Work of the Board

Do you know your Proprietor?

The Bishop or religious institute or Trust Board, as Proprietor, holds the school in trust for the Catholic community that originally established the school. The Proprietor continues to be the legal owner of the property that constitutes the state integrated school.

Boards are to understand and work within the legal framework set out in the Education and Training Act 2020. Your board must meet these and all the other legislative requirements. For example:

• Education and Training Act 2020
  • Schedule 6 State Integrated Schools.
  • Schedule 6, pdf for download
  • Powers and Functions of Board
  • Role of the principal

Every Catholic state integrated school has an integration agreement. A school becomes integrated into the state educational system when the Proprietor and the Minister of Education approve the school’s Integration Agreement. This agreement establishes a partnership between the Proprietor and the Crown. Read more about Integration Agreements here

You can find your integration agreement on the Ministry of Education website. Take time to read over your school’s integration agreement, especially your special character definition.

The Proprietor can appoint up to four members of the Board. These appointees are full members of the Board, with all the rights and obligations of other members, including the right to be elected as the Presiding Member (Chairperson) of the Board.

For more information about the role of the Proprietor’s Appointee please read the board policy under Part B (7) Proprietor’s appointee’s role description policy.

The board’s role is one of strategic oversight, leadership, direction, and policy setting.  The board develops a governance policy framework and processes for decision making, ensures compliance with legal requirements, and puts in place structures for the principal to effectively manage day to day operations.

The board needs to know who they need to consult and communicate with, how often and for what. All school community members should know what your board's work involves and how the school is progressing. The board is also required to communicate any issues and report annually to the proprietor.

The school community is defined in the Education and Training Act 2020 as:

• The parents, families, and whānau of the school's students.
• The Māori community associated with the school.
• Any other person or group of persons who the board considers part of the school community for the purposes of the relevant provision.

As a board member, one of your key roles is ensuring the governance of your school aligns with the aspirations and wishes of your school community.

Support: It is important to know who is there to support and guide you in your role as a school board member. For example:

• Vicar for Education or Education Manager at the Diocese or proprietor trust board
• New Zealand Catholic Education Office
• New Zealand School Trustees Association
• Ministry of Education

Partnerships: Catholic Schools are communities of partnership, the partners being the Proprietor of the school, the Ministry of Education and the Board of Trustees. Each of these partners has a legal responsibility to maintain the school’s Catholic special character.

As enrolment is the responsibility of the Board (normally carried out by the principal in accordance with Board policy) it is important to know your community and those families likely to enrol at the school.  Board’s need to understand the enrolment process for their Catholic school.