Charter

Curriculum Delivery & Content

AIMS:
To have a well managed teaching and learning environment which is safe, positive and supportive of students, where the needs, abilities and learning styles of individuals and groups are catered for, and where students are helped and motivated to set and achieve personal goals both inside and outside the classroom.
To provide programmes, experiences and opportunities which are relevant to student's present and future needs; to offer choice, from a broad range of options, inside and outside the classroom; and to ensure a balanced coverage of the essential learning areas and skills required by the National Curriculum.
Objective
Each year the College, through the Principal and staff, will develop, revise or confirm its curriculum plan based on needs of students. The plan will focus its curriculum delivery and content on the National Curriculum. Co-curricular programmes (sport and culture) will be recognised as an integral part of the curriculum. Any barriers to learning will be regularly identified and plans developed to reduce them.

Student Progress & Achievement

AIM
To assess, record and report against the curriculum Objectives and achievement standards, on students" individual achievements and progress. Progress and standards in personal, social and academic aspects of performance will also be reported.
Objective
Each year the College will ensure that its curriculum schemes are in line with the National Objectives. Systematic assessment, recording and reporting on each student's progress, achievements and learning needs will take place. Reports will also indicate aspects of co-curricular involvement and social interaction.

Pastoral Care & Guidance

AIM
To operate a wide ranging advice and guidance programme which offers support to students on personal, academic and career related matters.
Objective
The College will offer students access to personal counselling through designated staff. Each year students will be able to discuss academic and career matters with staff to assist in making choices for further education, study or work placements.

Personnel

AIM
To be a good employer by promoting a positive working atmosphere with effective communications; to support ongoing staff development and high levels of performance, and to endorse staff qualities and actions that reflect the aspirations of this Charter.
Objective
In consultation with staff, the Senior Management Team will prepare plans and procedures to reflect the Board of Trustees commitment to being a good employer. Board policies, school plans and procedures will be reviewed and revised as the need arises.

Finance

AIM
To manage the College's finances to enhance the education of all students, in a manner that supports the intentions of this Charter and allows the College to meet its immediate and longer term goals and obligations.
Objective
The Board will confirm an annual budget to fund the College's curriculum, personnel, property and administration activities. The Board and Principal will monitor and control income and expenditure throughout the year and ensure the preparation, audit and publication of annual accounts.

Property

AIM
To ensure a high standard of property maintenance and development so that the College's buildings and facilities provide a safe, attractive environment suited to a modern curriculum.
Objective
The Board will comply with the conditions of any current asset management agreement, and through the Principal and Executive Officer will prepare and implement an ongoing plan of property maintenance and development, meeting all Health and Safety requirements.

Community Involvement

AIM
To actively promote College / community interaction and to foster relationships that are positive, co-operative, communicative and mutually beneficial.
Objective
The College will encourage practices which maintain and foster caregiver and community support and involvement.

Cultural Diversity

AIM
To develop policies and practices that reflect New Zealand's cultural diversity and the unique position of Maori culture; to show commitment to providing Maori language and culture programmes; to enable Maori students to be achievers, and to maintain the special relationship between the Maori community and the College.
Objective
Plans and policies will be implemented in ways that are sensitive and responsive to the cultural backgrounds and values of individual students and their families. This includes recognition of the unique position of the Maori people in the area the College serves.

College Self-Review

AIM
To regularly self-review the College's performance and operations so that effectiveness can be gauged and priorities decided for future progress and development.
Objective
The College will have an ongoing programme for review to ensure that plans and policies are being implemented. Reports from reviews will form the basis for further priorities for College development and improvement.

Codes of Conduct

Effective governance and management is a successful blend of community involvement and professional competence

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees agrees to the following Code of Conduct.

Ensure that the needs of students and their learning are given full consideration when planning, resourcing and implementing the College's curriculum.
Ensure that all students are provided with an education which respects their individuality and which challenges them to reach the highest standards of personal achievement.
Serve their College and their community to the best of their ability and be honest, reliable, trustworthy, loyal and fair.
Deal fairly with staff, the Principal, caregivers, and students.
Maintain the confidentiality and trust vested in them.
Ensure strict confidentiality of papers and information related to the Board's position as employer.
Ensure that individual trustees do not act independently of the Board and its decisions.
Accept that the Principal is the professional leader of the College who is responsible to the Board.

The Principal

In carrying out his or her duties the Principal will:

Ensure that the needs of the student and their learning are given full consideration in planning, resourcing and implementing the College's curriculum.
Attempt to the best of his or her ability, to demonstrate that each student is of equal value and is entitled to an education which respects their individuality and challenges them to reach their highest standards of personal achievement.
Be loyal to the Charter and fully committed to achieving its purpose, aims and Objectives.
Deal fairly with staff members and the Board of Trustees, caregivers, and students nd show a commitment to the continuing development of the staff's professional skills.
Work co-operatively with College staff but take final responsibility for decisions within the Principal's authority as delegated by the Board.
Provide all information on a student to any person with legal rights to the information who requests it, and respect confidentiality by keeping information on students from people who have no right to it.
Not vote in Board of Trustees decisions in relation to the Principal's employment.

Charter Undertaking

In accordance with Section 64 of the Education Act, the Horowhenua College Board of Trustees undertakes to take all reasonable steps to achieve the purpose, aims and Objectives in this Charter which have been approved by the Board following consultation with the community in terms of Sections 61 and 63 of the Education Act, and to take full account of the National Education Guidelines and all statutory obligations.

The Board of Trustees accepted this Charter as its undertaking to the

Minister of Education.

This Charter was submitted to the Ministry of Education for the Minister's

approval on ................................ 20...

Timeline for Charter
March 2007 BOT notification of 2006 variance report copies sent to Ministry
April 2007 Updated Charter, annual plan, and student achievement targets ratified by BOT. Copies to Ministry.
May 2007 Annual report presented at Board meeting. Copies sent to Ministry of Education.