This is a brief newsletter as we head into the last two weeks of term two. I will give you a couple of contacts to keep close - in case you need help with a challenging situation; update you on the NZPF conference; invite you to sign a petition calling for a bipartisan coalition for education; and share a message for overcoming winter blues.

When things don't go as planned, we are here to support you. NZPF offers two levels of assistance. First, there's our Helpline. ​​When you contact the Helpline, an experienced NZPF colleague will discuss your problem with you. They will help you decide how to proceed. This is a confidential service.  The Helpline number is 0800 798 798. 

Secondly, we have PASL (Principals Advice and [legal] Support), which offers specialized legal support to help you navigate disputes. PASL also provides a free hotline for principal subscribers. Joining PASL provides peace of mind and protects you in your job.

Click here to answer why you need the NZPF Legal Support Scheme >

Click here for the Application Form >

NZPF Annual conference

Registrations for our Queenstown conference have closed. We apologize to all principals who did not make the registration cut - Mo taku he. The Queenstown venue has limited capacity and with the number of principals wanting to participate in conference, we will be reviewing the Queenstown option for the future.  If you have requested a place on the waitlist, hold off booking flights or accommodation until a space becomes available. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.

Signing the Petition

You have all received a copy of the NZPF 2023 Manifesto.  It includes a political statement calling for education policy decisions to be made through a cross-party coalition which would include all political parties, practitioners, educational researchers, and academics.

Callan Goodall, Principal of St Patrick's Invercargill, and Tom Wallis, Principal of St Patrick's Bryndwr Christchurch, also agree with the bipartisan approach. They have taken a further step and launched a petition "Change.org campaign." They invite you to support their petition by signing it and passing it on to your teachers, family, and friends.

Link for petition - https://chng.it/bg4nHTjs

Winter Blues

Let's talk about the winter blues. When the rain falls down and the temperatures drop down, we also feel down. To combat this, find comfort indoors and engage in activities that bring you joy. Surround yourself with positivity and share laughter with your staff and students. Remember, brighter days are just around the corner. Together, let's create a laughter-filled haven in our schools and swot away those blues! But most importantly, prioritize your self-care, so you can finish the term on a strong note.

Ngā Pou E Whā 

To listen, to learn, to act.

Pou Tahi - Te Kaiarahitanga / Leadership    

Tracy Fraser, Stephanie Thompson, Jason Miles, Leanne Otene

Principal Leadership Facilitators

The establishment of the Leadership Advisory Programme was a direct response to the Korero Mātauranga process and the advocacy efforts of the New Zealand Principals' Federation (NZPF).

Being a principal is a challenging and often solitary role. Over the years, we have witnessed the introduction and discontinuation of various development and support programmes for aspiring, beginning, and experienced principals. More recently, only Beginning Principals have received support through Evaluation Associates, and Te Akatea provides support for Beginning Principals in Māori medium settings.

That is why we are excited about the Leadership Advisory Programme for all schools, led by Chief Advisor Tim White. It presently consists of 16 regional advisors who are either current or former principals. These advisors provide advice, act as critical friends, support ongoing initiatives, contribute to Kāhui ako or cluster projects, and conduct workshops and presentations.

Additionally, there are five Leadership Advisors specifically designated for Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori settings. These positions are managed by the two Māori Medium Peak Bodies.

What sets this service apart is that it is led by principals for principals, and the Ministry has adopted an iterative development model. They aim to design the programme based on the needs of principals. The service is provided at your invitation - please contact your Regional Leadership Advisor through your local Regional Te Mahau office if you would like the support of a Leadership Advisor.

Expressions of Interest for the 2024 cohort of Leadership Advisors will open soon (late June). If you would like more information, please contact your regional advisor or Tim. (tim.white@education.govt.nz).

Pou Rua - Te Marautanga / Curriculum

Heidi Hayward, Karen Brisco, Jen Rodgers and Blair Dravitski

Update of work (June):

We have requested a meeting with the MOE Curriculum Development team, during the July break, to further discuss the professional development roll out to principals on Te Mātaiaho.  

One action to promote:

Together with your Boards of Trustees, we encourage you to set your Teacher Only Day (TOD) for November 13-24, so that you can inform your communities as soon as possible.

Pou Toru - Students / Ākonga / Inclusive Education

Shane Buckner, John Bangma, Phil Palfrey and Gavin Beere

Please complete this VERY brief survey below

In our last report, we asked you to contribute your voice through a brief survey. We wanted to know what support you had, when excluding a student. 

To advocate for improvements, we need data. If your Board has recently excluded a student, please help us by completing the brief survey below.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/73HXHGD

Highest Needs Change Programme

The Minister of Education was expecting a business case to consider by June 2023. This has been delayed to allow the voice of disabled peoples to be included.

For further information regarding what the Highest Needs Change Programme is, please refer to the Ministry website at this link.

  
Pou Wha - Te Tikanga Ture/ Policy/ Systems 

Hayley Read, Julie Hepburn, Cherie Taylor-Patel

Stand Downs and Suspensions – We are aware that the MOE documentation [the Good Practice Guidelines] continues to reference the Education Act 1989 in their letter templates on stand downs and suspensions, embedded in the document.  

On the website the MOE writes that the following statement needs to be included in any formal letter to parents re a stand down or suspension:

Please note:  The Education and Training Act 2020 has replaced the Education Act 1989.  Any references to the Education Act 1989 in the Stand-downs, Suspensions, Exclusions and Expulsions (SEEE) Guidelines should be replaced with the relevant sections in the new Education and Training Act 2020. In Part 1, this includes replacing the sections of the Act in Appendix 1: The Education Act 1989 and Appendix 2: Education (Stand-down, Suspension, Exclusion and Expulsion) Rules 1999.
In Part 2, this includes replacing the sections of the Act in the letters in the Appendix in the Good Practice Guidelines. 

The Pou Wha team has written to the MOE requesting that the online Guidelines booklet be updated as soon as possible.  In the meantime, here is the link to the updated model letters

Civil Defence - Auckland Civil Defence (CD) recently shared insights with our executive regarding lessons learned from recent floods. Rohan Jadurum and Bridget Vercoe emphasised the critical role school principals assume - providing reassurance and confidence to the community - during such events.  They advised using the region's designated 0800 number, reaching out to the local Ministry of Education office for information and support, reporting information via CD email, and staying updated through the local CD facebook pages.  This year, schools served as CD headquarters when CD facilities were compromised. CD expresses their gratitude to those participating schools. CD has offered to work with NZPF to provide a disaster preparedness framework for schools and encourage school leaders to build connections within their community networks, to prepare for future events.

Tūwhitia te hopo, mairangitia te angitū. “Feel the fear and do it anyway.”

This whakatauki emphasizes the reality that when we are struggling, it can feel daunting or uneasy to acknowledge our need for assistance, let alone extend a helping hand to others. We must prioritize our mental well-being alongside our physical health. Even if it feels intimidating or uncomfortable, we must confront that fear and reach out for support or lend a hand regardless.