Partnership Schools Authorisation Board Established

Associate Education Minister John Banks today announced the establishment and appointment of members to the independent Partnership Schools Authorisation Board.

The role of the Board is to evaluate applications for Partnership Schools and make recommendations to the Minister of Education on which applications should be considered for contract negotiations.  No final recommendations will be made by the Board until the Parliamentary process is complete. 

Once the schools are established, the Board will have a role in the regular review and monitoring of their performance to ensure agreed targets are achieved

The Board will work closely with the Ministry of Education and maintain a strong relationship with the Secretary for Education.

“I am pleased that such a high calibre and well respected group will be overseeing this exciting new education initiative,” Mr Banks said.

“The members have a wide range of experience to draw on and the work they do will ultimately help improve education outcomes for Māori and Pasifika students, those from low socio economic backgrounds and learners with special education needs. 

“The appointment of Partnership School Working Group Members, Catherine Isaac and Dr Margaret Southwick, will provide continuity and ensure a seamless transition between the Working Group and the Authorisation Board. 

 “The Board will help ensure the right organisations are appointed to run Partnership Schools and that the schools are providing excellent learning opportunities for their students and meeting their agreed achievement targets. 

“Partnership Schools will offer an alternative option for parents, bringing together the education, business and community sectors to provide opportunities for disadvantaged students to succeed.

“It is intended that the first Partnership Schools will be opened in time for the 2014 school year,” Mr Banks said.

The Authorisation Board Members are:

• Catherine Isaac – Chair

Catherine is chair of the Partnership Schools│Kura Hourua Working Group. She also brings experience from the Government’s Welfare Working Group, the boards of Wellington College, Clifton Terrace Model School, the Wellington Community Trust and the Karori Wildlife Sanctuary and many senior business roles. 

• John Shewan – Deputy Chair

John is the chair of Fonterra Shareholders Fund Management Company and a number of other boards, and the former chair of PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Accounting at Victoria University.

• Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi

Dame Iritana has been heavily involved in Māori education, including 13 years as the Chief Executive Officer of Te Kohanga Reo National Trust Board. Dame Iritana has served on a number of Government advisory groups and working parties.

• John Morris

John’s experience in education includes 22 years as headmaster of Auckland Grammar School and Takapuna Grammar School. He is currently a member of a number of boards and advisory groups, including the board of Education NZ.

• Dr Margaret Southwick

Margaret is a member of the Partnership Schools│Kura Hourua Working Group. Her experience includes tenure as Dean of Whitireia Community Polytechnic’s Faculty of Health, and Director of the Pacific Health Research Centre.

• Tahu Potiki

Tahu’s experience includes five years as the Chief Executive Officer for Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu and four years in a senior executive position at Christchurch Polytechnic with responsibility for the Polytechnic’s responsiveness to Māori. He is currently the Independent Chair/Governance Advisor for the Otago Whanau Ora Māori Provider Collective.

• Terry Bates

Terry is the Chief Executive Officer of Cognition Education. He has a background in public sector education and has held related senior public service roles.

ENDS