The Principals (Aotearoa | New Zealand)

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)

Leading 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.

In this episode, we discuss some of the key challenges and opportunities facing intermediate school leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand. We talk about managing social media and its impact on young people and their whānau, and how to keep the unique character of intermediate schooling alive amid curriculum change, and how schools can keep whānau engaged when tamariki are starting to find their independence.

Hosted by Eleisha McNeill.

Our guests are:

Jonathan Hughes, tumuaki at Glen Eden Intermediate School in Auckland and AIMS Executive Member

Jo Smith, former tumuaki at Tamatea Intermediate School in Napier and leadership advisor at the Ministry of Education

Hamish Ruawai, tumuaki at Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School and leadership advisor seconded to the Ministry of Education.

Over the next two episodes, we discuss the unique and often underappreciated world of intermediate schooling in Aotearoa New Zealand. We talk about what draws leaders to this level, how intermediate schools support young people through one of the most significant developmental periods of their lives, and what it takes to build a strong school culture when half your roll changes every year.

Hosted by Eleisha McNeill.

Our guests are:

Jonathan, tumuaki at Glen Eden Intermediate School in Auckland and former principal of Pasadena Intermediate School

Jo Smith, former tumuaki at Tamatea Intermediate School in Napier and now leadership advisor at the Ministry of Education

Hamish Ruawai, tumuaki at Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School and leadership advisor seconded to the Ministry of Education