Liberton Christian School
1999 Annual Report
HIGHLIGHTS
- Liberton Christian School begins existence as an integrated school on 4 October.
- The School, through a newly elected Board of Trustees, becomes self-governing.
- Teachers attain pay parity with their counterparts in state schools.
- Key documentation - School Charter, Strategic Plan, and Annual Plan - is written.
- Income and expenditure are in line with budget.
- Positive financial outlook for 2000 as a result of full government funding.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The acceptance of Liberton Christian School as an integrated primary school at the beginning of the fourth term saw
the introduction of a new school management structure and the development of strategic and curriculum plans, as well as
a marked reduction in attendance costs for many families. The constructive response of staff, parents, and the
proprietors to these changes greatly facilitated this major transition for the School.
The first Board of Trustees comprised:
Proprietor’s representatives: John Hannah (DCSA Chairman), Bill Lee (DCSA Deputy-Chairman), John van Dyk (DCSA
Treasurer) and Tony Sizemore;
Parent representatives: Ingrid Macklin, Phil Marshall, Sue McMillan, Catherine Pettigrew and Fiona Sizemore;
Principal: Nel van't Wout; Staff representative: Rosalin Stewart.
Several trustees attended a NZSTA workshop on governance, maintenance, personnel development, and information
technology.
During the fourth term the board produced drafts of key documents for discussion, finalised staff job descriptions,
and made two appointments for the 2000 school year.
The board funded three teaching positions during the fourth term, in part to enable staff to contribute to the extra
work required in establishing new management structures/procedures.
Bill Lee
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
At the beginning of Term 4, 1999, Liberton Christian School became a special-character integrated state school,
after a year or two of hard work, especially by the Board. The staff members were pleased that a new Education Review
Office visit and report was not deemed necessary.
Staffing
The 2.2 full-time teacher equivalent during 1998 was increased to 2.4 in 1999, giving each staff member four days.
The two larger classrooms were used, as they give easier access between the two classes, with Years 1-3 in the junior
room and Years 4-8 in the senior room. With three teachers and capable helpers (especially Ross McMillan during Term
1) the various age groups were well catered for. When Roslyn King had leave of absence for Term 3, classes could
remain as they were organised. Rosalin Stewart and I went back to full-time employment, with Kyra Jones coming in on
Monday and Tuesday afternoons to give me the needed administration time. The junior class especially benefited from
having the same teacher throughout the week.
During Term 4, the transition to integration term, the school was fortunate to have three teachers fully employed.
This enabled us to attend the various curriculum workshops and refresher courses, to write policies, go to New Zealand
Association for Christian Schools (NZACS) meetings, and organise such events and programmes as Jump Rope for Heart,
Drug and Alcohol Resistance Education (DARE) parent meetings and fun day, concert, art day, field-trips and school
camps etc.
Professional Development
With integration pending, we worked hard to familiarise ourselves with the National Curriculum requirements and
whenever possible attended professional development courses and workshops. Roslyn attended a Social Studies course.
Rosalin attained her First Aid qualifications. Both Rosalin Stewart and I attended the Christian Education conference
in Christchurch in August, and an after-school mathematics course. I had some further help with technology and two
follow-up workshops. I attended the regional representative and Principal’s October conference of the NZACS in
Auckland.
School Community
Though new families joined the school community, others left the area, resulting in the school roll remaining static
- around 35. Also, the return of the Shaharuddin family to Malaysia spelled the last of our overseas students at the
school. A significant increase in student numbers for the year 2000 was needed in order to maintain LCS as a three
teacher school. The prospect of even lower numbers for the beginning of 2000 sadly necessitated the reduction of
staff back to 2.2.
School Programmes
Pupils made good progress in the basic subjects. A school-wide administration of the Burt Reading age test revealed
a very good standard throughout. Rachael van Rij, Robert Lark and Fiona Lee represented the school in the Smokefree
Day speech competitions. They competed with some of the best speakers from larger Intermediate schools and enjoyed the
experience. The senior class participated successfully in the Australian Mathematics competition and the Otago Problem
Challenge.
The school participated in the various North Dunedin schools’ sports events, and joined Pine Hill School for some
cricket, soccer, and touch rugby. Of particular note was the after-school netball competition. Under Rachel
Bradfield’s coaching, (helped by Year 8 pupil Rachael van Rij) the team did extremely well. There was an excellent
team spirit and good sportsmanship. All the students, and several parents, joined in the opening ceremony, and walk,
of the Leith Kiwi walk.
The year’s highlight for the senior class was undoubtedly their camp at Warrington, together with the Southern Lakes
Christian School senior class. The input by parents and friends of the school was a major contributor to its success.
The juniors shared by coming up for a picnic and barbecue on the last camp day. Some of the camp costs were raised by
the Year 7 and 8 pupils with their Friday pie days, during the winter months.
The music programme was enhanced by the visits from musicians Bob Bickerton (18 October) and Jonathan Harper
(9 November). A bracket of Easter songs was well received by the residents of Leith House and later at an end of term
special assembly.
We were privileged to have our art work with the theme, Family, Friends and Fun, exhibited at the community art
gallery as part of TEAR Fund’s Children of the World art display. The juniors visited Disney Magic - a
programme put on by College of Education Students. We all enjoyed The Christmas Toy Story at the Glenroy
Auditorium at the end of the year.
Our school-wide animal study culminated in a visit to the SPCA and a school pet day, where toy, imaginary and real
live animals were on display. Earlier in the year Spiders were the object of study. The programme on Spiders at
Discovery World fascinated the children and adults alike.
As part of the senior class study on Ourselves, Constable Barry Brown presented the DARE programme during Term 4.
Puberty changes were discussed with pupils eleven and over, together with school nurse G. Copeland and their parents.
Towards the beginning of the year, about 15 pupils participated in the 40 hour famine. The girls had a sleep-over
at the school in a 'cardboard city' they had erected in the hall. Participants raised over $1,000 for the work of
World Vision. During the latter part of the year over $300 was raised for the Heart Foundation, through Jump Rope
for Heart.
I trust that the above gives you some picture of the many facets of school life. The year l999 has been a year of
change and progress, but not without pain. However, we have much to be thankful for, and to praise God for. A lot of
hard work has gone into the integration process. Let us now continue to work together to make Liberton the best little
school in town and one worthy of the name Christian.
Nel van’t Wout
TREASURER’S REPORT
At first glance the fact that the School’s first result is a deficit of $1,634 may give cause for concern. In
reality, the deficit is in line with budget and should be regarded as a one-off exception during a time of transition.
The major contributing factor to the deficit was the full-time employment of three teaching staff whereas bulk-funding
entitlement provided for only 2.2 full-time teacher equivalents.
Similarly the poor showing in working capital and public equity can be attributed to the exceptional conditions
surrounding start-up. Now that staff numbers have been reduced to the same level as funding entitlement, the financial
outlook is positive. Early receipt of the first quarter’s operational grant will ensure that liquidity can be
maintained initially, while in later months the budget provides for a steady growth of working capital.
The format of these accounts adheres to the guidelines prescribed by the Ministry of Education’s School Accounting
and Reporting Requirements and follows the Petone West School model.
A number of objectives have been set for 2000 to secure and enhance the School’s financial administration, the more
significant of which are:
- Evaluate various forms of risk management insurance (e.g. professional indemnity, trustee liability, legal
defence) with a view to purchasing appropriate cover to ensure the School and its personnel are better protected
against risks arising out of its operation.
- Establish an asset register to provide an accurate description and valuation of the School’s possessions for
insurance and reporting purposes.
- Evaluate appropriate automated accounting packages, with a view to purchase and implementation.
Increased funding, as an integrated state school, will afford new opportunities in the coming year. Teachers can
look forward to better access to classroom resources and professional development. Fully paid secretarial, cleaning
and grounds services will help to relieve the burden formerly faced by parents and volunteers.
Naturally with increased funding there are accompanying increased responsibilities. Therefore we look to trustees,
staff and parents confident of their continued support and diligence in helping to ensure the success of Liberton
Christian School in the coming year.
John van Dyk
Back to Main Page
|