The School Board is dedicated to ensuring students achieve success.
Governance opportunity - Presiding Member
The Salisbury School Board is currently seeking applicants for a Presiding Member (Chair) to start in March 2025.
Applicants do not need to be based in Nelson Tasman. The Board currently has six nationwide trustees with experienced Principal Ellie Salcin-Watts being an ex officio member.
Salisbury School
Salisbury School is unique, being the only school in New Zealand offering single-sex specialist residential learning for girls aged 8-15 years old, enrolled from all over New Zealand.
Located in Richmond, Nelson Tasman, the school’s day-to-day learning, living and life skills programmes encourage individual strengths to develop. Each girl has a tailored programme towards transition, empowering students for greater possibilities in life beyond Salisbury.
The school is entering an exciting phase with a full student roll, a property re-build, and the development of the 2026-2028 Strategic Plan.
Ideal Applicant for Presiding Member (Chair)
Preference is given to someone who:
Has time to commit to the role, preferably from early March
Believes in the school’s vision for ‘Greater Possibilities in Life’
Has the ‘giving back’ ethos required for a volunteer role
Understands the role of governance vs management
Has experience, or is looking for experience, chairing a board
Has knowledge of, or wants knowledge of, the education sector
Strong financial acumen and/or experience with property also useful, but not essential.
Commitment
There are six trustee meetings a year. As the board is a national board, five of the meetings are online, and one is held in-person at the school in Richmond. Travel and accommodation for the in-person meeting is covered by the school.
The Presiding Member also attends the Audit & Risk meeting held prior to each board meeting, and meets with the Principal regularly. If based out of Nelson Tasman, these meetings can be held online.
Applications
Send your CV and a cover letter to Ellie Salcin-Watts by 5pm, 19 February 2025.
The Salisbury School Board
The Salisbury School board of trustees is responsible for the governance and management of the school.
Elections are every three years. The Principal is a board member, and parents of the school elect up to five members and staff elect one member. The Board can also co-opt up to four other members. The next triennial elections will be held in September 2025.
Key background documents
Education Review Office Report: 2023
The board's main focus is on student progress, achievement, and wellbeing. This involves:
Ensuring every student can reach their highest standard of achievement.
Monitoring and evaluating student progress and achievement.
Creating a physically and emotionally safe learning environment.
The board’s other primary responsibilities include:
Setting the strategic direction and long-term plans for the school in consultation with the community.
Developing policies by which the school is controlled and managed.
Ensuring the school complies with legal and policy requirements.
