Every three years elections are held throughout the country to elect school Boards of Trustees. The following extract explains the role of boards of trustees:

“All of New Zealand's state and state-integrated schools have a board of trustees. The board of trustees is the Crown entity responsible for the governance of the school. The board is the employer of all staff in the school and is responsible for setting the school's strategic direction in consultation with parents, staff and students, and for ensuring that its school provides a safe environment and quality education for all its students. Boards are also responsible for overseeing the management of personnel, curriculum, property, finance and administration.” http://www.trustee-election.co.nz/becoming-a-trustee

Otago Girls’ High School has been fortunate to have had a history of extremely capable, committed and caring trustees with a wide range of expertise who have contributed greatly to the success of the school. We are obviously very keen to continue this tradition and are pleased that a number of current board members are standing again in this election which will allow continuity. We are also keen to bring new members on board. Anyone wanting to know more about the role is invited to look up the website listed above or come in and talk with me or other Board members.

Like other secondary schools throughout the country the Otago Girls’ High School Board of Trustees is made up of 3 – 7 parent elected representatives, the principal of the school, one staff elected representative and one student elected representative. This election is for the parent and staff elected representatives. Parents and/or caregivers of students at Otago Girls’ should have received nomination papers by now. This indicates that you are on the electoral roll for the Trustee Elections. If you wish to stand for election you can either nominate yourself or have someone else on the electoral roll nominate you. Nomination forms need to be returned to the school office by noon on Friday 20 May, preferably accompanied by a short profile about the person being nominated. This will be mailed out to all voters with the voting form.

The election itself is conducted by postal vote with all votes needing to be received by noon on Friday 3 June.

Next week sees many talented students from Otago Girls’ and Otago Boys’ take to the stage in this year’s production of Popstars. This promises to be a fun show and I would encourage you all to buy your tickets at the school office and come along and support these students.