Whangarei Boys High School BoT Members

2013 Board of Trustees elections

Board of Trustee election results -

the following Trustees have been elected:

Ian Goodison
Jan Hewitt
Tim Robinson
Ben Smith
Robert Towers

Staff Representative:
Hill, Virginia

Board of Trustee Members

L to R: Back row - Ian Goodison, Louis Davis, Michael Tarry, Tim Robinson, Justine Kingi, Jan Hewitt, Lara Harvey (Sec) Front row - Geoff Abbott, Clare Davies-Colley, Al Kirk (HM)

**Board of Trustee Members**
Clare Davies-Colley (Chairperson, Finance Chairperson, Property) Clare is a Chartered Accountant with 20 years experience in finance and general management of organisations. In addition to the Boys’ High Board, Clare has several community roles including on the Council at NorthTec, and Trustee of Northland Events Centre and NorthHaven Hospice Endowment Fund. Clare and her husband Tony also have business interests in Whangarei. Clare has three sons; two have completed their schooling at Boys’ High and are now at University, and one is in Year 12.
Geoff Abbott J.P. (Deputy Chairman, Discipline Chairman, Finance Committee, Property) Occupation: Director of Abbott Group Ltd and a number of other private companies and is also active as a Business Mentor and Consultant. Qualifications: AFNZIM, Dip Bus (New Ventures), MCIT, MTINZ , SMNZTA, Registered New Zealand Trustee Family: Married, father of 3 adult children and stepfather to a current student. Community Involvement has included: Local government 18 yrs, University Council Ethics Appointee, Vestry member, Peoples’ Warden and Anglican Synod Representative. In the sporting area he has been player, coach, manager and committee member. National Vice President and on the Council for the Tax Agents Institute of New Zealand Inc. Acts as a rostered JP for the Citizens Advice Bureau, Nominated Person for the Police in Whangarei, under the Children,Young Persons & Their Families Act 1989.
Ian Goodison (Property Chairman) Ian is an Information Analyst, Designer & Technical Writer with a focus on process streamlining, health and safety. This includes analysis of machinery, manufacturing and industrial processes, operational and service delivery processes, and production of reference material for training, quality assurance and statutory compliance. He has worked in the computer, outdoor recreation, aviation and adventure tourism industries followed by management roles in public safety, national parks and facilities management, including 12 years with D.O.C. at Mt Ruapehu, and 6 years as Facilities Manager at Massey University Albany. Ian has been involved in forming and running professional, service and community organisations on both national and local levels, ambulance and fire brigade work, and served on sports and social club committees. An Old Boy, he returned home to Whangarei 10 years ago with wife Carolyn and family, seeking the lifestyle benefits that only the North can offer. Their children are currently at Girls’ High (Y11) and Boys’ High (Y10).
Tim Robinson (Carruth Hostel Chairman) I was raised in Whangarei and attended Whangarei Boys High School. Leaving school, I began my working career as a lineman for 6 ½ years for NZ Post Office in Whangarei, moving into sales in an account management role for Telecom Sales in Northland, now Gen-i. This has entails me working with medium to large enterprise businesses, partnering with them to develop and implement innovative solutions to enhance their business performance. During this time I also owned a hairdressing business. I have been on the board of the Northland Chamber of Commerce for the past 10 years, including time as Vice-President & President. I am married to Sandy, a former primary school teacher, now Quilter & community support worker. We have three 3 boys, 2 whom have already been through WBHS, and our youngest who is in year 10. As a passionate Northlander I am privileged to have a family bach on the coast & love all water based activities, especially waterskiing & fishing.
Jan Hewitt (Discipline Committee, Equity) Currently employed as the Features and Special Projects Manager for Northern Publishing and the Northern Advocate. A member of Northland Executive for Northland School Trustees Association A member of the National Council for New Zealand School Trustees Association A board member of Dress for Success and Dress to Impress for Northland Currently completing a Bachelor of Applied Management through Northtec I have had many years of involvement in School Trusteeship, having 9 years as Chairperson of a full Primary School board, and over 6 years of cost recovery facilitation for New Zealand School Trustees Association in all aspects of trusteeship for Northland boards of trustees. My previous career was with the New Zealand Police and spanned over 18 years, with 12 years experience in the Criminal Investigation Branch of the New Zealand Police, as a Detective, then over 6 years as a Private Investigator working in the private and public sector for a number of corporate organisations. I am currently undertaking part time study, working towards the completion of my Bachelor of Applied Management. I am a member of the Disciplinary Committee for WBHS, and oversee the EEO programme, along with steering the review committee for the Board of Trustees.
Justine Kingi (Maori Parent Hui Representative)
Michael Tarry (Staff Representative, Carruth Hostel Staff Representative) Michael works at Whangarei Boys’ High School, where he is Teacher-in-Charge of History and Coordinator of Gifted and Talented Education. He lives at Carruth House, where he has previously worked as a Housemaster. Born in Whanganui, he has taught at Boys’ High since July 2008. Prior to coming to Whangarei, Michael worked in the Department of Political Studies at the University of Auckland. Michael is politically active and community-minded – he is a member of the national NZQA ministerial taskforce to help reduce teacher workload, sits on the PPTA National Establishing Teachers’ Committee, and has served previously as a member of a Board of Trustees, as an adviser to the councils of the University of Otago and the Taupo District, as an Anglican vestryman and member of the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Auckland, as a student representative at the University of Auckland, and on the executive of the Post-Graduate Students’ Association. Michael is a member of the Royal Society of New Zealand, and is proud to be part of the staff of Whangarei Boys’ High School.
Robert Towers (BoT Representative - Co-opted)
Simon Wong (Student Representative)
Al Kirk (Headmaster) I am proud to be the Headmaster of Whangarei Boys’ High School – a job that I have been doing since the beginning of 2000. Prior to coming to WBHS I was Deputy Headmaster of Nelson College (1996 – 1999), and before that Senior Master New Plymouth Boys’ High School (1988 – 1995) - where I was also Head of Carrington House – one of the school’s two hostels. Educating boys has been a passion of mine since 1988 and it is one of the most rewarding jobs possible. To turn boys into fine young men is one of the key aims of WBHS and the support that we have from the staff, the Old Boys, the Board of Trustees, and school community continues to be excellent. The school hostel is a cornerstone of WBHS and the promotion of the hostel and being able to provide a quality education for boys throughout Northland and further afield is extremely rewarding. I am a Headmaster who believes in excellence and high standards in all that we do and unashamedly promote education of young males. I am delighted to be supported by such a strong and committed Board of Trustees, and parents can feel reassured that WBHS is doing all it can to enable all boys who attend to be the best they can possibly be.
Lara Harvey (Board Secretary)

Governance definition for Whangarei Boys’ High School

The Board is entrusted to work on behalf of all stakeholders and is accountable for the school’s performance. It emphasises strategic leadership, sets the vision for the school and ensures that it complies with legal and policy requirements.

Policies are at a governance level and outline clear delegation to the Headmaster.

The Board and Headmaster form the leadership team with the role of each documented and understood.

The Headmaster reports to the Board as a whole with committees used sparingly and only when a need is identified in order to contribute to Board work.

The Board is proactive rather than reactive in its decision-making and does not involve itself in the administrative details of the day-to-day running of the school.

Enhancing student achievement is its focus.

· The governance definition was adopted by the Board of Trustees at its meeting on 14 June 2010.

· Each new Board should review the definition and adopt or amend to suit its own style of governing.

Board roles and responsibilities

The Board of Trustees’ key areas of responsibility are representation, leadership, accountability and being a good employer. Trustees will be accountable to their communities through performance monitoring under the following measures:

Trustee responsibility	Standard
1. Set strategic directions and long-term plans and monitor the Board’s progress against them	1.1. Board meets strategic goals
2. Protect the special character of the school	2.1 Special character is considered in Board decisions
3. Monitor financial management of the school and approve the budget	3.1 Satisfactory performance of school against budget
4. Monitor and evaluate student achievement	4.1 Reports from Headmaster on progress against Annual Plan highlight risk/success 4.2 Meet targets in Annual Plan, implement Curriculum policy and satisfactory performance of Curriculum Education priorities
5. Effective risk management	5.1 Attend Board meetings having read Board papers and reports and ready to discuss them 5.2 Board meetings have a quorum 5.3 Remain briefed on internal/external risk environments and take action where necessary 5.4 Identify ‘trouble sports’ in audit reports and take action if necessary
6. Ensure the Board is compliant with its legal requirements	6.1 New and continuing members are aware of legal framework of Board and briefed on changes in legal and reporting requirements. Board has sought legal advice when necessary 6.2 Accurate minutes of all Board meetings, approved by Board and signed by Chairperson 6.3 Sensitive individual staff or student matters are discussed in Public Excluded Session
7. Attend Board meetings and take an active role as a Trustee	7.1 Attendance at minimum of 80% of meetings 7.2 No unexplained absences at Board meetings (3 consecutive absences without prior leave result in immediate step down) Refer Education Act 1989 7.3 Board papers read prior to attending Board meetings
8. Approve major policies and programme initiatives	8.1 Approved and minuted
9. Fulfil the intent of the treaty of Waitangi by valuing and reflecting New Zealand’s dual cultural heritage	9.1 The Treaty of Waitangi is considered in Board decisions
10. Approve and monitor Personnel policy and procedure. Act as good employers	10.1 Become and remain familiar with employment conditions of organisation, staff contract and Award arrangements
11. Appoint, assess the performance of and support the Headmaster	11.1 Headmaster’s Appraisal Goals and Report is in place and implemented
12. Deal with disputes and conflicts referred to the Board	12.1 Successful resolution of any disputes and conflicts referred
13. Represent the school in a positive, appropriate manner	13.1 Code of Behaviour adhered to
14. Oversee, conserve and enhance the resource base	14.1 Property/resources meet the needs of the student achievement goals
15. Hand over governance to new Board/Trustees at election time	15.1 New Trustees provided with Handbook 15.2 New Trustees fully briefed and able to participate following attendance at an induction programme.

Role of the Chairperson

The Chairperson is the leader of the Board and carries overall responsibility for the integrity of the Board’s processes. The role involves the following responsibilities:

Chairperson accountability measure	Standard
1. Oversee general performance of the Board	1.1 Board performs against its forms of accountability and strategic goals
2. Ensure information about the financial performance of the organisation flows to the Board	2.1 Board remains well-informed about financial performance of organisation
3. Establish and maintain systems for information flows to the Board	3.1 Board receives information on time and has time to comment and have input 3.2 Board has adequate opportunities to have input and make decisions 3.3 Chairperson ensures accurate minutes are kept, approved by Board and signed by Chairperson
4. Attend and chair Board meetings	4.1 Attendance at all meetings (unless Chairing responsibility delegated) 4.2 Meeting procedures as outlined in the Standing Orders and Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 are observed except where the Board has suspended them.
5. Make recommendations to Board about prudent management of Board matters	5.1 Recommendations made as necessary
6. Establish and maintain an ongoing working relationship with the Headmaster	6.1 Regular meetings are held in addition to ongoing liaison
7. Deal with disputes and conflicts referred to the Chairperson	7.1 As required by the Board’s Policy and Procedures
8. Act as Protected Disclosure Officer [see STA Link 2001/01]	8.1 Requirement met
9 Ensure the Principal’s Performance Agreement and Appraisal are completed on an annual basis	9.1 Report of Headmaster’s Appraisal Goals and Report tabled at the Board according to appraisal process

1.3 Board Composition

The current Board of Trustees at Whangarei Boys’ High School comprises:

· Five Trustees elected by parents at triennial elections. The Board opted out of the mid-term election process. Trustees will serve for a 3-year term.

· Headmaster

· Staff Trustee – 3 year term

· Student Trustee – 1 year term

· Co-opted Trustees – Trustees can be co-opted to the board for a specific purpose and term.

· Each newly elected Board can decide upon the number and nature of co-opted Trustees (up to four).

1.4 Trustees’ Code of Behaviour

The Board is committed to ethical conduct in all areas of its responsibilities and authority.

Trustees shall:

· Maintain and understand the values and goals of the school

· Ensure the needs of all students and their achievement is paramount.

· Be loyal to the organisation and its mission

· Publicly represent the school in a positive manner

· Respect the integrity of the Headmaster and staff

· Observe the confidentiality of non-public information acquired in their roles as Trustees and not disclose to any other persons such information that might be harmful to the school

· Be diligent and attend Board meetings prepared for full and appropriate participation in decision making

· Ensure that individual Trustees do not act independently of the Board’s decisions

· Speak with one voice through its adopted policies and ensure that any disagreements with the Board’s stance are resolved within the Board

· Avoid any conflicts of interest with respect to their fiduciary responsibility

· Recognise the lack of authority in any individual Trustee or subgroup of the Board in any interaction with the Headmaster or staff

· Recognise that only the Chairperson can speak for the Board

· Continually self-monitor their individual performance as Trustees against policies and against any other current Board evaluation tools

· Be available to undertake appropriate professional development

The Code of Behaviour was adopted by the board at its meeting on 14 June 2010.

The Code should be signed by each Board member at the first meeting of the new Board, and at any new trustee’s first meeting.

The signed copy will be kept by the Executive Officer in the board file.