Joy Bradfield
Presiding Member

Our most recent meeting was held on Tuesday 24 May, and it was the first meeting for our new Student Member Kate Liu. Congratulations Kate on winning the student election – it is a pleasure to have you onboard.

With the Triennial School Board elections coming up on 7 September, succession planning was a key discussion topic at this meeting. Three of our five parent Members will be stepping down after completing their three year term: Carolyn Ranson, Kim Tay and Andy Hofmeyr. They have provided huge value to the school in advising on personnel and contract matters, property construction matters, health and safety, strategic relationships and development fund. I’d like to thank them for the tremendous contribution that they’ve made to the board.

Effective governance is essential for the smooth functioning of a school with 2200 students, this enables Jane Stanley to confidently undertake her role as Principal and CEO of the school, knowing that she has strong support and resources to draw on. The Board is the crown entity responsible for the governance of the school, and is tasked with ensuring every student can reach their highest possible academic achievement. The Board is also the employer of all staff in the school; sets the school’s strategic direction in consultation with parents, whānau, staff, students and the wider school community; and is responsible and liable for overseeing the management of personnel, curriculum, property, finance and administration.

If you are someone with capacity, vision and ability, and are a team player with good communication skills, we would ask that you seriously consider nomination for a 3-year term. We require a strong Board to help realise our Strategic Plan and Vision for our students at Westlake Girls High School.

If you are a prospective candidate, we warmly invite you to our next Board Meeting on Thursday 7 July at 6pm in the Conference Room, Gernhoefer Admin Centre, WGHS. There you will be able to meet current Board members and see first-hand the structure and style of our meetings. Please email Marie McKerrow at [email protected] to indicate your attendance, or to contact current board members.

Please note that this is the last board meeting before nominations close. Nomination papers will be emailed by 15 July and close at midday on 3 August 2022.

Refer this link for further information: https://www.schoolboardelections.org.nz/becoming-a-board-member/

Other items of business from Board meeting on 24 May

• Business Studies curriculum review
• Annual Health & Safety Report – Biennial External Health & Safety Audit achieving Tier Gold rating – the highest that can be achieved in a school setting, received for the last three audits
• Financial Report and Budget: submission of 2021 Annual Report to MOE on 31.05.2022
• Approval of new catering contract for school canteen starting from T3 with Libelle
• Cultural Wellbeing : Whānau evening 1 June 2022 with presentation of Whare Wananga; 13 staff enrolled in Te Ahu o Te Reo Māori, with 5 having completed last year’s course
• Operational Policy Reviews – personnel, finance, health & safety and complaints
• Staff and Student member reports to the board