Teaching Council – Appointments to new Governing Council

Education Minister Hon Erica Stanford has announced appointments to the Governing Council of the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

“The Teaching Council has faced significant challenges, including an independent review into its practices that found it had lost focus on its core role of ensuring child safety,” Ms Stanford says.

“It is important that we have frontline educators on the Governing Council, as they understand the needs of the sector.

“The depth and diversity of the members’ experience mean they will provide a balanced perspective on regulatory systems, and have critical governance skills and insights, including around financial management, organisational performance, audit and risk management.”

Minister Stanford said she is confident the Governing Council will have the collective skills and experience needed to provide strong governance, aligned with the Teaching Council’s enhanced regulatory focus.

The new appointees are:

Dr Sarah Brown, Principal at Kerikeri Primary School;
Patrick Drumm, Headmaster at Mount Albert Grammar School;
Heath Chittenden, Principal at Ashhurst School;
Dame Susan Hassall, former Headmaster of Hamilton Boys’ High School and Chancellor of the University of Waikato;
Patrick Walsh, Headmaster at Sacred Heart College in Auckland;
Andrée Atkinson, a qualified accountant with strong financial advisory skills. She has more than 20 years’ experience as a director and has significant experience chairing risk and audit committees. She also serves on the boards of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and Te Kura (formerly The Correspondence School);
Debbie Francis, who has led change programmes across both the public and private sectors. She was lead partner for the PwC People and Change practice and head of the PwC central government practice;
Tom Gott, who will commence a new term on the Governing Council following the conclusion of his role as Interim Chief Executive. He is an associate with MartinJenkins, with expertise in governance, strategy and development, organisational performance and regulatory practice.

The following current ministerial appointees will be reappointed for three-year terms:

Andrée Atkinson
Dr Sarah Brown
Heath Chittenden
Patrick Drumm
Debbie Francis
Dame Susan Hassall DNZM JP

A further appointment will be made to fill a current vacancy and strengthen early childhood education representation on the Council.

Members’ terms are expected to begin in July, aligning with commencement of the Education (System Reform) Amendment Bill.