News & Events

All schools in Aotearoa are self-governing. Each school's board is responsible for governing the school to ensure students achieve educational success.

What school boards do
The school board makes key decisions about:

• How the curriculum is delivered
• Health and safety for everyone, including wellbeing
• Personal - the board are the employer of staff
• School property
• Finance and administration

The board also sets the school's future direction. When making these decisions, they consult with staff, students, whānau, and the community.

Learning from the conference
At a recent conference hosted by Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa (NZ Schools Boards Association), speakers discussed school governance issues in Aotearoa. They shared key insights for board members and school leaders. One particularly interesting session focused on strengthening engagement with school communities.

This conference was particularly relevant for our school, as it enabled us to consider and reflect on how we welcome new whānau and students into our school and establish the foundations for effective partnerships. Trust was a key theme that came up repeatedly, and this is our current focus. Building trusting partnerships with parents and the community is essential for the educational and wellbeing success of all Deaf students we have the privilege of working with. These key messages have sparked more conversations within our teams about how we can ensure parents and whānau are connected to Ko Taku Reo's work educating and empowering Deaf and hard of hearing learners throughout Aotearoa.

We recognise that building community connections is challenging for our school because we work with students across the whole country. The conference reminded us of the importance of community engagement. It provided practical suggestions on how to improve our practices, ensuring that each child can achieve their hopes and aspirations while learning with us.

In another session, the roles of governance and operational management were clarified. This distinction can be confusing, but it serves as a valuable reminder of how the board can support student achievement and improve student outcomes.

Moving forward
Understanding these governance roles enables everyone to work together more effectively towards student success. At Ko Taku Reo, we're committed to building those trusting partnerships that make all the difference for our Deaf and hard of hearing learners.

Want to know more about school boards?
Visit: https://www.tewhakaroputanga.org.nz/about-us/what-are-school-boards