There was a buzz in the air on Wednesday morning, as 870 delegates made their way to Te Pae, the Gathering Place, in Otautahi.  Principals, school leaders, educators and speakers were welcomed in by Ngai Tahu and Ngai Tuāhuriri iwi, the Canterbury Principals Association principals and the stunning Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Kura Whakapūmau i te Reo Tūturu ki Waitaha Kapa Haka ropu.  This set the scene and the standard for the 2022 NZPF Conference.

From the beginning, it was students’ contributions at different points in the conference that were inspiring, uplifting, compelling and challenging.  Ranging in age from Year 6 to Year 13, they shared  learning experiences that shaped their views on education, role models who had impacted on their lives and their thoughts about what leaders needed to do to improve education in Aotearoa.  Their messages were direct –

• Let us speak and learn in our language – Te Reo.
• Get our names right. Say them correctly and work at it until they are right.
• Sort out toilets so there are gender neutral options.
• Be prepared to change things at school so learning can work better for students.
• Don’t stand by and let students bully students. Help us when we are are struggling with peer relationships.
• Listen to students’ ideas and then commit to actioning them.
• Don’t expect us to be perfect. We’re not – and neither are you.
• Accept us for who we are, not just the ‘best version of ourselves’ – to be a perfect person 24/7 is exhausting.
• Know that learning is 24/7 – and not all the best learning happens at school.
• Meeting inspiring role models inspires us become better people.
• Believe in us – and back us, even when we muck up.

The keynote speakers and workshop presenters all provided thought-provoking messages.  In this time of chaos, uncertainty and challenge, we need to be courageous as education leaders, so we build forward better and address issues of equity, social justice and racism.  We need to pass back what we have learned and kick forward, to provide direction, momentum and motivation.  We need to create bespoke pathways for learning, that work for the students we teach, so the talents of people like Te Kaha Rolleston flourish. 

If you were unable to attend conference, I would encourage you to talk with colleagues who attended, to listen to their kōrero and insights and what they are going to do differently because of what they learned.

I would like to acknowledge the NZPF Otautahi Conference Committee, the Conference Company, Rob Callaghan (conference convenor), the NZPF Executive and the Canterbury Principals Association for their support, their mahi and their manaakitanga.  Your efforts made this, our biggest conference ever, a great event for all who were there.  

Leadership ‘Professional Growth Cycle’ Webinar – this week

This Wednesday 21 September, 11.30 am – 12.30 pm, we have a webinar about the Professional Growth Cycle, Professional Learning Circles and how principals have made these work as part of their appraisal cycle.  We will ask people to ask questions in the chat, which will be followed up – either online as part of the session or afterwards.

Please remind colleagues this is on and they can register by following the link.
It will be recorded, so people who cannot come online at this time can view it as it suits them.

NZPF-MOE Mathematics Road Show third ZOOM Hui:  Learning Progressions and low floor / high ceiing tasks

We have just four more Road Show events this year – in Central Otago, Timaru, Invercargill and West Auckland.  The third of the NZPF-MOE Mathematics Road Show ZOOM Hui now has a new date.  This webinar will now be held on Monday 7 November at 3.30 pm.  The ZOOM link is below.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85133109112?pwd=NFBTZDNoR2RtY0VEdXh4dFhqUm5ydz09

EQI – In the waiting room ....

Last week it was announced that the EQI funding notifications would be delayed.  At conference, Minister Hipkins shared with delegate that this was because officials needed more time to ‘smooth out’ changes, especially in schools that have had drops in roll numbers. 

There are also a number of funding allocations within the MOE and across ministries that are linked to the Decile Funding structure – all of which have added complexity to this change process.  In the meantime, the dilemma for principals is staffing.  Principals need to know what their Operations Grant is, so they can sort staffing for 2023 – and the Minister and Ministry know this. 

When the funding notice comes, it will be important to hear from you how it has landed and the implications it has for your school.

BOT Elections – the wait is over ….

By now principals will know who their new Board members are.  Whether you have had a change of Board or not, it is a good time to be planning how you will build or strengthen relationships and how to shape the culture of the Board, so it is focused on the core business of supporting you, your staff and the students in your school. 

There will be professional development opportunities coming through NZSTA, including the NZPF – NZSTA Principal / BOT Chair event.  If you want advice or support, particularly around any employment concerns you might have with your BOT, please contact our NZPF Helpline, or the PASL team, if you are a member.