Julian Bowden, Chair of the Board, gave this speech at our Senior Prizegiving:

Good Evening to you all.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees I would like to welcome you all here for this celebration of achievement and to farewell our Year 13’s at their last official Year 13 Function over the last year.

The role of the Board is to assist in developing strategy for the school in conjunction with the wider school community: appointment and recruitment of the principal, setting and reviewing of budgets and school finances and having an overview of the facilities and buildings in which the school operates.

2019 has seen us busy across all of these areas.

This time, a year ago, we were saying goodbye to our previous principal and embarking on a journey to find our new leader. As a Board, this was our single biggest task over the last 12 months. To say we are delighted in the appointment of Christine O’Neil would not be doing justice to how happy we are. The process was robust and thorough; it included Board, staff and students. Christine was a beacon amongst the talented applicants and Christchurch Girls' High School is fortunate to have a principal of Christine’s ability at the helm. This was the start of an ongoing drive for wider inclusion of the whole school community in many of the key decisions that need to be made. Like all good teams though there is a need to ensure you surround yourself with quality people who help develop and drive a vision in a collaborative way. From the actions and interactions we have seen since Christine’s arrival, we are 100% certain in our choice as principal along with the support team at the school. To everyone involved in that process, we say thank you.

I would like to take this opportunity to say a special thank you to Peter Sawyer who stepped into the Acting Principal role until Christine’s arrival. Also to Sonja, LJ, Rob and Chris for their efforts during the transition period. During that time the school never missed a beat.

I think it would be remiss of me to not make mention of the tragic events of the 15th of March. A normal day turned into an absolute tragedy within a few hundred metres of our school. The events of that day will never be forgotten. Out of tragedy however came an outpouring of grieving and love that helped strengthen our wider community. The sight of our prefects joining Boy’s High outside of Hagley High to show respect, truly was a touching moment.

To the staff caught up in this event, we cannot thank you all enough for the calmness, compassion and care you showed that day for our daughters. I have had only positive feedback from everyone I have spoken to about how the school looked after their daughters that day. The communication from the school was first class in a situation that none of us believed would happen here.

I would also like to say a few thank yous.

To the Board of Trustees: Parent reps Jennifer Goldsmith, Brian Northern, Sally Nicholas and Rodney Booth, Old Girls Rep Ros Robertson, Whanau Rep Yo Gulliver, Staff Rep Alastair Blyth and Student rep Isla Clarkson, thank you for being so engaged and supportive over the year. The Board is committed to ensuring the girls and staff have a highly functioning school and providing a safe environment for all that allows for everyone to reach their potential.

To the teaching and support staff we thank you for your absolute commitment and passion to the education of our daughters. We thank you for your dedication to developing the fantastic young women that sit before us today.

To the girls.

Thank you for being part of a legacy here at the school. Never underestimate what it means to be part of this school’s history. This year has seen a continuation of girls excelling in Academic, Cultural and Sporting endeavours. You individually bring something to the school that is woven together to create this very special environment. The last 12 months it has been hard not to notice the success of Girls' High Sports teams across so many sporting codes.

I would also like to bring you up to date with progress around the rebuild.

The last 12 months have seen us in somewhat of a holding pattern as we have worked with the Ministry to ensure the go-forward plans are workable and provide best outcomes for both the students and the staff.

Our concern has always been to try and minimise disruption and have a long-term view for what the school will be like in 50 years’ time.

In order to move forward, the Ministry engaged KPMG to do a thorough review of where we were at and where we wanted to get to. This process also allowed for Christine to get involved prior to her actual start date. All options were put on the table and evaluations of each option produced. The most favoured options were developed, and these needed to then be costed by the Ministry. The school has been very strong in our messaging that moving off-site is not an option we want considered.

A paper is now before Cabinet with a decision due back to the school in the New Year. We are confident this will be positive for the school.

Finally, on behalf of the Board I would like to wish our Year 13 girls all the best in the next chapter of your lives. We hope your time here at Christchurch Girls' High School has been enjoyable and rewarding. Many of your friendships here will last for life. We trust that we have provided you with the education and skill set to go out and follow your dreams, whatever they may be.

To the staff, the Year 11 and Year 12 girls we look forward to seeing you back for 2020.

On behalf of the board, we wish you and a safe and Merry Christmas.

Thank you.