Welcome to the new year at West Rolleston - we hope everyone had a great break and are refreshed and rearing to go in 2020.

The year has started off at a heck of a pace - we have 598 learners at our school!  It was great to see and meet new families over the past couple of weeks - with new staff and lots of activity around the place its a great start to the year!

The BoT met last week for the first time this year - with Sylvia taking us through 

* an update on our staffing, with 45 staff its a complex job navigating the learners needs - but the team has done a great job!

* we went through the Strategic Plan and Charter - this has been refreshed and will be available on our website in the next couple of weeks.  Please take some time to acquaint yourself with what we are focusing on and how we will meet our community's needs.

* we spent a bit of time on property matters - there are plans with GROW to commence the bike-track, we are looking at options for another storage/room [not funded by the MoE] and have some exciting other projects in conjunction with GROW as well!

*  Trish took us through the finances - what a great job she does in this area (recently we received a sizable grant from the MoE for heat/light/power thanks to Trish) - an area that still concerns us is the outstanding payments for some of the activities throughout the year/s.  This is an area that ultimately restricts the ability to deliver some special adaptations for the curriculum - it would be really nice if we all contributed fully as per the accounts sent out (and - remember you can get a rebate of up to one third of the voluntary donation  - see article in this Newsletter).  If all families bought their accounts up to date would be appreciated.

*  we spent some time talking about health and safety across the school as well.

A couple of weeks ago the Board attended the Kāhui Ako BOT Mihi Whakatau held at West Melton School - a great opportunity to learn about Taumutu (our local Marae and Rūnanga).  We also learnt about the great work the Kāhui Ako (our community of learning) is doing (with our very own Mrs Murray taking a lead in this) - this information and being able to meet/talk to other BoT from our area was awesome. 

Don't forget to get in and help our parent group GROW - they are doing an amazing job - just look at the tractor area and new shades on the playground - thanks to everyone that gets involved with helping here - especially the drive and energy of Kylie & Kelly - but there's heaps of helpers!  Get in and help when you see them reach out - an awesome mob!!

Keep an eye out for the information around on Covid-19 (Corona) Virus - be vigilant and safe around the precautions and self-isolation.  There is ample information freely available on the Ministry of Health's website, MoE website - keep abreast of the developments and lets not put ourselves at risk.  

Thanks - the next BoT meeting is on 2 April in the meeting room off the library, commencing 6pm - feel free to come along!

Simon, Tegan, Rob, Sam, Megan & Steph.