An insight into the Brigidine College Indooroopilly Board

In addition to the Annual General Meeting the Board convenes for eight general meetings and two formation days usually a Saturday in February and September.

The Board has a stable membership although there is a constant challenge to succession planning.  Analysis of a Skills Matrix assists in the determination of necessary skills for undertaking the work of the Board. Currently we have a full complement of 12 Directors with professional backgrounds in education, law, building, risk and compliance, marketing, business and finance. The Board has a policy of not including current parents on the Board, but they do serve on the Committees of the Board.

While the Board evaluates each meeting, a broader survey is conducted at the end of the year.  In February each year the findings are analysed and in conjunction with the Strategic Plan, the Board sets its goals for the current year.  The detailed planning and resulting recommendations to the Board is conducted through the Committee system.  Each year the goals determine the appropriate Committees. Currently in operation are:

• Mission, Formation and Succession Planning
• Risk and Compliance
• Building and Property
• Finance and Audit

Each Committee has its own Charter and Code of Conduct and meets as necessary to achieve its goals.

Ongoing formation is viewed as a priority by all Directors and topics are determined by the needs of the individual Directors.  Spiritual formation is always included and then governance topics may include:

• Financial Literacy
• Roles and Responsibilities of Board Directors
• Understanding and the creation of the Risk Registers
• Creating the Board Risk Appetite Statement and Annual Review
• Navigating the Queensland Curriculum and its jargon
• Understanding our Client

The Mission, Formation and Succession Planning Committee has completed a valuable online self-paced module Induction Program titled ‘Brigid’s Well’ which includes all aspects of information necessary for our Directors when joining the Board.

Current focus for the Board includes completion of the Marian Centre Building Project, review of the College Mission Statement, preparation for the NSSAB Compliance Review Program, now postponed to later in the year, policy reviews and rewrites, and the current challenge for us all – surviving the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuring the necessary policies, procedures and pastoral care is well placed to support the College in its mission.

Back from left: Sr Chanel Sugden, Mrs Emma Beach, Mrs Cheryl Caughley, Dr Kate Hall, Mr John Auld, Mrs Claudia Mathews (Business Manager), Ms Hanh Luu, Ms Salwa Marsh

Front from left: Mr Brendan Cahill (Principal),  Mrs Robyn Killoran (Board Chair)

Absent: Kate Edmonston