Charter School Working Group Members Announced
Education Minister, Hekia Parata, and Associate Education Minister, John Banks, are glad to announce the appointments for the New Zealand Model of Charter School Working Group.
“Our focus is unrelentingly on raising achievement, in particular for those groups of students who have historically been under-served by the system,’’ says Ms Parata.
“We already have a number of different types of schools operating in New Zealand, such as kura, religious schools, single-sex schools, private schools and co-ed schools. Charter schools are just another option, giving parents and students more freedom to choose the type of education that best suits their learning needs.
“The Group will consult with a wide range of people, including the teaching profession, unions, parents, businesses, communities and educational experts from around New Zealand and around the world, to determine what charter school model will work best for New Zealand. I look forward to their findings.’’
The New Zealand Model of Charter School Working Group will be led by Wellington businesswoman Catherine Isaac.
Ms Isaac has served on a number of Boards including school Boards of Trustees, and was a member of the Welfare Working Group in the previous parliamentary term.
Also appointed are former Christchurch Mayor and founder of Discovery 1 and Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti, Vicki Buck, CEO of Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu - The Correspondence School, Michael Hollings, and Dr Margaret Southwick of Whitireia Community Polytechnic.
Founder of Onehunga Business School & Just Water International CEO, Anthony Falkenstein, University of Auckland Director of Alumni Relations and Development, John Taylor, and the Dean of Te Puna Wānaka and the Director of Māori and Pasifika Studies at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, Hana O’Regan complete the Group.
Associate Education Minister John Banks says he is proud of the team that has been assembled.
“These are high quality individuals who bring an impressive mix of skills and experience from the education and business sectors. These include a proven track record of innovation in education, an understanding of the needs of disadvantaged communities, as well as a thorough understanding of Maori and Pasifika needs,” says Mr Banks.
“The charter school initiative is one of the most exciting initiatives we have to contribute to solving our most urgent educational problem; the long tail of underachievement.
“I look forward to working with the Group who will now begin consulting with the community and fleshing out the policy issues around how best to develop a New Zealand model of charter school,” says Mr Banks
The Board will meet for the first time next week where it will lay out a program of work that will include community consultation and research. This process will culminate in advice to the Associate Minister of Education on how best to implement a New Zealand model of charter school drawing on the best practice of overseas models.
For more information visit http://nzmcs.education.govt.nz/
Members of the New Zealand Model Charter School Working Group
Vicki Buck
Ms Buck is a former Mayor of Christchurch and has established two innovative state schools in Christchurch, Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti and Discovery 1.
Anthony (Tony) Falkenstein
Mr Falkenstein is a respected entrepreneur and the CEO of Just Water International. He was instrumental in establishing Onehunga High School’s Building and Construction, and Business Schools.
Michael Hollings (Ngati Raukawa)
Mr Hollings has held a range of positions in the education sector including teacher, school board member, bilingual education lecturer, Maori Education policy manager and ERO senior manager. Currently CEO of Te Kura, The Correspondence School.
Catherine Isaac (Chair)
Ms Isaac is a successful and respected business woman who has served on two school Boards of Trustees among other boards, and was a member of the Welfare Working Group in the previous parliamentary term.
Hana O’Regan (Ngai Tahu)
Ms O’Regan has a strong background in achieving improved education outcomes for Maori and Pasifika peoples. She has held senior positions at Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology including Head of School, Kaiarahi (Executive Director Maori), and Dean of Te Puna Wanaka (Faculty of Maori).
Margaret Southwick (Tuvalu/NZ European)
Dr. Southwick is an academic expert in improving health and educational outcomes for Maori and Pasifika communities. She has held a number of senior positions at Whitireia Community Polytechnic.
John Taylor
Mr Taylor has over two decades experience as an educational leader, having been Headmaster of King’s College and Rathkeale College. He currently serves as Director, Alumni Relations and Development, at the University of Auckland.
