February 2010 Council Meeting

Present: Adam, Grant, Peter, Julian, Theo, Donald, Chris, Callum, Jake, Mark, David, Ian

Meeting started out at 6:35pm, with an excellent turn out. First on the agenda was Graham Watson, Past President. But he did not show up.

We are going to send flowers to Christine Wilton who is recovering from an operation at present. We hope you recover well and soon Christine.

It was determined that rather than posting the full minutes on the Website I would from now on do as I did for the 4th August 2009 meeting and write up a summary of the meeting and post it as an article. Something a bit more warm and friendly – which will cover the key points but also make a good read. Will include pictures as well.

We talked about the AGM and Sports Day – Cricket, tennis, touch and lawn bowls all to be offered on the 13th of March. AGM to start at 5:30, reunion function to follow at 6:30 for 7:00. Thanks to Callum and Jake for their organizing the sports. Agenda to be circulated. We aalso be supplying refreshments throughout the afternoon, so a really god reason for Old Boys to attend the sports and stick around until the AGM and later the reunion function.

I will be adding a facility on the website so that you can pay for your entry to the reunion function. I will post details on the website about this as soon as it is done.

Donald, Chris and Theo

We are planning a 3 course smorgasbord meal for the Reunion Dinner. Dignitaries to be invited at the Association’s cost: Headmasters, Heads of Campus and Chaplain. Also, the Patron and a select group of official invitees will be circulated for the next meeting. Ticket price and inclusions for all other guests are to be confirmed. Idea floated that a guest speaker be invited to give an address at the dinner. Mark to canvas for speakers. Invitation to be circulated with the newsletter, and a list of attendees to be published in simple spreadsheet form for guests to peruse.

The Country Reunion has been scheduled for the 3rd weekend of August (13th, 14th and 15th), with Mt Maunganui as the destination. Arrive on Friday afternoon/evening at the motel. Dinner on Saturday, activities to include: fishing, golf, sightseeing, sports on the Saturday. Accommodation options to be discussed and finalized after the AGM.  “Astralabe” is one option for the dinner – an excellent venue. On Sunday we will organise a morning tea at some venue so that everyone can relax and have a chat as we all start making our way back home. Mark and Adam will be the organisers for this event.

The Guestbook has received many entries on the website. This is to be encouraged as a means of contacting the DOBA. We are all reading this frequently, so thank-you to all those who have “signed in”.

Principals Report:

542 on the roll – only 4 empty beds in the school, 69 in Year 13.
ERO report: very complimentary to the school. Will be available for viewing on the ERO website very soon. Compiled by 3 independent reviewers:

1. All positive
2. No recommendations for improvement
3. No statutory obligations unfulfilled
4. A lot of work in boarding was recognised

External exams: goal – more Merits and Excellences – the number has improved significantly, although overall level of pass rates slightly down. Edward McKnight gained an Excellence endorsement at level three while studying in year 12.

Founders assembly: (Friday the 12th) Prime Minister to attend the day. Old Boys encouraged to attend and hear this address at 9:15 in the School Hall. Details to appear on the website and in the newsletter.

Centennial Trust: Keen to get Old Boys in to hear the organ that they donated $220,000 (of a total cost of $280,000) towards. On the Sunday of Founders weekend there will be a short service in the evening where the organ will be featured, and a plaque will be laid to thank the Old Boys. Newsletter to acknowledge this and encourage Old Boys to attend.

Global Partnership Trust: this was set up as a result of Mike Moore’s dinner, and has raised a considerable sum for aid work in Botswana. Well done to Mike Moore! Chris to compose a letter congratulating Mike on his recent appointment as NZ’s ambassador to the US. Will be sent officially by the Association.

The Dilworth Legacy: discussion around the cost of the volumes – and more of these need to be sold. To be promoted in the newsletter and on the website. $120, with free delivery. Mark will work with Donald to work out some further strategies to move the volumes.

Relationship between the Council and the School: Council needs to be introduced to the School. A time for the council to be introduced to the school is to be scheduled on the first free Monday after the AGAM.

Cock House: How should it be approached? Do we need to rethink the way that this event happens? Perhaps the School should be surveyed, and perhaps other non-pool alternatives should be considered. Rock Band? Movie night? Lets wonder before the next meeting.

End of Principals Report. Thanks Donald.

The Financial Report was presented by Gant. Grant assured us that our accounts will be audited prior to the AGM – no problems there. There were discussions on locating an auditor for the future who will do the work for free. So, if anyone knows someone then please let us know. We will most probably have to pay for the auditing of our accounts this year.All is in order with the accounts and they were accepted as a true and correct record.

Patron’s photo and honours board: Thanks to Peter Hargreaves for organizing this, plan is in place for this to be taken and framed in time for the AGM. The new honours board is also to be mounted in the Sports Centre in time for this. Exact colours to be confirmed.

Thanks and well done to Peter Hargreaves and Donald MacLean for the impeccable appearance of the School expressed on behalf of the Council.

Meeting Closed 8:20pm

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