Monday Mailing 17th March

Few words, (ok a moan) from the editor- Leo

Standardised Assessment and Aromatawai Tool- Tender goes to Gets

Education Council Increases Fees

School Lunches Fiasco Continues

It's funny how our Principal worlds' seem to roll (spin, change or bounce) at the moment and I was reflecting over the media and MOE updates I processed over the last week and thought to myself..... I have got to stop reading the News!

The one headline above that probably set my cynical, small mind and wheels spinning the most was the GETS listing posted this week seeking submission for the creation of a new standardised assessment tool. This taking me instantly back to the days of Hekia Parata, the principal outrage and why I thought voting for Labour as a teacher in the early 2000's was a smart choice. (See the Press Release for 2017 if you need reminding.)

I moaned to a few mates about this(sharing the love as I am inclined to do), as we spit balled solutions, tried to solve the problems of the World and attempted to do some crystal ball gazing. In short we talked crap, said bad words, moaned, talked about the need for alcohol and left in need of a cuddle. That said, some their immediate commentary was apt and went along the lines of:

''Sigh (I removed the expletive)...is this the new call out for an international company to make us a “national test”?  and 'I hear e-asTTle possibly not going to be an option for us, hence this GETs submission??' 'I feel another national standards protest coming on. Bring back Pat Poland 😉' ' Yahoo National Standards part 2.' 'Looks like we are set for some more interesting late November updates to increase teacher and principal anxiety for the Summer.'

I then made the mistake of then sharing these same frustrations, opinions and cynicism with team back in the office, who basically told me to stop being a dick and a doom merchant. Which as you can appreciate left me feeling even more empowered as a leader.

However, after a bit of time and constructive reflection (proper sulking), it did make me forcefully shift my mindset. I started thinking about what I had to look forward to and what I had loved over the past fortnight as a principal. I actually made two lists, which was totally therapeutic, (Yes I need therapy). In regards to what I loved my list included: a pool noodle race in my dress clothes with the Year 2's- I cheated and won, Monday Leaders meeting-where we had great session on 'Eating the Frog', a wicked mentoring session with former principal of boys secondary school- inspirational bloke, and a touch rugby victory-staff vs students grudge match, no defib needed. In regards to what I am looking forward to the list included; ROTORUA retreat, Andy, Cale and great principals (can't wait), ourHukanui Cultural Celebration Day (go the Dumplings!) and a Year 5 Marae trip to Hukanui which always helps me decompress.

I actually stuck the lists to my desk as a reminder of three things. 1. I have a lot to be excited and thankful for. 2. The difference to being a 'dick' (Richard Head if I am being PC) or being positive, is a personal choice. 3. There is no group better prepared to roll with the changes or punches, than principals.

Hope to see you either in Rotorua or in Wellington!  Leo

Message from WPA President Lesley Lomas

Tēnā tatou katoa,Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou.

The first WPA event for 2025 is taking place next week.  The Waikato Principals' Association Retreat is being held in Rotorua from the 19th to the 21st of March.  We look forward to seeing those of you who have registered in Rotorua.

We are currently busy finalising our Study Tour to Wellington and this event is being held from the 14th to the 16th of May, in Term 2.  Registrations for this event are open on the WPA website so register now if you would like to attend.As well as the opportunity to spend some valuable time with colleagues, arrangements have been made to meet with the Minister of Education at Parliament, the Teachers Council, and the New Zealand Principals' Federation among others.This will provide members with up-to-date information about the future direction of Education as well as an opportunity to ask valuable questions and gain new insights.  A reminder that U1 & 2 Scholarships are available to support U1 & 2 Principals' attendance on the Study Tour.  We hope that you can join us in Wellington.

Have a great week.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Lesley

Waikato Principals’ Association – 2025 Wellington Study Tour- Book NOW!!!!!

Waikato Principals’ Association – 2025 Wellington Study Tour

Sector Engagement & Leadership Connections
 14 - 16 May 2025

Join us for an exclusive Sector Engagement Study Tour in Wellington, where you’ll have the opportunity to connect with key education leaders, policymakers, and sector experts.

Why Attend?

 Meet the Minister of Education, Erica Stanford, and MPs at the Beehive
 Engage with top sector leaders, including NZEI, NZPF, NZ Sport, and the Teachers Council
 Gain insights from NZSBA and E Tipu E Rea on sector leadership and governance
 Network with colleagues while enjoying top-tier accommodation and hospitality

 Accommodation: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

 Single or Twin-Share options available
 Breakfast included (Thursday & Friday)
 Check-in using your own name

 Study Tour Itinerary

 Wednesday 14th May 2025

 Recommended Flights:

• HAM 8:20 AM → WGTN 9:35 AM
• HAM 6:45 AM → WGTN 8:00 AM

 Morning:

• 10:45 AM – Meet in James Cook Hotel Lobby for programme overview
• 11:15 AM – Depart for Parliament
• 11:45 AM – Arrive at the Beehive (Meet MPs & Minister of Education Erica Stanford)

 Lunch (Provided) at Red Shield House

 Afternoon:

• 2:10 PM – NZEI: Stephanie Mills & Ripekah Lessels
• 2:30 PM – Ministry of Education: Ellen MacGregor-Reid
• 3:30 PM – NZPF: Leanne Otene (President)
• 4:45 PM – Depart Red Shield House
• 5:00 PM – Arrive back at James Cook Hotel

 Evening at leisure

 Thursday 15th May 2025

 Breakfast (6:45 AM - 8:30 AM, included)

 Morning:

• 9:20 AM – Depart James Cook Hotel
• 9:45 AM – NZ Sport: Gregor Fountain
• 11:15 AM – Teachers Council of Aotearoa NZ: Lesley Hoskins

 Lunch & Hauora Time
Enjoy time for well-being activities such as Te Papa, Wellington Waterfront, or a gym session.

 Evening:

• 7:00 PM – WPA Dinner at Shed 22 (Included in cost)

 Friday 16th May 2025

 Breakfast (6:45 AM - 8:30 AM, included)

 Morning:

• 9:45 AM – Check out of James Cook Hotel
• 10:00 AM – Depart for Red Shield House
• 10:15 AM – NZSBA / E Tipu E Rea: Lorraine Kerr

 Lunch

 Afternoon:

• 1:30 PM – Transport to Wellington Airport
• 2:30 PM – Arrive at the airport

 Recommended Flights:

• WGTN 3:50 PM → HAM 5:05 PM
• WGTN 5:05 PM → HAM 6:20 PM

 Cost:

 $750 (Single Room)
 $550 (Twin-Share)
(Includes accommodation, breakfast, and WPA dinner on Thursday night)

 Spaces are limited – secure your spot today!
This is an unparalleled opportunity to engage directly with New Zealand’s education leaders and shape the future of our sector.

Few professional readings, updates and items of interest

Here is a recent snapshot from an Evaluation Associates email around curriculum rollout that you may or may not have read, a message from Rebecca Knox around attendance and some cool readings, viewings around 'Getting the Monkies off your back. These I highly recommend.

Assessment approved messages for external use. We are preparing essential guidance on what schools and kura should do with assessment, aromatawai and reporting for 2025.

This will be made available to schools and kura soon.

The guidance will be published on Tāhūrangi and we will let schools and kura know it’s available via the usual channels, such as the School Leader’s Bulletin and the  Te Poutāhū Curriculum Centre school update.

In the meantime, please continue to use the effective assessment and reporting principles and practices as found on Tāhūrangi.

One can also find assessment information within the new learning areas that are now available, particularly in the Teaching guidance and Teaching considerations sections. Progression monitoring for reading, writing and maths for children in years 3-8 should be done at least twice a year, and we expect that most teachers and kaiako will use standardised assessment tools to make informed decisions about ākonga and student progress, achievement, and success.

• Whilst the use of standardised assessment tools is not required in 2025, schools and kura are encouraged to consider using them to support their assessment, aromatawai and reporting processes.
• This year, the content and scoring within e-asTTle and the reports generated by e-asTTle, will not change. This means that the tool will continue to produce results as it currently does (e.g., sub-level scores such as 4B, 4P and 4A, and scale scores such as 1430).
• We will be providing separate interim supports to help kaiako and teachers to use the results from e-asTTle to make informed decisions about progress and achievement in relation to the new learning areas of the refreshed New Zealand Curriculum and the new wāhanga ako of the redesigned Te Marautanga o Aotearoa.
• These supports will enable kaiako and teachers to map e-asTTle results to the year-by-year expectations for ākonga and students in these areas and to easily compare results between e-asTTle and the NZCER Progressive Assessment Tests (PATs).
• We anticipate the supports will be available by the end of May 2025 in time for mid-year reporting. We will communicate this to the sector and our frontline staff when they’re ready. 

Yin and Yang of Principalship

This weeks Yin and Yang update is a cracker and has the potential to be a real money saver over time. I strongly advise that if nothing else, you code Heat, Light and Water as outlined! There is also a Bank Staffing Training workshop option for those wanting a little more support.

Evaluation Associates- Help Available

As leaders, you’ve likely been considering curriculum implementation as term 1 2025 marks the official rollout of English and Te Reo Rangatira in Years 0-6 and mathematics and Pāngarau in Years 0-8, with draft consultation for the senior years to follow later in the year.

With this in mind, we thought we would outline what this might look like in practice, with a central focus on quality teaching and guidance on where you might begin.

Judith Wootton 027 241 6427

Tabitha Leonard -Transforming conversations

Tabitha Leonard tab@tabithaleonard.com
Transform Your Conversations

You are an Unexpected Leader. You never set out to be a leader, but here you are. You’re exceptional at what you do—that’s how you got here. But now, success isn’t just about your skills; it’s about leading, influencing, and inspiring others to perform at their best. And that’s a whole new challenge.

1. You are a new leader - and managing people and the complexity of conversations that go around that feels overwhelming.
2. You are an experienced leader and you are looking for some new skills in communication that integrate proven strategies in enhancing performance.

Generally, this workshop is to introduce the fundamentals of conversational intelligence from a neuroscience perspective that supports you to know when to coach, when to facilitate, when to mentor and when to train. Why does this matter? The right conversation, at the right time, delivered in the right way is how you can increase your influence and inspire others to get on the same page without coming across as manipulative, controlling or directive.

Here is more information.

Transform Your Conversations: A One-Day Workshop for Education Leaders

Are you tired of dealing with the fallout from conversations gone wrong? Misunderstandings, frustration, and broken trust don’t just waste time—they drain energy, stall progress, and damage relationships. But what if you could change that?

When Intent Meets Impact, Change Happens

You may start conversations with the best intentions, but how often does your message truly land? Perhaps a well-meaning piece of feedback is misheard as criticism or an attempt to connect spirals into an unexpected emotional storm. Sound familiar?

This happens because 90% of conversations fail to connect intent with impact. It’s a challenge I see leaders face every day. The result?

• Broken trust that takes months—or years—to repair.
• Missed opportunities to connect, inspire, and lead.
• Countless hours are wasted on damage control instead of progress.

But imagine walking into any conversation—whether at work or home—knowing you can handle whatever comes your way. Imagine turning misunderstandings into collaboration and conflict into clarity.

Introducing Conversational Intelligence – One-Day Training

This transformative workshop is designed to equip you with the tools and strategies to:

• Communicate with clarity and confidence, even in emotionally charged situations.
• Transform misunderstandings into collaboration and connection.
• Build trust and alignment in every interaction.

What You'll Learn

Drawing from psychology, behaviour models, and neuroscience, this workshop will teach you how to:

• Recognise and address conversational blind spots that hold you back.
• Shift from reactive to responsive communication, fostering trust and mutual understanding.
• Inspire alignment and buy-in, creating positive ripple effects across your team and organization.

This is not just about having better conversations. It’s about leading with confidence, purpose, and influence in every area of your life.

Event Details

 Date: Tuesday 1 April
 Location: Hamilton - Venue TBC
 Investment: $395 incl. GST

Seats are limited to just 15 participants to ensure a highly personalized and impactful experience.

Find Out More Here - https://learning.tabithaleonard.com/conversational-intelligence-1-day-training

Russell Bishop opportunity

See flyer below for details. May be a more budget friendly way of enjoying a sensational presenter.

NZEI and PPCB Update

Few laughs and a giggle to end....

Cheesy but made me smile

Q: Did you hear about the kidnapping at school? A: It's okay. He woke up.

One day Jimmy got home early from school and his mom asked, "Why are you home so early?" He answered, "Because I was the only one that answered a question in my class." She said, "Wow, my son is a genius. What was the question?" Jimmy replied, "The question was 'Who threw the trash can at the principal's head?'"

A bank robber pulls out gun points it at the teller, and says, "Give me all the money or you're geography!" The puzzled teller replies, "Did you mean to say 'or you're history?'" The robber says, "Don't change the subject!"

Teacher: "Name a bird with wings but can't fly." Student: "A dead bird, sir."

Business Partners 2025