CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT
Annual General Meeting June 2024 Report
for Year Ending December 2023
It is my privilege to present this report highlighting the achievements of NZCPT during 2023.
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The mission of NZCPT is to be a proprietor that partners with local communities throughout New Zealand to expand the provision of quality state-integrated Christian schooling.
It seeks to do this as a preferred partner of the Crown and local communities in providing education with a Christian character in places where there is currently no such school, or where there is an independent school desiring to integrate, or where existing integrated schools desire a change of proprietor.
The Trust is grateful to God and all those stakeholders it works with for the progress made during 2023 in outworking this mission.
2023 has been a year of induction for our new CEO Philip Mark Bradley building strong relationships with all those in the NZCPT ecosystem, networking with like-minded organisations, growing in his understanding of Christian education, and standing up systems and processes to deliver on the mission.
Because 2023 has been an induction year for the CEO, progress against the trust’s strategic objectives has largely been limited to preliminary planning.
Diversifying Trust Membership - This is a standing agenda item. A succession plan is emerging.
Enhance the programme and recruitment and supervision of proprietor appointees - the CEO is a proprietor appointee on five school boards, finding a sustainable way of managing this and supervising other proprietor appointees is an important piece of work during 2023.
Work with The Christian Schools Trust and the Christian Education Trust to explore modes of collaboration - regular networking meetings occur and the Elim group of schools has been included during 2023. This group of proprietors are well placed to provide important leadership amongst the NZACS proprietors. The Wellington Hills Christian College project is a great example of the combined efforts of the Trusts.
Research Teacher and Leadership Supplies in Christian Schooling - widely recognised issue and NZCPT still in the intelligence gathering stage.
Enhance Principal Event Programme - no event held during 2023. This needs significant reimagination.
Student numbers in NZCPT schools continue to grow steadily. A number of network schools have had maximum roll increases. Most schools have waiting lists. NZCPT is grateful to its respective land trusts for continuing to provide appropriate built space to accommodate roll growth.
The work of the Special Character Coordinator has continued during 2023 ensuring that the Theological Framework, Statement of Faith and Special Character Guidelines are well understood by schools and are influential in informing policy and practice. Staff turnover in schools can frustrate this work at times however significant progress has been made. The Trust is considering how to build on this work to support the special character of its schools.
Work has been underway for some time to complete a position statement and guidance on how NZCPT schools can support the safety and inclusion of Rainbow students. This is close to completion.
Other highlights of 2023 include;
Progress in establishing Wellington’s first Christian college, Wellington Hills Christian College, in Johnsonville due to open in 2025.
Work on the new campus for Harvest Christian School
The relocation of KingsGate to its new campus
Ongoing discussions around potential new schools in Kaitaia, Dannevirke, Mahurangi and Kumeu
Positive special character reviews at KingsView School and Jireh Christian School
It is acknowledged that schools continue to operate in a volatile environment, characterised by the long shadow of COVID, significant changes in Government policy around curriculum, assessments, the Maori and Pasifika education strategies, and of course the change in Government at election time. Schools are experiencing significant change fatigue. NZCPT is grateful for the steady and servant-like leadership provided by the boards and principals.
NZCPT is blessed with a good financial performance and position, however in order to be able to invest in new initiatives to protect and enhance the special character of our schools, new funding streams will need to be explored.
My personal thanks to my fellow Trustees, Philip Mark Bradley our CEO, the NZCPT administration team, and to all those who work on land trusts and boards for the teamwork and vision which underpins the achievements of the Trust this year.
Mark Larson
Chairperson, NZCPT