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Governance and Leadership

Lynfield College School Board

THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL BOARD

All New Zealand state schools have a School Board. The Board of Trustees is the Crown entity responsible for the governance and the control of the management of the College. The Board is the employer of all staff in the College, is responsible for setting the College's strategic direction in consultation with parents, staff and students, and ensuring that the College provides a safe environment and quality education for all its students. The Board is also responsible for overseeing the management of personnel, curriculum, property, finance and administration.

The Board is entrusted to work on behalf of all stakeholders and is accountable for the College’s performance. It emphasises strategic leadership, sets the vision for the College, and ensures that it complies with legal and policy requirements. Policies are at a governance level and outline clear delegations to the Principal.

The Board and Principal form the leadership team, with the role of each documented and understood. The Principal reports to the Board as a whole with committees used sparingly and only when a need is identified in order to contribute to board work. The Board is proactive in its operations and decision-making and does not involve itself in the administrative details of the day-to-day running of the College. The School Board has a charter of aims and objectives. Enhancing student achievement is its focus.

The Board of Trustees may be contacted by emailing the Board Secretary: boardsecretary@lynfield.school.nz

MEETINGS

Meetings are held every month on the fourth Tuesday or fifth Monday of the month in the Staffroom. Minutes are available for viewing at the main office. Visitors are always welcome at meetings but if a member of the public wishes to speak to the Board, written notification stating the topic must be received by the office seven days before the next meeting to ensure it can be added to the Agenda, and that board members are aware of the topic.

If an item of a confidential or personal nature must be discussed, visitors will be asked to leave the meeting in accordance with Privacy Act legislation.

BOARD MEETING DATES FOR 2023

Tuesday 28 February
Tuesday 28 March
Monday 29 May		 Tuesday 27 June
Tuesday 1 August
Tuesday 5 September		 Monday 30 October
Tuesday 28 November
 

BOARD MEMBERSHIP

Board members are elected by the parent community, staff members and the students. The Principal is also a member of the Board. The Board can also co-opt additional trustees. Co-option cannot be used to fill casual vacancies on a board. A board must hold a by-election to fill the casual vacancy or fill the casual vacancy by selection having first given consideration to the requirements of section 105 of the Education Act 1989.

School Board elections are held every three years. The next election will be in June 2025.

The Lynfield College School Board membership includes:

  • Up to five parent elected members
  • The Principal of the school
  • One staff elected representative
  • One student elected representative
  • Up to four co-opted trustees to reflect either a gender or cultural balance; or to bring a specific skill to the board; or for a specific task or project.

The current Board of Trustees was elected in September 2022. It comprises of the Principal, five parent-elected trustees, a staff trustee and a student trustee.
 
  • Geetika Aulakh:  Member (elected September 2022)
  • Luke Jackson:  Chairperson (elected September 2022)
  • John Maka:  Member (elected September 2022)
  • Ravi Nyayapati:  Deputy Chairperson (elected September 2022)
  • Cath Knell:  Principal
  • Kristelle Varney:  Member (elected September 2022)
  • Richard Winn:  Staff Representative (elected September 2022)
  • Neel Kumar:  Student Representative (elected for 2023)
 

Senior Leadership Team

 
PRINCIPAL Cath Knell BSc(Hons), DipTchg, MEdMgt(Hons)
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL Gabrielle Clark BA, DipTchg(Dist), NZAHPER Diploma
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL Richard Winn BPEd, DipTchg, MEdLdrship
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL Sandy Harris BA, DipTchg, PGDipEd (Dist)
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL Sharyn Hunt BA (Hons), DipTchg
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL Lisa Wichman-Kelly BPEd, DipTchg
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL Russell Newbrook DipTchg, PGDipEd (Dist)