Working Well Together – Proprietor & School Board Relationships – Closing Date Extended

APIS is offering practical workshops in Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington for proprietors, particularly proprietor chairs, and presiding members of school boards.

The workshops will focus on one of the most important relationships in a state-integrated school: the relationship between the proprietor and the school board. When this relationship works well, there is clarity, trust, respect, and a shared commitment to the school’s special character and success.

Although APIS does not usually focus directly on school boards, in this case it makes sense to involve presiding members. They are often the key communication link between the board and the proprietor and play an important role in building a constructive partnership.

Others involved in the proprietor–school board relationship are welcome to attend; however, the workshop is particularly focused on proprietor chairs and school board presiding members.

These workshops are for all state-integrated schools, across the full range of faith-based and philosophical special characters. The focus is not on one particular tradition, but on how proprietors and boards can understand each other’s roles, respect each other’s responsibilities, maintain appropriate boundaries, and work together in the best interests of the school community.

We encourage proprietor chairs and presiding members to attend together where possible.

Presenters

The workshops will be led by Dr Kevin Shore and Karen Raitt, bringing together practical governance experience and sector knowledge.

Dr Kevin Shore, CEO APIS, brings significant experience in the state-integrated school sector, including the role of proprietors, the protection of special character, and the practical realities of working well with school boards.

Karen Raitt Deputy CEO, brings strong school governance experience, including seven years with the New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSBA) supporting school boards and good governance practice.

Karen’s interest in integrated schooling also began personally, as a parent of two children who attended a Montessori primary school. This gives her a broad perspective beyond any single faith tradition, with a focus on supporting all integrated schools to build strong, respectful and well-understood relationships between proprietors and boards.

The workshop dates are as follows: