Governors (ID 1100)

• Pete Quaite
  Chair of Governors & Parent Governor
  Pete Quaite

  I am a Parent Governor and father of two daughters, the youngest of which has attended Dove House since 2022. In my day job I am a chartered civil engineer and infrastructure specialist in the British Army where I have served since 1994. This time has included many postings in UK and overseas with my family and a number of operational tours of duty in the Balkans and Middle East. I currently work in the Basing & Infrastructure Directorate in Army Headquarters in Andover. I have previously been a Governor at my daughters’ infant school in Nottingham and subsequently Chair of Governors at the UK Forces Primary School in Naples.

  My background and previous school governing experience means I bring many skills to the role of Governor. These include strategic planning, budgeting, and estate management as well as leadership, team building and mentoring.

  I feel privileged to be a member of the Academy Committee and I look forward to contributing to the development of Dove House, its staff, and its pupils to being the best they can be.

  I live in Oakley with my wife and two daughters where we love to walk, cycle, and explore the British countryside.

• Maarit Eben-Aimine
  Principal
  Maarit Eben-Aimine

  Maarit is Principal at Dove House Academy. She joined the school, having previously been a parent at the school, in April 2024. Prior to joining Dove House, Maarit was Deputy Headteacher at a large, diverse all-age special school for pupils with moderate, severe, and profound learning difficulties.

  Maarit holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Needs / Inclusive Education and advocates for trauma-informed practice and relational and Restorative Practice.

  As Principal, Maarit is committed to offering a meaningful and personalised education to the young people in her care. She is particularly passionate about PfA, Preparing for Adulthood, and determined to ensure that her pupils leave school with the tools they need for ‘gloriously ordinary lives’ - this includes not only academic accreditations and qualifications but also skills for independent / supported living and personal qualities such as resilience, determination, authenticity, good self-esteem, self-awareness, a good understanding of personal safety and the confidence to dream and set aspirational goals for the future.

  Maarit lives with her husband and two children (a young adult and a teenager). In her spare time, she enjoys nature walks, bird spotting, craft, reading, cooking, baking and growing vegetables.

• Grenville Chaganis
  Co-Opted Governor
  Grenville Chaganis

  I have been an Army Officer serving in the Royal Gurkha Rifles since 2000. Supporting soldiers in their personal development, training, education, and welfare have all been constant threads to my career and something I really enjoy. I have also been heavily involved in operational planning and delivery, strategy development and organisational management at all levels in the Army. Most recently I was lucky enough to command Southampton Officer Training Corps, which provides training and opportunities for university students in the south of England.

  I love the outdoors, including mountaineering, rock climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, and skiing. I have planned and led several Army expeditions and I leave the Army imminently to follow a dream of helping people take part in outdoor adventures. I live in Fleet, and I am married with 2 young children and 2 old dogs.

• Peter Mitchener
  Co-Opted Governor
  Peter Mitchener

  I am retired, and since 2009 I have been involved in school governance in several schools in Hampshire. Prior to retirement I was a director and manager of companies in the food industry, being very active in problem solving and integrating the results of mergers and acquisitions.

  I am married with two daughters and three grandchildren.

  Apart from my family I am at present researching material before writing the biographies of two historical gentlemen. One a pirate, explorer, diplomat, and character in a Disney film. The other and ex Able Seaman in the Royal Navy who was rescued by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, before eventually becoming and Admiral and senior intelligence chief.

  During my time as a school governor, I know that I have played a part in improving children’s education and supported school staff to make a difference, while learning a lot myself.

• Cara Kennelly
  Co-Opted Governor
  Cara Kennelly

  I have worked in sustainability and social value for the last 10 years and have loved seeing the difference my work has made to people’s lives.

  I love taking my dog Buffy (named after Buffy the Vampire Slayer!) on walks in the Hampshire countryside and playing board games with my family and friends.

  These days everyone is trying to act sustainably and with social impact to not only be more sustainable but also take advantage of the prospects in that space, and I feel it’s important our schools get the same chance. I’m looking forward to helping Dove House make the most of sustainability opportunities.