CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006
Board elections were held on the 30th March 2006. Fourteen people stood for the Board, culminating in the election of five trustees. The newly elected Board of Trustees took over the running of the school on the 7 April 2007 and the first Board meeting was held on the 20th April where I was elected Chairman.
Dennis Finn the outgoing Commissioner had left the school in a healthy state with a particularly robust set of policies and procedures. He had overseen the complete re-write of the school’s Policy Manual and had hired three new Deputy Principals and a Principal. He is to be commended for his diligence and professionalism.
The new Board spent its first month meeting all the staff. A system of a Board member being responsible for a faculty area was implemented and this helped in introducing the new Board to the staff.
The major change strategy required was the writing of a long term strategic plan, school charter and a mission statement that would give a clear direction for future development of the school and in particular one that would meet our community needs. This was achieved over a number of meetings involving all staff and trustees and, in late 2006, community consultation.
This process culminated in the acceptance of the new charter and mission statement. It reflects the inclusiveness of the school, the importance of the community and a core values program. The Board identified eight core values as honesty, compassion, obedience, respect, duty, responsibility, consideration and kindness. Management has chosen to focus on one of these areas each term.
The mission statement encapsulates the new direction the school is taking in the form of:
EXCELLENCE and DILIGENCE within a supportive community.
The school’s charter amplifies this statement:
Academic excellence will be our priority, but we will be an inclusive school determined to meet the needs of all students.
Students will leave Cambridge High confident, qualified and keen to contribute positively to society.
We expect our students to participate fully in classroom and extra curricular activities and show a positive attitude towards learning.
The school will foster a safe, pleasant and supportive learning working environment for the school community so that students will enjoy learning.
Our goals will be:
To produce independent life long learners with a positive view of themselves, the school and their place in our community.
We need to challenge and support all our students, and they must be provided with a range of programmes that enables them to strive for success and excellence.
All students will be seen as individuals and we will have high expectations of all students, especially our Maori students.
As individuals the school will cater for students with particular learning needs, these will include literacy, numeracy and specific learning and behavioural needs.
The school’s staff will be recognised as the key resource. We have extensively consulted with staff in the building of this charter and will continue to do so. The school will place a major focus upon on-going professional development.
In the Curriculum area the key task for the Board was to introduce a school-wide approach to literacy but especially at the Year 9 and 10 levels. A quantifiable school-wide approach to literacy was developed through the use of MIDYIS and asTTle testing which commenced on a regular basis throughout the school during the year. A Year 10 option structure was implemented which enabled Year 10 students to have more choice in their subject areas. This scheme was particularly well received by parents.
In Pastoral Care, the Board put in place processes to identify students with special needs, including gifted and talented. A new system of recording period by period absences using “Kamar” was introduced, and a review of the suspension, stand down and exclusion procedures was carried out. A plan was developed to ensure that student needs in the areas of Transition and Careers were met.
In Personnel, the Board oversaw a review of timetabling, personnel and induction procedures and policies. A school wide focus was developed for professional development centred around reluctant learners and to provide appraisers with the necessary personal development to ensure the effective operation of the appraisal process. Reporting procedures to the Board were established and support to Year 1 and 2 teachers was reviewed. A new Dean and Assistant Dean structure was implemented, this is showing results with the work load of Deputy Principals being relieved.
In Property, the Maori Studies Suite was tendered, commenced building in late 2006 and is scheduled for opening in March 2007. This facility will address a long term need for the school Maori community and also classroom space shortfall. Planning continued with Council for the community gym and whilst we as a Board are disappointed with Council’s decision to build the proposed 25 metre pool complex at
The simplifying of the school uniform and change of uniform supplier, the purchase of a new automated PABX telephone system and the erection of shade areas were other tangible examples of spending on infrastructure.
My thanks must go to my fellow Board members for their time and diligence, we as a Board have become an effective and cohesive team. A special note of thanks to Debbie Hodge the Board Secretary for her contribution to the smooth running of all the processes and to Tricia Methley the school Business Manager for her support and advice.
To the management team led by Phil McCreery the school has come along way under your leadership. To the staff for their on-going professionalism and support, thank you.
As we approach another round of elections in March 2007, I hope continuity can be achieved and the school’s progress and direction maintained.
Greg Liddy
Chairman
Board of Trustees