CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Annual General Meeting June 2023 Report for Year Ending December 2022
It is my privilege to present this report highlighting the achievements of NZCPT during 2022.
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Mission: To be a proprietor that partners with local communities throughout New Zealand to expand the provision of quality state-integrated Christian schooling.
Goals: To be a proprietor that:
1. Is a preferred partner of the Crown in the delivery of education in keeping with our Special Character.
2. Is a preferred partner of local communities that desire education in keeping with our Special Character.
3. Interfaces with the Crown to integrate Christian schools in the following order of priority:
a) Schools where no sustainable Christian schools currently exist.
b) Existing independent schools desiring to integrate.
c) Existing integrated schools desiring to change proprietors.
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The Trust is grateful to God and all those stakeholders it works with for the progress made during 2022 to achieve the Mission and Goals outlined above.
During 2022 Peter Wilding acted as CEO for one year following a long period of service by Warren Peat and the recruitment and appointment of a permanent CEO. Our grateful thanks to Peter for the wisdom, diligence, energy, and vision he brought to the role.
After a significant search, Philip-Mark Bradley was appointed to the permanent position due to commence duties in January 2023.
During 2022 we welcomed new Trustees Stephanie Corban and Hazel Warnes. Thank you to Stephanie and Hazel for being prepared to serve in this way.
Mark Larson became the Chair following a period of service in that role from Vaughan Darby. Vaughan ably led the Trust through a significant strategic season encompassing the appointment of a permanent CEO.
The appointment of a new CEO has coincided with a refreshment of the Trust’s strategic plan. Preliminary work was done on this during 2022 resulting in the following draft strategic objectives.
NZCPT – 2 Year Strategic Priorities
1. Develop a formal strategic plan against which the CEO provides various reports. Ensure the plan aligns with the current KingsWay Trust strategic plan. Consultation of the strategic plan with each of the other Land Trusts to cover growth, property and special character aspirations.
2. Work towards diversifying the membership of the trust engaging with those who are aligned to our mission and bring appropriate skills to the Trust.
3. Enhance the programme of recruitment and supervision of proprietor appointees to Boards to include ongoing professional learning.
4. Work with The Christian Schools’ Trust and the Christian Education Trust to explore modes of collaboration including the provision of resources for schools (for example)
a) Sexuality, gender, relationships and family
b) Honouring and giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi
c) Discipleship in the digital age
d) Distance/hybrid learning
5. Research teacher and leadership supply issues in Christian schooling
6. Enhance Principal Event Programme
Work is underway on some of these while further work will continue in 2023.
During the period of this report, student numbers in the NZCPT network of schools grew to approximately 2,800 which is close to 10% in all Christian schools in New Zealand. The Trust is blessed to play a part in providing an education with a special character for each precious child.
Harvest Christian School came into the NZCPT network at the start of the year with approximately 40 students and looking forward to moving to its new site in the near future.
KingsGate School celebrated the move to its new site during the year.
Special character reviews were undertaken at Horizon School, Excellere College and Harvest Christian School. It is always a privilege to see at first-hand God at work in each school. We continue to celebrate the outstanding work of Dr Jacqui Lloyd who works with each of our schools to support them in embracing and embedding the Trust’s Theological Framework and Special Character Guidelines.
The Trust oversees turnover in the order of $8.5 million per year. Most of that funding is passed to the Land Trusts for property purposes. NZCPT has experienced small operating deficits (nett of property funding) due to slightly lower-than-expected student numbers. It is expected that increases in student numbers will return the Trust to surpluses.
The Trust is exploring opportunities to support communities in Kumeū, Mangawhai and Dannevirke with Christian education.
The Trust acknowledges the stirling work done by Boards and Principals particularly as the effects of the Covid pandemic linger. Excellere College and Horizon School appointed new Principals for the commencement of 2023 - we wish them well. A special shout out to Claire Rowan, Principal of Hawera Christian School who has served in that role since Hawera came into the network in 2011.
My personal thanks to my fellow Trustees, 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