The triennial School Board Elections will be held in September this year. This webinar is designed to provide members of the public with an opportunity to find out more about what it means to be a school board member and to answer any questions you have about the election process and board member role. During the session you will have the opportunity to direct questions to a panel of experienced school board members and NZSTA advisors. This session is open to anyone with an interest in school governance.

Boards members have a stewardship role that involves planning for and acting in, the interests of the school and its community. Student learning, wellbeing, achievement, and progress are the board’s main concerns. Successful boards work in partnership with school leaders and staff for the benefit of students. Each has their respective roles and responsibilities but is dependent on working cooperatively with the other to be able to carry out their responsibilities effectively. Good communication is an important part of being on a board, as members need to be able to talk to one another, share information, ask questions, and discuss important issues. In doing so, you develop relationships based on trust and work effectively together as a board. 

A board’s main responsibility is to ensure that all students at their school are achieving well. This includes making sure that the Principal and staff are supported and resourced to achieve high-quality teaching and learning. To do this, members need reliable and detailed information from school leaders about the learning and wellbeing of children at their school. A board member is part of a governance team. All boards include up to three school-based members: the Principal, a representative elected by staff and board secretary. The majority of boards have five member elected by parents and caregivers.

Whether you’re interested in becoming a board member or you just want to know more about what school boards do, then why not come along to the online Kōrari Question and Answers session?

This is a free event open to anyone in the community with interest in the work of school boards. Register online here.

You can also check out our information for parents on the NZSTA website.