Board of Trustees Report

I recently read again of the biblical significance of being like salt. Salt that retains its quality is able to flavour a meal. I was reminded that salt is not the meal. It is not the core focus, and yet, it brings influence that enhances the meal and would be immediately noticed if not present. I wondered how closely aligned to salt my life has been in recent times?

In a classroom context, it’s easy to accept that every lesson will contain learning. Yet, in the turbulent times, we have experienced in the last two years, the opportunities to learn and grow have abounded for ourselves and our children. How have we responded to others who have held different opinions from our own? How have we spoken about those in authority? Would those closest to us say that we honour and respect people in leadership even when we disagree with their perspectives? Has unity in our Christian community been as important to us as we read it is to Jesus in John 17? I write this not to condemn or criticise, but to encourage everyone who reads this to pause and reflect, not on current events (which mostly are beyond our personal control), but on how we are walking out our own Christian journey as salt and light.

In April, the Ministry of Education required all school boards to consider the implications of the government decision to lift the mandate for vaccinated staff at schools. Our Board developed a risk assessment and concluded that vaccination is no longer required for any role at KingsWay School, including volunteer workers and those from outside providers, with the exception of those for whom the vaccination mandate for the Health and Disability sector applies, such as our nursing team. The school will continue to follow government guidelines utilising existing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as staying at home if unwell, the use of facemasks, appropriate rapid antigen testing, capacity limits, regular hand washing/sanitising, and physical distancing. Any concerns about vulnerable persons (staff or students) will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine the best ways to mitigate risk for that individual. Feel free to contact the school or write to the Board at BOT@kingsway.school.nz if you have any questions or concerns.

In the busyness of all that has been happening, the value of having a strategic growth and development plan for the school can be seen, with the latest addition being the completion of the large cover of our Astroturf courts. We understand this is the largest of its type in New Zealand, providing sun and rain protection and much-improved lighting during hours of darkness, enabling a huge space to be more effectively used for teaching and sports throughout the year. We are enormously grateful to the Kingsway Trust for their funding of this project. The next major item on the plan is a new studio block at the Primary for the littlest of our students, and planning with staff and our designers is well underway. We hope to begin building next year and be completed for 2024.

Lastly, we have Board of Trustee elections in September this year. Please consider if you have an interest in helping on the Board, especially if you have business, finance or leadership experience and would like to help the governance of the school in this way. Our monthly board meetings are open to guests, and the dates are listed on our website. You are welcome to attend any time to get a feel of Board life.

Blessings,

Peter Wilding
Chairperson (Presiding Member)
Board of Trustees