2024 Board Report from Presiding Member James Kendrick
Presented at Dannevirke High School Prizegiving – Term 4 2024
Kia ora ngā whānau o te kura Dannevirke High School,
Once again, we are here tonight to celebrate the achievements of our senior students. For our Year 13 students, this marks the beginning of the next chapter of their lives. For our Year 12 students—who will step into the shoes of the departing Year 13 cohort—your responsibilities as leaders of our school and community begin next year.
I would like to acknowledge the contribution of all our staff for the ongoing dedication they show, year in and year out, preparing our young people for the world that awaits them beyond Dannevirke and the surrounding districts. Our staff are, and always will be, our greatest asset. Guided by a very strong senior leadership team, led by our Principal, Di Carter, many decisions have had to be made to ensure the continued growth of our school—particularly in response to the many changes imposed on us by central government. In many instances, Di has addressed these challenges head-on, often taking the flak on behalf of our community and, unfortunately, being spoken of negatively by a few.
I challenge people: before criticising the actions of an individual, try walking in their shoes for a week.
To my fellow Board colleagues—I thank each and every one of you for your contribution to a successful year, and I look forward to working alongside you all again next year. Remember, Board of Trustee elections will take place again next
year. The rewards of serving in this space bring a sensation that cannot be put into words—being part of the growth of future generations of all New Zealanders.
As a whole school whānau, I believe the ultimate goals are:
"Together we can pioneer tomorrow’s answers today, and as we reconnect and bind ourselves to all life around us, our sense of duty and responsibility to each other should grow with each generation."
This year has been a very challenging one for all facets of the education sector. With a raft of legislative changes from central government—changes around resourcing, curriculum delivery, and the reformatting of school lunches—uncertainty has been created for our community, and for us as a school. There has been uncertainty around job security for our staff in our wharekai, who have, day after day, delivered exceptional, healthy lunches to our whole school whānau. As a Board, job security for our staff remains a priority, alongside our Principal. It has been frustrating receiving so little information from central government on how school lunches will be delivered next year. Fortunately, lunches have now been confirmed for 2025, although at a lower funding rate than this year.
Looking ahead, further pressures are being placed on our school community with the opening of the new Te Ahu a Turanga highway—the long-awaited connection between East and West—and the proposed tolling of this crucial link. This road connects our school to many sporting and other activities in the Manawatū. Tolling it will place huge social pressures on already struggling families.
On a positive note, Dannevirke High School remains in a strong position as a preferred choice for many in our community to access a high-value curriculum. The Board has visited all Heads of Departments to better understand the level of education we provide. They have supplied a list of resources that will enhance student learning capabilities. While financial resources are limited, the Board has listened and signed off on some of the requests made.
We have completed an external refurbishment of our Main Administration Block and upgraded the seating in our hall. We have also been working alongside our Environmental Prefects and some local businesses to create a living classroom—the Tapuata Stream that flows behind the school’s bottom fields. With a focus on stream restoration, ecological sustainability, and resource management, students will develop NZQA unit standards, written by and for students passionate about this mahi. This project will grow in the years to come.
On that note, I would like to thank you all for your ongoing confidence in Dannevirke High School to do the right thing by your children—to furnish them with an education that will support many into university study, and others into trades such as engineering and construction. To the students who opt to work on the land—this trust is not taken for granted. A final thank you to each staff member at Dannevirke High School—your contribution to our community this year has been greatly appreciated.
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