Role of the school board
Te Poari o Te Kura Tuarua o Te Kauaeranga | The Thames High School Board is “responsible for the governance of the school, including setting the policies by which the school is to be controlled and managed” (Section 125 of the Education and Training Act 2020).
In practice, this means the board provides the strategic direction for the school and develops, monitors, and reviews school policies that provide management direction. Te Kura Tuarua o Te Kauaeranga | Thames High School policies are available to view on School Docs (username: thameshigh, password: sealey).
As the governing body the board does not manage day-to-day matters, but maintains a high level oversight, such as finance / budget approval, approval of the 5-year property plan, and is the employing body of all staff. The board doesn’t get involved in operational issues. The principal is responsible for the day-to-day running of the school (Ministry of Education – The role of the school board).
While the School board is the governing body and can put in place by-laws it has to “comply with all of its other obligations under the Education and Training Act (2020). any other legislation”.
Role of the principal
Under Section 130 of the Education and Training Act 2020 the school’s principal is the “board’s chief executive in relation to the school’s control and management”, and has “complete discretion to manage the school’s day-to-day administration” subject to law and the board’s general policy directions.
The tumuaki/principal, senior leadership team, and staff align annual plans and activities with the strategic objectives set out, ensuring we provide high-quality education and a safe learning environment for all our students.
Day-to-day matters should be raised with relevant staff and the principal.
Objectives of the board
The board’s objectives are defined in Section 127 of the Education and Training Act (2020). The Education and Training Amendment Act (2025) made raising educational achievement the board’s highest priority objective, with new supporting objectives on student attendance and assessment.
The School Board governs the school to support every student to achieve their highest possible educational success. The Board does this by:
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Promoting regular attendance and student engagement
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Supporting high-quality teaching, assessment, and learning
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Ensuring the school is a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment
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Upholding student rights and wellbeing
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Working towards equitable outcomes for Māori learners
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Reflecting Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural diversity
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Ensuring the school meets curriculum, financial, and legal responsibilities
For more information go to An introduction to school boards, or visit Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa | New Zealand School Boards Association
Correspondence
If you need to raise a governance-related matter with the Board, please contact the Presiding Member. This ensures that all correspondence follows the correct process and reaches the appropriate people. Email: pm.thameshighschool@gmail.com
Concerns and complaints
For any concerns and complaints, please refer to the information about concerns and complaints on our policies and procedures page.
Matters need to be raised with the appropriate staff member(s) and/or principal, depending on the nature of the concern or complaint. Unless there are exceptional circumstances, a complaint will not be considered unless the correct process has been followed. You may be directed back to the staff member or principal to follow the process.
Board meetings
Board meetings are held monthly, typically on the last Monday of the month (except for September 2026, coinciding with school holidays).
Meetings are open to the public, and parents and whānau are welcome to attend. The date of the next meeting is on the school calendar.
Public Access to Board Information
In accordance with the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 (LGOIMA) and the Board’s governance procedures, Te Kura Tuarua o Te Kauaeranga | Thames High School publishes Board meeting agendas and minutes on its School Board webpage. Associated reports are available by written request from the Board Secretary.
Some reports may be withheld in accordance with LGOIMA if they contain information requiring confidentiality (e.g., to protect personal privacy or commercial sensitivity).
Information is available upon written request through the Board Secretary: traceyreed@thameshigh.school.nz
Who is on the board?
Being on the board allows people from the local community to get involved in the running of their school. Anyone can be voted on to a board as a parent representative. To qualify, you must be nominated by a parent of a student at the school. Board membership is not a paid position, but members may receive compensation for their time.
The board is made up of:
- community representatives elected by parents (6)
- a staff-elected representative (1)
- the principal (1)
- a student representative (1)
- co-opted members that may be appointed by the board to fill a skill gap or to ensure representation.
- Currently our board has two (2) co-opted members.
Everyone on the board has ōritetanga – equal standing, voice, vote, and accountability. The presiding member does not have more authority than anyone else unless the board has explicitly delegated it.
The role of the presiding member
Every school board must always have someone appointed to preside over its meetings. This role used to be called “board chair” but is now “presiding member” – in the Education and Training Act 2020.
A presiding member’s role is to ensure that the board is effectively led.
To achieve this, boards need to delegate key responsibilities to presiding members, such as:
- Working with the principal to set meeting agendas
- Leading their board to work as a team and ensuring that the work of the board is done
- Developing an effective and professional working relationship with the principal
- Inducting new board members
- Promoting clear communication between the board and the wider community
- Speaking for the board in public and/or to the media.
For more information go to The role of the presiding member (NZSTA Resource Centre)
Policies / Delegations & Terms of Reference
Governance Board Meeting Policy
| Delegations of Authority |
Terms of Reference |
| Schedule of Delegations Memorandum of Delegations Authority of principal to close the school Financial Authorities Delegation |
Property Committee Finance Committee Discipline Committee Personnel Committee |
Board Members
| Brendon Wilkinson (PM) Parent-elected Representative pm.thameshighschool@gmail.com |
Michael Hart Tumuaki / Principal principal@thameshigh.school.nz |
Cindy Dargaville Parent-elected Representative |
| Alia Finn (Deputy PM) Co-opted Representative |
Siobhan Flanigan Parent-elected Representative |
Ngaio Hodson-Rapana Parent-elected Representative |
| Lydia Lester Parent-elected Representative |
Kathy Ngamane Ngāti Maru Co-opted Representative |
Wayne Whitney Parent-elected Representative |
| Daniel Neufeld Staff-elected Representative |
Brooklyn Jiang Student-elected Representative |
Tracey Reed Board Secretary |
Board Meetings – Agenda & Minutes
2026
| Agenda | Minutes | Principal’s Report | |
| Monday 23 February | |||
| Monday 30 March | |||
| Tuesday 28 April | |||
| Monday 25 May | |||
| Monday 29 June | |||
| Monday 27 July: | |||
| Monday 31 August | |||
| Tuesday 27 October (Monday Labour Day) | |||
| Monday 30 November |
2025
| Agenda | Minutes | Principal’s Report | |
| Tuesday 28 January (special meeting) | Agenda 28 Jan 2025 | Minutes 28 January 2025 | N/A (special meeting) |
| Monday 24 February | Agenda 24 Feb 2025 | Principal’s Report 24 February | |
| Monday 31 March | Agenda 31 Mar 2025 | Minutes 31 March 2025 | Principal’s Report 31 March |
| Monday 26 May | Agenda 26 May 2025 | Minutes 26 May 2025 | Principal’s Report 26 May |
| Monday 30 June: | Agenda 30 June 2025 | None (Unable to reach quorum) | Principal’s Report 30 June |
| Monday 28 July: | Agenda 28 July 2025 | Minutes 28 July 2025 | Principal’s Report 28 July |
| Monday 25 August | Agenda 25 Aug 2025 | Minutes 25 August 2025 | Principal’s Report 25 August |
| Wednesday 15 October (special meeting) | Agenda 15 Oct 2025 | Minutes 15 October 2025 | N/A (special meeting) |
| Tuesday 28 October (Monday Labour Day) | Agenda 28 Oct 2025 | Minutes 28 October 2025 | Principal’s Report 28 October |
| Monday 1 December | Agenda 1 Dec 2025 | Minutes 1 December 2025 (awaiting board approval) | Principal’s Report 1 December 2025 |
2024
Minutes 26 February 2024
Minutes 25 March 2024
Minutes 27 May 2024
Minutes 24 June 2024
Minutes 29 July 2024
Minutes 26 August 2024
Minutes 24 September 2024 – Special meeting
Minutes 29 October 2024
Minutes 25 November 2024
Minutes 10 December 2024 – Special meeting
