Chairperson’s Annual Report - 2010
Plateau School Board of Trustees
This report outlines of the main governance issues that Plateau School Board of Trustees have been involved in during 2010. The format of this report mirrors the format of the Plateau School Strategic Plan 2010 - 2013.
1. Curriculum - Teaching and Learning
The Board of Trustees has been kept well informed of the achievement of students and curriculum requirements. This has predominantly through progress reports from the prinicpal at most board meetings.
These reports have been very well received and in line with the boards strategic goals.
The following reports have been discussed at meetings :
- Reading results - year 1 & 2 (March 2010)
- A running records test for reading - year 2 - year 5
- Star results- stanine tests for year 3-6. -December 2010
- Asttle Writing data - October 2010
Plateau School continue to take the lead role in the ICT cluster, which has resulted in significant advances in technology equipment and Professional Development.
2010 saw a big change in reporting with the introduction of National Standards. These reports have generally been well received by parents.
During 2010 two reports were sent home to parents, and two goal setting meetings were held between parents and teachers. Feedback was sought from parents on the reports resulting in a small amount of feedback which was on the whole fairly positive.
Weekly celebrations on Friday afternoon have continued to provide parents and family members with feedback and progress of their children’s achievements. In addition several big ‘themed’ celebrations throughout the year have been well supported by the school community.
The Home and School committee were also involved in the publication of the 2nd edition of the Plateau School year book, which was really well received by both student and parents.
The weekly school newsletter has continued to be distributed to the school community. The newsletter contains students work, information for parents on upcoming activities, and fundraising events.
2. Self Review
Several policies came up for renewal in the 2010 year. Martin Snowball worked very hard to ensure that some very outdated policies and procedures were updated before his departure mid year.
The board agreed to set up an ‘electronic calendar’ to assist with identifying when these policies and procedures were due to expire, and attend to them in a timely manner. Early in 2010 information was provided to Board members with a view to begin self review in terms of the board performance.
3. Personnel
Board of Trustees
- 2010 saw a 3 yearly re- election of board members.
- Wayne Bird resigned as a board member as his youngest child was moving onto Intermediate. Wayne’s contribution over the years (and attendance at numerous school camps) was recognised.
- The March re elections saw some new Board members : Stephanie Behrent, Dennis Quayle and Dylan Amyes. Martin Snowball (as Chairman) and Chris Northmore also retained their positions on the Board
- A short time after the elections Chris Northmore reigned his position.
- Several months later Martin Snowball also reigned when he accepted a new employment position in Australia. As a valuable member of the board for a number for years Martin was sorely missed.
- Stephanie Behrent took up the vacant role as Chairman. (Simon Taylor took over the Chairpersons role in March 2011)
- Justin Hansen and Simon Taylor were selected as new members on the Board of Trustees in August 2010.
- Pauline Roberts continued as the staff representative, and Nigel Frater as Principal.
BOT members attended a number of training sessions; namely, introduction to the role of boards, governance and management, and National Standards. This training was very valuable and ensured that all board members were on the same page in relation to the strategic plan for the school.
Teaching Staff
There were several changes of teaching staff at Plateau School during 2010.
- Katie Davidson resigned from her position at the end of the 2010 school year due to her husband being offered a position in Auckland. Her position as new entrants teacher was filled by Emma Sowerbutts as a long term reliever.
- Marilyn Armstrong sadly had some health issues which resulted in her resignation during the year. Berys Spratt and Lorna Hemi relived in the year 4 class during her absence. Mrs Armstrong continues to relieve at Plateau School.
- Brid O’Keefe, took 5 weeks unpaid leave in term 3. Pauline Roberts took 2 weeks unpaid leave also in term 3.
- In December 2010 Katie Davidson and Sonia Hallmark achieved their provisional Registration in Teaching.
- There were numerous Paid Union Meeting (PUM’s) throughout 2010. Arrangement were made to accommodate Attendance at these meetings as to cause minimal impact on students. The Board recognises the staffs efforts to achieve this.
- An independent appraisal of Principal Nigel Frater was completed by Keith Williamson. The appraisal included feedback collected from Plateau staff, pupils and Board of Trustees. The appraisal was extremely positive.
Non-teaching staff
At the request of cleaner Jill and Dave Philpott, the cleaning contract was reviewed and the rate of pay was increased to cover increases in ACC levies. Dave and Jill have continued to provide Plateau School with an excellent service and this was reflected in the increased rate.
Staff development
There has been a significant amount of professional development undertaken by teaching staff :
ICT Cluster ( Leader - Plateau School)
Super clubs - Social Network Site for children
National Standards implementation
Enviro School workshops
School library course, Library Manager course
Autism workshop
Whiteboard training
Solo taxonomy - the Structure of Observed Learning Outcome in children’s understanding
Science cluster
Students
The school roll has been steady on approximately 140 students. 20 out of zone positions were advertised in ‘The Leader” in March, resulted in several families enrolling their children at Plateau School.
Nigel Frater and Katie Davidson undertook some proactive visits to Early childhood centres in northern Upper Hutt. This resulted in several enquiries into enrolments and lifted the profile of the school in the local community.
The school zone changed slightly, especially in regards to the areas zones between Plateau School and Mangaroa School. This change was advertised in The Leader as required.
4. Property
Significant events
The removal of the mound and trees from outside the staff room. This was replaced with asphalt. The process for his began in late 2010 and was completed in early 2011. This cost approximately $3-4,000
The 10 year property Plan was submitted to the Ministry of Education and approved (December 2010). This was prepared by Ian Rattray and followed an inspection of the school, in particular the condition of the existing classrooms, roofing, and modern learning environment.
Ian Rattray continued to be employed as Property Manager for the school. He attended two meetings during the year to explain the process of his role, funding and the property plans to the Board.
The re-roofing of senior and junior blocks (part of 10 year property plan) was undertaken over the 2010-2011 Christmas break.
Plateau School increased its technological equipment by purchasing (from Grants) interactive whiteboards for each classroom. Training on these boards was undertaken by staff members.
New computers were also purchased, with licences purchased to enable access to new system enabling better use of the technology.
5. Finances
The finances for Plateau School look healthy:
The monthly accounts have been provided to Board members by Sandra Moore, with Sandra attending a meeting to explain the finances. Her attendance has resulted in a change to the way the monthly reports are provided to board members. All the monthly accounts were approved.
The budget for 2011 was prepared by Sandra Moore and Nigel Frater in late 2010.
As with other years the 2010 budget was approved to run at a deficit, however, as with other years the actual accounts have proved to be well under the projected deficit and the overall finances are looking very healthy.
The after school care programme continues to provide revenue, of which profits are fed back to buy equipment for the programme.
The Home and School Committee continued with fundraising in the form of a gala evening (unfortunately rained out by a weather bomb), quiz night, shopping expo, and smaller events such as raffles. The money being raised has mainly being earmarked for improvements to the school hall.
6. Health and Safety
A new initiative that was undertaken by Plateau School in 2010 was to explore opportunities for Civil Defence to assist with equipping the school with emergency supplies for an emergency. In early 2011 Civil Defence installed a water tank in the school grounds. Efforts are currently underway to improve the stores of emergency food, blankets and equipment.
Several successful fire drills were conducted throughout the year.
New bark was laid under the play equipment in April.
The popular Seasons for growth Programme continued this year under the guidance of Helen Nicol and Pip Thompson.
Following a fatal ‘boiler house’ explosion at another school, the Board considered its obligations in relation to the boiler house at Plateau School. It was determined that the upkeep and inspections of the boiler house was up to standard and all persons using the boiler house were well trained in its operations.
The accident register for terms 1-3 indicated two Grade 4 incidents (most serious involving doctor or hospital treatment) - both involving broken bones from falling from play equipment. This number appears to be consistent with previous years and no cause for concern.
General comments
2010 has been a year of familarisation for the ‘all new’ Board of Trustees. Fortunately principle Nigel Frater has been extremely helpful and accommodating in assisting the Board with information and guidance.
Training undertaken by the board at an early stage has ensured that we are all on the same page and our goals are identified in the Strategic Plan 2010 - 2013.
Plateau School is enjoying good student achievement in both academic and sporting performance. The staff and students continue to represent the school extremely well.
Financial performance is strong and the 10 year Property Plan continues to provide for gradual upgrading and improvements to the school property and equipment.
I am sure that the Board of Trustees have enjoyed working with the Nigel, staff and students at Plateau School and look forward to developing the relationships further in the following years.
Stephanie Behrent
Plateau School
BOT Chairperson
15.03.2011