News from the Board of Trustees

Tēnā Koutou and my greetings to everyone in our West Gore School Whanau and Community,

My name is Susan Hasselman and I currently hold the role of Presiding Member on your Board of Trustees here at West Gore school. I am one member of your School Board. Our total number is 7 members, two of which are our Principal Linda Fraser and Staff Representative Rebekah Prattley.
Aside from myself the remainder of our Board comprises Parent Representatives Zac Andrews, Monika Du Plessis, Jacqui Ruddenklau, Sonya Stewart and Sowmya ( Sam) Srimanthula.

My first visit to school as Presiding Member was on Monday 6th, first day of term, to be part of our Mihi Whakatau to welcome new students and whanau. The hall was full with our current students, our new students, staff and families and it was great. The sense of school pride was front and centre and the welcome to our new tamariki and their whanau was warm and heartfelt. I was very proud sitting there and it was only my first visit. Morning tea in the staff room afterwards with several of our new parents gave us all the opportunity to enjoy a more personal meeting. 

I chaired my first meeting on Tuesday night and I can tell you that your Board members are focused, enthusiastic, energised, unified and very committed to serving you. We recognise and value our greatest asset- our School Leadership and our staff. The time our tamariki spend with us at school is critical- such a huge part of not only their day to day lives but their development as individuals, thinkers and learners. That this time sets the foundation for growing, establishing relationships and maturing can not be overstated.

Following our usual meeting duties we discussed School Attendance.  This topic has been addressed both in Television and Media Print news only this week. It is a Legal Requirement that children attend school in New Zealand and it appears there may be some confusion about this within our parent community.
The Ministry of Education has recently contacted all schools to outline the seriousness of this issue. Absence from school comes under two descriptions, Justified and Unjustified. The Ministry of Education requires schools to advise them of all Unjustified absences. Justified absence includes Medical reasons, a stand down or suspension period.

Unjustified absence covers truancy, truancy explained but unjustified and Holidays, local or overseas within term time. To be advised that a historical or proposed absence is unjustified may be surprising or disappointing. However it is important to note that this is not due to a decision made by school leadership. It is, in fact, a government directive that decides this assessment.

The Ministry Of Education is now focusing directly on this issue and has communicated it’s directives and expectations to all schools in New Zealand. A target has been put forward by the Ministry, that 80% of students attend 90% of the time by 2030. Already in place is a stepped protocol to address ongoing or concerning absence. This begins with contact from the school to the parent/s with further intervention and action if required.
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I urge everyone to consider this important and growing problem. Please reach out to the school if you have questions or need further clarity in this area.
Ngā mihi

Susan Hasselman
Presiding Member