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SCHOOL BOARD

Current members

Presiding Member	Heywood Kuka
Principal	Catherine Neidhardt
Staff Representative	Rapua Timoti
Member	Hamish Don
Member	Ross Edens
Member	Esther Wrenn
Member	Jeremy Wright
Co-opted Member	Sam Fellows
Secretary	Rae Jamieson

Te Tiriti o Waitangi Commitment

Kei te whānau whānui, tēnā koutou,

Bethlehem School has a deep and rich history of commitment not only to Te Ao Māori but to the mana whenua of which the school stands, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hangarau and Ngāi Tamarāwaho.

The whakapapa of our name tells a story of a journey through legislative change, from Paeroa Native School and Bethlehem Native School to Bethlehem School.

This history and whakapapa is integral to our identity and the muka in which the kura values and mātāpono are woven.

The Board of Trustees wants to assure our community that our kura does not support any legislation or policy that seeks to diminish the place of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Tiriti is foundational to the way we operate, the way we relate to one another, and the way we create a safe, inclusive learning environment for all ākonga.

Our commitment to honouring Te Tiriti remains unchanged. This includes:

● Upholding the principles of partnership, protection, and participation

● Continuing to embed Te Ao Māori and connection to mana whenua in our curriculum,

culture, and daily practices

● Ensuring our Māori learners and whānau are supported, respected, and heard

● Providing an environment where all students learn, grow, and thrive with an

understanding of the history and responsibilities we share in this country

E te whānau, the Board of Trustees is proud of our kura and the commitment to Te Ao Māori, mana whenua and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The leadership of the kura and the kaiako have shown great kaitiakitanga of these kaupapa and we are confident that as a kura whānui we will ensure the future of not only our tamariki but our community will thrive.

The Board of Trustees of Bethlehem School

If you would like to get in touch with the board directly you can email bot@bethlehemschool.ac.nz

All of our school’s policies and procedures can be found here.

Our annual report can be found here .

Our primary objectives:

A board’s primary objectives in governing a school are to ensure that:
(a) every student at the school is able to attain their highest possible standard in educational achievement; and

(b) the school –

(i) is a physically and emotionally safe place for all students and staff;

(ii) gives effect to relevant student rights set out in this Act, the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990, and the Human Rights Act 1993; and
(iii) takes all reasonable steps to eliminate racism, stigma, bullying, and any other forms of discrimination within the school;

(c) the school is inclusive of, and caters for, students with differing needs; and
(d) the school gives effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including by –
(i) working to ensure that its plans, policies, and local curriculum reflect local tikanga Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te ao Māori; and

(ii) taking all reasonable steps to make instruction available in tikanga Māori and te reo Māori; and

(iii) achieving equitable outcomes for Māori students.

For more information about how school boards work please visit the New Zealand School Trustees website.

Our most recent Annual Report can be found here .