Trustees tell parents to support rules

Media release

Trustees tell parents to support rules

The New Zealand School Trustees Association is urging parents and caregivers to get behind school boards by helping them enforce school rules.

President Chris France says the association supports the decision of boards in recent incidents when students were told they must abide by the board’s rules relating to school uniform.

Chris France says school boards have to set sensible standards and it is important parents support schools rather than work against them.

He says all parents should make sure they know what the school rules are before they enrol their child.

“Anyone enrolling their child in a school should make it a priority to read over the rules of that school. These rules are created by the board on behalf of the local community. If you don’t agree with them then stand for election as a trustee in March and have your say on straight forward issues like this, along with the bigger issues that can enhance the education of your children.”

Chris France says while teenagers are always going to try and push boundaries, it is important boards continue to set limits on what is acceptable and what isn’t.

“We can’t have a free for all with every student deciding what standard suits them. Schools would end up with students with every hair colour imaginable, or a sea of interpretations on the school uniform.”

He says boards are faced with a difficult task in setting standards. However, on the whole they simply reflect what is expected by the community.

“If there is any concern that a rule isn’t reflecting what the school community wants, then there are ways to address it. But to simply choose to ignore the school’s standards and send you child to school knowing they are breaking a rule won’t achieve anything.

“Schools make it perfectly clear that they have rules and these are available to anyone who asks. When you enrol at that school you are saying you are aware they exist, and you are willing to adhere to them.”

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For more information contact Chris France. Phone (025) 441-397.

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