BIRKENHEAD COLLEGE
Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of trustees held at Birkenhead College on
Thursday, 28 February 2019
1. Present
T Dobbin (Chair), C Waller (Principal), T Brooksbank, A Pageau, S Beattie,
M Darrah
Secretary
Reneé Lubbe
2. Apologies
A Sturny, D Cox, J Tawhai
3. Minutes of the previous meeting
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 November 2018 were accepted.
Brooksbank / Waller
4. Matters Arising:
An update on the swimming pool is that the Ministry and Swimsation are getting closer to
reaching an agreement. The Ministry have come back with an agreement period of 20 years.
The Ministry have also requested to sight the plans and consider the roof covering.
5. Correspondence
o Monthly magazines: Education Gazette and Tukutuku Korero.
o RSM Auditors: Terms of Engagement.
o NZSTA: Term 1 newsletter
Trustee Professional Development
AGM on 14 July in Dunedin
6. Principal’s Report
The Principal’s report was tabled, and Mr Waller spoke to some items.
o A great result for the Merit Awards, as per report.
o Birkenheadh college’s UE rates increased and now 10% above the National average.
o Mrs Nightingale wil present the curriculum report later this term.
o The Police course has been positive, and the Police reported that our students have been
extremely hands on.
o Mrs Helen McNaughton has been appointed as the new Guidance Counsellor.
o BYOD has kicked off to a good start. Mr Burton and Ms Fuller put in a great deal of effort
to get this launched.
o The new cyber safety program has created a stir amongst the Birkenhead College
students. Over 600 schools across USA, Australia and New Zealand are using this app,
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which is similar to using a school device when they log on to the school wifi. A parent
cyber safety information evening was held recently.
o Hato Petra school is closing and Birkenhead College has managed to secure 60 tables,
desks and some test tubes for the laboratory. There is also a possibility of getting
stainless steel benchtops and ovens for a commercial kitchen.
o The Kohange Reo representatives would like a meeting to discuss a Deed of Lease.
Parking and a grass areas wil be on the agenda. The Kohanga building should be ready
at the end of this year.
o The International Student numbers are stable. Numbers for Italian students have
increased. Brazilian students may also increase in future.
o On 21 March, the Police wil be using our school grounds to do a Police Demonstration.
Other schools wil be invited, and Hon. Mr Hipkins is invited to at end.
7. Committee Reports
7.1 Finance – No financials at this meeting due to the 2018 Year-end statements.
7.2
Property:
o H-block roofing and renovations have started.
o The old gymnasium roof wil have a new design which will help with air flow. This work still
falls under the Ministry claim.
8. Student Representative’s Report as handed out:
o The cyber safety app has seen students complain, as they feel that their privacy has
been affected. Mr Burton explained the reasons of the app’s implementation at an
assembly which seemed to be helpful. There are websites blocked which students
would like to access.
9. Teacher Representative’s Report:
o Staff are happy to see that work on H-block has been started.
o Teachers appreciate the implementation of BYOD.
o There are constant comments about how good the new school uniforms look.
o 30 Students have joined the debating group this year.
o PPTA meetings are coming up. Negotiations are ongoing. A strike is planned for 3 April.
As the debate about Tomorrow’s School continues, the PPTA wil oppose this model.
10. General Business
o Following the departure of Mr Kingston, the Board of Trustees are to appoint a new
Laboratory Manager. Nominees wil be brought to the March Board Meeting.
o Trustees FTE for 2018 is required for the financial year end.
o 2019 Board of Trustee Election is coming up. No change to the Returning Of icer this
election year.
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Date of next Board Meeting:
Either Wednesday, 24 April or
Thursday , 2 May 2019.
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