Giving back to the school educating my children

Giving back to the school educating my children

Source: NZSTA

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Roly has been on his local school board for Central Normal School for the past 6 years. This year he says it’s time to handover to the new trustees and have new voices represent his community on the school board.

When Roly’s children went to school, he wanted to contribute to the school and be a part of his children’s education. "I wanted give back to the school educating my children."

Schools play an important role in the local community and provide opportunities for students to learn and achieve. The diversity on the board brings better community representation to help set strategic direction for the school.

Roly says that being a school trustee is a big role but a very important one when it comes to your children’s education." There’s a lot to learn about schools and the education system in New Zealand." NZSTA provides advice, support and training for trustees to ensure they have the skills and resources they need.

One of the most rewarding outcomes for Roly has been developing and implementing a Cultural Responsiveness Framework for 8 Palmerston North schools. Underpinning the project is a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between each school and local iwi - Rangitāne. The result of this piece of work is a framework that schools now have a guide and support for their response to Ministry of Education strategies Ka Hikitia, Tātaiako, Hautu and Treaty of Waitangi. In addition Rangitāne Iwi provide localised curriculum content, as well as professional development around Tikanga, Kawa and Te Reo.

As a trustee, you build new relationships and you learn a lot about the school and governance and yourelfs, says Roly. If you’re interested in joining a board, I encourage you to step forward this election and take the opportunity to play a part in your children’s education. "Improve the teaching not the learner."

Nominations for school trustee elections will be happening for most schools between 10 and 24 May. Parents, caregivers and people from the wider community can be nominated for election to a school board.

Anyone who is interested to be on the school board, can find more information on www.trustee-election.co.nz .The call for nominations for school trustees will be happening for most schools between 10 and 24 May.

ENDS

About the school trustee elections

School trustee elections are one of the most significant democratic processes in New Zealand and are a way that parents, caregivers and communities can make a difference to their local school. The New Zealand School Trustees Association runs the trustee elections on behalf of the Ministry of Education. NZSTA provides election resources and election advice to all schools to help run successful elections.

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