BOT Election Notice 2022

Kia ora koutou,

This year as we have previously communicated is an election year for the School Board of Trustees (BOT) across New Zealand.  A BOT is responsible for the overall performance of a school and to ensure all legal requirements are met. By being a member of the BOT you have a great opportunity to increase your governance skills, to get more involved in the school, and to have a voice about the future direction of the school.

The BOT meets twice every term for about 2.5 hours but also contributes time and expertise in a range of portolios e.g. Finance, Property, Health and Safety, Community outreach and engagement, and Personnel.  This year the BOT have agreed to reinstate the parent/community representatives from 4 places to 5 places.

The following outlines the timeline for our BOT election process:

6th July - Select a Returning Officer. (The Returning Officer is Robyn Luke)

13th July - Close MAIN ROLL

15th July - Call for NOMINATIONS by

1st Aug - Close SUPPLEMENTARY ROLL

3rd Aug - NOMINATIONS close

10th Aug - Voting papers issued by

7th Sept - Election Day

After the MAIN ROLL closes on 13th July. You will receive a Nomination form with a Cover letter by email. If Robyn doesn’t have an email address for you, you will receive this by post.

Nomination forms and Cover letters are available in Maori, Samoan, Simplified Chinese and Tongan. Please email Returning Officer – Robyn Luke office@gracefield.school.nz

If you have any questions about being on a BOT please reach out to any of the current BOT parent representatives:

Jonny Mckenzie - Jonny.bot@gracefield.school.nz

Rochelle Gribble - Rochelle.bot@gracefield.school.nz

Damian Carder  - damian.bot@gracefield.school.nz

Kylie Seumanu - k.seumanu@gracefield.school.nz

 Or chat to Kelly Barker (Principal) or Tracey Mitchell (Teacher representative).

 Ngā mihi

 Gracefield School BOT

Diwali by Arushi

Diwali is the festival of lights. In ancient Sanskrit language, Diwali is called Deepavali meaning row of light. Diwali is celebrated for five days. We light oil lamps (diyas) for five days in the whole house. Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of lord Rama after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon Ravana. Diwali also marks the new year for Indians and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness. The most fun part of diwali is the fireworks. We make rangoli patterns in the front of our home to welcome gods and people using sand colours and flowers. We cook indian sweets like bharfi, ladoos.We also cook spicy and soury indian snacks. Early in the morning, we take a bath and dress up in our new pretty Indian dresses called chanya chory and go to the temple to pray to god. After that we visit our friends and family. It is a new year for the indians.

I hope you have a happy diwali!

Happy Diwali everyone!

Cook Islands Language Week 2021 : Sunday 1 August - Saturday 7 August

Kia orana!

This year’s theme for Cook Island Language week is ‘Epetoma o te reo Māori Kūki ‘Āirani – Cook Islands Language Week is ‘Ātuitui’ia au ki te Oneone o tōku ‘Ui Tupuna which means, connect me to the soil of my ancestors.

Please come in and see our awesome display in the school foyer and check out some of the lovely books we have available. The artwork on the table was made by Room 7!

Below is a link on how to learn a word a day from Christchurch libraries.

https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/cook-islands-language-week/

And the official Facebook Page celebrating this week for more information.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialCookIslandsLanguageWeek

Aere ra!