Commissioner Nicola Hornsey was appointed in October to take over governance of the school, after its board of trustees stood down in the face of continuing issues affecting staff, pupils and the school community which led to three critical reports, including one from the Education Review Office.
Since her appointment, Ms Hornsey has issued regular progress reports, the latest this week.
In it, she said the pastoral care structure, which ensured wellbeing at the school, had been reviewed and changes were due this term.
The changes would be evaluated throughout the year.
The school had recently advertised for an assistant principal, the role having a significant pastoral care component.
Under the issue of employment, Ms Hornsey said the school remained at risk in this area, and it would be a priority for the first term.
Work with the New Zealand School Trustees' Association human resources division was ongoing.
A forensic review of financial policies, management and reporting, signalled by Ms Hornsey last term, is expected to be completed by the end of the first term.
Ms Hornsey said advice was being sought on the appropriate process to select a provider to carry out the review.
The review would include ensuring trust funds were used appropriately in terms of the trust deeds, funding of scholarships, ensuring money was spent in accordance with policies, financial governance and management of the school farm, vehicle use and replacement, stocktaking for plant and equipment, loan transactions and investment.
The review would identify financial management and risk management policies and procedures to develop robust procedures for the next three years.
Other issues covered in the latest update included. -
• Communications and public relations: School and Don House handbooks thoroughly revised over the last month and to be provided to parents and pupils ready for the new school year.
Meetings with various school committees and neighbouring schools were being scheduled for term 1.
• Governance good practice: Separate finance, audit and risk meetings will be held prior to each board meeting to assist with the streamlining of the governance meetings.
• Protocols were being established to ensure all management requests for governance approval were well researched, supported by a succinct analysis and formulated into clear recommendations.
• Work had begun on the draft charter, which would be provided to staff and parents for feedback before being finalised and adopted.
