From the Board Chair

On behalf of the Board, I would like to extend a warm welcome to new and returning members of the school community for 2021. It is such a pleasure that students and staff have commenced the year face to face and that the School has regained its usual daily rhythms and much-loved rituals, including today's Senior School Swim Carnival. 

There are two significant changes to the Board that I would like to share. 

Mr Don Naunton, after 27 years of service, including 2 years as Deputy Chair and 11 years as Chair, decided that the end of 2020 was an appropriate time to step down from the Board. 

Mr Peter Ashman, having advised the members at last year's AGM of his intention to retire at the February 2021 meeting of the Board, has re-confirmed it will be his last as a Director. Peter joined the Board in 2008, and served as Deputy Chair from 2012 to 2020.

The Board thanks both Directors for their commitment to the School over a lengthy tenure. We wish Don and Carolyn, and Peter and Kristine, all the very best for the future as they depart with the gratitude of the entire school community.

Looking to the future, the focus of the Board in 2021 and beyond is governance and the Girton Strategic Plan. The Board is working on a short-term, interim strategic plan to deal with the immediate post-covid period, while working on the long term plan with the school community. With a sense of optimism, strong cohesion, and a broad range of experience and skills on the Board, we look forward to guiding Girton into the future while retaining and leveraging those attributes that make Girton unique. 

The biennial Board Parent Forum will be held this year and as always we look forward to input from the community. More information will follow as details are confirmed. 

Every indication already is that 2021 will be a positive and successful year for Girton staff and students. Under the experienced leadership of Dr Massey and Dr O'Rielly, the Board is confident that the School will continue to provide the very best all-round education for our young people. 

Mr Dave Jemmett 

Chair