From the Commissioner Re: Scoping Report

Commissioners Scoping Report – Community Summary (in PDF format) can be downloaded here

From the Commissioner Re: Family Contribution

I have reviewed a significant amount of correspondence on this matter, much of which is dated early 2011. I have also reviewed the decisions taken by the former Board of Trustees and external advice they sought in relation to this matter. As has been outlined to parents, the Inland Revenue Department has advised OLV that schools are allowed to collect “fees for the general benefit of the school” which allow tax deductibility. When fees are itemized, tax deductibility is forfeited.
Additional advice from Canterbury Education Services, confirms that of the IRD. Similarly, our independent auditor  has also reviewed our fee structure and has commented that if the fees are itemized then tax deductibility cannot occur.
The reasons for the accounts not being itemized are well documented and have been well communicated previously.
 In 2011, 91% of families paid the family contribution. In keeping with the special character of the school, if there were families that were unable to pay the full amount due to hardship, the school made one off decisions to support them further. The position of the previous Board of Trustees in relation to family contributions was perfectly within their bounds of operation in supporting the decision taken by school management (given that it is a management matter) and consistent with external advice. Accordingly it stands.

Appointment of a Commissioner

"On Friday 20 January the appointment of the Commissioner for OLV takes effect. The Board of Trustees of OLV accepted the proposal to appoint a Commissioner, Christchurch based Murray Strong. He has governance and senior management experience in both the private and public sectors, was the Commissioner appointed to the Western institute of Technology in Taranaki, Chairman of the Aviation Tourism & Travel Training Organisation and is currently a Ministerially appointed member of the Board of the Southern Regional Health School and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority where he is also a member of the Audit Committee.

Mr Strong will work closely with the Principal, Barbara Perry, to improve communication within the wider school community, ensure a strong and continuing focus on student achievement, develop and implement a range of systems and processes to ensure the school has effective and robust governance procedures and to effectively support the Principal to achieve the Schools goals as stated in the schools' Charter document. Mr Strong may appoint an Advisory Committee to support him in his work at the School and to ensure there are strong links to the School community. His initial appointment is for a period of one year.

Mr Chris Fogarty, the previous Deputy Chairman of the OLV Board of Trustees, said that the Board of Trustees took a proactive step towards the end of 2011 in asking the Ministry of Education for assistance in ensuring the future success of the School. The Board is pleased at the decision announced today and supports the appointment of the Commissioner. The former Board look forward to Mr Strong's input into our School and that we see this being a positive step for the School and the School community.