Ngā manaakitanga o te wā nei

I have enjoyed the opportunity to attend several prizegivings around Wellington in recent weeks and have listened carefully to the messages contained within the head student speeches. In most cases they have referred to the pandemic, and the lessons that they have learned as a result of such a challenging year. They have all talked about how important hope was and the lessons that they learned such as living in the moment and taking joy from every day. They have also talked about how important the love, support and friendship of their families and peers has been as anxiety and fear have pervaded our lives in 2020. These young people were incredibly optimistic and their schools and families will be very proud of the way they have reflected upon their situation and used it as a positive to strengthen and prepare them for their future lives. Their messages reflect the culture and efforts of boards, principals, and staff across the country to develop resilient, optimistic and well adjusted young men and women who will go out into our world and act with love and justice in their lives. I congratulate all our schools in the APIS network for navigating so successfully all the challenges that have been thrown at you in 2020, and especially for your support of all our vulnerable children. You all deserve the time to rest and recover in the summer sun. Ngā mihi nui.

I believe it is also important that I take the opportunity to thank our significant sponsors, Toshiba, Alsco and Noel Leeming for their continued loyalty and support in 2020. At a time when they were all desperately trying to maintain their businesses and save the jobs of their employees they could have easily have cancelled their sponsorship contracts; their continued generosity has not been taken for granted and we thank them sincerely for finding a way to continue to support our organisation. I hope 2021 will treat us all a little more kindly.

Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in Faith-based Institutions

The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and Faith-Based Institutions is holding a public Faith-based Redress Hearing in Auckland from November 30 to 11 December. For a number of proprietors, boards and school communities this is likely to be a difficult time, as it will be for the Churches involved. It must be remembered that despite past injustices our Churches have asked to be involved in the Royal Commission and we hope that it does lead to a better Church and one that walks the talk of human dignity through stronger processes that protect our vulnerable.

I am sure that you will all be praying for the survivors of abuse in faith-based institutions and I am confident that our school communities will continue to show strong support for all of the victims of abuse that have come forward. Those of us who serve the Church and those who work in our school communities have an obligation to act in ways that endeavour to bring hope, love and kindness into the lives of all, especially those who have been hurt. It is what we do and even at this difficult time it is something that we can hold onto.

Kei konā kei a koutou ngā whakaaro

Final Words

We have finally managed to arrange a farewell function for Paul Ferris and honour his service to state integrated education. He has been a very effective CEO for our sector and he has sacrificed some of the best years of his life to advocate on our behalf rather than enjoy the retirement that he so richly deserved. Paul will now get to enjoy his beautiful home in Glenorchy, spend more time with Marie (the generous soul that she has been to share him with us for so long) and his children and grandchildren. Good health Paul and enjoy your time in the sun.

The team at APIS & NZCEO want to wish all of our proprietors, school and dioscesan communities a very holy, happy and restful summer break.   

APIS acknowledges your patience in this negotiation. We understand that many of you are looking at your state school colleagues and asking why you have not been funded in the same way.

After negotiating in good faith for nearly a year the Minister of Education advised in September that while he was sympathetic to the claim the Government did not have the funds to make the payment. We made a request under the Official Information Act for all the documents between the Ministry of Education and the Minister and we could see that the Ministry had negotiated in good faith and recommended the settlement we had worked towards.

Following the election and the confirmation of the re-appointment of the Minister we filed papers in the high court for a judicial review of the decision. The Minister has until early December to file his response to the claim and if we fail to get a settlement before that date we will have a court hearing in early February.

APIS acknowledges your support and your frustration. We have recently met with NZSTA, PPTA and NZEI. In that meeting we pointed out that 11% of their membership belongs to APIS and that their support of all their members was important. All sector leaders acknowledged our concerns and in various ways have offered support. Most notably NZEI has written expressing the clear support of their national executive and a  desire to meet and look at ways of supporting us. Having key sector groups supporting the justice of this issue is important and we are grateful for their public support.

We continue to be open to meeting with the Minister to settle the matter and remain resolved to press this issue to its natural conclusion.

Changing or modifying the name of a school

It is important that proprietors are aware of the process which must be followed in modifying the official name of a school.

To change of name of a state integrated school, there should be agreement from the board and the proprietor that the name of the school will change. Consultation with the school community is recommended and should also be undertaken before contacting the Ministry of Education. 

The proprietor needs to write to the Ministry of Education Regional office to request the change, the letter must include the reason for the change. The Proprietor needs to include the board minute approving the request to change the school name. 

The Ministry Regional office then considers the appropriateness of the proposed name. The Regional Manager will then formally write to the Proprietor to let them know the decision.  

If it has been approved the letter will indicate when the change will be effective from. If it has been declined, the letter should include the reason(s) why. Notification is the sent to the Ministry of Education National Office of the decision and if approved, the effective date for the change of name.

Building Warrant of Fitness costs

Some proprietors have raised concerns about increased Building Warrant of Fitness costs in the last year. In some cases inspectors have increased the frequency of their visits from annually to quarterly, a change which involves extra costs for the proprietor.

It is important that proprietors are aware that there is no compliance, legislative or regulatory requirement for increased testing or visits. Proprietors can refer to a copy of the site’s compliance schedule from the council and check the frequency of inspections/testing. Contractors sometimes ask for expenditure on upgrades to ‘current building code’ (not a requirement) or ‘best practice health and safety’ (again, not required) and proprietors need to be well informed as to when it is appropriate to push back.