We had a huge turn out of voters. 56.3% of the school voted, fantastic to see students taking part in this democratic process. In 2018 we managed to raise the participation to 48.6%, in previous years it sat around 33%. What will 2020 bring!

Congratulations to Hugh who is now the new Board of Trustees', Student Trustee for the 2019/2020 year and takes office from today.  Hugh will learn how the Board of Trustees' operates within the school and be part of a team that has a pivotal role in the governance of the school.

I must make mention of Samuel Blackwood for his contribution over the last year and Ben Hawke who was also nominated.  I want to acknowledge how courageous it is to be part of this process. Amy Poehler said, 

"It’s very hard to have ideas. It’s very hard to put yourself out there, it’s very hard to be vulnerable, but those people who do, they are the dreamers, the thinkers and the creators. They are the magic people of the world." 

I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Dunedin office of the Electoral Commission who lent us two staff members for the five voting sessions held in the quad, and for providing official voting booths. Having staff and voting booths from the Electoral Commission make the process professional and give the seniors the chance to know what voting in the up-coming local body elections will be like. It also makes it lots of fun for the students.