Support for boards of trustees
This factsheet is about additional funding to ensure new school trustees have access to training and support to help them carry out their new role.
An additional $1 million for 2010/11 will ensure that new school trustees have access to training and support to help them to carry out their new role.
Specific workshops and support for newly elected boards from June 2010 will cover the wide range of skills and knowledge that trustees need to be effective governors.
The full package will include:
- training provided directly to Boards
- training for Māori-medium boards
- recruitment and training of Māori medium board trainers
- training for the Ministry’s existing contracted board trainers
- training for statutory appointees
- development of appropriate resources to complement training.
Boards of trustees have a vital role in raising student achievement. The 2010 school trustee elections resulted in the establishment of over 2,500 new boards across New Zealand from 14 May 2010.
The training for new boards in 2010/11 will ensure that all trustees, and particularly new trustees, are trained and supported to understand the importance of school planning and reporting and self-review.
In addition to the additional funding in Budget 2010, ongoing training for boards is provided through:
- Tailored Training and Support (TTaS)
- web seminars and e-workshops
- New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA), which is contracted to provide industrial and advisory services to all boards free of charge
- 0800 782 4357 (STAHELP) or www.nzsta.org.nz for general enquiries
- day to day assistance from local and regional Ministry offices.
Information on existing support for boards is available at: www.minedu.govt.nz/Boards/SupportForBoards/TrainingAndSupport.aspx
A new hard copy and website governance resource, “Effective Governance – Working in Partnership, will be made available to all new trustees by the end of May.