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Welcome, ERO, New School Update, Mid Term Board Elections, Thanks
Welcome
We are now well into the third term. Even though it may feel the holidays were ages ago, I trust that you all had a pleasant break, and weren't too cold. Naturally, the worst of the weather seems to have waited until school returned.
ERO
The first week of Term saw the school undergoing the regular ERO (Education Review Office) inspections. This is a Government body (independent of the Ministry of Education) who review all educational facilities in the country approximately every three years.
The ERO report won't be complete for some time yet, as there is a lengthy process that the ERO team need to follow once they have left the school. However, the Board did meet with the ERO team on their last day, and the discussion was positive and constructive. Once the report is published, I'm sure that the details will be communicated back to the parent community.
The Board would like to acknowledge the effort put in by all the staff over the last few weeks of Term 2 to prepare; and especially the efforts of both Di and Arthur to ensure that the ERO team had everything they needed whilst they were here.
New School Update
Ideally, I'd love to be able to say something here. But unfortunately, there hasn't been any announcement from the Ministry regarding the site acquisition. The Board will be following up with the Ministry to remind them of the timescales they talked about earlier in the year. When we hear anything we will let the community know. The website is the fastest method for the Board to publish information, and also we will be sending information home once we have it.
Mid-Term Board Elections
The Board has a split term policy, which means that three of the six elected parent positions come to the end of their term of office in September.
Being a School Trustee is a great way to get involved in both the school and the local community. The next two to three years will see a large amount of change for Churton Park School, so this is the ideal time for anyone who would like the chance to make a difference to the education we can offer the local children, to get involved.
Almost 25% of the students at the school come from Asian (including Indian and Sri Lankan) backgrounds, and the make-up of the current Board does not reflect this ethnicity. Personally, I would strongly encourage members of the community from those cultural groups to consider getting involved and put their names forward for nomination. New Zealand citizenship is not required to be a School Board Trustee.
If you want more information about what it means to be a Trustee, or what we do, then please don't hesitate to ask any of the current Board members. I'm sure they would be more than happy to share with you their experiences of being on the Board.
If you are interested in getting involved, but don't feel confident you have appropriate skills, please don't worry! The Board has a training budget, and various courses in the roles and skills of a Trustee are run on a regular basis, and any new Trustees will have the opportunity to partake in these courses should they desire. The most important attribute you need is enthusiasm to get involved.
The whole Board generally meets once per month, and these meetings are rarely longer than three hours. A smaller group of members making up a given subcommittee may also meet one evening prior to the monthly Board meeting. It is a three year term.
Nominations for election will be called for within the next two weeks, closing on Friday 29th August. Assuming there are sufficient nominations to require an election, then voting papers will be issued and the election held on 12th September.
Thanks
I have decided that I will not be standing for re-election to the Board again, as I will have completed six years on the Board come September, the last 18 months as Chair. So, I'd like to take this opportunity to offer some thanks.
Firstly, thanks to all the other Board members I've worked with, both current and previous. I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have spent on the Board, and this is largely due to the efforts that the other members have made. Special thanks to Di for correcting my spelling and grammar when it was required.
Also thanks to all those parents (mostly Mums!) who have been involved in the Home & School Association over the years too. The Home & School performs a vital role in the school in both organising social activities and also in fundraising, and the efforts of the various individuals who have been in the Association are much appreciated.
Next, a big thanks to the school parent community. The Board couldn't provide nearly as much for the school as we currently do without the financial support of the community. Also, the community spirit is brilliant. It is wonderful to see the way parents get behind the school and support classroom activities when required. I know all the staff are most grateful for your support.
To ALL the wonderful staff (Teachers, Aides, Office, and Caretaking) at the school: Thanks very much for the effort you all put into teaching, assisting with the teaching, and enabling the teaching of the children. The school wouldn't be the success it is without your efforts.
Last, but certainly not least, thanks to Arthur, our fantastic Principal. Arthur does a magnificent job in managing the school, and in an ever-growing environment. His calm demeanour and ability to deal with all situations, both large and small, is a real asset to the school, and very much appreciated.
James Roberts-Thomson
Chair
Phone: 477 2204
Email: rtfamily@actrix.co.nz