Why Lauriston School has a Combined Board with Mt Hutt College
In the late 1990's the ministry had an Education Review in Canterbury and said that schools with less than 250 students were not viable. Lauriston was tagged as a 'non-base' school and given six years to close, cluster or merge.
The school and community were very proactive and looked at options for Lauriston. Mount Hutt College approached Lauriston to look at ways to become one school as Mount Hutt College valued Lauriston's contribution of students and community. The vision at that time was one school on two sites, but when this was fully investigated it meant fewer funds and fewer teachers.
The schools started consultation with both communities to become a joint board and started sharing some administration, property costs, and bulk buying. In March 2004, the combined board was approved by the Ministry. This improved the strength of Lauriston School, but it took an election and change of direction before the Ministry advised Lauriston it no longer needed to close, cluster or merge.
The two schools have separate sites, separate finances and separate management, but are governed by one board.
Composition of the Combined Board:
What the Board does:
In the late 1990's the ministry had an Education Review in Canterbury and said that schools with less than 250 students were not viable. Lauriston was tagged as a 'non-base' school and given six years to close, cluster or merge.
The school and community were very proactive and looked at options for Lauriston. Mount Hutt College approached Lauriston to look at ways to become one school as Mount Hutt College valued Lauriston's contribution of students and community. The vision at that time was one school on two sites, but when this was fully investigated it meant fewer funds and fewer teachers.
The schools started consultation with both communities to become a joint board and started sharing some administration, property costs, and bulk buying. In March 2004, the combined board was approved by the Ministry. This improved the strength of Lauriston School, but it took an election and change of direction before the Ministry advised Lauriston it no longer needed to close, cluster or merge.
The two schools have separate sites, separate finances and separate management, but are governed by one board.
Composition of the Combined Board:
- Mount Hutt College is the lead school.
- Five elected parents; nominations open across both schools.
- If either school's community is not represented by at least one trustee after the election, then the Board will co-opt at least one trustee from that community.
- One elected student from Mount Hutt College (year 9 and up).
- One staff trustee; nominations open across both schools; it is the Principal's role to make sure the staff are up-to-date with Board matters. We cannot have two staff trustees as it is law that each Board can only have one trustee.
- Co-option is at the discretion of the Board.
What the Board does:
- Work with the Principal, and consult with staff, students and the community.
- Set the educational goals and strategic direction of the school.
- Monitor progress, and let parents know how the school is progressing against its annual targets and how well students are achieving.
- Decide how the school's funding will be spent.
- Select the school's Principal, and support the development of all staff.
- Oversee the management of staff, property, finances, curriculum and administration.