Board of Trustees
Term 4, 14 December 2022
Kia ora Parents, Whānau and Families
First, we would like to thank all families for your support throughout this year. Your positivity and encouragement of our students and staff throughout 2022 has been much appreciated. A particular thanks goes to our volunteers who have given their time to helping school activities. Many of these activities would not be possible without your commitment.
Thanks also to the Home and School Committee who have provided activities and social events for tamariki and the wider community. It is exciting to be holding these again after a couple of difficult years! We have been able to fundraise more than $10,000 this year thanks to the efforts of Home and School, and generosity of Parents and Whānau, which has contributed to school camp, year 6 leaving gifts and playground improvements. The Home and School Committee is a small group of dedicated Parents and Whānau who are always looking for extra support - if you’re keen to help out please contact Nicola Jones at paparangihomeandschool@gmail.com.
Staff updates
We would also like to thank the teachers and support staff, who have done an amazing job caring for and growing our children to be Adventurous Learners. We farewell Haley Miners and Angela Morgan—two of our wonderful teacher aides. We wish Andi Fancy safe travels as she leaves us to return to Canada with her family. Farewell also to Judy Hardy who retires after several years as a part-time specialist teacher at Paparangi. Jenni Harrison will be taking a year’s leave for travel - bon voyage Jenni and see you in 2024!
Board member updates
Cam Shirley and Amanda Newbery both left the Board after School Board Elections in September, having completed their terms. Thank you Cam and Amanda for your mahi and dedication to supporting the students, staff and Paparangi School community. We welcomed Roshane Samarasekera to the Board in September as Parent Representative and Treasurer. Michael Heyes also joined as Staff Representative in October.
Keeping in touch
If you would like to contact the Board, or if you want to find out more about what the Board does and how we operate, please speak to the School Office who will put you in touch.
The Board wishes you a safe and enjoyable summer break and look forward to seeing you all again in 2023.
Helen Ashton
Presiding Member, on behalf of the Paparangi School Board
Board Members
The Paparangi School Board makes important decisions about our school’s strategic direction, student progress, management, school culture and more. Your Board comprises:
Parent Elected member and Presiding member – Helen Ashton
Parent Elected member and Deputy Presiding member – Duncan Kennington
Parent Elected member – Gary Mitchell
Parent Elected member – Richard Ng
Parent Elected member – Roshane Samarasekera
Principal – Tracey Arthurs
Staff Elected member – Michael Heyes
Board Activities
The Board has had a busy term, planning for the classroom improvements to the Rākau Nui block next year and further property improvements as identified in our Five Year Plan. Many of you will have seen that construction of a new learning support office and bathroom is underway at the end of Pounamu block and we look forward to the project being completed during term two.
Following a successful Spring Working Bee, the outdoor areas are looking amazing and all set for summer. We were fortunate to receive a grant from Matariki Tu Rākau for many tree seedlings that will enhance the school grounds as they grow. A special thanks goes to all those that came along to the Spring Working Bee and provided your time, expertise and equipment.
School ground improvements will continue into 2023, with a climbing wall set to be installed using funds raised by the Home and School Committee this year. The Trusts Community Foundation has also provided us with a generous grant that will go towards updating the senior playground space.