Advisory: Standing again? Absolutely!
Source: NZSTA
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Sue Robinson knew nothing about Darfield High School when she stood for election to the board three years ago. She was
new to the community. Her daughter was keen to go to the school.
Sue had a wealth of business experience and identified serving on the board as a way to give something back to the
community and at the same time, learn more about her daughter’s school.
Has it been what she thought it would be? Yes and no. It’s different from being in a commercial environment. Things
change constantly when you’re on a school board. Legislation has been a huge change and is continual. You really need to
be upskilled and ready for everything that comes your way.
"We are expected to be finance, legal and education experts - the responsibility is massive," Sue says. For all that,
Sue says she wouldn’t change a thing in the past 3 years; it has been challenging, frustrating and fun - sometimes all
in the one meeting!
"It takes about 18 months to get a reasonable grip on how the Board works within the school," Sue explains. "Just as you
get used to it, the Board term is half way through and before you know it, you understand so much more - and your job is
on the line."
Sue is most proud that her board has set up the governance structures to outlive their own board’s term of office. No
matter who is on the board there is, or who the Principal is, Sue’s board have written a fantastic Strategic Plan that
supersedes the board and sets up the school for a fabulous future.
Sue owns a couple of businesses, and being able to put in practise governance principles that she has learned as a
school trustee has given her a huge step forward for her in her commercial world.
Sue’s message to prospective trustees is that you can’t have an agenda. The board can’t run the school - but we can
support the ones who do. It is highly rewarding, often thankless but keeping an eye on the big picture - the future of
the school for generations to come, make the short term issues bearable and allows you to focus on the greater good.
Is she standing again in the 2016 Trustee Elections? Absolutely!
Election Project Manager Janet Kelly says schools need informed people with a balance of skills and experiences to stand
for election as trustees.
Parents, caregivers and people from the wider community can be nominated for election to a school board. It is important
that the board reflects its community.
"We need people who can make a positive difference for their local school. A well run school board has the power to lift
student achievement - which will then benefit the whole community", she says.
"Anyone interested in more information about trusteeship should contact their local school."
The call for nominations for school trustees will be happening for most schools by the 6th May and closes on the 20th
May.
ENDS