The Principals (Aotearoa | New Zealand)

In this episode, we explore what it means to lead a Catholic integrated school in Aotearoa New Zealand. We discuss how the Integration Act shapes day-to-day leadership and decision-making, how principals balance their school's special character with New Zealand curriculum requirements, and how the relationship between the principal, the Board of Trustees, and the Catholic proprietor works in practice. We also look at the unique funding and property challenges of the dual funding model, what it means to find and retain tagged staff in a competitive market, and what our guests enjoy about leading a Catholic integrated school.

Hosted by Eleisha McNeill.

Our guests are:

Kay Tester, tumuaki of Te Kura o Hato Petera e Paora (Saints Peter and Paul School) in Lower Hutt

Kate Nicholson, principal of Trinity Catholic College in Ōtepoti Dunedin

Daniel Pepper, principal of St Dominic's Catholic Primary School in Auckland

Additional information

The New Zealand Catholic Education Office (NZCEO) https://www.nzceo.org.nz

In this episode, we continue our conversation with three experienced area school leaders, focusing on the practicalities of running a kura that spans the full schooling spectrum. We discuss how to approach curriculum planning and delivery across a huge age range, the pastoral care challenges unique to area schools — particularly in rural and isolated communities — and the resource and funding pressures that come with the territory. We also hear some inspiring examples of innovative programmes that make the most of the multi-level nature of area schools, and our guests share their advice for tumuaki who are considering stepping into an area school leadership role for the first time.

Hosted by Eleisha McNeill.

Our guests are:

Nori Parata, tumuaki of Tolaga Bay Area School and Kahukuranui

Karyn Gray, principal of Raphael House Rudolf Steiner School in Lower Hutt, Wellington

Stephen Beck, tumuaki of Hurunui College in Hawarden, North Canterbury, currently on secondment to the Ministry of Education as a South Island area school leadership advisor

In this episode, we explore what makes leading an area or composite school uniquely challenging and deeply rewarding. We talk with three experienced area school leaders about managing the breadth of student ages from early childhood through to Year 13, how to approach staffing across primary and secondary settings, and what it takes to build a truly cohesive school culture across a kura that spans age two to 18. We also discuss the particular demands of leading in rural and isolated communities, where the principal's role extends well beyond the school gate.

Hosted by Eleisha McNeill.

Our guests are:

Nori Parata, tumuaki of Tolaga Bay Area School and Kahukuranui

Karyn Gray, principal of Raphael House Rudolf Steiner School in Lower Hutt, Wellington

Stephen Beck, tumuaki of Hurunui College in Hawarden, North Canterbury, currently on secondment to the Ministry of Education as a South Island area school leadership advisor.

In this episode, we speak with schooling improvement consultant Linda Bendikson, author of 'It's Not Rocket Science - A guide to the School Improvement Cycle'. Linda shares her journey from rural teaching to leading educational research at the University of Auckland. We explore the distinction between direct and indirect instructional leadership, why good management is the bedrock of effective schools, and how her four-step improvement cycle helps schools stay focused on solving problems systematically.

In this episode, we explore the distinction between culturally responsive and culturally sustaining leadership in schools. Our guests discuss what it means to honour diversity within kura and how to move beyond surface-level cultural celebrations to embed practices that truly sustain students' cultural identities.

 

Hosted by Eleisha McNeill.

 

Our guests are:

Sose Annandale, acting principal at Rewarewa School

Mere Berryman, professor at the University of Waikato

Richard Crawford, tumuaki of Fairfield College in Hamilton

 

Additional information

Tapasā: Cultural Competencies Framework for Teachers of Pacific Learners

Rongohia te Hau - student and whānau voice tool