Each year brings its own challenges and successes and if we had been looking back without the events of the last few weeks we would be reporting a number of successes for our sector.

Sadly, the recent government decision to exclude State Integrated Schools from participating in the capital maintenance funding given to state schools has broken the spell of success and given us much to be concerned about. We are in negotiation with government to address this issue.

State-Integrated schools provide the government with approximately $4 billion dollars worth of assets to use without cost, for the education of over 11% of the school population of New Zealand. In 1998 the Government recognised this anomally and signed an agreement to provide the funding for capital maintenance which we know as Policy One. Once the Proprietor has brought the school up to state standard then the state accepts that it has the responsibility to maintain it to that standard. We have agreements that commit the government to this responsibiliy. The standard for our state-integrated schools is to be the same as the state. If there is a difference in the condition of some state-integrated schools it is paralleled in the state school network where some have been better managed or supported than others.

If the Government recognises the need to more maintenance for state schools then it is recognising the need for that support for the whole network.  The fact that the property is owned by a Proprietor is not grounds for discriminating in the maintenance of state-integrated schools.

We continue to work with Minister Salesa to advocate for us on this issue with the Minister who has the authority to make the decision. No one wants to be in judicial battle but justice is important to us all and we would be remiss if we do not pursue it.

What value are the agreements we have with the Government if they can be broken?

If we have made no progress on the issue before the start of 2020 then it is likely that we will consult you all about proceeding to a judicial review of the decision and follow this question to its logical and just outcome.

PUTTING ASIDE THE ISSUE ABOVE I WANT TO REPORT SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF 2019:

There have been five new integrated schools enter in to negotiations with the Government and two will open in 2020. There will be a new Kura, Hamilton North Christian in 2020 and plans are developing for two Catholic Schools in Auckland and Papamoa and a Steiner school in Motueka. There has been close co-operation with the Ministry in developing new plain language updated integration agreements that include the Crown’s Commitment to Policy one and Quantity Funding, removing the need for supplementary agreements. Much of this work has been supported by Kris Morrison our legal counsel from ParryField in Christchurch.

Regular meetings with Ministry staff have given clarity to issues and solutions found. Maintaining relationships with key stakeholders has been important throughout the year. We have visited schools in Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington, presented at a number of Proprietor and Principal’s meetings and run three very successful courses for aspiring leaders.

There has been a restructuring of the key roles in the office, these are now aligned to focus on our core purpose of Special Character.  Looking ahead 2020 promises to be another busy year, but after a break we will be ready for what it brings.  

In the meantime, thank you for your ongoing support and encouragement during the year. The staff wish you all the blessings of Christmas and a safe summer to enjoy time with family and friends.

Integrated schools are considering legal action after being left out of the $396 million Government funding package announced at the weekend to upgrade state school properties. Paul Ferris, Chief Executive of the Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools, said integrated schools were very disappointed to be excluded from the funding package.

Integrated schools look at legal action over Government maintenance funding

PISA 2018 SUMMARIES ARE AVALIABLE ONLINE

The 2018 PISA summaries are available on Education Counts website.  There are three summaries available.

PISA 2018: New Zealand students' wellbeing - School climate & student mindsets of 15-year-olds

PISA 2018: Reading in New Zealand - Reading achievement and experiences of 15-year-olds

PISA 2018: Summary Report - System performance and equity

DUES ACCOUNTS 

The Ministry of Education website explains how state integrated schools should prepare their 2019 attendance dues accounts to meet reporting requirements. 

THE CLIMATE CHANGE - PREPARE TODAY, LIVE WELL TOMORROW  

This resource is now available online, ahead of a formal lauch in early 2020.

This resource supports schools and teachers to increase awareness of climate change and helps students understand how it impacts them on a local, national and global scale.

The resource, aimed at level four of the New Zealand Curriculum, allows students to explore and act on opportunities to reduce and adapt to the impact of climate change on everyday life.

INTRODUCING YOUTHLINE FOR MUSLIMS

This service provides online support for youth between 12-16 who may be struggling or need an ally to chat with. Visit the Youthline website if this seems helpful for your students.

We are young Muslims supporting young Muslims. We are all young or youngish ourselves. We do this in our spare time, as we want to support our fellow Muslims.

The initiative is sponsored by the Vodafone Foundation and the Ministry of Youth Development.

COHORT ENTRY 

From 1 January 2020, changes made under the Education Amendment Act 2019 will take effect so that:
• children will still be able start school in cohorts but only after they have turned five
• there will be two entry points per term, one on the first day of term and one at a mid-point during a term.

This means students under five will no longer be able to attend school.

For more information about cohort entry as well as the 2020 mid-term dates for cohort entry click here.

I wish to encourage the beautiful family tradition of preparing the nativity scene in the days before Christmas, but also the custom of setting it up in the workplace, in schools, hospitals, prisons and town squares,”