Governance of Health Schools in New Zealand
The Board of Trustees at Te Kura Whaiora ki te Tonga/Southern Health School reflects the unique and ever-changing nature of our ākonga and parent community. Unlike other schools, the members of our Board (aside from the Staff Trustee) are appointed by the Minister of Education during the triennial School Board election. This ensures that the Board is well-equipped to meet the diverse needs of our community.
Health Schools Today
There are three Health Schools in Aotearoa/New Zealand –Southern Health School, Central Regional Health School, and Te Kura Āwhina Ora o Te Raki/Northern Health School. Together, they support around 2,500 ākonga annually. While Health Schools were once primarily associated with hospital-based education, the shift towards community-based teaching has become more prominent.
Teachers now spend around two-thirds of their time working with ākonga in the community, with only one-third of their time spent in hospitals. This shift in focus led to the change from “Hospital Schools” to “Health Schools” in 2000, reflecting the broader role these schools play in supporting children’s education during illness.
Te Tupuranga o Te Kura Whaiora ki te Tonga/Southern Health School’s Growth
Southern Health School/Te Kura Whaiora ki te Tonga began with a small team of twelve teachers across six sites, educating around 100 ākonga annually. As the school’s services became more widely recognised, it has grown significantly, now employing nearly 60 teachers across 16 sites and supporting nearly 700 ākonga each year.
This expansion reflects the increasing demand for Health Schools’ services and the positive impact they have on ākonga, allowing them to continue their education even when facing serious health challenges.
