Educating Catholic students in Catholic Schools remains a priority for New Zealand families. Over 66,000 students fill our 237 schools and comprise 8.3% of the students in New Zealand schools.

During the year we have celebrated that work with a wonderful convention in Wellington attended by over 800 teachers, priests and board members. We have worked to engage with the Government over lack of funding for new Catholic Schools and we have promoted and encouraged our teachers to renew their faith and understanding of the Church through online resources.

The Government has been engaged in a detailed review of Tomorrow’s Schools which could significantly impact on the way we organise and manage schools in the future. The impact of the review will be felt for many years, so we await the detail in the report with some anticipation.  There is likely to be commentary about choice and competition among schools which has characterised much of the administration of education in the last 30 years.

In October we held a meeting with Ministers Salesa and Hipkins with 100 Proprietors and principals of state integrated from APIS. The meeting focused on our partnership with Government and both Ministers confirmed the coalition commitment to working with state integrated schools. Just what that commitment will look like is likely to be subject of discussion in 2019.

2019 will bring its own challenges but as we move to the end of 2018 we should celebrate the learning and achievements of our students in all fields. The Spirit is alive in our schools thanks to the commitment and talent of our teachers and principals.

NZCEO thanks all those parents, students, board members and parish communities who have supported and encouraged our schools. Together we are stronger.

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou

Season's greetings for Christmas and New Year

Paul Ferris, CEO