High School Parent Speaks at BOT Meeting in NZ

In May 2023 I spoke at my son's school Board of Trustee's meeting on two topics of concern. I did this in order to ensure my concerns were recorded in the BOT meeting minutes, that they would be discussed by the BOT and so that my requests will be taken seriously. And also to encourage other mothers and fathers to find their voices. 

Topic 1: Sexuality Education and Gender Ideology

Many parents are deeply concerned by the RSE curriculum our Government is rolling out in schools across our land. Many of us have seen the evidence of it rolling out in lock-step worldwide. There are some great videos of mums and dads speaking out about this at meetings in the USA, UK and South Africa. But I hadn't seen any from here on our shores yet... So I went along to my son's school BOT meeting and recorded it - to encourage more mums and dads to do the same.

Topic 2: Single Control Approach to Health Risks

When I was on the BOT at this school during the 'covid' years, a group of parents conducted an independent Health and Safety Risk Assessment with a third party, at their own cost. It was specifically in relation to a proposal they put to the BOT regarding dropping the sporting mandates. This report analysed the perceived risks and offered a multiple control approach - proving that mandating and vaccination was not the only approach that could safely be enforced.

I believe this report is very significant, and is suddenly relevant with regards to the current measles 'outbreak' - and concerns from some of us that we are seeing a repeat of the rigid, single control approach required by workplaces and schools, with no risk assessments taken place. This puts all PCBU's at risk.

Attending a BOT meeting

• Members of the community are allowed to attend school BOT meetings. Check your school policies for the rules around attendance and speaking rights, and the dates of BOT meetings should be in the school newsletter or calendar. If not, contact the school office.
  
• I needed to give 48 hours notice and request speaking rights, and was given 10 minutes to speak.
  
• Do not expect discussion after your time is up, as the BOT may not be required to do so, so have a plan of what you are wanting to achieve and what response, and a time-frame for their response.
  
• Take along some support. I was supported by three mothers, and after I finished speaking, we all chatted with the BOT members for a further 10 minutes. They were receptive to my presentation, and I followed up with an email to the BOT Presiding member and principal the following day, with all reference documents, a copy of my speech, and request for follow up actions.
• If you have evidence of unacceptable sexuality and gender ideology in your son or daughter's school, or written affidavits by students of their experiences, these are important to raise with the school BOT. In my case, I did not - and so I was primarily requesting information on what the curriculum is, and urgently requesting disclosure and a public meeting.
• You'll see I made a point twice of being their ally, not their adversary. My approach is to work with, not against the school.
• I asked the BOT for permission to video myself.

References

• For a range of resources stored here for your convenience - go to RESOURCES in the Pendulum Channel (only available for subscribers to Voice Media - to subscribe see below)

RELATIONSHIP AND SEXUALITY EDUCATION:

• MOE Relationships and Sexuality Education Years 9-13
• ERO Sexuality Education in Secondary Schools
• MOE Relationships and Sexuality Education Years 1-8
• ERO Sexuality Education in Primary Schools
• HEALTH EDUCATION JOURNAL (HEJ) - research paper that the RSE Guidelines was primarily based off

MEASLES:

• Albany Senior High Measles Notice - May 5 2023
• Te Whatu Ora Measles Media Release - May 5 2023

I'd love to hear from you

• Email [email protected] if you want to get in touch - a team is available to connect with
  
• If you have sons and daughters who have become entrenched in this gender ideology and you want to share your story or find help, please get in touch

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