New policies at Waiouru school

Ruapehu Bulletin, 13 August 1991, Page 13

New policies at Waiouru school

The Waiouru Board of Trustees has implemented new policies relating to finance, school visits and trips, homework, uniforms and the 1990 curriculum this year. The Board is still addressing policies relating to discipline, personnel, equal employment opportunities, student reports, attendance, recovery of stolen property, staff assessment, and curriculum assessment, said the board's chairman Martin Dunne at their AGM recently. Mr Dunne was complimentary of the

general condition of the school and thanked the PTA for building the adventure playground. The school's finances are healthy but because the roll ended up well below the forecast, the school has to make up a $10 000 shortfall in operating costs which it intends to do through fund raising. The roll is expected to increase due to an influx of people once Papakura Camp is closed down. School staffing has been better than the previous years, but some staff are expected

to move away at the end of the year. The implications of the recent Budget are not known and clarification is being sought, he said. Mr Dunne reported that recent initiatives taken by the Board had been beneficial to the school. Notably the introduction of school uniforms had been embraced by parents and had improved pride in the school. The PTA has proved to be a very supportive body and their efforts have benefited the school significantly, he said. Other initiatives recently started are Bible lessons, Maori language programmes and the purchase of essential equipment. The board sees the forthcoming year's priorities being the intro-

duction of the national curriculum, staff recruiting and stability, more community involvement, the development of the Maori language programmes, maintenance of the school facilities, acquisition of computers, and upgrading the library. Mr Dunne urged parents to support the staff and the Board to achieve the desired degree of excellence. He also cautioned parents about the challenges that lie ahead. "It was evident from the AGM that the school has developed as a result of the "Tomorrows Schools'" policy, because it was able to Find itself an effective Board of Trustees who have provided the necessary support and direction," said a parent at the AGM.