Leadership is a lonely space at times and I suspect none more so for the Prime Minister and Government during the COVID19 crisis. As we come out of the immediate threat to our lives and look with hope to the management of the virus in New Zealand we will need to remind ourselves of the courage and risk that our leaders took to protect life in our country. Over time it will be easy for people to forget how successful that strategy has been and focus on other negative factors on our lives from the impacts of decisions made.

As Integrated Schools we are mindful that the Special Character of our schools underpins all that we do. During Lockdown there have been many examples of great leadership by our Principals and Boards. I want to especially acknowledge Raechelle Taulu, Principal of Marist College , who had to deal with the College being a major cluster for the virus and getting the virus herself. The Board and leadership of the school have been superb in communicating with their community during all this time. They are among countless examples of great leadership in our integrated schools, inspired by the values of the special character and lived through active faith lives. Thank you to all those that played a part in making this happen.

The next part of recovery will be even more challenging. We can see that the virus is most likely contained but the financial fallout for many families is just beginning. The support of your families during this time will be a major piece of work for many school leaders. People who have never had financial insecurity may find it very difficult to share their hardship and seek help. Our role will be to ensure that no one from our integrated school communities feels they cannot stay in their chosen faith based school because of financial hardship. There is more reason than ever that we should walk with them during this time.

Many school communities already have wonderful support programmes for families in need and we might find this is even more important during the next six months with food and other tangible ways to support. This will be the test of our culture and a defining moment in history.

I wish you all every success as you continue to provide pastoral support and leadership in the next phase of our COVID19 recovery. 

Ngā mihi

Paul Ferris

Chief Executive

State and state-integrated, decile 1-7 schools can now choose to opt-in to the donations scheme for the 2021 school year, as part of the July roll return process. The decision to opt-in or out of the donations scheme is an annual one.  
 
If you opted into the donations scheme in 2020, you will need to re-confirm if you want to remain in the donations scheme by opting in through your July roll return.  See our roll return guidelines for further information.
 
Boards are encouraged to consult with their school communities to ensure their views are reflected when making the decision to opt in to the donations scheme or not, and to let their school communities know their final decision. Boards are required to record opt in, or not, decisions in their board minutes.
 
Boards of host schools need to opt in separately for Teen Parent Units and Activity Centres. Activity Centres and Attached Units that do not submit a roll return can opt in to the scheme by completing the donations scheme opt in form.
 
We remind Boards of state-integrated schools who have opted into the donations scheme that you cannot directly or indirectly ask your proprietor or any other entity to seek donations on your behalf. You can accept funds from other entities (eg school trusts and foundations) where the funding is provided as a voluntary gift.

The Ministry of Education has initiated a work programme to improve lighting, noise, temperature and energy efficiency in classrooms of small or remote schools.

There is an opportunity for state-integrated schools that meet the criteria to participate and benefit from the efficiencies of a large Ministry-led work programme. The programme is mostly funded by state school depreciation funding, so schools interested in making these improvements would need to cover the costs through their Policy One funding.

This is a four-year programme. Delivery is expected to start in 2021. Schools will be bundled according to their location. It’s expected that the Ministry will be able to tell us later this year when they will be completing work in each region.

For more information about the work programme, visit the Ministry of Education website. or check out Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions about how you can participate, please email small.remoteschools@education.govt.nz

How does climate change and sustainability feature in primary and intermediate school

classrooms and whole-school practices? The New Zealand Council for Educational Research-Rangahau Mātauranga o Aotearoa (NZCER) asked teachers and principals questions about climate change and sustainability as part of the 2019 NZCER national survey of English-medium primary and intermediate schools.

Our latest report reveals the results.

The infographic shows the results

To see the full infographic click here

Organisations including schools will need to continue preparing themselves for the significant changes that the current Covid-19 crisis is presenting. Leaders will need to upskill to build capacity and manage the change.

The Australian Catholic University is offering a four module virtual online professional learning opportunity, Leading Through Uncertainty for a New Zealand cohort if there are sufficient numbers. This course provides a framework to manage turbulence, optimise risk and take decisive action related to the Covid-19 crisis.  Each module includes one-two hours of prework and three of intensive online participation. For more information see…..

Leading Through Uncertainty Please note the course dates on this flyer are for a previous course and New Zealand dates will be agreed upon with participants.

If you wish to register your interest in a New Zealand cohort contact Rosalie Connors, r.connors@nzceo.org.nz.

Our new Facebook page will contain good news stories and updated information to support your governance or leadership. It will provide us with the opportunity to share the latest news and advice and to show case in a more immediate way the “good news” created by our school communities.

I invite you to ‘Like’ and ‘Share’ our page to keep you updated and connect us all.

Our APIS website will continue to have the resources and information that you need to lead your faith based communities. 

Ngā mihi nui koutou

Paul Ferris
Chief Executive

Noel Leeming is excited to announce the launch of our new Commercial Portal that makes buying from us even easier. If you're in charge of purchasing for your school or institution this will make your job faster and so much more efficient.

The portal includes a range of curated products with your education pricing already loaded and because it’s online it means you can shop anytime that suits you.

It includes key products that you order regularly like laptops and classroom equipment such as screens and accessories as well as kitchen appliances and other everyday items. 

The portal saves you time by allowing you to download your cart for faster internal approvals. You can also forward order items for a future date to take advantage of special offers.

So what’s included?
The portal has loads of great features to help speed up your shopping including the ability to:

• Set up lists for regular purchases to reorder with minimal clicks
• Save delivery addresses and name them to easily identify them
• Pay by account or credit card
• Review previous orders to make reordering the same items quick and easy
• Search for products by their attributes to compare your options
• Arrange to pick up the order from your nearest Noel Leeming store at no extra cost or have the order delivered

What do you need to do to get started?
Getting set up is so easy. Just complete your Expression of Interest via the link below and your local account manager will be in touch to get you sorted. Once it’s approved you’ll be sent an account activation email. Just click on the link, add a password and you’re ready to start shopping

                              EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Need help? Just get in touch on 0800 737 5223 or email us on support@nlgcommercial.co.nz