October’s board meeting covered the following matters, along with the usual board business:

• Elyse Heslop HOD, delivered a very well-received presentation, reporting on the Visual Arts curriculum. These curriculum reviews are always a highlight for board members. Student work is to be presented at their Event Centre Expo next Thursday, 26 October.
• A comprehensive annual report on IT/AV within the school was presented by Dan Bernadie, AV/IT Manager, with an update on the investments made over the past year to improve the reliability and capability of the school’s ICT infrastructure. The complexities of keeping the school’s network safe for staff and students are immense. The board is aware of its cyber safety and security responsibilities and was reassured by this detailed report. While no system is infallible, the positive results of a recent external Network Security Assessment exercise indicate that we have a robust and reliable ICT environment for staff and students to utilise.
• In addition, the board was very pleased to hear that the opportunity for students to learn and operate our state-of-the-art sound and lighting equipment for assemblies in the Events Centre is on track for next year.
• Paul Davis presented the Health and Safety report, another important aspect of the board’s work. Paul’s attention to detail and robust reporting on this provides assurance to our members.
• Successful grant applications resulted in much-appreciated funding towards the Federation Cup tournament in Christchurch and music and sports equipment, including more free-standing basketball hoops.
• In principle approval for overseas trip proposals was given for the Premier Basketball trip to Hong Kong in July 2024 and the Visual Arts Tour (USA, NY & LA) in April 2025.
• The board was impressed that planning was well underway for our first Year 10 camp in 2024!
• A discussion around board-level succession planning identified further requirements for capability in specialist areas, including Māori, Korean and Chinese representation and legal and marketing skills. If you would like to assist the board, please contact Board Secretary/Principal’s EA, Marie McKerrow.

Our board meetings are held in public, and all are welcome to attend. Please contact Board Secretary/Principal’s EA, Marie McKerrow, if you would like to do so.

Many hands make light work, and Carrie George and Cherie Drummond would love to have more parent representation to help raise awareness (and funding) for the dressing of the interior of the Whare Wānanga; please contact Matua Hudson or Marie McKerrow for more information.