The first Board of Trustees meeting for the year took place on the 19th February. The meeting was framed with an introductory welcome and celebration of a wonderful start to the year.

New policy implementation

The Board reviewed recent policy changes including Cell Phone use and One hour a day ‘Reading’ ‘Writing’ and ‘Maths’ and looked at board level responsibilities. The Board acknowledges the school has implemented minor changes and has updates to policies, which will be sent out for consultation.

Building Report

The Property Report outlined progress with the redevelopment project, which involves the removal of blocks one and two. The most recent designs will be presented to the school shortly. A timeframe has not been established. 

The current work on roofs, gutters and water tightening is going really well. The work being completed is extensive and is already making a huge difference not only to the condition of the school, but also aesthetically.

Presentation of the Annual Implementation Plan

The Senior Leadership Team presented the Annual Implementation plan that sets out the goals for the year. The goals are shaped around our Strategic Focuses. The Board approved the Annual plan. They appreciated the effort of the team for catering for students and community needs.

Wellbeing and Pastoral Care as part of the Annual Plan

The Senior Leadership team reported on progress with a new initiative, the pastoral care framework. This new system and its associated training and support for teachers is designed to ensure students get the wellbeing support they need. Wellbeing and pastoral care needs are widespread and growing, and the school is working hard to meet the demand despite much of this being outside of the school’s area of responsibility. The Board acknowledges the hard work and effort that has gone into this and are proud that the school is taking on issues that are beyond its remit in order to do the very best possible for the children of our community.

Māori Cultural Responsiveness

The Senior Leadership team reported on actions taken so far this year in the area of Māori cultural responsiveness. The school is off to a great start with Mihi Whakatau to welcome new students and whānau, teaching of school waitata, kapa haka taster sessions, Te Reo Māori language sessions starting in school, etc. The team also discussed the upcoming partnerships with the Kura Ahurea programme run by mana whenua Te Ati Awa in which staff learn about traditional Māori stories, and Te Ara Whakamana which builds upon this knowledge and relates it to mana enhancement and wellbeing, creating an explicit link between the school’s wellbeing work and cultural responsiveness initiatives. The Board says tino pai to the team!