BOT NEWSLETTER: 8th August 2025

IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

Torbay School Learning Powers – RIC

BOT Newsletter

Kia ora Torbay School community,

It is four weeks into the winter term and things are tracking well. The mood at school seems largely vibrant, and the children are reportedly very engaged in their learning.

Our recent Education Review Office (ERO) report is now published on the school’s website. The feedback from the ERO team was positive, complimenting staff, students and the school environment as a whole. The nature of the final report loses some of this feedback, however the school performed well in most areas. The Board is committed to supporting staff to address key areas of improvement noted within the report, particularly around attendance and writing. We are also committed to supporting Principal Gary O’Brien, senior staff and our teachers to learn, adapt to and effectively deliver the new maths and literacy curricular and assessment tools this year, another area identified in the ERO report.

On this note, the Board would once again like to acknowledge Gary and his entire team for the way they have so far met the challenge of the Government’s curriculum changes. This has been a challenging process, with a significant amount of professional learning and development for our staff as they continue to adapt.

The school’s newly carved waharoa (garden entrance or gateway) was blessed during this year’s Matariki dawn gathering. The waharoa has been named Te Mata O Matariki, and is a significant and special new addition to our environment and community. It offers cultural knowledge and connection as the final piece of the school’s garden project. The Board wishes to thank traditional carver Adrian Mokonuiarangi Hau for his wonderful work, Kaumatua Jerry Norman for his blessing, and everyone involved in the project, including PTA, staff and students.

In May of this year, trustee Cliff Bailey resigned from his role on the Board as whānau hui representative after five years of service. Cliff was co-opted onto the Board to offer a Māori perspective and voice to the governance of the school, and his contribution was highly valued. We would like to thank him publicly for his mahi. Filling his seat, at least until the election in September, is Stefan McIntyre, who we warmly welcome to the Board. Tēnā koe.

Elections for Board of Trustees positions will take place in September, and we encourage every parent to vote for the person they believe will best serve the school in a governance role that places the children at the centre.

The Board serves a vital function in the life of every school around the country, and it is important that you have your say on the people sitting at that table. The Board needs those committed to the school, those who are prepared to oversee and take accountability for the way the school is operating. Although Gary, as Principal, manages the running of the school in a day to day sense, the Board, as the employer, provides governance, guidance and oversight for strategic direction, finances, property, health and wellbeing, culture and leadership, while ensuring that learning objectives are being successfully monitored. This is why voting for appropriate candidates is so important for our children and our school community.

We have decided to move back to a staggered Board term and election process, in which half the Board is re-elected every 18 months for a three year term in order to ensure continuity and avoid the whole Board having their terms end at once. This is why there are two elections on this occasion – an 18-month term and a three-year term.

The current Board members have all valued very highly the opportunity to serve the school and its community. Governance is a significant, complex undertaking and an important responsibility, and we have taken our obligation seriously. It has been a privilege.

Nga mihi,

Torbay School Board of Trustees:

Dr Andrew Foskett

Louise Brown

Gary O’Brien

Susan Ye

Liisa Stuart

Chris Lorigan

Liam Corkery

Stefan McIntyre