GOVERNING BODY

The governance of the School is vested in the Governing Body pursuant to the South African Schools Act No.84 of 1996. The Governing Body stands in a position of trust towards the School.

The professional management of the School is undertaken by the Headmaster under the authority of the Head of the Department. The Governing Body supports the Headmaster, educators and other members of staff in the performance of their professional services.

Membership of the Governing Body comprises:

• 9 elected parent members
• the Headmaster
• 3 elected educator members
• 1 elected non-educator member of staff
• 3 members of the Representative Council of Learners
• a number of co-opted members of the community.

The term of office of the Governing Body is 3 years save for its learner members who are elected on an annual basis. The Governing Body elects its chairman, treasurer and a secretary from amongst its members on an annual basis. Only a parent member of the Governing Body who is not employed at the School may serve as the chairman.

The Governing Body has an executive committee, a finance committee and a boarding house committee. The committees are chaired by a member of the Governing Body and persons who are not members of the Governing Body are appointed to such committees on the grounds of their expertise.

The Governing Body prepares a budget showing the estimated income and expenditure of the School for the following year and tables the budget at a general meeting of parents for consideration and approval. The charging of school fees, the amount of fees to be charged and any exemption criteria in respect of school fees are approved by the general meeting of parents and implemented by the Governing Body. The financial affairs of the School are controlled and administered by the Governing Body in accordance with the South African Schools Act and audited on an annual basis. The financial year of the School commences on the first day of January and ends on the last day of December of each year.

The Governing Body of the School functions in terms of a Constitution that provides for:

• a meeting at least once every school term
• an annual general meeting with parents, educators and learners
• rendering of an annual report on its activities to parents, educators and learners.

The Governing Body promotes the best interests of the School and strives to ensure its development through the provision of quality education for all learners of the School. The School’s property, buildings (including the boarding houses) and grounds are administered, maintained and controlled by the Governing Body.

The extra-mural curriculum of the School and the choice of subject options in terms of the provincial curriculum is determined by the Governing Body under the guidance and direction of the Headmaster.

The Governing Body has adopted a Code of Conduct for the learners of the School and at the request of the Headmaster will convene a disciplinary inquiry for allegations of misconduct and serious misconduct in respect of a learner.

Message From The Chairman

SGB Chairman’s Report

We stand with all our families in prayer and support as they go through the tough times.

We appointed Mr Dave Ernstzen as the new headmaster taking over the retired Mr Doug Shead. The appointment was effective April 2021 and I believe, and hopefully you would agree that his time so far has been fruitful.

We solidified our relationship with the high school by successfully moving our finance department centrally to be handled by the high school’s finance department that was led by Mr Ian Sim. Mr Sim’s time sadly came to an end formally at the end of September 2021 due to retirement, however, we again formally welcomed Mr Johnny Smith who has taken over from Mr Sim. Mr Smith has brought a different set of eyes to the finances of the school, and we would like to thank him so far for the work he has done and wish him well on his tenure at the school.

We are also part of the King Edward Educational Trust and sit in the meetings representing KEPS. This relationship has also strengthened and this is a positive move as the Trust is there to support the financial needs of both schools and relish being a part of this to again strengthen the school.

We are in the final stages of the closing of Oak Street. This is set to help bring more security around the school. This will hopefully help with alleviating traffic with the increase of parking around the drop off area. We ask parents to please respect the security guards as they are directing traffic. As a King Edward family, we have values of respect to everyone including staff members and other parents.

On 19 October 2021, the Aquatic Centre was formally unveiled and opened. The Aquatic Centre is a world class facility that can be used come rain, lightning or shine. Initially the water was south pole temperature but with the installation of heat pumps we are up to Durban temperatures that our kids can enjoy. I encourage all parents to go and take a look at this facility with your own eyes to see the result of what started out as a mere dream and discussion over a beer. We thank all who were involved in the construction of this building as well as the major donor, Mr. Mark Stevens for his generosity.

We are excited to open the new pre-preparatory school opposite KEPS, Baby Bears. This has been a project that was dreamt around 2018. Again, the dream has manifested into reality and this is a fully kitted out school for Gr RRRR to RR. This was envisaged to be largely a feeder to our school, but for the first time in our family, including young girls to receive a fantastic pre-prep ECD education. It will also bring convenience to teachers and siblings. There have been a couple of open days that have been held and there should be one more before the end of the year. I encourage to walk across the street to have a look.

We would also like to thank the PA and Gary Davies for the fundraising initiatives that they have done this year. I particularly love the fill up the pantry initiative as we have so many kids and families that are in dire need of help. This is what the King Edward Family is all about. There is a sign by the field that the only time to look down on a brother is when you are helping him up and that is one of the values that we want to encourage in this school.

Lastly, I would like us all to reflect on what it means to be at this school. We are getting world-class, all rounded education for a fraction of the price of private school education and I can truly say that we are comparable to the private schools. As we move ahead with new ideas and an improvement of our curriculum, we thank everyone for the support and for all the parents who have paid their fees. Without you, this institution, this campus will not be what it is today