Board of Trustees - appointed September 2025

Dr Stephen Bowden - Presiding Member 

Mrs Stephanie Osborn - Policy

Mr Scott Meiklejohn - Finance

Mr Reese Flaxman - Property

Mr Gregory Oliver - Property

Mr Chris May - Principal

Mrs Julie Reeve - Staff Trustee 

Our role in Governance vs. Management

Governance is the board’s role: setting the strategic direction, approving policies, monitoring performance, and ensuring compliance.

Management is the principal’s responsibility: handling day-to-day operations, implementing board policies, and leading staff. The principal acts like the board’s chief executive for the school.

Our responsibilities include

Strategic Planning: Develop and monitor the school’s charter and strategic plan - which includes the overall educational performance of the school relative to objectives.

Policy Development: Adopt policies that guide school operations and ensure legal compliance.

Financial Oversight: Approve budgets, monitor spending, and maintain transparency.

Property & Health & Safety: Ensure safe facilities meet Health & Safety standards.

Employment: The board is the legal employer of all staff, including the principal. 

Complaints:  The Principal is the first port of call for parents regarding serious concerns, but when parents are unhappy with process or remedies, complaints can be brought to the board for investigation.  The board also has to approve any serious outcomes such as stand down.

How the school is funded

The school receives operational grants from the Ministry of Education (MoE). This covers day-to-day running costs: utilities, classroom materials, admin, property maintenance, and non-teaching staff wages. Teacher salaries are paid directly by the MoE, not from the school’s operational grant.  

Targeted funding is also received based on need - for example, for students who qualify for higher needs assistance.  For upgrades to property there is a Five-Year Agreement (5YA) and 10-Year Property Plan.

Other projects, including playgrounds, camps etc are covered by PTA fundraising and grants. We have a plan in place to bring greater cohesion and focus to grant funding, sponsorship and fundraising.

Ngā mihi 

Tauwhare School Board of Trustees 

Charter and Strategic Plan

Annual Reports 

Annual Accounts