Kia ora koutou
At last years’ AGM we welcomed Melody Stuckey as our new National Co-ordinator. We were also pleased to elect four new Executive members- Liza IIiffe (Whanganui), Barbara Samson (Dunedin), Chris Reid (Christchurch) and Ena Drinnan (Kaitaia). Along with Phil Ozanne and Karyn Robertson (Tauranga), Jenny Te Punga Jurgens (Whanganui), Huhana Winiata and myself in Auckland, we cover much of New Zealand! As Chair I would very much like to thank Mel and the Exec Members for the work they do for CECEAA and for their heart and passion they have for this organisation.
It is just 8 months since the last AGM. This year it is earlier than usual due to the Exec deciding to reach more of our Centres by holding three huis through NZ. The April one in Wellington and then two more during August in Auckland and Christchurch. During that time as an Exec we have taken time to work together and think about the future of CECEAA. Since our initial Exec meeting where we met in Wellington, we have been using Zoom -an online conference tool similar to Skype for meetings. This overcomes the logistics of bringing together 10 members from around NZ including saving travel costs. We will be meeting again in Wellington just before our Leadership hui.
At the upcoming Leadership hui Thrive we are delighted to introduce THRIVE – A Christ Centred organisational tool that supports the development of Internal Evaluation and your inquiry appraisal process. A few years ago, ‘Relationships are the key’ was the theme of one of our conferences and that is so true! This document will encourage teacher and team wellness within your Centres. We want to give thanks to Mel and Karyn for their work in producing this document and we look forward to hearing how the pilot scheme of implementing it in three of our Centres is going.
It is not too late to register for our THRIVE conference in April. It would be great to have you join us!
CECEAA continues to work “in the best interests of children” One major aspect of that is supporting our head teachers, managers, kaiako so that you in turn are able to provide wonderful learning outcomes for children. Being part of a regional group has been of benefit to a number of our members and we would encourage you to part of one.
We are aware of some of the challenges that you are facing in your centres. Financial constraints continue to be putting a strain on a number of our members and that in turn has affected our organisation. We pray that each one of you and your Centres will know God’s enabling and find ways to go from strength to strength. As an Exec we are looking at ways to enhance the financial sustainability of CECEAA.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations. For ever and ever! Amen. Eph 3v20,21.
I do wish you a wonderful year of thriving with your teams in your Centres.
Nga mihi
Pearl Thorp
Chair CECEAA.