Tena Koutou Katoa

It has been a difficult year for us all. Yet it has still been successful for the School. I wish to briefly comment on those successes and the positive challenges we face as a school community.

Our success over the lockdown was as a result of the hard work staff have put in over the past 5 or so years as they became more adaptable and adept to online teaching and our students to on line learning. The adjustment to teaching and learning at home was smooth but also flexible as students’ needs changed over the lock down period. Our predicted grades at NCEA level were quite remarkably either maintained or increased over that period. This was not a matter of good fortune but one of good management.

I acknowledge Mr Hart, the Senior Leadership team and all staff, parents, caregivers and students for their positivity and patience over that stressful and uncertain time.

Financially, the school has managed well during the lockdown period. Whilst there is some negative impact on income which will be ongoing with the drop of income from the foreign student market the school has still been able to provide the resources required for our staff and students.

The commitment from your Board to the Edmund Rice charism upon which our College is founded remains at the forefront of planning and decision making. Our charism is a central aspect to what is special about our school.

One area where that charism is most evident is in the School’s commitment to restorative practices. The recent commendation from the District Commander of the Canterbury Police was evidence of the hard work that the school has put into this area over the past 13 years. The District Commander congratulated the school on its pioneering work which has been a leader and example to others throughout New Zealand. The transition was challenging, and work is always ongoing, but it has the full support of your Board.

The school is thriving. That creates positive challenges. Most notably with our school roll.

The population growth in our catchment areas of the south of Christchurch and Selwyn is considerable. The pursuit of a roll increase has been slow and frustrating. The Ministry of Education has made it clear that such a roll increase must come from within the Catholic Secondary School network given there is space available. That is understandable from the Ministry’s perspective but to get traction within our catholic network seems problematic. In this case the obvious answer to solve a problem is not easy to achieve. Whilst we are doing what we can to allow all preference students the catholic education they are entitled to we will not be able to continue to meet the needs of all preference students unless a roll increase is obtained. But we will keep trying.

I wish to briefly acknowledge all those people who have voluntarily contributed so much to what the College has become. It started back almost 60 years ago as the parent and school community had the foresight to enable such things as the purchase of our playing fields shortly after the school opened. Whilst those people have now mostly passed on, their contributions are always recognised. This year the Board received with regret the resignation of Mr Dominic Dravitzki, Board member and former Board chair. With his resignation came the celebration of Dominic being our first old boy to be appointed as a District Court Judge. It was a privilege to attend his swearing in. Dominic and his wife Nicky Dravitzki, who has been a long-term member of the PFA, have made a considerable contribution to the College for which I thank them.

And to my final point of our staff and students.

A school certainly cannot thrive without strong leadership. I congratulate Mr O’Brien and Mr Auimatagi on their appointment to permanent assistant principal positions. The depth of leadership within the school is impressive. Mr Hart and his leadership team continue to drive the school to high achievement across the entire spectrum of schooling life. The school is led with passion and with a commitment to what is in the immediate and long-term interests of our young men whilst also balancing this with the well-being of staff. We acknowledge and thank you Mr Hart for your leadership.

To all staff, not only teaching staff, your Board thanks you for your wide ranging commitment and consideration you have for our young men. From academic achievement, pastoral care and your voluntary involvement outside the classroom. We are extremely fortunate to have staff so fully committed to all aspects of our sons’ school life.

There is much to celebrate and be proud of as a St Thomas’s community.

I wish the year 13’s and any other leavers well as they embark on their next journey.

I sincerely hope that we remain at level 1 for the balance of 2020 so we can all have a safe, relaxing and meaningful holiday.

Best wishes to you all for the rest of 2020 and for a safe holiday season.

Andy Steel

Chairperson