Key Takeaways
- The average executive pay for senior leaders in the state secondary sector is $158,833.
- The top 10 private schools in New Zealand have average executive pay ranging from $191,223 to $370,995.
- St Kentigern Organisation has the highest average executive pay at $370,995.
- The private schools’ executive pay is largely based on school size and revenue streams.
- Some private schools, such as St Cuthbert’s College, do not disclose detailed information on key management composition and compensation.
Introduction to Private School Executive Pay
The Ministry of Education has provided some ranges and averages for senior leaders in the state secondary sector, with an average of $201,700 paid to principals and $137,400 to deputies. In contrast, the top 10 private schools in New Zealand have average executive pay ranging from $191,223 to $370,995. The largest private school, St Kentigern Organisation, has an average executive pay of $370,995, which is significantly higher than the average public sector school.
Top Private Schools by Executive Pay
The top 10 private schools in New Zealand by executive pay are: St Kentigern Organisation, Dilworth School, Kristin School, Diocesan School for Girls, St Andrew’s College, King’s School, Christ’s College, Scots College, King’s College, and Medbury School. These schools have average executive pay ranging from $191,223 to $370,995. The schools’ executive pay is largely based on school size and revenue streams, with larger schools and those with higher revenue streams tend to have higher executive pay.
St Kentigern Organisation: The Highest-Paid Private School
St Kentigern Organisation is the largest private school in New Zealand, with a combined roll of 3506 students and revenue streams of $90m. The school’s executive pay is the highest among all private schools, with an average of $370,995. The school’s management structure, which includes six key management personnel, partly explains its high executive salaries. St Kentigern’s size and financial heft also contribute to its high executive pay, with the school’s revenue streams being vastly larger than all other schools in New Zealand.
Dilworth School: A Unique Institution
Dilworth School is a unique institution, with a small student body of boarders and a large property portfolio. The school’s executives have a more commercial bent than other private schools, with a focus on managing the school’s billion-dollar property portfolio. Dilworth’s executive pay is the second-highest among private schools, with an average of $320,750. The school has experienced a torrid few years, dealing with an abuse scandal and a property downturn, which has led to a decline in its equity.
Other Private Schools
Other private schools, such as Kristin School, Diocesan School for Girls, and St Andrew’s College, also have high executive pay. Kristin School, the newest school on the list, has an average executive pay of $275,738, while Diocesan School for Girls has an average executive pay of $235,751. St Andrew’s College, the first non-Auckland entry on the list, has an average executive pay of $229,001. These schools have significant revenue streams and assets, which contribute to their high executive pay.
Conclusion
The top 10 private schools in New Zealand have significant revenue streams and assets, which contribute to their high executive pay. The largest private school, St Kentigern Organisation, has the highest average executive pay at $370,995. Other private schools, such as Dilworth School and Kristin School, also have high executive pay. The private schools’ executive pay is largely based on school size and revenue streams, with larger schools and those with higher revenue streams tend to have higher executive pay.