The Principals (Aotearoa | New Zealand)

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The Principals (Aotearoa | New Zealand)

Experienced school leaders and officials share stories and offer tips about leading schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. This series sits alongside the online learning programme: Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki | The Beginning Pathway for Principals, which can be accessed on the Education LMS https://training.education.govt.nz.

  1. 12/17/2024

    Episode 17: Dealing with complaints and employment issues

    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 Stewart, Leadership Advisor, Māori - Ministry of Education Louise Green, Principal Support Officer, NZEI Te Riu Roa   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more about this topic by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: Complaints policies Concern vs complaint Importance of following up complaints Common complaints Handling complaints against tumuaki Personal grievances Dealing with complaints against teachers, including misconduct Employment relationship issues happen – don’t panic.   Additional information Managing complaints https://www.education.govt.nz/school/managing-and-supporting-students/student-behaviour-help-and-guidance/stand-downs-suspensions-exclusions-and-expulsions-guidelines-part-2/section-3-actions-of-last-resort/managing-complaints/ Dealing with complaints https://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Managing-your-school/Guides-for-managing-your-school/Dealing-with-complaints Concerns and complaints (NZSBA) https://www.nzstaresourcecentre.org.nz/?aId=ka0GB000000pcNOYAY NZEI https://www.nzeiteriuroa.org.nz SPANZ https://www.spanz.school.nz NZSBA https://www.tewhakaroputanga.org.nz/   Questions   00:45 [Patrick] Why is it important for schools to have a good complaints policy?    2:23 [Mārama, Louise] Where is the line between someone raising a concern and that becoming a complaint?    4:41 [All] What kinds of complaints are most common in your experience?   8:57 [Patrick, Louise] If a complaint is received against a tumuaki, where do they go for help?   11:35 [All] What is the process if a staff member makes a complaint or lodges a personal grievance?   14:20 [All] And if someone makes a complaint about a teacher, what should a tumuaki do?   15:35 [All] And what should a tumuaki do if they're dealing with an allegation of misconduct?    18:31 [Louise] At which point would a school employee approach NZEI or another union for help?   19:48 [Mārama] What kinds of things, if anything, can a principal do to avoid employment relationship issues?    21:18 [All] What are your best tips for handling complaints and employment issues?

    23 min

  2. 12/10/2024

    Episode 16: Looking after kaiako and kaimahi

    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 Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa (New Zealand School Boards Association). Marama Stewart, Leadership Advisor, Māori - Ministry of Education Louise Green, Principal Support Officer, NZEI Te Riu Roa   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more about this topic by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: Things that impact on the wellbeing of kaiako Importance of tumuaki focusing on what they can influence and control for staff as their leader and manager when it comes to staff well-being Ways to help kaiako feel more comfortable when you start as new tumuaki How new tumuaki can help make sure middle and senior leaders feel valued and confident in their roles Change management Leadership vs management Employment laws and being a good employer Employment agreements and what they mean How new tumuaki can find the agreements staff are employed under, and the entitlements, allowances etc that apply to them Professional learning and development (PLD) What NZEI can help with   Additional information Understanding school employment https://www.educationalleaders.govt.nz/Managing-your-school/Guides-for-managing-your-school/Understanding-school-employment NZEI https://www.nzeiteriuroa.org.nz SPANZ https://www.spanz.school.nz NZSBA https://www.tewhakaroputanga.org.nz/ SUE reports https://www.edpay.govt.nz/site/reports/sue-report.aspx Resourcing: Operational funding and staffing entitlements https://www.education.govt.nz/school/funding-and-financials/resourcing/ Teaching Council https://teachingcouncil.nz   Questions   1:31 [Louise] What kinds of issues do you hear about from your kaiako members around their well-being?   2:17 [Mārama] When you were a teacher, what kinds of things did you notice impacted on your wellbeing?   3:07 [Mārama] What can tumuaki do to look after the well-being of their kaiako?   4:34 [Mārama] As a new tumuaki coming in to a school, how can you put kaiako at ease to help them feel less anxious about someone new starting?   6:06 [Mārama] How can a tumuaki make sure your leadership team functions well and that they feel valued and confident in their roles?   8:09 [Mārama] What would your advice be for new principals around introducing the idea of change and then making it happen?   11:42 [Patrick] Under which laws does a school board, and the tumuaki is part of that, have responsibilities to their staff?   12:39 [Patrick] What does it mean to be a good employer?   14:04 [Patrick and Louise] What kinds of employment agreements can apply to kaiako and kaimahi?   17:14 [Mārama] How can a new tumuaki going in find out which agreements are covering the staff in their school?   19:47 [Mārama and Louise] What are the requirements and responsibilities around PLD for the staff in your schools?   21:25 [Louise] What can NZEI help new principals with?   23:14 [All] What’s your advice for looking after kaiako and kaimahi in your school?

    24 min

  3. 12/03/2024

    Episode 15: Recruiting and retaining kaiako and kaimahi

    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 Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa - NZSBA Kate Gainsford, tumuaki of Aotea College in Wellington and Chair of Secondary Principals’ Council Merlin Callister, Workforce Supply & Leadership, MOE   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more about this topic by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: Who has the power to appoint staff in a school Steps in the recruitment process What you are and aren’t allowed to do in the recruitment process Different kinds of employment agreements The global teacher shortage and what it can mean for a school Recruiting from overseas Incentive programmes for teachers Helping new staff settle in Advice for recruiting and retaining staff.   Additional information Workforce Initiative Searcher for Principals https://workforce.education.govt.nz/principals-and-schools/initiatives-schools-and-kura/workforce-initiative-searcher-principals   Questions 1:08 [ Maynard] Can you tell me who in a school is responsible for the recruitment of teachers and support staff?  2:34 [Maynard] What are the steps in the recruitment process? 3:33 [Maynard] What are and aren't you allowed to do in that recruitment process?  5:30 [Maynard] Once you've made the offer and the role has been accepted, tell me about the kinds of agreements or contracts that kaiako and kaimahi might be employed under. 6:59 [Kate] There's been a chronic shortage of teachers in recent years in New Zealand. What do you think has contributed to this situation? 7:54 [Kate] What's your experience of this in your own school? Have you had issues with recruitment yourself? 9:58 [Kate] Do you have similar challenges with recruiting support staff? 10:36 [Kate] Do you often look overseas for teachers, or what other options do you look at if you can't find people within New Zealand? 12:06 [Kate and Merlin] How can a new tumuaki find out about recruiting from overseas? 13:55 [Merlin] What different incentive programmes does the Ministry run for teachers? 16:41 [All] There was talk a while back about using LATS - people with limited authority to teach. Can you tell me a bit about what they are? 18:06 [All] What advice would you give new tumuaki about recruiting kaiako and kaimahi? 26:18 [Kate] When a new teacher does start your school, what kinds of things do you do to induct them into the school and teach them the way things work? 27:36 [All] What can tumuaki do to retain kaiako and kaimahi?

    32 min

  4. 11/26/2024

    Episode 14: Behaviour management

    In this episode we discuss the importance of consistency of approach when managing behaviour. We also cover behaviour management frameworks, and what you should and shouldn't do when dealing with serious incidents.   My guests are: Vaughan Couillault, President NZ Secondary Principals Assn, Papatoetoe High School Leanne Otene, President New Zealand Principals Federation, Manaia View School Gretchen Stone, education lawyer   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more about this topic by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: Building a culture in your school that promotes good behaviour, including knowing the tamariki in your kura, and getting out in front of things before they happen. Behaviour management plans and their importance. Importance of consistency of approach but not consistency of consequence. Making sure the act of applying a consequence for behaviour is done with the whānau and the child, not done to them. Dealing with a serious incident – during and after. Processes for statutory options like suspensions, stand downs and exclusions. Kiwi suspensions – where they came from, why you can’t use them. What can happen if a tumuaki doesn’t follow the correct process. Behaviour management frameworks. More substantial behaviour management supports that can be accessed through Ministry of Education.   Additional information PB4L https://pb4l.tki.org.nz Huakina Mai https://pb4l.tki.org.nz/Kaupapa-Maori-Huakina-Mai Behaviour support (Ministry of Education) https://www.education.govt.nz/school/student-support/special-education/behaviour-services-to-help-schools-and-students/behaviour-services-and-support/behaviour-support-information-for-teachers-and-schools/   Questions 00:54 [Leanne and Vaughan] When you first start hearing concerns about a student's behaviour, what do you do as tumuaki? 3:28 [Leanne and Vaughan] Most schools have a plan around behaviour management, is that one of the key things for a new tumuaki to get their head around? 7:01 [Leanne and Vaughan] What process should a tumuaki follow after a serious incident? 10:31 [Gretchen] The aim is to keep everyone in school as much as possible, but sometimes that becomes quite difficult. What’s the process for using stand downs, suspensions, exclusions and expulsions? 12:52 [Gretchen] In the legislation episode you mentioned the ‘Kiwi suspension’. Can you just remind us what that is and why you shouldn't do it? 14:33 [Gretchen] What could happen if a tumuaki doesn't follow proper process? 15:46 [Leanne and Vaughan] Tell me about available behaviour management programmes/frameworks.  19:24 [All] Where can tumuaki go for guidance if they do have to do stand downs, suspensions, exclusions or expulsions? 23:58 [All] Anything else you want to add that we haven’t covered?

    26 min

  5. 11/19/2024

    Episode 13: Managing difficult students and difficult parents

    A 2024 ERO report put the spotlight on rising levels of violence and disruption in schools. It’s a trend being seen around the world, and it’s become worse in New Zealand in the last couple of years. Most people stepping into the tumuaki role will have seen poor behaviour in their own classrooms, but what powers do tumuaki have that teachers don’t, and what can tumuaki do to try to mitigate bad behaviour in their schools?   My guests this week are: Vaughan Couillault, President NZ Secondary Principals Assn, Papatoetoe High School Leanne Otene, President New Zealand Principals Federation, Manaia View School Gretchen Stone, education lawyer   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more about this topic by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: Increasing acuteness of behaviour, especially in very young children; increasing levels of defiance in older children that is reflected in some parents. Building a good relationship with parents as a preventative measure to deal with possible future issues. Gretchen has traditionally run sessions on things like managing difficult students and difficult teachers, and has now added sessions on dealing with difficult parents because this has become an issue for principals. The impact of covid lockdowns on student behaviour. What tumuaki can do when it comes to managing student behaviour. Stand-down and suspension guidelines. Difficult parents vs very difficult parents, and the different ways you can deal with them.   Additional information New Zealand Principals Federation https://nzpf.ac.nz Secondary Principals Association of New Zealand https://www.spanz.school.nz ERO report – Time to Focus: Behaviour in our Classrooms https://evidence.ero.govt.nz/documents/time-to-focus-behaviour-in-our-classrooms-summary Stand-downs, suspensions, exclusions and expulsions guidelines https://www.education.govt.nz/school/managing-and-supporting-students/student-behaviour-help-and-guidance/stand-downs-suspensions-exclusions-and-expulsions-guidelines/   Questions Eleisha 1:42 [Vaughan and Leanne] Were either of you surprised by the findings of that report earlier this year around behaviour in schools? Eleisha 4:33 [Vaughan and Leanne] What kinds of behaviour have you each seen in your kura that has surprised you in the last few years?  Eleisha 7:35 [All] Do you think parent disengagement is contributing to that behaviour, or do you think there are other reasons why it's become increasingly bad over the last few years? Eleisha 9:43 [Vaughan and Leanne] Do you think Covid has contributed to it in a big way? Or do you think that it's been snowballing over the last few years? Eleisha 12:00 [Gretchen] People stepping into the tumuaki role have been teachers themselves so they will have seen poor behaviour in their own classrooms. But what powers do tumuaki have that teachers don't? Eleisha 13:06 [All] What’s the best way for new tumuaki to get their heads around rules around stand down, suspension, exclusion and expulsion rules and regulations? Eleisha 17:32 [Gretchen] What advice do you give in your sessions for new tumuaki about dealing with parents?

    21 min

  6. 11/12/2024

    Episode 12: EOTC lessons learned

    Today we’re continuing to talk about the health and safety responsibilities of tumuaki for people at your school. Today we're focusing on education outside the classroom – EOTC – more about the planning that's required, the risks, and what can happen when things go wrong. We’ll hear from Murray Burton, principal of Elim Christian College at the time of the 2008 Mangatepopo canyoning tragedy, in which six students and a teacher lost their lives on a school trip.   My guests this week are: Patrick Walsh, qualified lawyer and tumuaki of Sacred Heart College in Auckland Fiona McDonald, Chief Executive of Education Outdoors New Zealand Murray Burton, principal of Elim Christian College in Auckland.   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more about this topic by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: The three tiers of EOTC planning – all about the EOTC guidelines, EOTC safety management plans, and the toolkit of EOTC forms which support the approval process (links below) Risk mitigation – what to think about before any outing The Mangatepopo canyoning tragedy, in which six students and a teacher lost their lives on a school trip, and what happened in the aftermath for tumuaki Murray Burton Handling the media after a tragedy Inherent risk in any school trips, and the importance of communicating risk – and the mitigations you’re putting in place - to parents Lessons learned.   Additional information EOTC guidelines https://eotc.tki.org.nz/EOTC-home/EOTC-Guidelines EOTC safety management plan template and toolkit form templates https://eonz.org.nz/eotc-management/eotc-smp-template-and-tool-kit-forms/   Questions 1:00 [to Fiona] In the last episode, you talked about the checklists for schools when they're planning trips outside the classroom, and you mentioned the EOTC guidelines and what they cover. Can you tell me a little bit more about what they cover and how they apply in practical terms when schools are taking students offsite?  2:41 [to Fiona] Is the planning before the trip the most important thing for mitigating risk on trips off school grounds? 4:15 [to Murray] You mentioned that a number of years ago there was a tragedy for Elim on a school trip. Can you tell me about that please? 7:07 [to Murray] Who was held responsible for that? 8:00 [to Murray] In the aftermath of a tragic accident like that, what kinds of things did you have to do as tumuaki – what was the process? 16:01[to Murray] Does your planning differ now for activities like this, or would you approach any trip the same as you approached this one? 19:16 [to Murray] There was recently a similar tragedy on another school's caving trip, and you got in touch with the tumuaki there to offer your support. What advice did you offer them? 20:33 [to all] We've talked a lot about mitigating risk in this conversation. What advice would you give around the best ways for tumuaki to mitigate risk around health and safety?

    27 min

  7. 11/05/2024

    Episode 11: Introduction to health and safety

    The health and safety of people at your school is one of the big responsibilities shared by tumuaki and school boards. As the principal, you have the most significant health and safety role in your school, and understanding your responsibilities should be a priority when you start in your new role. This episode covers your legal obligations for health and safety, what should be covered in a school’s health and safety policy, required planning and documentation for trips outside the classroom, the dangers of teachers and parents not understanding their role on a school trip, problems with blanket consent forms, and handling violent incidents in the school.   My guests this week are: Patrick Walsh, qualified lawyer and tumuaki of Sacred Heart College in Auckland Fiona McDonald, Chief Executive of Education Outdoors New Zealand Murray Burton, principal of Elim Christian College in Auckland. This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more about this topic by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: The health and safety obligations of a principal, and their purpose Thresholds for prosecution, and who can be prosecuted Getting your head around what you need to know about health and safety Planning and documentation required before a class/school trip The problem of teachers or parents accompanying ākonga on a trip thinking their responsibilities can be delegated to eg. lifeguard at the pool The need for familiarity with MOE’s EOTC guidelines, the need for an EOTC safety management plan, and the toolkit of forms you use to plan and deliver a trip (links below) The dangers of using umbrella consent forms Your duty of care to your tamariki, their whānau and the school community Taking a proactive approach to potential violent incidents in the school   Additional information EOTC guidelines https://eotc.tki.org.nz/EOTC-home/EOTC-Guidelines EOTC safety management plan template and toolkit form templates https://eonz.org.nz/eotc-management/eotc-smp-template-and-tool-kit-forms/   Questions 2:40 [to Patrick] What are the legal obligations of a tumuaki when it comes to health and safety? 4:31 [to Patrick] If something goes wrong, who can be prosecuted? 5:56 [to Patrick] There’s a level of personal responsibility for health and safety though? 6:38 [to Patrick] How can a new tumuaki get their head around all they need to know about health and safety legislation and their responsibilities?  7:33 [to Patrick and Murray] What should be covered by a school's health and safety policy? 9:52 [to Murray and Patrick] What kind of planning should you do before you head off the school grounds? 12:30 [to Patrick] What about parent help? 16:01 [to Patrick and Murray] If a school takes a student on a class trip without parental consent, what can the consequences be for the tumuaki and for the school?  17:46 [to Patrick and Murray] What kinds of plans should schools have in place for violent incidents and dealing with them? 20:55 [to Patrick] What about incidents between students from your own school?

    22 min

  8. 10/29/2024

    Episode 10: Working with your school board

    As a new tumuaki, your relationship with your school board is one of your most important because it impacts directly on what you and the kura can achieve. In this episode we’ll talk about the board's role in the school, how tumuaki can get the most out of the relationship, and what you can do if issues arise.   My guests this week are: Belinda Weber, chief advisor governance at Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa (NZSBA) Jason Miles, tumuaki of Kaiapoi North School, Christchurch Regan Orr, tumuaki of Central Normal School, Palmerston North and leadership advisor for Te Mahau. Susan Jennison, tumuaki of Westburn Te Kura o Hereora, Christchurch   This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.   You can learn more about this topic by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz   Show notes Episode themes: Role and powers of a school board Responsibilities of a school board to a principal Responsibilities of a principal to a school board Key relationships What the board and a tumuaki work on together Importance of the principal-board relationship Kinds of issues that can arise between a board and a tumuaki How to build relationships with your school board What a difficult relationship between a principal and a board can mean for a school How to improve a difficult relationship What to do if the relationship between the principal and a school board is unworkable What a good relationship between a board and a tumuaki can achieve Board induction for a principal   Additional information Te Whakarōputanga Kaitiaki Kura o Aotearoa New Zealand School Boards Association https://www.tewhakaroputanga.org.nz   Questions 2:13 [to Belinda] Can you please tell me about the role of a school board? 4:37 [to Belinda] What powers does the school board have?  5:31 [to Belinda] What powers doesn’t the board have? 6:00 [to Belinda] What responsibilities does a school board have to a principal? 6:51 [to Jason] What responsibilities does a principal have to the school board? 7:19 [to Jason] What’s the key relationship to get right? 8:33 [to Jason] What does the tumuaki and the board work together on? 9:39 [to Jason] Can you give me an example of when things go wrong around a complaints policy? 10:28 [to Jason] Why is it so important for a principal to build a good relationship with the school board?  11:10 [to Belinda] If the board's primary role is governance and obviously, the aim is to work in partnership with the principal in the board, but are there times when it becomes less of a partnership by necessity? 12:24 [to Belinda] What kinds of issues can arise between a school board and a tumuaki? 13:22 [to Belinda] What other scenarios do you see most often in terms of issues? 14:18 [to Susan] In your experience, when you first start as a principal or when the board changes, what's the best way to start building a relationship with that board? 17:25 [to Susan] In your experience, if a principal has a difficult relationship with a school board, what can it mean for the kura, and for you as tumuaki? 19:45 [to Susan] If a tumuaki doesn't have the best relationships with the board, what kinds of things would you advise that they do to try and improve that relationship? 20:43 [to Belinda] If a relationship between a principal and the board of a school is completely unworkable, what should a tumuaki do? 22:21 [to Regan] What can a good relationship between a principal and a board mean for a school? 23:35 [to Regan] What was your vision for your kura when you first started, and how did you take the board along for the ride with you? 26:19 [to all] How can a board be involved in onboarding a principal?

    31 min
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About

Experienced school leaders and officials share stories and offer tips about leading schools in Aotearoa New Zealand. This series sits alongside the online learning programme: Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki | The Beginning Pathway for Principals, which can be accessed on the Education LMS https://training.education.govt.nz.

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