GOVERNANCE
Adrian Valenzuela
Board Chair
The Board is the guardian of the HKA Mission. We are responsible for ensuring its relevance, longevity and viability in our community now and in the future.
HKA was born from a strong commitment to a mission that is as relevant today as it was 23 years ago. As a group of committed parents, we work closely with the HKA leadership team to safeguard values such as inclusion, educational leadership, and of developing responsible and empowered learners that are prepared to face all future challenges. We have a clearly defined structure for governance and leadership that is formally articulated in approved policy, understood by all members of the community and reflected in practice. Both individually and collectively, the Board is clear in its three primary roles: to ensure Mission integrity in the operations of the school, to recruit and nurture the development of the Head of School and to ensure financial sustainability of the school's operational model.
I believe HKA is truly a unique proposition in the Hong Kong educational sphere, and will continue to benefit from its strong core values, our wonderful community and our ability to be an innovative and adaptive organisation that will prepare our students to thrive as they find their own individual pathway for their future.
PRINCIPLES OF GOOD PRACTICE
The following principles of good practice are set forth to provide a common perspective on the responsibilities of independent school boards. The Board and the Head of School work in partnership in fulfilling these principles.
- The Board prepares a clear statement of the school’s mission and objectives.
- The Board reviews and maintains bylaws and establishes policies and plans consistent with the mission.
- The Board is accountable for the financial well-being of the school, including capital assets, operating budgets, fund-raising, and endowments.
- The Board selects, supports,and nurtures the Head of School.
- The Board, or a committee of the board, conducts a written annual evaluation of the performance of the Head of School and works with them to establish goals for the following year.
- The Board evaluates itself annually and establishes goals for the following year.
- The Board keeps full and accurate records of its meetings, committees and policies.
- The Board works to ensure all its members are actively involved in the work of the Board and its committees.
- The composition of the Board reflects a balance of expertise and perspectives needed to achieve the mission of the school.
- The Board develops itself through new board member orientation, ongoing education and leadership succession planning.
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The Board assures compliance with applicable laws and regulations and minimises exposure to legal action.
Current Board Members
- Tom van der Lee - Board Chair
- Adrian Valenzuela - Vice Chair
- Roy Shearer - Treasurer
- Helen Willerton - Secretary
- Helen Lam - Board Member
- Suhail Bindra - Board Member
- Dale Willetts - Board Member
BOARD SUB-COMMITTEES
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Goverance Committee
The Governance Committee is responsible for the overall corporate governance of the Foundation, including organising appointments and elections to the Board of Trustees, ensuring that the Board of Trustees assesses its own performance annually, maintaining the Board of Trustees policy manual and other duties as deemed necessary.
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Advancement Committee
The Advancement Committee is responsible for supporting the school in its approaches to marketing, community development, fundraising and alumni relationships. This committee works closely with the Institutional Advancement department as it develops and implements its priorities and serves as an ambassador for the school’s approaches to advancement.
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Finance Committee
The Finance Committee is responsible for reviewing the annual budget, monitoring income and expenses throughout the year, nominating for Board of Trustees approval an independent auditing firm to audit the school’s financial statement and accounts and other duties as deemed necessary.
No questions matching current filter
