The Principals (Aotearoa | New Zealand)

In this episode, Mārama discusses the challenges and opportunities of tumuaki Māori leading a school in an English-medium system.   Mārama’s guests are: Robin Fabish, former tumuaki and current Leadership Advisor for the Ministry of Education Tom Paekau, tumuaki of Te Kura o Tūtarawānanga Merivale School in Tauranga Moana.   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara...

In this episode, Mārama Stewart discusses leading a school within te ao Māori through the lens of our guests’ own journeys through the education system in Aotearoa.  Mārama’s guests are: ● Robin Fabish, former tumuaki and current Leadership Advisor for the Ministry of Education ● Tom Paekau, tumuaki of Te Kura o Tūtarawānanga Merivale School in Tauranga Moana.  This podcast was produced for the Mi...

Kia hakatōmuri te haere whakamua: ‘I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past’ In this episode, Mārama continues the kōrero with her aunty, Ani Mohi (or Mrs Mohi to many), about her experiences as kaiako Māori, tumuaki Māori, and the beginnings of kura kaupapa Māori and kura ā iwi. This episode is a personal tribute to those who walked before us, and a reminder that our stories...

Kia hakatōmuri te haere whakamua: ‘I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past’ In this episode of The Principals Podcast, Mārama Stewart, tumuaki and former Leadership Advisor, sits down with someone incredibly special to her — her aunty, Ani Mohi (or Mrs Mohi to many), a proud Māori principal whose story continues to shape and inspire Mārama’s own journey. This kōrero spans ge...

In this episode, we’re continuing to talk about school budgets, and      we’re covering financial reporting and audits as well. Just a reminder that your school finance advisors are there to help – lean on them if you have questions about school finances.   My guests are: Hannah Levy, Ministry of Education finance advisor – Otago/Southland Mārama Stewart, former tumuaki and Ministry of Education l...

Today we're going to talk about school budgets, what's included in them, what's not, and what you'll need to do to prepare them.   My guests are: Hannah Levy, Ministry of Education finance advisor – Otago/Southland Mārama Stewart, former tumuaki and Ministry of Education leadership advisor Adrian Edwards, Ministry of Education finance advisor.   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Educat...

There are a number of things that can trip new principals up when it comes to school funding, and this episode covers some of them. Remember you’re not expected to know everything right away – contact your Ministry of Education finance advisor if you have questions or concerns.   My guests are: Hannah Levy, Ministry of Education finance advisor – Otago/Southland Martyn Wetherall, principal of Lain...

State and state-integrated school funding is made up of various components that have different eligibility rules and funding structures. Staffing for your school is based on your roll, but there are also additional allowances and staffing that you are eligible for. Being aware of what’s available to your kura is crucial for accessing the funding and staffing you are entitled to, and for making the...

Today we’re talking about state school property projects. All schools have to plan for maintenance and upgrades, as well as planning for new capital projects – like new or improved buildings. But who leads which projects, how are they planned for and funded, and what’s it like to be involved in or to lead a property project?   My guests are: De Thomson, Ministry of Education Infrastructure manager...

Today we’re talking about state school property maintenance. School boards, which include the tumuaki, are responsible for overseeing the maintenance of their kura. Good maintenance keeps schools safe, and prevents small problems from escalating into big ones needing expensive repair.   My guests are: De Thomson, Ministry of Education Infrastructure manager Otago/Southland Nick Read, tumuaki of Ha...

As tumuaki, and as part of the board, you have a key role in managing school property, but no one expects you to be the expert. As principal, you’ll need to build and maintain strong working relationships with your Ministry of Education property adviser, consultants and project managers, so you’ll know where to go for help and recognise when you need it. Today, we’ll give you an introduction to pr...

The new process for ERO reviews means tumuaki work more closely with their ERO evaluation partner over the three-year cycle. In this episode, we talk about getting the most out of that relationship, and the process when ERO finds something that’s not going so well in a school.   My guests are: Shane Morrow, Manager Review and Improvement Services, ERO Sharee Hemingway, Director Ākonga Māori, ERO S...

The Education Review Office (ERO) is the government’s external education evaluation agency, and normally reviews schools over a three year cycle. As tumuaki, you’ll be involved in preparing for a review. Today we’re going to talk about what to expect during an ERO review.   My guests are: Shane Morrow, Manager Review and Improvement Services, ERO Sharee Hemingway, Director Ākonga Māori, ERO Stephe...

Change is inevitable in a school, and managing change can be challenging. Changes you make may be a choice, where you identify improvements that can be made; or there may be changes to legislation, curriculum, or teaching methods that you need to implement in your school. Principals need to learn how to lead and manage change effectively.   My guests are: Iain Taylor, principal of Manurewa Interme...

All ākonga deserve the opportunity to flourish and succeed in their education, and making sure your students have this opportunity is your most important priority as principal. This means providing them with any learning support they need to reach their potential. But how easy is it to find the support your students need, and what can you do if you can’t access it? That’s what we’re going to talk...

All tumuaki want the ākonga in their schools to do well, but we know there are persistent disparities in achievement. In this episode, we speak with three tumuaki who have taken action to make a difference for tamariki and rangatahi previously at risk of underachievement. At the heart of their stories is the expectation that every student can achieve, even if some kids need more help than others t...

Today we’re continuing to talk to three Māori leaders who worked hard to turn around learning outcomes for Māori ākonga in their English-medium kura. We’re talking about what drives and motivates these rangatira, and where they turn for support when they need it, including Te Akatea Maōri Principals Association.   My guests are: Tom Paekau, principal of Merivale School in Tauranga Bruce Jepsen, ma...

New Zealand's education system has under-served Māori learners for a long time. As a result, the 97% of Māori learners in English-medium settings collectively experience worse education outcomes than other learners and are less engaged in the education system.  Today we’re going to talk to three principals who have worked to turn around learning and achievement for Māori ākonga in their English-me...

The principal role can be both demanding and complex. It requires a lot of managerial and administrative tasks, you're the professional leader of the school and you have responsibility for and oversight of others, and your workload may feel overwhelming at first. It's absolutely essential that you take time to look after yourself. If this episode raises concerns for your own health, please talk to...

The mental health needs of tamariki and rangatahi have undoubtedly increased post-COVID, and schools are often the places where these issues emerge because of the relationships between teachers, young people and their whānau. Getting mental health support for students can be difficult, which can make looking after the wellbeing of students difficult. But there are things schools can do, and others...

In this episode, we continue talking about crisis management, including extreme weather events and events that can’t be foreseen, like the Christchurch mosque attack.   My guests are: Rowan Milburn, principal at Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College Nori Parata, tumuaki at Tolaga Bay Area School and Kahukuranui Kevin Bush, regional leadership advisor, Ministry of Education   This podcast was prod...

All sorts of emergencies, traumatic incidents, evacuations and lockdowns may impact on your kura, and as tumuaki you will lead the response.   In this episode, we’ll talk about planning for incidents where you can, and where you can get help with your response to them.   My guests are: Rowan Milburn, principal at Te Puna Wai o Waipapa - Hagley College Nori Parata, tumuaki at Tolaga Bay Area School...

As the leader of a kura, you'll most often be the one who receives and has to deal with complaints. You may also have to handle employment issues from time to time, maybe even your own. In this episode, we talk about how to handle them.   My guests are: Patrick Ikiua, Director of Professional Practice for Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa (New Zealand School Boards Association) Marama Ste...

As a tumuaki you'll be leading both teachers and support staff, and making sure they're treated fairly, feel supported, know about their entitlements and have opportunities to learn and grow, can help create a great work environment. In this episode, we talk about how you can support your staff and your obligations to them.   My guests are: Patrick Ikiua, Director of Professional Practice for Te W...

A crucial part of being a tumuaki is recruiting teachers and support staff and setting them up for their role in your school, and that's what we're talking about today. In this episode, we cover the recruitment process, your options for recruitment during a teacher shortage, incentive schemes, and helping them settle in.   My guests are: Maynard Scott, National Employment Relations Advisor Te Whak...