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END OF YEAR 2009 REPORT TO THE BOARD ON THE 2009 N.Z.C.E.O. ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN ARISING FROM THE STRATEGIC PLAN 2005-2010

Update on the Start of Year Situational Analysis and Events Outside The Control of The Office
Ongoing Business and Broad Strategic Objectives

Strategies and Actions
Priority A: Relationships With Shareholding Stakeholders
Priority B: Relationships With First Tier Stakeholders
Priority C: Relationships With Second Tier Stakeholders
Priority D: Administration

Items Arising From Year three of The Strategic Plan
Goal 1: Futurewatch
Goal 2: Authenticity
Goal 3: Forum
Goal 4: Transformation
Goal 5: School Leadership
Goal 6: Innovation
Goal 7: Relationships
Goal 8: Viability
Goal 9: Organisational Development

UPDATE ON THE START OF YEAR SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS AND EVENTS OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF THE OFFICE

During 2009 the international and national economic situation has had some influence on funding for education, but in general the effect has been more muted than might have been expected.

The Office’s bankers continued to refuse to make new loan money available, but during the year a significant portion of loan money was repaid, and by the end of the year the bankers’ position had softened a little. Debt servicing continued without problems. There have been no issues around attendance dues income, and roll projections have continued to show increases.

Productive relationships were built with senior Ministers of the Crown, and the new Minister of Education who now has a good understanding of the contribution of integrated schools to State education in New Zealand.

The Minister of Education’s response to the Office’s approach, early in the year, seeking an enhanced quantity revenue stream, resulted in the initiation of a series of new work streams in relation to items that concerned the Minister. This took considerable Office time.

For much of the year, work associated with the convention also took significant Office time.

A number of items in the Plan progressed more slowly than was anticipated. Some items therefore will be transferred to the 2010 Business Plan.

UPDATE ON ONGOING BUSINESS AND BROAD STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

Ongoing Business

1. Provide leadership and services that enable the Directors of the Company, the Shareholders of the Company, and other relevant stakeholders to receive legitimate expected services from the Office's Staff in an effective and efficient manner.
2. Use best practice models and management systems to achieve the planned outputs.
3. Execute the 2006-2010 Strategic Plan.

Broad Strategic Objectives for 2009

• To deliver an enhanced quantity revenue funding stream for the capital works associated with the upgrading of existing schools

The approach to the Government relating to Policy Three funding has not yet achieved the aims of the Board. The provision of 19 Policy Two funded classrooms, and the achievement of 68% state funding for integrated schools for the digital ICT strategy both have improved the revenue stream for capital works.

• To implement detailed planning and actions associated with the establishment of the new funding stream for new school development

Carried out.

• To enhance the viability and quality of Catholic schools through strengthening leadership and Catholic Character

Carried out.

• To encourage and promote innovation, enhanced learning outcomes and standards of achievement in Catholic schools.

Carried out.

• To promote national Catholic identity and quality through a successful Catholic Education Convention.

Carried out.

STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS

PRIORITY A: RELATIONSHIPS WITH SHAREHOLDING STAKEHOLDERS

1.0 Serving the Board of Directors, Shareholders and Stakeholders

1.1 Ensure that high quality services are provided to the Board of Directors, the Shareholders and other stakeholders.

A number of particular requests have been carried out.

2.0 New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference

2.1 Continue to provide executive education services as particularised by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference.

Ongoing.

2.2 Support the Bishops' Strategic Plan in the Office's educational strategies and actions.

The Bishops’ focus on the importance of school-parish links, and their justice stance received particular emphasis in the programming of speakers and seminars for the NZ Catholic Education Convention. Input was also provided for a document on school-parish links published by the Bishops Conference.

3.0 Attendance Dues Income and Capital Indebtedness Sharing Scheme

3.1 Continue to ensure the effective and safe administration of the national attendance dues and capital indebtedness sharing scheme for the participating Proprietors.

Regional meetings have continued to facilitate understanding of details of the scheme. Specific meetings have been held with those Proprietors who needed extra information on the scheme. Most Proprietors have signed their 5 yearly recommitment to the scheme, as set up in the scheme documentation. The Office is working on a publication to promote the common good, which will enable those who may have come into roles in Catholic education recently to gain an understanding of the sharing scheme.

3.2 Ensure that high quality services are provided to the Credit and Loans Subcommittee of the Board of NZCEO Finance Limited.

The level of advice by the financial controller continues to be of very high standard. The subcommittee itself has been placed in recess, as the Finance Company does not currently need it.

3.3 Continue to improve financial monitoring and reporting systems, both internally and externally.

The analysis undertaken at the end of 2008 has been put into effect this year. The financial controller and the operations manager have worked jointly to provide ongoing improvements.

4.0 Tagged Positions

4.1 Complete the updating of the forms used by applicants for tagged positions and provide electronic access to these forms.

The work will be completed in 2010.

5.0 Long Term Viability of Catholic Schools

5.1 Actively promote the strategies identified in the Board's 2008 document „Catholic Schools from Good to Great.

The document continues to be promoted, and the CEO promotes the strategies in written documents and in meetings with appropriate groups. A document is being prepared to further understanding.

5.2 Set up consultation on the development of benchmarks for quality standards for Catholic schools.

Consultation revealed little interest in the development of benchmarks, at least at present.

5.3 Set up a consultation process on the development of an outcome statement to describe students graduating from Catholic primary schools and Catholic secondary schools.

There was a more positive response to consultation on this item. The work will continue in 2010, with an effort to incorporate some thinking on quality standards also.

5.4 Work closely with the National Centre for Religious Studies (NCRS) to jointly foster the excellence of Catholic Character and religious education in Catholic schools.

Many interactions have taken place, including work on the digital platform for the primary religious education programme, consultation with NZQA on the status of Unit Standards for religious education, the completion of the analysis of current levels of qualifications of teachers to teach religious education, and the promotion of certification of teachers in Catholic schools.

PRIORITY B: RELATIONSHIPS WITH FIRST TIER STAKEHOLDERS

6.0 Collaboration

6.1 Continue to assist Shareholders and their agents by promoting professional development for principals and teachers, and support for Proprietors' Appointees on Boards of Trustees.

Information has been sent regularly to Proprietors’ Appointees. Ahead Associates continued to be contracted to provide professional development for prospective principals. The convention made available significant professional development for all Catholic schools and Proprietors’ Appointees.

6.2 Provide leadership and support for Proprietor's agents at individual and diocesan levels.

A significant number of meetings have been held, to address specific issues.

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with Caritas New Zealand, to facilitate communication and support in relation to the Caritas justice education work.

7.0 Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools

7.1 Actively serve the requirements of the wider integrated school sector, in particular delivering high quality services to Proprietor members.

Throughout the year, the Office led work on issues of concern to the Minister of Education, which needed to be resolved with the sector. The provision of the usual range of services has taken place, and a number of extra issues arising from the change of government have been addressed. The Office has encouraged members of the Association of Integrated Schools to use its services in applications for Policy Two funding, maximum roll increases, site plan updates and so on, to align such applications with Ministry of Education National Office processes. Overall, transparency and regular communication has been stressed.

7.2 Complete the revision of the model Integration Agreement.

While work has continued on this document, at the time of writing it is still with the legal section of the Ministry of Education.

7.3 In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, finalise the publication of the Integrated Schools' Property Management Handbook.

The Handbook has been delayed owing to pressure of work within the Ministry of Education. It is now in the policy workstream of the Ministry, and further action is expected in 2010.

PRIORITY C: RELATIONSHIPS WITH SECOND TIER STAKEHOLDERS

8.0 Relationship with Government and Parliament

8.1 Work closely with the Minister of Education and other Government Ministers to ensure ongoing productive relationships.

A number of meetings have taken place, in particular with the Minister of Education. She accepted an invitation to address the convention, and this gave her a positive awareness of Catholic education.

8.2 Continue to foster relationships with all political parties to ensure that the requirements of Catholic schools are well known, and are appreciated by political leaders.

A number of Members of Parliament in a range of parties have been met with, both formally and informally.

9.0 Ministry of Education

9.1 Continue to meet frequently and interact positively with the Secretary for Education and senior Ministry of Education officials, in order to enhance outcomes for Catholic and other integrated schools.

Meetings have continued. A number of issues around documentation have been particularly important this year.

9.2 Facilitate actions and policies necessary to ensure that capital works and other school projects in various dioceses are professionally supported and delivered, in terms of both policy and operational aspects.

Regular meetings have continued to be held, including meetings between Ministry of Education officials and diocesan education and property staff. These are of benefit to Ministry staff as well as to diocesan staff. The sharing of best practice has been a valuable aspect of these meetings.

10.0 Education Review Office

10.1 Maintain and further enhance relationships with the Education Review Office at the corporate and regional levels on matters specific to integrated schools.

Meetings have continued. The Education Review Office values its relationship with the Office. Suggestions on policy issues made by our Office have been well received by the Review Office.

11.0 Wider Education Contacts

11.1 Continue involvement with the National Excellence in Teaching Awards programme, the NZ National Commission for UNESCO, and the University of Auckland's Community Advisory Council. Continue to foster relationships with the leadership of the various Departments of State involved with education, and with the various national education sector groups.

These involvements have continued. The relationship with NZPPTA leadership been useful in resolving policy matters. Work with NZEI on community-based early childhood continued. The UNESCO Human Rights in Schools programme featured at the convention. A number of submissions on educational policy have been made to organisations such as the Teachers Council.

11.2 Continue to operate the Memorandum of Understanding established with Multi Serve/Cognition Consulting, and the Memorandum of Understanding established with The Correspondence School.

These Memoranda are still in place, and meetings have been held with members of both organisations.

11.3 Continue involvement with the National Religious Diversity Programme.

The Office made further submissions on the Religion in Schools document, both before and after its final publication.

12.0 International Education Connections

12.1 Support Catholic school initiatives by working with relevant agencies to enable more Catholic overseas students from Asia to enrol in our schools.

This work has taken very little Office time during 2009. A submission was made to the Ministry of Education on the care of young international students in New Zealand schools.

12.2 Continue to operate the Memorandum of Understanding established with the Sarasas Catholic Schools' Network (Thailand).

The CEO has continued to work with, and promote, this network.

12.3 Work closely with the Catholic Education Offices of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and the Cook Islands, providing support as appropriate.

Resource material continues to be provided to these Offices.

12.4 Continue to foster relationships with Catholic education systems in other jurisdictions.

The CEO continues to meet leaders of Catholic education, particularly in Australia. This year several Australian leaders have shown particular interest in New Zealand’s integration arrangements.

12.5 Enhance the relationship with the New Zealand Government's Education Ambassador to South America, to help facilitate the flow of Catholic foreign fee paying students from that continent.

It has not been possible to enhance this relationship. During the course of the year the Education Ambassador to South America resigned.

13.0 Collaboration between Primary and Secondary Schools

13.1 Facilitate closer collaboration between primary and secondary schools in regional settings by working with the National Catholic Principals' Associations and Diocesan Office personnel, so that more seamless approaches and attitudes are engendered among stakeholders.

Annual meetings and regular executive meetings of the associations were attended. Collaboration between primary and secondary schools was stressed wherever possible.

14.0 Collaboration between Parishes and Schools

14.1 Provide supportive leadership to Catholic schools and parishes, to enable greater collaboration to occur between them.

A number of seminars on school-parish collaboration were on the programme of the convention. A paper on the topic was published by the Bishops conference, drawing heavily on material originally prepared by the Office.

PRIORITY D: ADMINISTRATION

15.0 Complete preparations for the 2009 Catholic Education Convention. (See also items arising from the Strategic Plan: Goal 3: Forum)

The Office was able to employ extra staffing to take over some of the work load of convention preparations, which was very helpful.

16.0 Continue to develop the Office's electronic communication systems, to facilitate better services to stakeholders.

Increased levels of communications by email rather than by post are carefully judged and monitored to match the form of communication valued in schools.

17.0 Continue regular updating of the information on the NZCEO website.

Ongoing.

ITEMS ARISING FROM YEAR THREE OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN

Goal 1: Futurewatch

• Arising from the document From Good to Great: Strengthening Catholic Schools and Overseeing Aspects of School Viability, continue to promote strategic clustering of schools where appropriate in urban and rural settings. (Strategic Plan 1.1, 1.5)

The matter continues to be raised in a number of meetings and settings.

• Continue to promote to Catholic schools the need to ensure the safety and human rights of students, teachers and parents in Catholic primary and secondary schools. (1.4)

This has been chiefly actioned through the reporting of reviewers of Catholic Character. Some seminars at convention also addressed the topic.

• Continue to engage in dialogue with appropriate Ministers of the Crown and their officials, and to monitor emerging legislation and wider government policy, for its impact on Catholic education. (1.2, 1.3)

Dialogue took place. Submissions were made on two Government bills, and submissions were also made to a number of other educational agencies responsible for government policy.

• Monitor the application of the Ministry of Eduction's guidelines on conflicts of interest for Board of Trustees members, and provide clarifications for Boards if needed. (1.4)

The issue has been monitored. No conflicts of interest were identified.

• Work with Government to develop strategies to increase roll cap flexibility in Catholic schools. (1.6)

A 5% temporary increase in roll flexibility was established for secondary schools with unexpectedly high number of senior students returning to school.

Goal 2: Authenticity

• In conjunction with national Catholic principal groups, shareholders, diocesan Catholic Schools Offices and NCRS continue to develop strategies to ensure a steady stream of graduates from education providers, who are well trained and suitably qualified to teach in Catholic Integrated schools. (2.2)

One convention seminar focused on this topic. The matter will need to be considered again in 2010.

• Provide copies of the “Teach in a Catholic school” poster to all parishes. (2.2)

Copies were distributed in November.

• Work with Vicars of Education and diocesan education offices, encouraging them to put in place strategies and targets for increasing the numbers of those taking pre-service training for teaching in Catholic schools, and for increasing the number of teachers taking courses leading to certification and readiness for positions as DRSs and principals in Catholic schools. (2.2)

Vicars and diocesan leaders have been asked to consider doing this. Work is under way in dioceses to promote certification.

• In collaboration with NCRS develop a poster on certification, suitable for staffroom walls, to explain and promote the new certification system, and assist NCRS to develop electronic systems to facilitate certification. (2.3)

The poster was distributed in November. Electronic systems have been discussed.

• In collaboration with NCRS, develop systems for reviewers to monitor the certification status of teachers.

Under way. Reviewers now check certification records.

• Continue to provide two one-day seminars for designated reviewers. (2.4)

Achieved.

• Set up a working group to develop a framework for the review of the Catholic Character of hostels associated with Catholic schools.

The item will be actioned in 2010.

• Continue to work alongside the Principals and Proprietors of the three Catholic Maori boarding schools, to assist in bringing about the strategic repositioning of the schools, to enable them to enhance their educational outcomes and build a culture of success. (2.6)

The CEO provided support, as requested.

• Continue to promote good practice in educating Pasifika students. (2.7)

A seminar at the convention focused on this topic.

• Set in place planning for a follow-up meeting in 2010 with the Auckland and Wellington groups that met previously, to gain their perceptions of progress in the education of Pasifika students, and their perceptions of future goals and challenges. (2.7)

Not achieved.

• Provide seminars in the 2009 New Zealand Catholic Education Convention that focus on collaboration between schools and parishes, and on the role of parish leaders, in particular lay pastoral leaders, in relation to parish schools. (2.5)

Achieved.

• Promote the use of the newly published Religious Studies Achievement Standards in secondary schools.

As well as the development of the poster, certification has been promoted in Office publications.

Goal 3: Forum

• Complete work associated with the 2009 New Zealand Catholic Education Convention. (3.1, 3.2, 3.3)

Achieved.

Goal 4: Transformation

• Provide support and publicity for Gospel values through the 2009 New Zealand Catholic Education Convention. (4.1, 4.2)

Achieved.

• Provide information to government that emphasises the role of schools in promoting social wellbeing through the social and moral teaching in Catholic schools, and through their commitment to innovation and excellence. (4.3)

A paper was provided.

Goal 5: School Leadership

• Promote development of the next generation of school leadership through a specific seminar at the 2009 New Zealand Catholic Education Convention. (5.2)

Achieved.

• Develop parameters for a mentoring scheme for prospective principals, whereby they receive assistance with developing business management skills, leading to a pilot scheme. (5.2)

To be actioned in 2010.

• Continue to administer the senior principals' scholarships.

Achieved.

• Continue work to support professional development for prospective principals. (5.2)

Ahead Associates continued to provide this service for the Office.

Goal 6: Innovation

• Continue to work collaboratively with specific overseas Catholic Education Offices, in order to create exchanges of information, which will increase awareness of international standards in Catholic schooling. (6.1)

Achieved.

• Publish six editions of Lighting New Fires, and two each of Good News and the News, and Aoraki to highlight innovation in Catholic schools. (6.2)

Six editions of Lighting New Fires were published, one edition of Good News and the News, and two editions of Aoraki. (The schedule was reduced owing to time pressure in preparing for the Convention.)

• Edit and republish the documents Philosophy of Catholic Schools, Code of Ethics for Catholic Schools, and Values and Virtues in Catholic Schools, and possibly other selected documents. (6.3)

This will be actioned in 2010.

• In collaboration with NCRS, continue to manage technical work on the website for FaithCentral, the NZ Catholic secondary schools' religious education curriculum resource. (6.3)

Achieved.

• In collaboration with NCRS, continue work on the development of a web portal to support the delivery of the national Religious Education programme. (6.3)

Work has continued according to the expected timelines.

• Continue work to support the implementation of the national Religious Education strand to supplement the early childhood curriculum. (6.4)

The final consultation on the revised document is under way, and the Bishops’ approval is being sought. Services are finding the document helpful and professional development has been well attended.

• Provide ongoing facilitative and supportive services for the National Catholic Early Childhood Education Association. (6.4)

Ongoing. A regular newsletter has been published. Support has also been provided in response to specific requests.

• Continue to work with the leadership of Catholic Pacific Island communities to encourage them to set up Catholic Pacific Island early childhood centres where possible. (6.4)

While encouragement is provided, there is currently no new initiative under way.

• Continue to work with NCRS, Catholic tertiary staff and diocesan Religious Education Advisors to find a way to make available to readers research in aspects of New Zealand Catholic education. (6.6)

The work is still on hold. However, the development of a searchable NZCER database may provide sufficient access to readers. The database will be publicised in 2010.

• Provide support for NCRS in the development of a sexuality education curriculum for Catholic schools, and appropriate classroom support.

NCRS prefers to work to provide a range of resources and the ‘Understanding Sexuality’ professional development programme, rather than providing an actual curriculum.

• Investigate the provision of Religious Education programmes for students with intellectual disabilities in New Zealand and overseas and disseminate this information if appropriate. (6.7)

Information was sourced from Australia and publicised to the Catholic education community.

• Work with other interested parties to develop more relevant policy and parameters around the definition of who can hold tagged positions in schools. (6.7)

The work has been undertaken by those appointed by the Bishops, and NZCEO has provided advice.

Goal 7: Relationships

• Organise the annual Catholic Boarding Schools/Hostels leadership seminar. (7.1)

Achieved.

• Facilitate a working party to formulate documentation on the Catholic Character review of Catholic boarding school hostels, to present to Proprietors of those hostels. (7.1)

This will be actioned in 2010.

• Create structured opportunities to bring the needs and values of the integrated schools sector before members of the Government and other parliamentarians as appropriate. (7.2)

A number of meetings were organised. The Minister of Education spoke to the AGM of the Association of Integrated Schools and to the NZ Catholic Education Convention.

• Continue to enhance a positive profile for the Office amongst those it serves and interacts with. (7.3)

Ongoing.

• Manage the media to heighten the positive profile of Catholic schools. (7.4)

The CEO has communicated with the media on a number of issues, and made a number of press releases.

Goal 8: Viability

• Arrange consultative input into the Integrated Schools' Property Management Handbook, and set up professional development on the Handbook when this becomes appropriate. (8.5)

The Office has set up a review committee and provided input to the Ministry. The Ministry of Education has extended the timeline for the project, while it considers further policy aspects.

• Continue to develop a case for the provision of further governmental support for the retrofitting and development of buildings. (8.1, 8.8)

Ongoing. Considerable Office time has been put into this issue, and it will continue to be significant in 2010.

Goal 9: Organisational Development

• Continue to deepen a culture of Total Quality Management within the Office by regular review of management processes and procedures. (9.1)

Ongoing.

• Ensure that effective performance systems operate in the Office, with a particular focus on high standards of communication, co-ordination, professional standards and forward planning. (9.1)

Ongoing. The main office area was redesigned, with better storage, use of space, work flow and ambience achieved.

• Identify staff professional development needs and meet these needs through in-house and externally delivered programmes and courses, as appropriate. (9.1)

Ongoing.

• Assess and implement the best IT solution to upgrade NZCEO's internal network, document management and file architecture, in order to continue providing quality services.

To be further investigated in 2010.

NZCEO
November 2009