THE CHAIR’S REPORT

The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus once noted that you can never put your foot in the same river twice because the river is constantly moving and changing.

The last year has seen much in the way of change and movement both in the life of the College and in the general community.

The Board itself has been in a process of change with new members being appointed; and the Board is prayerfully looking to the future and seeking to develop a long-term strategic plan.

For some the College Board is a rather mysterious gathering that meets early on Saturday mornings, but it has a critical role in the life of the College.

The Board’s role is one of governance and not management; and over the last year the Board has been sought to enhance its capacity for this role. This is reflected in the skills that recently appointed Board members possess.

In August 2022 at the Surf Coast Campus the Board had a “day away” facilitated by Rev. Tim Costello, who amongst his many roles served as the CEO of World Vision. Tim challenged the Board on its various responsibilities in part through a humorous and at times, for the panellists, challenging hypothetical. We had reinforced that central to its role of governance the Board is charged with guarding the College’s calling to “seek first the kingdom of God.”

In September some Board members also attended a training event organised by Association of Heads of Independent Schools Australia (AHISA) which focused on legal and governance responsibilities of independent school boards and councils.

I would like to draw your attention to the following matters that have been on the Board’s agenda this past year:

• To enhance the general College community’s awareness of the identity of Board members, directors are sharing the responsibility of attending significant celebrations in the life of the College.

• The Board has developed a register for conflicts of interest for directors and executive staff.

• Jonathan Ryan was re-elected secretary and I was re-elected Chair at the Board’s annual meeting in July.

• With the creation of one Christian College Geelong Company from a cluster of eight Christian College -related companies there was a recognition that the College’s Constitution needed revision. The proposed revisions are designed to improve the clarity and application of the Constitution. This proposed revised

Constitution has been prepared so as to accord with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001 (Commonwealth) and to not prejudice the charitable registration of the Company with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and the registration with the Victorian Registration and Qualification Authority (VRQA) of the school under the same name that the Company operates. A final version will be brought to the Company for comment and adoption in 2023.

• Along with Christian College two other companies exist related to the life of the College, ‘Eden Quality Services’ and ‘the Christian College Geelong Foundation’. These have very specific functions and are wholly owned subsidiaries of Christian College Geelong. The Foundation Board has been very active in 2022 and the College Board made the decision that the Foundation Board Chair should serve as a full member of the College Board rather than just be in attendance. It is intended that this change will be included in the revised Constitution, although currently the Foundation Board Chair fills a non-church director position.

• During the year the Board celebrated the completion of the R.W. Gibson Music Performance Centre and the English and Language/Taylor House building at Senior School.

• A working group to nominate new Board members has been created.

• The Board received the draft budget for 2023.

• The Board had been able to keep the College fee increase in 2022 to 0% but 2023 sees an economically more challenging environment and hence the need for the 4.9% increase.

• The Board will be working with the CEO in 2023 in the development of an overall strategic plan for the College.

I want to acknowledge and thank all the members of the Board for their commitment and both the professional and faithful way in which they carry out their responsibilities.

During 2022 the following people were appointed to the Board: Nathan Boseley, Danna Grills, Dr Bernard Shiu and Ben Peck. (Ben was appointed as the lay representative from the Baptist Church). They bring with them significant experience in finance, management, governance, public relations and the law. Lee Humphris who has served for under 2 years as a Board member tended his resignation at the last meeting in 2022 and we thank Lee for his involvement in the Board’s life and work.

Michael Peck retired from his role as the chair Foundation Board and so retired as a member of the Christian College Board. Michael’s leadership has been outstanding, and we give thanks to God for his contribution to the whole life of the College over many years including a time as a parent representative on the Board.

These have been, and remain, challenging times in the world of education, yet the College community remains vibrant and growing. Thank you, on behalf of the Board, to the amazingly energetic and creative staff of the College, to the families of students who contribute in so many ways, and most importantly to the wonderful students who are at the heart of the life of the College.

A particular word of thanks to the senior leadership of the school, CEO Daryl Riddle, Principal Glen McKeeman, Vice-Principal Scott Elliss (who will be taking a year of leave in 2023), Jonathan Ryan (Company Secretary and Operations Manager), Brenda Lyons (Finance Manager), Tim Edwards (Dean of Christian Culture who concludes this year) and all heads of campus for navigating so many hurdles and continuing to look forward without being overwhelmed by the ongoing stream of daily challenges.

Classic paintings of that rough and ready prophet, John the Baptist, often portray him pointing… pointing to the one who is the Messiah, Jesus!

I believe that in so much of the life of the College we see ways in which we follow John the Baptist’s example and point to Jesus.

Even at a governance level this can be seen with Board members appointed from four different Christian traditions: Anglican, Baptist, Uniting and Salvation Army. What a wonderful expression of Christian unity and witness!

As we journey into a New Year, in the words of Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians, may “The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.”