Kia ora e te whānau

Last year, after a protracted bargaining process, the primary and secondary principals’ collective agreements were settled. It was a tenuous negotiation process, particularly for primary principals, who felt that the overall extent of their case was not presented in a way that the Ministry of Education could fully appreciate their position. Much of the heat was taken out of key challenges through the establishment of an Accord between the NZEI, PPTA and the Ministry of Education.

The establishment of this Accord left me feeling uneasy.

The parties to the Accord are required to work in confidence. There has been no mention of progress on the substantive issues that the Accord seeks to address. In addition, it is only the parties to the Accord that can negotiate agreed outcomes. There are many issues germane to the Accord that impact directly on principals, particularly issues of workload and wellbeing. Neither issue is exclusively an industrial issue, but both are captured within the Accord process.

The Accord outcomes must deliver on issues relating to principals and yet NZPF, like other peak bodies, were not invited to be a signatory.

There are numerous outcomes that we, as principals, expect. The process must deliver on the issues that matter. In this respect, the Accord is high stakes for principals. It is our responsibility to make our expectations clear to the unions and the Ministry of Education.

After a long hiatus on the educational work programme, due to COVID-19, there are several urgent conversations, including the Accord that I want to have with you. These relate to issues that confront us now, and as always, NZPF looks for your input in forming our position.  Political parties will soon shift into election mode, limiting the time we have to get leverage or effect change on these important issues.

With that in mind, I’d like to visit you - call it a road trip from one end of the country to the other! My intention is to start in Whangarei next Wednesday 10 June and head down the Island to Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Hawke’s Bay, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Wellington, then move to the South Island taking in Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill and concluding in Queenstown on Thursday 2 July. A mammoth undertaking and a very worthwhile one.

I would love the opportunity to meet with principals from your association to outline some critical matters and to capture principals’ views.

1. Leadership Centre –what are the functions of a leadership centre? What works for you?
2. The Future of Kahui Ako – is there one? What is your view?
3. The NZEI/PPTA/MINEDU Accord – what are your desired outcomes for principal workload and principal wellbeing?
4. Local issues – What else do you want me to advocate for in Wellington?

NZPF will back up this road trip with a survey to members so that associations I am unable to visit or principals who are unable to attend a scheduled meeting can contribute to the conversation. My intention is to schedule visits to other associations, not included in the road trip itinerary, throughout term 3.

Please look out for a communication from your local principals’ association if your locale is on the road trip itinerary. This will communicate a date, time, and location for the meeting.

I am looking forward to coming to see you in your neck of the woods, not least to thank you for your outstanding leadership through the COVID-19 crisis. Please take some time to read my homage to principals in the latest issue of NZ Principal magazine.

Queen’s Birthday Honours

Congratulations to all those honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to education.

We are thrilled to see so many practicing educators recognised. We must challenge our propensity, as Kiwis, to shy away from championing excellence.

We are particularly pleased to see Dr Beverley Ann Milne on the list. Dr Milne was recognised with an NZPF service with distinction award in 2015 for her outstanding work in reclaiming cultural identity. It is wonderful to see national recognition of her contribution to education.

Ngā manaakitanga

Perry Rush
perry@nzpf.ac.nz