Educational leaders in 21st century Aotearoa New Zealand need a vast range of skills and dispositions. Most importantly however, I believe, a leader must have :-
I see the Aspiring Principals Programme as a valuable, in fact crucial, part of my learning journey, allowing me the valuable opportunity to inquire, think critically, reflect, collaborate and network ... to develop the skills of a successful leader. A leader is an ongoing learner.
- A passion to help all young people develop their own toolbox of skills and dispositions to excel.
- An understanding of our responsibility to the Treaty of Waitangi and a passion to ensure all young people see themselves as valued citizens of Aotearoa and successful world contributors.
- A commitment to future focussed learning which empowers students to be digitally literate, resilient, critical thinkers, adaptive to change and able to thrive in their future …the fast developing world of unknowns.
I see the Aspiring Principals Programme as a valuable, in fact crucial, part of my learning journey, allowing me the valuable opportunity to inquire, think critically, reflect, collaborate and network ... to develop the skills of a successful leader. A leader is an ongoing learner.
What is effective leadership? ...
Leadership skills and dispositions
Leadership is relationship driven. An effective leader communicates, collaborates and engages in reflective dialogue. Leaders establish a collective learning focus and make connections on a number of levels. This enables improved learning for all students, our taonga, of New Zealand.
But leadership, just as importantly, is fostering the skills, dispositions and growth of others, distributing leadership and empowering those around you to lead with you.
Leaders understand the importance of assessment for learning (both formative and summative, formal and informal). Assessment for learning informs planning, practices and as a result ensures that learning and achievement for all students is at its optimum.
A successful leader appreciates the bicultural nature of Aotearoa New Zealand and understands the importance of culture, identity and language in ensuring equitable outcomes for Māori.
Assessment ensures a sound informed platform from which to encourage innovative practice; practice that inspires students and personalises learning, practice that weaves in motivating authentic learning opportunities and results in strong outcomes. Please view our Apiti School e-portfolios in our recently updated school website as an example of this. There is a link in my website.
Leadership and the Treaty of Waitangi:
As a leader in our schools of Aotearoa we must celebrate our uniqueness, celebrate our dual cultural heritage and strive to understand the increasing diversity within our schools.
As leaders we have a responsibility to develop our school as a learning community with culturally responsive pedagogies that ensure all students achieve success and in particular Māori achieve success as Māori.
Leadership for Future-focused Schools:
We are preparing students for an exciting future but also a future that is uncertain.
Leaders empower all individuals with the skills of today and the belief that they can access all they will need for the skills of tomorrow and their future beyond… with the tools they will need to be empowered 21st century learners and world contributors.
We (school leaders, teachers, students and whanau) are 21st century learners together. 21st century learners who need to adapt competently and quickly to change, who need to be able to confidently access the information and the tools we require … 21st century learners who must have the resilience to take risks, skills to collaborate and be creative … 21st century learners with the confidence to thrive. The words of the Apiti school song, written collaboratively by our students last year, explains this well. Just click on the School song link on my webpage to listen to it.
Leaders have a responsibility to ensure we develop and nurture a climate and culture where students and educators are confident, passionate, actively involved and empowered learners; where students can exceed their potential; where, as the Apiti School logo says, We are ‘learners for life and lifelong learners’.
'If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.' - John Quincy Adams
My inquiry into NAPP is based on the recommendation of a number of people independently throughout 2014. These include Diane Leggett (Director of the Centre for Educational Development), Nadia Ballentine (MOE) and Mary Cuming (School Principal).
I would like to thank them for their opening my eyes to the opportunity and encouraging me to apply.
Leadership skills and dispositions
Leadership is relationship driven. An effective leader communicates, collaborates and engages in reflective dialogue. Leaders establish a collective learning focus and make connections on a number of levels. This enables improved learning for all students, our taonga, of New Zealand.
But leadership, just as importantly, is fostering the skills, dispositions and growth of others, distributing leadership and empowering those around you to lead with you.
Leaders understand the importance of assessment for learning (both formative and summative, formal and informal). Assessment for learning informs planning, practices and as a result ensures that learning and achievement for all students is at its optimum.
A successful leader appreciates the bicultural nature of Aotearoa New Zealand and understands the importance of culture, identity and language in ensuring equitable outcomes for Māori.
Assessment ensures a sound informed platform from which to encourage innovative practice; practice that inspires students and personalises learning, practice that weaves in motivating authentic learning opportunities and results in strong outcomes. Please view our Apiti School e-portfolios in our recently updated school website as an example of this. There is a link in my website.
Leadership and the Treaty of Waitangi:
As a leader in our schools of Aotearoa we must celebrate our uniqueness, celebrate our dual cultural heritage and strive to understand the increasing diversity within our schools.
As leaders we have a responsibility to develop our school as a learning community with culturally responsive pedagogies that ensure all students achieve success and in particular Māori achieve success as Māori.
Leadership for Future-focused Schools:
We are preparing students for an exciting future but also a future that is uncertain.
Leaders empower all individuals with the skills of today and the belief that they can access all they will need for the skills of tomorrow and their future beyond… with the tools they will need to be empowered 21st century learners and world contributors.
We (school leaders, teachers, students and whanau) are 21st century learners together. 21st century learners who need to adapt competently and quickly to change, who need to be able to confidently access the information and the tools we require … 21st century learners who must have the resilience to take risks, skills to collaborate and be creative … 21st century learners with the confidence to thrive. The words of the Apiti school song, written collaboratively by our students last year, explains this well. Just click on the School song link on my webpage to listen to it.
Leaders have a responsibility to ensure we develop and nurture a climate and culture where students and educators are confident, passionate, actively involved and empowered learners; where students can exceed their potential; where, as the Apiti School logo says, We are ‘learners for life and lifelong learners’.
'If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.' - John Quincy Adams
My inquiry into NAPP is based on the recommendation of a number of people independently throughout 2014. These include Diane Leggett (Director of the Centre for Educational Development), Nadia Ballentine (MOE) and Mary Cuming (School Principal).
I would like to thank them for their opening my eyes to the opportunity and encouraging me to apply.