The Principals (Aotearoa | New Zealand)

This is the fifth and final episode in a special five-part Leading Curriculum podcast series, sitting alongside a range of curriculum leadership resources available on Tāhūrangi. This series features principals across a range of contexts talking about how they are making curriculum implementation work in their setting.

For more resources, visit Curriculum Leadership PLD resources for English Medium.

In this episode, we explore how schools track and analyse the impact of curriculum implementation and change. We discuss how leaders are creating clarity around learning intentions and success criteria, and how formative assessment (notice, recognise, and respond), keeps assessment embedded in everyday teaching, and how professional growth cycles, inquiry, and observation are used to evaluate the quality and consistency of teaching. Our guests share how they strategically use tools, processes, data, and information to measure the impact of change and improvement for both learning and teaching.

Hosted by Lisa Morresey, Leadership Consultant at Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga.

Our guests are:

Denise Horley, Principal of Sandspit Road School | Te Kura o Rangiaawhea

Abby Honey, Deputy Principal Curriculum at Northern Health School

Curriculum Leadership podcast series 

Podcast 4: Leading coherent programmes and strengthening consistent practice – secondary contexts 

This is the fourth episode in a special five-part Curriculum Leadership podcast series, sitting alongside a range of curriculum leadership resources available on Tāhūrangi. This series features principals across a range of contexts talking about how they are making curriculum implementation work in their setting. 

For more resources, visit Curriculum Leadership PLD resources for English Medium. 

In this episode, we explore how secondary leaders and their staff collectively shape teaching programmes to meet the needs of their students. We discuss how two schools are making sense of curriculum sequences and high-impact teaching approaches, how they are building coherent pathways – including academic, vocational and trades – and how they are strengthening consistent, high-quality teaching practice across their kura. Our guests share what has worked in their own schools and offer practical insights for secondary leaders navigating curriculum change. 

A note on kāhui ako - Many schools are collaborating effectively in professional learning communities. Some have chosen to continue to use the name “kāhui ako” to describe this, as you will hear in this podcast. 

Hosted by Lisa Morresey, Leadership Consultant at Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga. 

Our guests are: 

Mikaere October, Tumuaki of Trident High School, Whakatane 

Dr Miranda Makin, Principal of Rototuna Senior High School, Hamilton

Curriculum Leadership podcast series

Podcast 3: Leading and shaping your teaching programmes in primary, intermediate and rural schools

This is the third episode in a special five-part Curriculum Leadership podcast series, sitting alongside a range of curriculum leadership resources available on Tāhūrangi. This series features principals across a range of contexts talking about how they are making curriculum implementation work in their setting.

For more resources, visit Curriculum Leadership PLD resources for English Medium.

In this episode, we explore how primary and intermediate leaders are shaping teaching programs and building coherent year-by-year pathways, particularly in multi-level settings. We discuss how tumuaki are pacing curriculum implementation with their teams, making sense of the year-by-year sequence in English and mathematics, and strengthening consistent, high-quality teaching practice across their schools. Our guests share practical approaches that are working in their own kura and offer advice for school leaders navigating these challenges.

Hosted by Lisa Morresey, Leadership Consultant at Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga.

Our guests are:

Jane Corcoran, Tumuaki of Brunswick School, Whanganui, and Vice President of the New Zealand Rural and Area Schools Leadership Association (RASLA)

Darryl Gibbs, Principal of Cambridge Middle School | Te Kura Takawaenga o Kemureti, and President of the New Zealand Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools (NZAIMS)

Curriculum Podcast series

Podcast 2: Building trust as you lead curriculum implementation

This is the second episode in a special five-part Leading Curriculum podcast series, sitting alongside a range of curriculum leadership resources available on Tāhūrangi. This series features principals across a range of contexts talking about how they are making curriculum implementation work in their setting.

For more resources, visit Curriculum Leadership PLD resources for English Medium.

In this episode, we explore how leaders build trust, support people through change, and use simple, effective tools alongside their middle leaders to implement curriculum well. We discuss how to create a culture where adults and students feel safe to learn and grow together, how to navigate tension when views on teaching and learning differ, and the practical tools and routines that keep implementation clear, doable, and well-supported. Our guests share deliberate and strategic acts of leadership from their own kura and offer practical advice for principals at any stage of the journey.

Hosted by Lisa Morresey, Leadership Consultant at Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga.

Our guests are:

Suzanne Billington, Principal of Tauriko School, Tauranga

Cameron Mitchell, Principal of Tauranga Intermediate School

Curriculum Leadership podcast series 

Podcast 1: Why Te Mātaiaho is important - what’s the opportunity? 

 

This is the first episode in a special five-part Curriculum Leadership podcast series, sitting alongside a range of curriculum leadership resources available on Tāhūrangi. This series features principals across a range of contexts talking about how they are making curriculum implementation work in their setting. 

 

For more resources, visit Curriculum Leadership PLD resources for English Medium. 

 

In this episode, we explore what Te Mātaiaho, the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum, means for school leaders navigating curriculum change. We discuss how tumuaki can lead implementation with clarity and purpose, how to support teachers in understanding the intent behind the refresh, and the key actions for school leaders signalled in the curriculum. Our guests share what has worked in their own kura and offer practical advice for principals at any stage of the journey. 

 

Hosted by Lisa Morresey, Leadership Consultant at Evaluation Associates | Te Huinga Kākākura Mātauranga. 

 

Our guests are:  

Bryan Rehutai, Tumuaki of Te Uru Karaka Newton Central School 

Vaughan Couillault, Principal of Papatoetoe High School, currently seconded to the Ministry of Education as Programme Lead – Qualification | Engagement.