It is with pleasure that I present my annual Chair Report for The Kingsway Trust (KWT).
The past year has been another busy year with embedding new leadership, continuing development activity, and planning for continuing growth across our schools. Despite the challenging financial environment, the Kingsway Trust has broadened its vision and continues to work towards increasing the physical capacity of our schools to meet rising demand. Our ongoing purpose remains to provide a network of schools and preschools that offer Christ-centred, accessible, quality education for children and young people in the Auckland region.
Schools
KingsWay School, Silverdale
The planning, construction and completion of a Primary Pavilion for Years 1-4 has been an exciting development, delivered on time and within budget mid 2024. The school eagerly anticipates welcoming the youngest members of its student body. Executive Principal Graeme Büdler is commended for his leadership and the cultivation of a team dedicated to continuous improvement. Roll growth and demand for places remain very high. Conceptual design and feasibility work on an Arts Centre has begun, initiating a project expected to span the next two years.
Jireh Christian School, Avondale
The Special Character Triennial Review in May 2023 highlighted the staff and parents' commitment to Christ-centred education. Principal Sandra Bosman’s sabbatical in Term 3 did not hinder the school’s leadership, a testament to her capable team. High enrolment demand continues. Discussions on a lease for land owned by the Reformed Church of Avondale has resulted in a documented agreement, allowing us to seek necessary Resource Consent and plan confidently for the future. Preliminary work on a growth plan to accommodate more students has begun in collaboration with school leaders and the Trust.
KingsGate School, Pukekohe
This year marked the first full year of operation in the two new pavilions on the Blake Road site. A Celebration Day at the end of 2023 recognised this milestone. Principal Jared Stein has managed the growth in student numbers, the transition from a small church site to an expansive purpose-built facility, and the addition of a high school curriculum. Preparations for further expansion with a third teaching pavilion have begun as the school progressively adds secondary education levels each year.
Horizon School, Snells Beach
Under the new leadership of Principal Tina Utting-Johnson, Horizon School has been adjusting teaching practices, optimising its use of spaces, and enhancing its school culture. The school has maintained relatively stable student enrolment numbers. This year's primary focus for site development has been the construction of a sizeable lower sports field. This has been a lengthy and challenging process, expected to be completed and operational in 2024.
The Kingsway Trust Board and Leadership
I am incredibly grateful for our trustee team, who continue to make significant voluntary contributions of their time and expertise to fulfil our vision. We could not have achieved what we have without this significant offering of time and expertise at a governance level. This has been the first year with our new Chief Executive Officer, Philip Mark Bradley, who has spent the year familiarising himself with our network's systems, resources, and relationships. Having worked with school leaders on property, compliance, and Special Character matters, he has articulated a goal to see our schools being known by their wider communities to have the presence and favour of God upon them, having students, staff and whanau aligned in heart toward Christ-centred education, which influences students who are more likely, a decade on from their schooling, to love God and His Word in practice and with passion.
Finance and Operations
I am particularly grateful for the work of Kenneth Brown who has provided careful stewardship of the Trust’s financial resources over many years, and who will retire from this function in 2024. Ken has been an incredibly reliable, diligent and faithful contributor to our team, who has been such a pleasure to work with, and he will be sorely missed. Our operations manager Allan Grav has made good progress in strengthening our financial systems, whilst also leading much of the day to day progress in managing our partners in new building and ongoing maintenance and development of the Trust’s resources.
The Trust remains in a strong financial position to support growth plans despite a tight economic climate and significant increase in costs (e.g., insurance, maintenance, and construction). We have managed these increases by making a modest rise in Attendance Dues and maintaining realistic budgets. The Trust has healthy budgets for repairs and maintenance in the coming years, to protect our assets. Final Essential Property Maintenance Package (EPMP) projects have been completed or are near completion at various school sites, representing significant work funded by the government for state-integrated schools.
Special Character and Proprietorship
We continue to collaborate with the NZ Christian Proprietors Trust (NZCPT) on maintaining the Special Character of the Christian faith in our schools continues strongly, and continue to be grateful for the work of Dr Jacqui Lloyd in continuing the embedding of the Special Character documents within our network, and other professional development within our schools. The Trust has developed key position statements and guidance to support our schools, in consultation with the NZCPT and its network of Christian schools. We continue to focus on the future, working collaboratively on a Special Character Strategy for 2024 and beyond.
Other Business Operations
Kingsway Educational Services Ltd
The past year saw the resignation of Preschools Manager Darlene Fletcher and the promotion of Randy Alingalan from Silverdale Team Leader to the role, ensuring a smooth transition and consistent leadership. We are grateful for the work of the board of directors both past and present. We continue to be very pleased with the culture, practices, and learning spaces of our centres, but continue to face significant headwinds to lift financial performance, and there will be renewed focus on this for 2024. Increased communication and outreach efforts have been made to boost community awareness in Red Beach and Snells Beach.
Conclusion
I am incredibly grateful to all those who have contributed to the vision of the Kingsway Trust. Thank you for your ongoing support in providing accessible, Christ-centred, quality education to our children and young people. Together, we are building a strong foundation for the future, ensuring that our schools continue to thrive and reflect the presence and favour of God.
Ma Ihowa koe e manaaki, mana koe e tiaki
May God bless you and keep you.