NZ School Trustees Association Conference a great experience

26 July 2013

NZSTA Conference an “awesome experience"

Despite a very short lead time between trustee elections in May this year and the July conference, the Sky City Convention Centre was filled to capacity for NZSTA’s 3-day conference this weekend. With around 840 registrations this year, the NZSTA Conference is one of the largest education-themed conferences in the country.

Building on recent years’ conferences, the theme this year was governance for excellent school outcomes. This consistent focus on student achievement reflects the important role an effective school board of trustees has been shown to have in enabling every student at their school to achieve to their potential.

Seminar topics included briefings on student progress and achievement, 21st century science, using the internet to enhance student learning, Positive Behaviour for Learning (PB4L), Youth Guarantee, inclusive practices / special education, national standards, and Pasifika achievement alongside case studies, and governance basics like employment issues, what to expect from board reports, the role of the chairperson, strategic thinking and building trust.

“There’s a lot to learn, both about the education side and about the governing side of a board’s work,” says NZSTA President, Lorraine Kerr. “We provide a lot of formal PD in the seminars and keynote sessions, but it’s also important for people to have the chance to learn from each other and network with others who are doing the same work in other parts of the country. Feedback from trustees has highlighted the value of the seminar programme, and of getting a chance to network with other trustees about the work we do.

“One of the things that can be incredibly valuable is when a whole board attends together, including the principal. We’re increasingly finding that boards who have made that investment in past years are choosing to do it on a regular basis – and it’s no holiday either. It’s full on, from 8am Friday to midday Sunday. Newbies feel as if their head is ready to explode by the time they go home with all the new ideas and information they’ve picked up,” Lorraine adds.

Unlike other education conferences which have a more political flavour, NZSTA’s conferences are firmly focussed on professional development and networking opportunities. This year’s conference timetable featured 49 professional development seminars, 3 keynote speeches and an address from Minister Parata followed by questions from the floor, as well as the Association’s AGM.

“There are always a few practical things we can improve on” says Lorraine, “but the buzz around the conference venue and the feedback we’ve had from trustees who attended is that it was an “awesome” experience, and they’re planning to be back next year with even more of their colleagues – so we’re already planning for even bigger and better again next year” she grins.

ENDS

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