NZCEO Property – Trustees should refer here for a clear explanation of Integrated Schools’ Property funding, relationships and obligations.

Ministry of Ed Capital Funding for Integrated Schools

Policy One Funding - Capital Maintenance and Modernisation

The Catholic Schools Office Hamilton acts on behalf of the Bishop (the Proprietor) to deliver major maintenance and modernization works in our schools. The Ministry of Education funds the Proprietor to keep existing integrated school property in a state of repair comparable to that of state schools. This funding, called ‘Policy One’, covers works over $5,000 (ex GST). Policy One funding is calculated on a per student basis from the 1 July roll.

The Diocesan Schools Council oversees the work of the Schools Property Manager on behalf of the Bishop. It receives and approves a rolling 10 Year Capital Works Programme, which prioritises work in schools in line with Ministry of Education requirements. The Schools Council pools Policy One money to enable larger projects to be completed in schools. Over the lifetime of a school, the Proprietor ensures that the Policy One funds generated by each School are spent on that school.

Locally Raised Funds / Discretionary Projects

Many schools wish to progress a capital project which the Proprietor cannot prioritise for Policy One expenditure. Common examples include playgrounds and artificial surfaces. 

Trustees and Principals must be aware that Crown (Board) funds cannot be used to create or improve an asset belonging to the Proprietor. Crown funds are deemed to be any money held in a school Board’s account, even if it was a donation to the school. Donations and locally raised funds received for the purpose of a capital project must be collected “on behalf of the RC Bishop of Hamilton”, and transferred to the RC Bishop’s account. These funds are held in trust for each school, and will not be spent on any other school.

Trustees should read the Fundraising Policy for further details, and complete a Pre-Approval application to ensure the Proprietor is in agreement with your project. Schools may also be eligible for Financial Assistance from the Proprietor for your discretionary project. 

Contact the Catholic Schools Property Manager, Vicki Fabling, if you’d like to discuss a discretionary project idea. Early engagement with the Schools Office ensures a smoother project.

FAS Application.

School Funded Maintenance 

Schools receive a quarterly Property Maintenance Grant from the Ministry of Education. This must be used for general maintenance and painting of  buildings and grounds. As a rule of thumb, maintenance valued up to $5,000 should be completed by the school, repairs over $5,000 should be directed to the Catholic Schools Office. 

Boards should budget for significant maintenance work that occurs on a  cyclical basis, the most common example being painting of the school. Set aside a portion of your PMG every year to build up a fund for repairing the school. 

NB Caretaker’s wages are not drawn from the PMG, they are paid from general operational funding.

Contact our Maintenance Advisor, Paul Le Normand, if you’d like assistance with preparation of a maintenance and cyclical maintenance programme.

The Ministry of Education has excellent guidance for Boards on property maintenance. (Remember that the Proprietor of integrated schools is funded for capital maintenance works, which is different to the state school arrangement.)

Ministry of Education Maintenance Guide

Ministry of Education Property Maintenance, Repairs and Security

Schools’ Education Team

The role of the Schools Education team falls into two categories, that of school support and religious education.

School Support

Boards of Trustees, principals, school staff, parish priests and members of the wider school community seek assistance from the Schools Education team. Areas covered, relate to preference for enrolment criteria and appeals, employment of tagged and untagged teachers, governance and matters pertaining to a school’s compliances under their Integration Agreement. The focus is to support the school in matters to do with its special catholic character. The Schools Education team coordinate and report on the Special Character reviews of each school.