Balmoral Board Newsletter Term 4 2022
Our School Board Members
Kyle MacDonald (Presiding Member)
Sarah Jack (Deputy Presiding Member)
Malcolm Milner (Principal)
Dan Allen (Staff Representative)
Erica Hodgson
Sarah Johnstone-Smith
Chris Reid
Tēnā koutou
As 2022 rolls to an end, it feels that after the significant disruptions of the last two years, our community is once again coming back together. Term 4 has been such a busy time for our staff, families and ākonga with so many of the community events that we have missed during COVID back on the calendar. It is also wonderful to have all but the finishing touches left on the rebuild of our school, and to once more have the pool up and running during term time.
Thanks to all those who put so much time and effort into the Primary School Disco, the School Market Day and the Primary School Picnic and the many other events going on at school this Term. These events add so much to school life and the energy and enthusiasm of the children on these days was certainly infectious. We couldn’t do it without the tireless efforts of the PTA, the staff and other volunteers who generously give their time to ensure these events run smoothly.
Personnel Changes:
The Board would like to thank Mrs Afosa, who finishes her time with our school at the end of this year after an incredible 24 years of service to our community and 48 years in education. We wish her all the very best in her retirement.
We would also like to acknowledge Jesse McBride, who, after 11 years and having started his teaching career at Balmoral School, moves on to the role of Deputy Principal of Mount Roskill Intermediate. We know he will make a great contribution to his new school. Earlier this week, some Board members, staff and akonga attended a powhiri at Mt Roskill Intermediate to hand Jesse over.
Farewell to our other staff who are moving out of teaching or leaving for other pastures outside of Auckland.
The SLT have done a wonderful recruitment process, and we are currently fully staffed for 2023.
There is also a change on the Board of Trustees, with Louis McLennan stepping down as Treasurer after more than three years. Louis was co-opted onto the Board in 2019 and has done a wonderful job of overseeing the School’s finances. The Board would like to thank Louis for his valuable contributions to the Board, and we wish him all the very best.
Communications
We are sure that whānau are enjoying the updated newsletter format and will take the time to explore the revised Balmoral School website, which launched this week. www.balmoral.school.nz The content has been streamlined, and navigation has been made easier. Thanks to Kenzie Lynas (Yr 7 classroom teacher) for her work on building this website throughout the school year and the SLT and office staff for reviewing and rewriting much of the content.
Property
As we complete the final aspects of the school rebuild, we will have work taking place on the school grounds over the Christmas break. To give the contractors the access they need and for health and safety reasons, the Board has decided to keep the school grounds closed over the summer school holidays. Our school field's wonderful new turf will have drainage installed, and we hope to progress necessary repairs to the school pool’s heating system over this time (assuming the parts and contractors are available in time!). We are still waiting for Pacific Membranes to complete the two shade covers this year too. Geoff Sturt, our landscaper, has also completed the planting for 2022.
We are still looking into options for how we might be able to enable out-of-hours whānau access to the pool once the repairs are completed. Thank you to those who have offered to volunteer
Community Contribution
We wish all the families whose time at Balmoral School is coming to an end this year all the very best. As our students move onto secondary school and beyond, we know they will carry with them the lessons they learned at Balmoral School and hope that the groundwork laid through our school vision, namely “To value diversity and to develop curious, confident and connected learners” will hold them in good stead in this rapidly changing world.
We also thank all the parents, grandparents and whānau of graduating students who have given their time and energy to make this school all it is.
A Merry Christmas, and a safe and Happy New Year. We look forward to an exciting 2023.
Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete ki a koutou,
The Balmoral School Board of Trustees