Want to know more about being a student trustee? This handbook is aimed at student trustees and outlines some of the key points they need to know. Student Trustees Handbook (to down load - right click and "download target......" )
Student Elections 2011
Boards of state and state integrated schools with students above Year 9 must hold an annual student trustee election in September each year (unless an approved alternative constitution under s105A of the Education Act 1989 provides otherwise).
The Election Process: Starts when the board of trustees sets an election date for the student election and appoints a Returning Officer (RO) to manage the election process. Boards must formally appoint a RO at least 37 days before the election date.
Common Election Date: If you haven’t already done this we strongly urge your Board to adopt Friday 30th September 2011 as voting day (the day the poll closes).
Returning Officer: Once the board of trustees has appointed the RO, the board’s involvement in the election process is focused on promoting trusteeship in general and the elections in particular. In addition the board must ensure that the RO has access to all information and resources within the school necessary to complete their responsibilities.
The 2010 Returning Officers’ Handbook has all the detailed information RO’s need to effectively undertake their role. The timeline for the election process is also included in the Handbook. RO’s are required to use the election papers that are enclosed in the 2010 Returning Officers’ Handbook. Resources are available also on our website including access to an electronic copy of the NZSTA Student Trustee Handbook which is a useful resource for prospective, as well as elected, student trustees.
NZSTA is available to provide advice and support on trusteeship and the election process. Phone the NZSTA Helpdesk on 0800 STAHELP (0800 782 435).
Eligibility: Any student enrolled full time in Year 9 and above, under the age of 20, is eligible to stand for election and vote in the school election for a student representative. Student trustees have equal standing, voice, accountabilities and vote as other board members, but they can’t be the board chairperson (neither can the principal nor staff trustee). They’re not just there to be seen and not heard.
Ensuring the students at your school have the opportunity to know what it’s all about before they stand and vote is important. If they want to know more about the board of trustees system, or what a trustee does, they should know where to access information, and where to go to place their nomination and their vote.
It is then up to students to make sure they use their democratic right to vote for someone they think would do the job well.
Let students know that their vote counts - if they don’t vote, they will miss an opportunity to have a say in the governance of their school.
The Election Timeline (2011)
Please click on this link, which will take you through to the Election Planning page where you can use the Fix Election Date tool to work out your election timeline and dates.
Click on the following link for templates of notices and declarations