IMPORTANT: The Board of Trustees Election… nominations are in.

Dear Parents/Whanau,

We have certainly been blessed with a supportive and focussed Board of Trustees. The Board governs the school and supports the Principal and staff in delivering quality education for all our tamariki. The school is in a strong position educationally leading into our school redevelopment over two years starting next year. There has been much planning and organisation going on to ensure the future of Redwood School is a very bright one… the school is in good heart!

We have had nine nominations for parent representatives this year. Nominations are now closed. There are currently five BOT parent reps on the Board plus a teacher Board member and the Principal. A Board will also sometimes co-opt members for their input and expertise when a special project is being undertaken to help make sure that workload and expertise are spread. It is important to have a good mix of experience on a Board. At Redwood School we have always been fortunate to have a strong Board mix to support our school and tamariki.

Nominees have provided information about their experience and what they can bring to a role on a Board of Trustees. Please read the nominees’ information carefully so that you can make an informed choice.  Please vote, your input to our school and tamariki is important.

50th Anniversary

After being away from school the first week of term, I returned to the hustle and bustle of preparations for the school’s 50th Anniversary in the second week. The tamariki and staff were preparing so many things. I had visits from ex-pupils and families who all had their little stories to tell… the first day at school, dray riding at the first school fair, walking to school through empty paddocks where houses now stand, a favourite teacher… or not so favourite teacher, big events in the life of the school, and colourful smaller events, times to remember and recount. Those events that make a story all the more human.

On the Friday and Saturday, our anniversary days, it was lovely to see: community, past and present; students, past and present and wider families. There were guided tours around the school, our Friday assembly, displays and open classrooms. Saturday was really a community day and it was amazing to see so many families along. Everyone enjoyed the crazy bikes, kapahaka and choir performances, some join-in jump jam, browsing the archives and the beautiful baking and drinks (thanks to everyone who donated baking!). A sausage sizzle, ice cream and coffee helped feed the hungry too.

This was a lovely, relaxed event and it was very pleasant to catch up with so many people. The many stories I gleaned have been put together into a sixty page book about Redwood School which I have put together called Climbing High at Redwood School. This is a history of the school through five decades with many engaging tales of key events. This can be ordered through the office at $15 per copy, due for release very soon.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our 50th in so many ways: tamariki, past pupils, staff/kaiako, Board, PTA (what an amazing team!), our whanau and especially Pauline Prescott and Jacqui Carter. Huge thanks!