting and greeting visitors, answering parent enquiries over the phone, face to face and via email, along with sorting and handling incoming and outgoing mail. Add to this receipting payments and tending to students with grazes, aches and pains! No two days are the same, some starting slow and steady and others on the run before you have even had time to sit.
What is the thing you most enjoy about your role? I love the variety of my role and I have a wonderful team in the administration/finance area who are champions in their roles and are very supportive of me. What is the most interesting thing that has happened to you in this role? Firstly, modernising the school’s financial systems which includes the implementation of Xero. We are now working towards being paperless – this has already occurred for our Accounts Payable. Secondly, visiting our Oteora Camp and doing the tramp that our Year 9’s are so lucky to experience when they start their journey through Otumoetai College. What is the biggest learning you have gained in your role?
Being a qualified accountant and having worked in the corporate world it has been a huge learning curve to not being driven by profit. My main task is to ensure that we spend money received wisely, always looking to provide the best for our students.
What is the thing you most enjoy about your role? I enjoy meeting so many different people, students, parents and visitors to the school, and the varying stories they come with. What is the most interesting thing that has happened to you in this role? I’m not sure about most interesting, but I have really enjoyed seeing the talent that our students have. Watching the school performances, talent quests and especially the production put on by the special needs students, it sometimes seems so amazing to see this talent coming from such young people. It is fantastic to watch their self confidence grow. What is the biggest learning you have gained in your role? To stay calm no matter what is happening. 33
