The Chalkboard Newsletter - May 2025

May 13, 2025

View our Chalkboard - May 2025:

- 2024 Annual Accounts

- Important Notices

- Xero Tip of the Month: Attach File Now Available in New Fixed Assets

- Free Native Seed Kits

- Seeking School Accounting Advisor to Join Our Team

- Looking ahead


https://public2.bomamarketing.com/email/w04l

By Ben Duflou May 13, 2025
Great news! Xero’s fixed asset section just got an upgrade! You’ll now enjoy a cleaner, more accessible, and responsive interface—making it easier than ever to manage your assets. All the familiar features are still there, and you can now attach files directly to your fixed asset records for improved documentation and tracking. How to Attach a File: Navigate to Fixed Assets: In the Xero accounting menu, select "Fixed assets". Open Asset Details: Click on the asset number to view the asset details. Attach Files: Click the "Attach files" button located on the right hand side of the page. Upload or Drag and Drop: You can either click "Upload files" to select a file from your device or simply drag and drop a file into the upload area. Attachments could be a copy of the bill or a photo of the asset. Save Changes: Click "Save as draft" or "Register" to save the changes. Extra tip: You can also attach files to assets that have already been registered—making it even easier to keep your records accurate and up to date.
By Ben Duflou April 23, 2025
We know that teacher recruitment and retention are top priorities for schools and kura. To support you in addressing these challenges, the Ministry of Education has developed the Workforce Initiative Searcher for Principals (WISP)—an easy-to-use online tool designed to connect you with a wide range of funded workforce initiatives. By simply entering the name of your school into the WISP tool’s search function, you can quickly discover various programmes and resources available to support your recruitment efforts and enhance staff retention. Whether you're seeking specific funding opportunities or tailored initiatives, WISP puts this information at your fingertips, making it easier than ever to find the right support for your school or kura. We encourage all schools to take full advantage of this valuable resource. To access the WISP tool visit the link below: https://workforce.education.govt.nz/.../workforce...
By Ben Duflou April 14, 2025
Great news! You can now upload multiple bills at once in Xero. Instead of uploading bills one by one, the Upload Bills feature lets you select and upload multiple files from your computer—or simply drag and drop them into Xero. This update makes managing large volumes of bills quicker and easier. To upload multiple bills: 1. In Xero, go to the Bills section. 2. Click the dropdown arrow next to the "New Bill" button and select "Upload Bills." 3. Choose the files from your computer or drag and drop them into the upload window. 4. Click "Upload Files"
By Ben Duflou April 11, 2025
View our Chalkboard - April 2025: - 2024 Annual Accounts - Happy Easter & AFS Out-Of-Office Dates - Important Notice: Office Closure - Friday 11 April 2025 From 12PM - Xero Tip of the Month: Upload Multiple Bills at Once in Xero - Farewell to Jo Leiper - Resource: Workforce Initiative Searcher for Principals (WISP) - Looking ahead https://public2.bomamarketing.com/email/lbPk
By Ben Duflou March 31, 2025
Speed Up Your Xero Invoicing with New Shortcuts! Xero has just launched a helpful guide featuring all the keyboard shortcuts for the new invoicing system. These shortcuts will help you navigate tasks more quickly and efficiently, giving you more time to focus on what matters most. Check out the guide here: here: https://assets.bomamarketing.com/.../Xero%20New... For quick and easy access, save it to your desktop—so your time-saving shortcuts are always at your fingertips! Please note: some shortcuts are only available when an invoice is in a particular status, such as draft or approved.
By Ben Duflou March 18, 2025
Speed Up Your Xero Invoicing with New Shortcuts! Xero has just launched a helpful guide featuring all the keyboard shortcuts for the new invoicing system. These shortcuts will help you navigate tasks more quickly and efficiently, giving you more time to focus on what matters most. Click the button below to download the guide. Saving it to your desktop will provide easy access to these time-saving shortcuts whenever you need them! Please note: some shortcuts are only available when an invoice is in a particular status, such as draft or approved.
By Ben Duflou March 18, 2025
View our Chalkboard - March 2025: - 2024 Annual Accounts - Important Notices - Banking Reminder - Accessing Higher Interest Rates - Xero Tip of the Month: New Invoicing Keyboard Shortcuts - Welcome to the Team: Dominique McCrostie - Why Your School Needs a Maintenance Plan - Looking ahead https://public2.bomamarketing.com/email/L4y0
By Ben Duflou March 13, 2025
As a school, you're already familiar with how busy your environment can be, with students, teachers, and staff working together each day to foster a positive learning experience. But to ensure these spaces stay safe, comfortable, and supportive of learning, it’s important to have a well-planned maintenance strategy in place. A solid maintenance plan helps manage and preserve your school’s infrastructure, from classrooms and hallways to sports fields and playgrounds. Here’s why every school should have one: 1. Safety First A maintenance plan helps identify and address potential safety hazards in the school environment. Broken windows, faulty electrical systems, and uneven flooring can all pose serious risks to students and staff. Regular inspections and quick repairs are essential to keep everyone safe. 2. Preventing Costly Repairs By regularly maintaining school buildings and equipment, schools can catch small issues before they turn into big, expensive problems. For instance, a leaky roof left unchecked could eventually lead to significant water damage. Fixing problems early saves money in the long run and ensures that the school’s resources are being used wisely. 3. Creating a Positive Learning Environment A well-maintained school is more inviting and comfortable for both students and teachers. Clean, functioning facilities – such as working air conditioning, bright lighting, and functional restrooms – help maintain a productive atmosphere. When students feel comfortable in their environment, they can focus better and succeed academically. 4. Extending the Lifespan of School Property Schools invest a lot in their buildings and equipment. A regular maintenance plan helps extend the lifespan of these assets. Proper care of things like furniture, heating and cooling systems, and playground equipment ensures they last longer and continue to serve students well over time. 5. Compliance with Regulations Schools must comply with local or state regulations regarding safety, accessibility, and the overall condition of their facilities. A maintenance plan ensures that schools stay up-to-date with these requirements, avoiding potential fines or legal issues. In essence, a proactive maintenance plan is not just about fixing things when they break – it’s about creating a safe, efficient, and welcoming environment for everyone. By investing in a strong maintenance plan, schools are ensuring that their facilities are ready for the challenges of tomorrow and supporting the success of students today.
By Ben Duflou February 17, 2025
A reminder that Xero will be retiring the classic invoicing version on Thursday, February 27, 2025. While many of you have already transitioned to the new invoicing system—following Xero's automatic switch on September 2, 2024—some may still be in the process of moving from the classic to the new version. After the extended deadline of February 27, 2025, access to Xero Classic Invoicing will no longer be available. If you haven’t fully switched to the new invoicing system yet, now is the time to do so. Familiarising yourself with the updated interface before the deadline will give you time to adjust and become comfortable with the new features. To access Xero's guide on how to navigate the new invoicing system, visit: https://learning.central.xero.com/student/activity/3482 ?
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