School trustees urged to put their names forward

School trustees urged to put their names forward for NZSTA scholarships

The New Zealand School Trustees Association is on the lookout for five trustees who are keen to hit the study books – and the association has a $20,000 scholarship fund to help them on the way.

NZSTA has this week invited applications for five Crombie Lockwood/HIH Insurance Study Awards, which are worth $4,000 each. The annual awards, now in their second year, are open to the estimated 14,000 parent-elected trustees nation-wide.

The scholarships can be used for a variety of purposes, including undertaking a study or self-development programme, a study tour in New Zealand or overseas, or undertaking a research project.

Last year’s successful recipients are studying a variety of topics, including the barriers relating to rural education and keeping young people in rural areas, meeting the needs of Maori education in mainstream education, school clusters, and dispute resolution.

NZSTA president Owen Edgerton says the awards give parent representatives on boards of trustees a wonderful opportunity to pursue study or other forms of self-development. It is also an excellent way to recognise the huge commitment trustees make to the education system.

“Trustees devote huge amounts of time and effort to our schools, and these awards help recognise this commitment.”

Owen Edgerton says last year’s inaugural awards showed just how much trustees have to offer, and he is looking forward to an equally high standard of applicants this year.

“Trustees come from all walks of life, and bring to the position a wide variety of skills and expertise. These awards let them build on this, and at the same time they recognise that trustees do a professional job and should have the opportunity to have relevant training for this role.”

He says the awards were also a reflection of NZSTA’s close working relationship with insurance broker Crombie Lockwood, and the major insurance company in the sector HIH Insurance.

“They have both been extremely generous in their support, and it also shows they value the contribution school trustees make to the education sector.”

Applications for the scholarships close November 17.

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For more information contact Owen Edgerton, phone: (025) 441-397.

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