Lighting New Fires: School & Policy Updates - December 2022 (NZCEO)

TĒNĀ KOUTOU KATOA

Kia tau te rangimārie ki a koutou

I am writing this editorial as I am sitting in the Air NZ lounge at Christchurch airport waiting for a flight back to Wellington. I have just spent the last two days with a group of state integrated school principals listening to what is on top for them and discussing the work of this office in advocating and supporting our sector. Anyone with a sense of empathy and who can ‘read the room’ can see that our principals are tired, some even shattered, by the continuing challenges and complexities of operating a school during both a pandemic and in a world where many young people are losing hope in their future. The flight back to Wellington (accompanied by some of those principals) when the pilot had to practice landing a few times before nailing it was enough to emphasise how important hope is.

Given the Christmas/New Year break is fast approaching, APIS (Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools) wants to acknowledge our principals and school boards for their continuing service in 2022. In presenting a session at the conference, I wanted to let our principals and school staff know how much they are valued which I know is not always apparent while immersed in the business of leadership in schools. I reminded them that ‘good principals are hard to find, difficult to part with and impossible to forget’. Thank you to our school leaders and staff for your service to the wonderful young men and women who make up the community of students in our state integrated schools. APIS believes it is timely to show our support for principals at a point in time when attendance is being used for political gain which is not helpful. Attendance is important but it will only improve with significant community support and a full understanding of the factors behind truancy – proportioning blame on school leaders and staff is not helpful.

The Equity Index

NZCEO continues to be approached by schools and proprietors of schools who have been negatively impacted by the implementation of the EQI. As I discussed last month, APIS has requested data on our schools from the Ministry of Education who are following up on this using the process for an OIA. I am expecting a response before the end of November after which I will determine next steps.

What seems apparent is that a number of schools in more impoverished and disadvantaged urban areas have lost significant funds from their operational grants and this seems to run counter to the concept of equity. The first point is to determine whether state integrated schools are represented disproportionately in those schools that will receive a reduction in their operational grant as a result of implementation of the EQI. The second issue is then to determine whether the implementation of the EQI has created inequities that were not fully considered in its design.

It may well be that there are factors of those families that support state integrated education that carry less ‘risk’ according to the mathematical model being used. However, the current high levels of achievement success of many of our state integrated schools could well be placed at risk if they lose crucial funding that supports and nurtures success of students in those schools that serve communities who are disadvantaged.

Human Rights Commission

The Human Rights Commission have made contact with APIS regarding the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Act. They would like APIS to distribute information on this Act to all state integrated schools. At this point, I have not seen these resources and so cannot make any comment on them. APIS will distribute this material to our state integrated schools and proprietors when we receive them.

Political Advocacy

APIS has managed to negotiate a second meeting for the year with Minister Tinetti in December. Both the APIS Executive and the NZCEO Board are concerned that the state integrated sector has had very limited opportunity to advocate for our sector at the level of the Minister. Therefore, I am grateful that Minister Tinetti has accepted another meeting and I look forward to engaging with her on matters of common interest.

A Time to be Grateful

The NZCEO team would like to offer all our stakeholders a holy, relaxing, and peaceful summer festive season. There are lots of tired school leaders, school staff, proprietors and proprietors staff as we approach the end of 2022. Every day is one to be enjoyed but that philosophy has been challenging so the upcoming festive season is an opportunity to rejuvenate and uplift the spirit – enjoy it, you deserve it.

The team at NZCEO would like to express our gratitude to the Board of NZCEO, the APIS Executive, Mark Larson (CEO AIS) and all the wonderful proprietors who have supported our work in 2022. We look forward to continuing this positive relationship in 2023.

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hōu ki a koutou

Ngā manaakitanga, Kevin Shore, Chief Executive Officer

Essential Property Maintenance Package (EPMP) Update

It has been a busy year for everyone working in and around schools.  A big focus for our office has been administering the delivery of EPMP funds to all eligible proprietors.  As you will know from previous updates, we reached the deadline of 30 August with all EPMP projects approved and the total funds allocated.  We approved 615 projects and to date have allocated $24M to proprietors to commence work, and 128 projects have been competed.

As the programme must be completed by August 2024, the team will be working with proprietors over the next year to ensure projects are initiated and completed before the final deadline.

The following pictures are gratefully received from the Christchurch Catholic diocese as examples of their completed projects at St Joseph’s School, Papanui and Christ the King School, Burnside.  We would love to receive more high quality images like these as they form part of the report that goes to the Minister each quarter, so we encourage you to send them in to us. 

Lastly the EPMP team would like to thank you all for the important work that you do, and wish you a relaxing holiday break.

We would love to see see your Essential Property Maintenance Package (EPMP) Project Photos!

We encourage you to share photos or videos of your school's EPMP projects. Any  media can be uploaded to our Dropbox by clicking on the link below.

The gallery below shows the progress of the new Outdoor Learning Space at Sacred Heart Cathedral School in Thorndon, Wellington. 

NZCEO Annual Report 2022 – we need you!

NZCEO were delighted to feature many of our wonderful Catholic schools in our 2021 annual report – see some of the pictures in the gallery below (click to enlarge) and follow this link to view the full report.

If you would like your school to feature in the annual report for 2022 please share a photo featuring your school by uploading it to our Dropbox account  Photos need to be high resolution and have permission to publish in our report.  Photos available from school websites are always welcome. This report is for Catholic proprietors and shared with our schools and also features on the NZCEO website.

We look forward to seeing your pictures!

Click on photo to enlarge

St John the Evangelist Catholic School, Otara

Long awaited new school buildings at St John the Evangelist Catholic School in Otara were officially blessed and opened by Bishop Steve on November 4 2022. Past and present whanau, students, kaiako, parish, Whaiora Katorika Marae, kohanga reo, daycare and the Catholic diocese celebrated this wonderful milestone together.

Teachers as evangelisers –rhetoric, reality, and recommendations

From BBI-TAITE 

BBI Research Colloquium Presentation via ZOOM with Dr John Kyle-Robinson

Wednesday 7 December at 2pm (NZDT)

BBI-TAITE have designed a series of colloquia to allow the research from awarded doctoral dissertations to inform practice. The intention is to bring these findings to a wider audience of fellow professionals and educators. 

The fourth presentation for 2022 will be delivered by Dr John Kyle-Robinson who is a teacher, experienced school leader and currently the Marist Schools Australia Regional Director for NSW and the ACT. John has over thirty years’ experience in Catholic education, parish life and religious congregations, both in Australia and overseas, and a deep knowledge and passion for spirituality and Catholic education. As a father of three teenage boys, John’s research and presentation is grounded in the practical experience of family, schools, and ministry. 

This presentation explores teachers’ understandings and responses to the concept of the New Evangelisation. The presentation will provide practical insights into teachers’ perceptions of their role as evangelisers, the barriers they encounter when evangelising and provide recommendations for how Catholic schools might continue to enhance their capacity to evangelise through education. The research also contributes to an understanding of the nature of contemporary evangelisation and its application in parishes and other ministries.

Agile leadership

From NZCEO Special Character Manager Rosalie Connors

"Leadership agility" is a buzzy, cutting-edge notion these days...But Chris Lowney’s  Forbes magazine piece, while not specific to educational leadership, argues that we'll become superb team leaders by learning from a profession that is far from cutting edge: shepherding. Lowney uses Pope Francis to make his case. You can find the short piece here.

Chris Lowney is vice chair of the board of Common Spirit Health, America’s largest non-profit health system with $29 Billion in revenues and more than 150,000 employees. He is a one-time Jesuit seminarian and later served as a Managing Director of J.P. Morgan & Co on three continents. He is the author of six books and has co-authored two more, including Pope Francis: Why He Leads the Way He Leads, which has been called, “a book for the ages.” He won a 2018 Catholic Press Association award for Everyone Leads: How to Revitalize the Catholic Church. Chris writes regularly for Forbes magazine on leadership, decision making and building great teams.  

Caritas Resources for 2023 Available Now

Bringing Light Through Lent

Schools will be receiving a pack in the first week of December that contains posters and information from the latest Caritas resources for 2023. This is to help teachers incorporate the many justice initiatives into their planning for the start of next year. From Lent activities, to the Caritas Challenge, and Caritas Justice Chats and fun competitions, there are a range of invaluable and free resources available online.

The words of Jesus form the theme for the Caritas Lent resources in 2023 - I am the light of the world - and remind us that we too are called to bring light wherever we go. The Gospel readings and new Caritas stories from Fiji are central to the lessons and activities. The many resources include a Teacher Guide, Action Plan, Lesson Slides for Y1-4, Y5-8, and Y9-13, Stations of the Cross liturgies for Primary and Secondary, a koha box template and 11 new videos.

Caritas Challenge and Fiji

Schools have a great opportunity to get involved in something practical and fun to promote justice through the Caritas Challenge in 2023. All fundraising through this event next year will go towards supporting communities in Fiji. Every dollar raised will become $4 through matched funding! Schools can register to take part anytime next year from February to December. Posters are included in school packs and the promo video is ready to be shared and viewed.

Caritas Competitions

The SINGout4JUSTICE and KAITIAKI2SHARE competitions are back again in 2023. Students of all ages can get involved and share their talents. Digital posters will be available soon. Check these out early next year. There will be more time for students to complete their entries as both competitions will be closing later in 2023 between July and August.

Caritas Justice Chats

It was great connecting with hundreds of inspiring young leaders earlier this year through the Caritas Justice Chats. These online sessions are back again during March 2023. Schools can book their place from today for one of the eleven available sessions. Student leaders can connect with each other and share ideas about bringing justice and positive change to their communities and others in need.

Message from the Caritas Education Team

We’ve loved the interactions with students and staff across the country during 2022. There has been amazing support given from Catholic schools especially after emergencies this year in places like Tonga, Ukraine and Pakistan. A positive spirit of solidarity has been kept alive too through events like YCC Day and the Caritas Challenge. We value all the hard work from teachers across New Zealand to bring justice to the forefront of learning and life. Please get in touch at education@caritas.org.nz if you want to discuss any of the new initiatives for 2023.

We wish everyone a fantastic Christmas and a great summer break.

Michael and Justine

Study opportunities with Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College in 2023

Greetings from Palestine

From NZCBC (New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference)

“I talk about this university as being a little oasis of peace in the midst of all this stuff that’s going on around them,” says Bethlehem University vice-chancellor Brother Peter Bray FSC, who will make a speaking tour of New Zealand early next year about Palestine on behalf of the NZ Catholic Bishops Conference.

In preparation for his visit, Br Peter is making a series of videos on behalf of the bishops about the daily lives of Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank territory, where Bethlehem University was founded by his De la Salle Bothers in 1973 as the first and only Catholic university in the Holy Land. It currently has 3259 students (Muslim and Christian), 17,282 graduates and 214 faculty members. The university celebrates its Golden Jubilee in 2023.

Br Peter, raised in Waitara in Taranaki, moved to Bethlehem from Wellington in 2008 to take up the vice-chancellor role. His work as a teacher and education consultant has taken him around the world.

The special series of videos is called Greetings from Bethlehem. The first is titled Ordinary People in an Extraordinary Place; Palestinians in the Holy Land, and can be viewed below.

Securing your school during the holidays

Is your school building ready for the summer holidays? Before you pop your Christmas crackers and hit the beach, make sure your grounds are safe, secure, and ready to welcome back students in the new year with these expert tips.

If you’d like to learn more about security solutions to keep your school protected year round, please contact our school safety expert at phil.murphy@gallagher.com

Before classrooms across New Zealand and Australia wrap up the school year and the focus shifts from reading and math to Santa and togs, administrators have one final task ahead to prepare for the school holidays: securing the building. The school holidays present security challenges not typically experienced during the school terms, such as a lack of occupancy, the presence of contracted maintenance workers, and the increased risk of vandalism. Now is the perfect time to plan for the extended summer break and ensure the building where your students and faculty gather to learn and make memories is ready to welcome them back in the new school year.

Service your systems

A great place to start is by servicing your alarms, access systems, and CCTV for an annual tune up. It’s easier – not to mention more cost effective – to service these systems with fewer people on site and ensures they’re performing at their best when Term 1 rolls around. Providing a detailed 6-month “alarm events” report from your onsite system or monitoring company can help your service agent target any problem areas while you’re off enjoying a well-deserved break.

Examine your buildings

Taking the time to physically examine your building and sensors can help reduce false alarms and costly callouts during the holidays. Before staff leave, make sure hanging artwork, decorations, and obstructions (like cobwebs) are removed from areas with alarm sensors, windows are closed and secure, air con units are turned off, and all doors are functioning and properly closed.  Something as small as a breeze from a window, the movement of a spider, or a loose door can trigger alarm sensors and lead to unnecessary callouts.

Furthermore, make sure laptops and other pricey electronics are secured and not visible from classroom windows and that all building keys are accounted for and safely stored. Consider using a new alarm code for the upcoming school year if you’re not using individualized ones already.

Remove access for departing staff

End of term can be a popular time for staff turnover. Make a plan to remove access cards and codes for those who won’t be returning in the new school year or reach out to your service provider for assistance. Similarly, take stock of how you’ll manage the contractors and staff entering the building for maintenance work during the break. Manage their welfare on site through your contract manager and Bluetooth mobile credentials; if you don’t have this capability, make sure anyone entering the site alerts your monitoring provider to avoid false alarms. At the same time, provide your monitoring company with a temporary holiday schedule for your school so any visitors have their welfare checked on while you’re gone.

Update server time schedules

To avoid doors unlocking when your buildings are supposed to be closed, be sure to update the time schedules on your server for access times and dates. This may include adjusting the auto alarms on your systems to ensure earlier auto arming than what you have set during the normal term schedule.

Prepare your CCTV systems

Double-check that your CCTV systems are working, updated to your holiday schedule, and aimed at high-risk areas, too. Lock down sports and grounds sheds, access gates, and janitor areas – if it can be opened, it can be damaged. If they’re not on an easy-to-use access control system, then make sure outdoor units are secured with a physical, hardened lock.

Don’t forget the basics

Even simple measures can be highly effective at deterring damage or theft. No one likes bright lights if they’re up to no good, so check your exterior lights and replace old bulbs as needed. Warning signs detailing the security measures you’ve taken to protect your school can scare people off – just be sure to post plenty of those signs in multiple locations to ensure you have enough coverage.

Schedule regular onsite visits

Finally, consider mobile security patrols for objects that are particularly prone to vandalization and damage, like drinking water taps. While you’re out manually inspecting these items, be sure to also scope out the buildings and grounds to ensure no security issues have arisen. Staff popping in and out during the break can be in “holiday mode” and may easily forget to secure windows and doors before heading home for the day. Random patrol visits conducted at least once a day help you to not only quickly identify and correct security issues, but it sends a signal that your school is still being monitored even though your students and staff are off enjoying time with their families.

Taking the time to plan for your school’s holiday security now is like giving yourself the gift of peace of mind as we head into the busy Christmas and summer seasons. While you’re off enjoying the Australian or New Zealand sunshine, you can rest assured that your school is well protected and ready to foster the learning and growth of your students and staff in the new year.

Working with Teamturf in 2022

NZCEO have been delighted to partner with Teamturf in 2022. In this issue of Lighting New Fires we include some examples of how they add value to our school network.

Teamturf was founded in 2006 and specialises in the supply and installation of artificial grass surfaces throughout New Zealand. The company proudly offers a wide selection of artificial turf surfaces for sports, playground and landscaping areas including the largest colour range of artificial turf surfaces available in New Zealand.

Teamturf have extensive major project experience from initial design through to project management. They understand a school's responsibility to cater for the development and promotion of school sport in New Zealand; not only for the sporting benefits, but also for the educational, cultural and social benefits sport provides. Teamturf multi-use sports courts eliminates wet and muddy winter sports fields or old and worn asphalt/concrete surfaces, and provides an all-weather surface ready for play all-year round.

Teamturf projects around Aotearoa

The specialist team from Teamturf held a Zoom session with proprietors and property managers of state integrated schools in May to provide an overview of their product. Their presentation involved answering questions from those in attendance, and providing in-depth information about what Teamturf offers. The recording of this Zoom session is now available online, and if you weren't able to attend at the time, we recommend you watch it to see what is available. 

If you would like more information about what Teamturf can offer you can view their website by clicking here or email the team at info@teamturf.co.nz. 

A download link for the PowerPoint slideshow which accompanies the presentation is below. 

Thank you to our sponsors

We are very grateful to our sponsors who have continued to support APIS / NZCEO during an extremely challenging year. Their ongoing support is greatly appreciated and we look forward to growing these important relationships in 2023.