The Board is accountable for student progress and achievement and has a duty to show to its parents, community, and the government that students are being well prepared for life beyond school.
The board’s role is to oversee the governance of the school and to ensure that everything that needs to be done gets done – legally, ethically and as well as possible in the best interests of its students. The legal responsibilities of boards of trustees are determined by the Education and Training Act 2020.
The board is the employer of all staff, including the principal, and sets the overall strategic direction for the school. The principal is the board’s ‘chief executive’ and manages the day-to-day operations of the school in line with the board’s direction and policies.
The board is elected every three years as per the Education and Training Act 2020. The Board consists of:
- five parent representatives elected by the community;
- the principal;
- and a staff-elected representative;
Section 127 of the Education and Training Act 2020 describes the board’s responsibilities, which include:
- setting the strategic direction and targets for the school
- planning towards and reporting on achieving those targets
- curriculum management
- financial and property management
- policies and procedures
- health and safety
- employment of staff at the school
Every state and stage-integrated school in New Zealand has a board that governs it.
The board has the overall responsibility and accountability for the school.
Meetings 2023
- Tuesday 21st February
- Tuesday 21st March
- Tuesday 16th May
- Tuesday 20th June
- Tuesday 15th August
- Tuesday 19th September
- Tuesday 24th October
- Tuesday 5th December
Meet Your Current Board of Trustees Parent Representatives:
Georgia Houlker – Board Chair I am delighted to rejoin the Board for a second term, having been elected in 2019. It has been great to see the school develop on its strengths over the last few challenging years and I look forward to seeing more of the long term strategy plans through to implementation in the future, especially the Outdoor Environment plan. I have a financial and technology product development background and am a Chartered Member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand. My son is Year 3 at St Thomas’s.
Nick Chapman Nick Chapman’s my name and I’ve got three kids enrolled at St Thomas’s in years 1, 4 and 5. I’ve been a member of the board since August last year. I’m a former language teacher and now work as a project and change manager helping large organisations deliver their strategic initiatives. My main focus for the board is on maintaining strong governance, promoting academic achievement, and maximising the wellbeing of the students. I look forward to continuing to work with the other board members and the school leadership team to help achieve the best outcomes for you, your kids and the wider St Thomas’s community.
Annika Lim Tēnā koutou. It has been an exciting (and interesting) few years watching my girls start school and become part of the St Thomas’s community (now in Years 2 & 4). From the start of this school year, I am happy to add my experience and voice to the STS Board. My background is in law and corporate governance. I am also the Deputy Chair for Bowel Cancer NZ, an arts & crafts enthusiast, and lover of all things winter. I want to see all students at St Thomas’s have every opportunity to achieve their full potential, push new horizons and contribute meaningfully to our wider community. I am looking forward to supporting the mahi of the STS team in delivering a quality education that is well-rounded, equitable and growth-minded
Alistair Monk I have sat on many boards throughout my educational and working career including sitting on the student advisory board whilst at Auckland University of Technology and more recently sitting on and eventually chairing the NZ Members Advisory Board for the Australian and NZ Institute of Insurance and Finance (the educational body for the insurance industry). I have a long family connection to education with great grandparents, grandparents and most recently my mother, sister and cousins all working within schools.
Megan Wheeler Our family has three children in St Thomas’s junior school. I am passionate about every child in our school community getting an excellent start to their education journey. I am a chartered civil engineer and often work with a diverse range of stakeholders and clients in the public and private sector on key infrastructure projects. I love solving problems and am told that I’m pragmatic, efficient and ready to listen. I have governance experience as part of executive leadership teams in NZ and overseas. I look forward to representing you all and provide a voice for our kids’ future. |
Minutes
Minutes are available here or from the School Office.
2023 Minutes
Board minutes 2023 02 21
2022 Minutes
Board Minutes 22 February 2022
Board Minutes 15 March 2022
Board Minutes 12 April 2022
Board Minutes 17th May 2022
Board Minutes 21st June 2022
Board Minutes 16 August 2022
2021 Minutes
Board minutes 16 February 2021
Board minutes 16 March 2021
Board minutes 13th April 2021
Board Minutes 18 May 2021
Board Minutes 15 June 2021
Board Minutes 25 August 2021
Board Minutes 21 September 2021
Board Minutes 1st November 2021
Board Minutes 6 December 2021
Agendas
Board Members
- Mr Michael Maher (Principal)
- Ms Georgia Houlker (Chair) E: ghoulker@gmail.com
- Mr Nick Chapman E: nick@chapman.gen.nz
- Mrs Annika Lim E: annikakneebone@hotmail.com
- Mr Alistair Monk E: ajgmonk@gmail.com
- Mrs Megan Wheeler E: meganwheeler001@gmail.com
- Miss Claire Fromow (Staff Representative)
- Mrs Helen Vercoelen (Board Secretary)
If you need to contact a member of the Board of Trustees you can do so by emailing BOT@stthomas.school.nz
2021 – 2023 Strategic Plan
St Thomas’s School – Strategic Plan 2021
2021 Annual Report
Financial Statements and Audit Report – St Thomas’s