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'o le ala i le pule o le tautua'
The pathway to leadership is through service
Mālō e lelei! Talofa Lava!
I am greeting you in two Pacific Island languages today – the first in recognition of Tongan Language Week and the second to bring Samoan greetings to you all.
Since our last panui, I have been strengthening ‘Educational connections’ and ‘Cultural Connections’. As I reflect on the last two weeks, I am moved by the power of collaboration, the privilege of educating, and the importance of cultural understanding in our work.
I have attended Regional Principals’ Association meetings, visited schools, and immersed myself in the rich culture of Tautai o le Moana. I want to share with you why these experiences were so exceptional.
Regional Principals’ Association Meetings: Collaboration and Insights
My two-week journey began with the Mid Central Principals’ Association in Whanganui, followed by Eastern Bay of Plenty Principals’ Association in Whakatane, and finally the Catholic Principals’ Executive meeting in Auckland. These hui provided a platform for meaningful exchanges. They gave me the chance to actively listen to colleagues. I left these meetings inspired and with lists of actions that NZPF can implement to address the many specific issues. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Presidents of these Associations for welcoming me so warmly and for connecting me with their members – our members.
Visiting Tauhara Primary School and Kaitoa Intermediate School: A reminder of the privilege of leading learning.
My journey included visits to Tauhara Primary School (Taupo) and Kaitoa Intermediate School (Rotorua). Watching the staff at both schools giving their all to meet every student’s learning need, reminded me what a privilege it is for us to lead these amazing, dedicated teachers. And observing the principals of these schools at work, made me recognise that we lead best by serving our people, our schools, and our communities.
Tautai o le Moana - Wayfinders of the Ocean Professional Development Programme: Empowering Pasifika Learners through Principal Development
My second week took me on a journey to Samoa with a delegation from Tautai o le Moana. Tautai o le Moana is spearheaded by the New Zealand Pasifika Principals’ Association (NZPPA), the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF), and the Ministry of Education. The programme aims to strengthen the cultural capabilities of principals to improve outcomes for Pasifika learners.
Our journey took us to both Upolu and Savai'i, where we visited Government and private schools, city, and village schools.
Everywhere we went, we were warmly welcomed in the traditional Samoan way. Conversations with village Elders, Chiefs, School PTAs, principals and teachers - and visits to classrooms – gave us first-hand experience of the eagerness of the Samoan people and their learners to showcase their culture and their learning experiences.
We were humbled by the generosity of the school communities and alofa shown towards our group.
What struck me most was the dedication of school staff, who wholeheartedly immerse themselves in service to their communities. Their interactions with students were nothing short of inspirational and as a result the young people were enthusiastic learners. We had the privilege of meeting remarkable Principals and Teachers including Expats, like Principal, Ellyse Dunn (Te Rarawa), and Senior Teacher, Tayla Oldehaver, both of whom are making a significant difference through their selfless dedication to sharing their New Zealand teacher training and experiences with the staff and students at their respective Samoan schools.
In addition, I had the privilege of supporting The NZ Pasifika Principals’ Association (NZPPA) on a visit to the Ministry of Education in Apia. We met with the Chief Executive Officer, Chris Hazellman who is the equivalent of our Secretary for Education, Iona Holsted.
I extend our sincere thanks to our Samoan colleagues, who fully supported our Ropu every step of the way. Fa’atili Iosua Esera (Chief – Speaking Orator, NZPPA Past Vice President, President of Samoan Teachers in Aotearoa/ New Zealand and Sutton Park Principal), Saane Faaofo Oldehaver (New Zealand Pasifika Principals’ President- NZPPA and Weymouth Primary School Principal), Karl Vasau (Principal, Rowandale, NZPPA Executive and Tautai o le Moana facilitator), Taulapapa Christina Patea (High Chief – Savai’i, Principal of Homai school) and Angelina Brayne (St Paul’s Primary). These colleagues all had connections to their villages and Aiga (Whanau). They supported and culturally guided the rest of us, so we quickly felt a sense of belonging with their Aiga in Samoa. Being culturally immersed in this way gave us a heightened sense of how important culturally responsive practices are when we are trying to empower our Pacific Island students back home.
I extend my sincere gratitude to Tautai o le Moana for inviting me to join them on this incredible journey, and further develop my culturally responsive leadership. Drawing on how my own appreciation of Samoan culture has grown through this trip, it is heartening to know that the 2022 cohort of principals, who visited Samoa, will have been similarly advantaged. They will now be applying their knowledge of Samoan culture, heritage, and customs to benefit Samoan children culturally and academically - in their own Aotearoa New Zealand schools.
For more information on Tautai O Le Moana and how you can be involved contact National coordinator: Helen Varney helen.tautaiolemoana@gmail.com
ERO Research
We routinely engage in meetings with Ruth Shinoda, the Chief Researcher of ERO, to support their research initiatives, and on occasion, we act as expert advisors. ERO takes a collaborative approach with their research which is helpful to us and provides useful quantitative and qualitative data to strengthen our own advocacy work.
ERO’s next two research projects focus on managing challenging behaviours and new teachers. Both topics are outlined in the NZPF 2023 Manifesto.
You can help give strength to our manifesto arguments by completing the two surveys below:
- Survey on Managing Challenging Classroom Behaviors – This survey aims to understand the challenges principals are observing within their schools and how these challenges impact their teachers. Your input is invaluable. Survey Link: Managing Challenging Behaviors survey for Principals
- Survey on New Teachers – This survey seeks to gather the perspectives of new principals regarding the preparedness of their newly appointed teachers. Your feedback will greatly contribute to ERO’s understandings.. Survey Link: New Teachers survey for Principals
Please take the time to read the mahi of the NZPF Executive - Nga pou e wha.
Ngā Pou E Whā
To listen, to learn, to act.
Pou Tahi - Te Kaiarahitanga / Leadership
Tracy Fraser, Stephanie Thompson, Jason Miles, Leanne Otene
Advocating to Reverse Banked Staffing Decision
The recent decision to halt the reimbursement of banked staffing surpluses to offset the cost of collective bargaining agreements raised significant concerns.
It sparked a collaborative effort by the New Zealand Principals' Federation (NZPF), the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI), Rural and Small Schools Association (RASLA), and the Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools (AIMS). Together, we penned a letter to the Minister of Education, Hon. Jan Tinetti, urging a reconsideration of this decision.
Our Core Concerns include:
- Under-Funding of Staffing Entitlements: Staffing entitlements have not kept pace with the increasing costs of operating schools and the rising number of students with severe and complex learning support needs
- Staff Shortages: Principals' associations and peak bodies have conducted survey research that consistently highlights the difficulties in recruiting qualified staff, and in some regions, the situation is dire. Many schools report their inability to secure relievers to fill staff gaps.
- Unique Challenges for Small and Rural Schools: These schools grapple with resource constraints due to staffing entitlement allocation formulas. They constantly struggle to employ relief staff or learning support staff. Principals are forced to teach full-time to cover staff shortages due to sick leave or vacancies. These schools cannot find principal release cover.
We asked the Minister of Education Hon Jan Tinetti to:
- Reconsider Staffing Entitlement Levels: Examine and adjust staffing entitlement levels to align with the increasing demands of modern education.
- Repeal the Decision to Halt Banked Staffing Surplus Reimbursement: Recognize the importance of banked staffing surpluses for small and rural schools, and reinstate, for all schools, the flexibility that banking staffing was initially designed to offer.
We stand in solidarity with our educational partners and urge all members of our school community to support this vital initiative.
Pou Rua - Te Marautanga / Curriculum
Heidi Hayward, Karen Brisco, Jen Rodgers and Blair Dravitski
Update to our work:
On August 29, we met with members of the MOE Curriculum team. The hui was to further shape support for principals to manage the ‘Curriculum Refresh’ rollout. We emphasised the need for consistent and equitable support across all regions and across all types of schools.
We agreed on the following actions to achieve these goals:
- MOE will provide a regional list of hui dates and venues.
- There will be equitable access to ‘curriculum refresh’ PLD for all principals in takiwā and where necessary, bespoke options (e.g. rural and isolated areas) will be available
- PLD materials will be available pre- and post-workshops, and via easy to access platforms (i.e one click)
- Te Mahau regions will provide workshops for Teacher Only Days in late January and early February to alleviate the need for schools to find relievers
- Early adopters will share and facilitate at local workshops
Pou Toru - Students / Ākonga / Inclusive Education
Shane Buckner, John Bangma, Phil Palfrey and Gavin Beere
Update on the Highest Needs Review.
The Ministry update on the Highest Needs Review raises some questions, particularly the timeframes of this mahi.
It was advised that Cabinet agreed that the Ministry partner with Māori, and work with disabled people and their communities, the education sector, and Pacific communities to establish relationships, build trust, and engage on development and design options for a new system of supports. We fully support the agreement of Cabinet but are disappointed that it took so long to decide.
While we agreed with the 8 building blocks in the report, the working group challenged that there was no mention of Māori until building block #4 and other agencies - likely to be disabled people - until #8. Both groups should be woven throughout all blocks, not limited to one area. We questioned this at the last hui but it has not yet been changed.
The report noted the urgency for the need for change, which principals agree with. We were therefore disappointed to read: Implement and funding allocation decision: 6-7 years (by 2030). We believe that timeframe does not meet a definition of ‘urgency’ and will voice our disappointment directly to the Ministry.
Pou Wha - Te Tikanga Ture/ Policy/ Systems
Hayley Read, Julie Hepburn, Cherie Taylor-Patel
Cyber Security, What Can Your School Do?
Cyber security is a challenge facing the entire education sector. Steps you can take to reduce the risk include:
- Ask your staff to use two-factor authentication (2FA) when signing into school systems.
- Review your digital acceptable use policy, and privacy policy each year.
- Make sure staff know what to do if they have a cyber security incident.
- Check that your school website is not disclosing any personally identifiable information that could be used by scammers.
- Make sure payroll and accounts, are securely protected.
- Ensure your leadership staff review what personal information they are disclosing publicly on social media and adjust their privacy settings if required.
More Information and Assistance
- See what Network for Learning (N4L) can do to help you manage network safety and security.
- Netsafe Schools is a free programme designed to help New Zealand schools and kura establish, develop, and promote online safety, citizenship and wellbeing in their school community.
- The MOE's website has a digital technology safe use guide for schools.
- State and state-integrated schools have access to funded Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (anti-virus) protection. For assistance with Ministry-funded software contact the ICT Help Desk for schools: Phone 0800 225 542 or email callict@tki.org.nz.
- For further help strengthening your school’s cyber security, including advice for reporting cyber security incidents, visit the keeping your school network safeguide on the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) NZ website.
'o le ala i le pule o le tautua'
The pathway to leadership is through service
Ngā mihi,
Leanne
NZPF President
Te Arahou – MAC
Tena Koutou Katoa. He mihi ki a Koutou.
Te Arahou - MAC celebrates 10 years of significant growth and success and will host a conference in Auckland October 16th - 18th. Nau mai, haere mai!
From humble beginnings of 47 schools in 2013 we now cater for nearly 500 schools from Kaitaia to Invercargill across to Stewart Island. We have a staff of 24 deeply committed to changing hearts and minds in pursuit of this kaupapa. We have published a Curriculum and Graduate Profile Book - Te Whare Tapu o Te Ngākau Māori - ki te wheiao ki te ao mārama that aligns with Mātaiaho NZC. We are working on digital and hard copy resources to support this. These will be available to all MAC schools.
MAC is a Kaupapa not a PLD programme. We are a whānau not individual participants. We are ex-principals and can work with you on any kaupapa in your school. We work with staff, whānau, community and Boards of Trustees.
We hope for a renewal of our contract with the Ministry of Education. We believe MAC should be in every school in Aotearoa NZ and will work to achieve this. If you are interested in joining up or attending our conference go to our website
www.mac.ac.nzMembership Cards
NZ Principal Magazine also Online
You and/or your team members can easily access the NZ Principal Magazines online, as an e-magazine or as a PDF. Additionally you can search for a previous issue, an article by title or by the author of the article. All magazines back to Term 1 2012 are available in this format. To view or search click here.
The 2023 NZPF Conference in Queenstown (September 11-13) is fast approaching, and the Accounting For Schools team is delighted to be exhibiting, as dedicated supporters of schools and principals, through our partnership with the New Zealand Principals Federation.
We offer expert accounting and financial advisory services tailored to the specific needs of each school at affordable prices. Our support will give your school community full confidence when making financial decisions, including decisions to invest in additional learning resources, or capital expenditure, to benefit your students and school community.
Accounting For Schools utilises Xero as the delivery platform; along with add-on systems such as Hubdoc and ApprovalMax. The use of Xero gives back control of financial information to schools and enables a more transparent, understandable, and timely reporting of financial information.
We also offer professional development courses for executive officers, principals and boards of trustees, completely free of charge.
If you want the best support to understand your financial position, gain control of your school's finances, and plan for the future, then utilising our team at Accounting For Schools is the answer.
Want to learn more? Chat with Ben and Allison at stand #24
NZPF assures its business partners that, as members, you will contact them to have a conversation if you are purchasing products, services or solutions for your schools that a business partner supplies. Please support our partners as their assistance to NZPF means better membership services to you.
