AISHK 2021 Annual Review

Page 19

Finance Committee Report

Mr Andrew Macintosh Chair of Finance Committee

Finance Committee Members:

considerations of affordability with the cost of providing a high-

Mr Andrew Macintosh

quality education.

Mr Tom Corkhill Dr Dan Hooley

The Board continued to closely monitor the Covid-19 situation in

Professor Richard Petty

2021 and the related impacts on AISHK families. Mindful of the current landscape and the uncertainty which remains, the Board

The purpose of the Finance Committee is to oversee financial

acknowledged that the challenges presented by the pandemic are

planning and management for the School. In offering advice to

ongoing.

the School Foundation Board on financial matters, the Committee makes recommendations including tuition fees, debentures and

In line with this consideration, the Board communicated to AISHK

capital levy rates, staff salary levels, capital expenditure, operating

parents in March to announce a 7.5% percent reduction on tuition

expenditure (including professional development) and other

fees charged in Term 1 of 2021. This reduction was reflected as a

sources of funding.

credit in the Term 2 parent fee account statement issued in April 2021.

The Committee liaises with external auditors to ensure that the School complies with Hong Kong reporting requirements and

A subsequent communication to parents in November announced

oversees the development and management of operating budgets.

that the Board unanimously resolved to freeze tuition fees in 2022. Therefore, there was no increase in school fees for the 2022 school

Working with stakeholders to ensure sufficient investment is

year.

made to create a dynamic teaching and learning environment, the Committee is dedicated to attracting, retaining and rewarding the

These actions were taken in aim to maintain the financial health

best talent from Australia and around the globe. The Committee

of the school, whilst also observing a commitment supporting the

continues to facilitate the growth and development of the School,

community during a challenging period. As Chair of the Finance

while recognising financial constraints and a challenging financial

Committee and on behalf of the Board, I trust that this balance has

environment.

served us well and will continue to do so as we embark on the new school year in 2022.

The Committee benchmarks AISHK against other international schools in Hong Kong, in terms of a range of financial indicators.

As the Foundation’s finances remain in a strong position, the School

Working with the School Executive, the Board and other

is financially equipped to ensure the resources for delivering a

stakeholders continue to identify ways in which the School might

quality Australian and international education in Hong Kong

operate more effectively and efficiently. Thank you to staff, stakeholders and community members whose In the absence of any external or government financial support,

collective dedication and efforts, even in the face of adversity,

there is an ever-present need for the Committee to balance

ensure a resilient, vibrant school community.

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