Governance
Kellett School is a company limited by guarantee and afforded charitable status by the Hong Kong Inland Revenue Department. It is bound to comply with Hong Kong Company Law and the requirements set out in the Hong Kong Education Ordinance.
Each family with a child in school is a member of the Kellett School Association Limited, upon payment of the annual fee of $500.
The company holds an Annual General Meeting around November/December, which all members are entitled to attend. The AGM receives reports from the Board Chairman and the Principal, adopts the Annual Accounts and elects/re-elects the directors (Governors). Board meetings are held throughout the year (except during the summer holiday).
The Board of Governors
The Board of Governors comprises ex-officio and elected members. The Principal, Director of Finance & Operations (Bursar) and Educational Advisor are ex-officio members, appointed by the Board from time to time. These three members are not subject to retirement by rotation. The Principal and Bursar have no voting rights. Twelve parent Governors are elected by the members of the Kellett School Association. They are subject to retirement by rotation, with at least two Governors being elected/re-elected each year. Terms for individual Governors are usually three years. The Chairman is chosen by the Board at its first meeting after the AGM. All the elected members of the Board work in a voluntary capacity.
The twelve elected members of the Board bring views as parents and lend their professional knowledge and experience to the Board process. Governors act as individuals. They are not “representatives” of parents or groups of parents. They are, however, responsible to the Company at the Annual General Meeting for the policy, strategic direction and general oversight of Kellett, in the context that they are themselves parents with children at the school. All Governors have equal status and voting rights and decisions are made with collective responsibility.
The Heads of School also attend Board meetings by invitation; they have no voting rights.
The role of the Board is to manage the school's Strategic Vision, approve School Policy, oversee the management of the business of The Association, comply with Hong Kong law and from time to time, commission an independent school inspection.
The Board acts as a guardian of the founding spirit of Kellett, embodying superior academic standards, curriculum breadth and high levels of resourcing that lie at the heart of the school tradition.
The Board is also responsible for ensuring that the school is viable in a business sense. It does not manage Kellett day to day. That is the responsibility of the Principal with the help of the senior management team (SMT) and the Bursar. The Principal is responsible for the delivery of the children’s education, and the Bursar for the efficient running of the non-academic operation. The Board appoints the Principal as the chief academic and administrative officer to lead the school academically and manage its affairs. The Principal reports to the Board at its regular meetings.
At its regular meetings the Board considers:
- a report from the Principal
- reports from sub-committees and members of the SMT
- matters raised by the Parents Committee
- matters raised by staff (via the Principal from the Staff Consultation Group)
- matters raised by parents (addressed to the Board or via a Board member)
- presentations from staff on curriculum or policy matters.
Sub-Committees of the Board
- Finance Committee
- Estate Planning Committee (EPC)
- Development Committee
- Governance Committee
- Principal's Evaluation Committee
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee oversees the Budget proposals, the long-term capital funding needs of the school, the annual salaries and school fees review and ensures that we can service and repay our financial obligations to the Government, lending bank and our corporate stakeholders who have purchased debentures. The committee includes Governors Rakesh Manani (as Chair), Peter Goulston, Arne Lindman, Silvia Pezzini and Jonathan Harris. The Principal, DFO/Bursar and the School’s Senior Accountant also sit on this committee.
Estate Planning Committee (EPC)
The Estate Planning Committee (EPC) initially convened as the Project Committee to take forward the build of the Kowloon Bay campus. This recently renamed committee has switched its attention to the buildings and infrastructure of Pok Fu Lam and Kowloon Bay more broadly and considers and makes recommendations to the Board regarding the Association’s Estate, Plant and Equipment (lifecycle) requirements and opportunities. Membership consists of Governors Alistair Gough (as Chair), Peter Goulston, Rob Knight and Alex Woodthorpe. The Principal and DFO/Bursar also sit on this committee.
Development Committee
The Development Committee considers and makes recommendations to the Board regarding actions that can be taken to strengthen the Association in a number of areas including development, fund-raising, alumni, community out-reach and communications. This committee is Chaired by Alex Woodthorpe and other members are Governors Peter Goulston, Nicki Taylor and Warren Allderige, the Principal, DFO/Bursar and Director of Development & Community Relations.
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee consists of Governors Duncan Abate (Chair), Peter Goulston, Kirsti McLean and Silvia Pezzini. This committee meets to review expressions of interest we have from Members in joining the Board and ensuring that for the Board’s proposed Governors, we have a balance of skills and backgrounds. The Committee is also responsible for the annual Board self-evaluation. Anyone wishing to express an interest in becoming a Governor going forward may reach out to any of the current Governor-members. The Chair of the Governance Committee will also reach out to all Members at the appropriate time each year.
Principal's Evaluation Committee
The Principal’s Evaluation Committee is chaired by Peter Goulston, and includes Governors David Coles (our long standing Educational Advisor who also sits on the Board) and Rakesh Manani. The PEC meets to ensure we fulfill our obligation to review the performance of the Principal and ensure she has the appropriate resources and opportunities to undertake the day-to-day stewardship and management of the School.