Kia ora e te Whānau,

This last term has continued to present Ilam School with many challenges, and I would like to thank Belinda, our senior leadership team, all staff, tamariki and families for such tireless mahi throughout this difficult term.

I would also like to formally thank Paul Dolan for his years of dedicated service to Ilam School. Over the last 10 years, Paul has been an engaged, popular, and connected leader with great insight into education. He has been a friend to staff and students, and his enthusiasm and fun has been contagious. I know so many tamariki were always excited to greet him each day with their latest news. He was proud of their achievements and helped build a strong and effective team around him. We wish him well in his new career and hope he still has time to enjoy his other passion … test cricket where hopefully his beige cricket uniform will continue to have outings other than Book Week and Cultural day! He leaves Ilam at the end of term 2.

Most of us are still coming to terms with the tragic loss of Nicki Frisby. Nicki has been a part of Ilam since 2006. She was the most vibrant, caring and genuine soul. An incredible teacher and human being. She really understood her students and brought out the best in them. Those of us lucky enough to have had her teach our children will be forever grateful for her insight and support in helping us understand their learning needs and styles. She brought a love of chess to so many, not from her passion for the game but her passion for helping children learn. We will always remember her care and her amazing sense of humour. Our staff have not just lost a colleague but a special friend and the Board will continue to support them over the months ahead. At the celebration of Nicki’s life it was very obvious that Ilam was her second family and the feeling is mutual. Our thoughts and sympathies are with her children and whanau, who have suffered an even greater loss.

These are two very different types of loss to Ilam and it is poignant they occur around Matariki, a time for reflection on the past. But Matariki is also a time to celebrate the present and plan and look forward to the year ahead. While our school has faced a challenging term, with Covid and winter illnesses bringing additional pressure, we should feel proud of the way our special and unique community has come together and the teaching and learning that has been achieved. We can look forward to new developments ahead and you can read more about joining the Board and finding a new principal below.

Covid Cases at Ilam. We currently have 11 positive covid cases. 2 in the Juniors, 6 in the Middles and 3 in the senior school.

Please take care over the last week of term and enjoy the upcoming holidays, as this is the last planned update for Term 2

Liz Martyn on behalf of the Ilam School Board of Trustees

Please find the following information in this Update:

• Mr Dolan - Leaving assembly POSTPONED

• Principal Recruitment

• Board of Trustees information regarding the upcoming elections - new date for next meeting and information regarding parent nominations

• School Photos - Reminder

• PTA Event - Movie night Friday 1 July -TOMORROW

• Dental care over school holidays

• Term Dates

Leaving Assembly - postponed until term 3

A reminder that Mr Dolan’s Leaving Assembly has been postponed until Term 3. There is still time to write a note or card for Mr Dolan. Please place these in the box outside the office door.

Cards for Mr Dolan

You may like to write Mr Dolan a note or card. We have created a box that will be located outside the office door.

The Board of Trustees is working with Terri Johnstone, Catalyst for Change, to find a new principal for Ilam School. Early in Term 3, there will be consultation with our school whanau and community. We would love your input into deciding what type of person should be leading the school into the future.

PLEASE NOTE A NEW DATE TO MEET: If you would like to attend a Board meeting you are welcome to come along on Monday 1 August 6pm in the Staffroom.

Parent Election Notice

Nominations are open for the election of 5 (five) parent representatives to the school board.

All eligible voters will receive an email calling for nominations no later than 15 July 2022

(Nominations open in the school holidays.)

Please use this online facility to nominate yourself or someone in your community.

You will also receive Information on who is not eligible to be a board member which is provided

within the nomination form on line.

A hard copy nomination form can be obtained from the school office.

It is recommended that you provide a candidate statement and photograph.

Nominations close at 12pm on Wednesday 3 rd August 2022.

The electoral roll is held at the school and can be viewed during normal school hours.

As nominations are received, there will be a list of candidates’ names kept at the school up

until election day, which you can view.

Voting closes at 4pm on Wednesday 7 th September 2022.

Jocelyn Cameron

Returning Officer

Help shape Ilam's Future

Elections for the School Board will be held in September this year and we need new members.

You are invited to stand for the Ilam School Board of Trustees (BoT). The election will be held this September.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for setting the direction of the school and overseeing the management of personnel, property, finance and administration.

A staff trustee is elected by the school staff. The Principal is a member. The rest of the Board is made up of parent trustees, elected by the parent community — this is your opportunity to help shape our school.

You don’t need specific experience to be a valued BoT member. Your perspective and your commitment to our tamariki (children) are what our school needs most!

The Board meets twice each term. Exciting projects in the pipeline are the enhancement of school buildings and deepening the connection to our wonderfully diverse community.

One of the Ilam School values is “I Give Back”. What better way to demonstrate that value to your child than by embracing this opportunity?

Curious? Then chat with Belinda or a current member of the Board. Or why not come along to the next BoT meeting — Monday 15 August (6pm in the staffroom).

Thank you!

Please see the timeline for Triennial Elections here:

On Wednesday 6th July the children will be having their school photos taken. The photos that all children will have; individual photos and a class photo. There will also be photos taken of the House Captains, School Council, Cultural Leaders and Road Patrol.

If you have more than one child at the school and wish to have a sibling photo taken, please complete the following ‘Sibling Photo Request Form’ by Friday 1st July. If you have any difficulties in filling in the form please don't hesitate to contact the office staff.

Within a few days of the photos being taken we will be sending home a sample photo of your child (this includes sibling photos if requested) with information on how to order photos.

The Community Dental Service will be providing limited appointments during the school break at;

Woolston Community Dental Clinic, 11, Hopkins Street, Christchurch

Hornby Community Dental Clinic, 2 Hei Hei Road, Christchurch

You can access these appointments by calling our Contact Centre on 0800 846 983, noting that priority is given to children with immediate dental needs.

For any dental advice please call the Contact Centre on 0800 846 983 or email commdental@cdhb.health.nz

Please check our Parent Calendar to keep up to date with events at our school. Find the link here.

• PTA movie night - Friday 1 July - 5.30pm

• School photos - Wednesday 6 July

• Farewell Assembly for Mr Dolan - Friday 8 July 9.30am -: Postponed until Term 3

• Last day of Term 2 - Friday 8 July -School closes at 3pm

• Start of Term 3 - Monday 25 July

• Swim Programme at King’s Swim School - Monday 25 July to Friday 19 August

• PTA second-hand uniform sale - Friday 29 July 8.30 - 9am in the hall

• Student Learning Conferences - Wednesday 3 August and Thursday 4 August - Information to come

• Mihi Whakatau - Thursday 4 August at 2pm

• Teachers Only Day - Friday 16 September

• Last day of Term 3 - Friday 30 September -School closes at 3pm