Monday Mailing 31st March

Message from the Editor-Leo

What are YOU doing to help yourself?

While the noise, smoke, work pressures, MOE updates and the end of term-itis continue to mount and grow, it is vital as Principals that we continue to seek the positive. If you are anything like me (the hypocrite), you are easily wound up by things that you have very little control over or things that, in reality, are irrelevant. Let's face it, winding me up is not tough.  If you picture a wind up, short, angry, Dutch, portly, pale, male and stale old bloke with my face, you'd be spot on!

The reassuring thing for me is that with old age, some wisdom does come. With this, I have learned (the hard way) that doing small things to build my hauora, mindset and 'feed my soul' are essential. Probably the smartest thing I have done recently in this regard is taking the time to attend the recent WPA Rotorua retreat last week. This strategic action was a much-needed tonic. Incredible, world-class speakers (Cale Birk, Andy Jones and Monique Bradley) who provoked, inspired, and guided our thinking. At the same time, I was surrounded by 50 local principals (OGs) who shared war stories, made me laugh, shared resources, and challenged me. I also got to have a few "special lemonades,''  some quality food and switch off. This totally reiterated to me that time out makes me a better person and better principal and gives me access to reflection, think time, and alternate perspectives.  Sadly, I do have a worrying inkling that our school leadership didn't miss me all that much and that they do better without me! I can't understand it, but they are also incredibly supportive of seeing me take more PLD opportunities.

Again, if you are anything like me, you do feel guilty when you step out, take breaks, or intentionally do things for yourself. This might sound stupid, but it is an easy trap for principals to fall into. To close, I would suggest you take a leaf out of Nathan Leith's book (probably a colouring in picture book), who reminded principals last week at the WPC Hui to find the fun, that we needed to be kind to ourselves and treat ourselves like we would our staff. The quotes below are goodies too!

• "self-care is the most underrated leadership skill''
• "Great leaders know that to take care of others they must first take care of themselves."
• "Self indulgence is not selfish, it is self preservation."
• "When you say "yes" to others, make sure you are not saying "no" to yourself."
• ‘'You can’t be well and shit!’

Have a wonderful week and remember, we only have 9 sleeps till term break!

Leo

Few words from WPA President Lesley Lomas

Ngā mihi mahana ki a koutou i tēnei wiki,

It was wonderful to catch up with principal colleagues at our recent WPA Rotorua retreat.  Andy Jones and Cale Birk inspired us to consider ways that we could ensure 'observable impact' in the work we do in our schools.  We enjoyed seeing familiar faces and meeting some of our newer principals attending a WPA event for the first time.  It is so important to connect and support each other in the work that we do.

The next WPA event is the Study Tour to Wellington from the 14th to the 16th of May.  We look forward to having you join us as we meet with the Minister of Education and other peak bodies while in the nation's capital.  A reminder that we have U1 and U2 scholarships available to support principals in our smaller schools to attend.

With the implementation of curriculum change, and everything else, it is a busy year.  Please remember WPA subscriptions are now due. 

Have a great last two weeks of the term as this will be our final Monday Mailing for term one.
Ngā manaakitanga,
Lesley

Few professional readings, learnings or things you may have missed

You’ve been told that great communication is about clarity.

• Say what you mean.

• Be direct.

• Use the right words. But here’s the thing nobody tells you…

Even the clearest message can fall flat if the other person’s nervous system doesn’t feel safe.

In fact, most leadership conversations fail not because you said the wrong thing—but because something felt like a threat. Even if neither of you realised it.

Anyone can see flaws. That takes no skill.

But not everyone chooses to see the person on the other side of that condition...that is the skill of great leaders.   In leadership, whenever you speak down, always speak up.  Your speaking to what you see can help place people back on track and centre then towards greater achievement. "Behaviour Follows Belief." People act out of their sense of who they are, and when people act with low value behaviours you can almost guarantee that the narrative they have taken into their soul and repeat in their thoughts, is a below par opinion of themselves and their ability

Monique Bradley- Tools for WPA Principals

Kia ora WPA Rotorua Retreat principals, 
Great to meet you all yesterday. What an awesome group of humans!

As promised, I've created a video for use in your newsletter, covering the key points around Imposter Syndrome.
Link here: https://youtu.be/j1zmA5bW8kY
PLUS - here's a cheat sheet / free download of signs, symptoms and conversation starters that leaders can use: https://bit.ly/4iN6caB
I hope that's helpful!!

Again, thank you for the opportunity to speak to your people. Be well and keep doing the great work you're doing.
Ngā mihi, Monique
PSANZ MC of the Year 2024/25Monique Bradley: Keynote Speaker, MC and TV presenter, Podcaster, Coach
https://moniquebradley.tv/ 
DOWNLOAD MY SPEAKER SHEET: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Yin and Yang of Principalship

On the 27th of March many of you will have received updates from Pourato around your confirmed staffing entitlement for 2025. Now, if the figures sighted sent your mind into overdrive and had your guts churning, please don't panic. I have no doubt that the Yin and Yang edition this week will allay your fears! In short, which ever staffing figure you have recieved for 2025 is the biggest (confirmed or provisional) is safe for the year.

NZEI Update- How you can feed into the claim

Primary and area school/wharekura principals are shaping their collective voice over the next few weeks as both the Primary Principals' and Area School Principals' Collective Agreements are coming up for renegotiation.  

Members of the NZEI Te Riu Roa Principals’ Council will present details of the draft claim and seek feedback at hui for primary principals over the rest of March and April. Next term, primary principals will vote on whether or not to endorse the claim.  

There’s a range of claim hui online (including hui for tumuaki Māori) or kanohi ki te kanohi in-person hui happening around the motu, and primary principals can register here. 

There's strength in numbers, so pass this information on to your primary principal colleagues and encourage them to join you at a meeting.  

You can find a copy of the draft claim up for discussion here.   

Few laughs and a giggle to end the week

Here are the images that made me chuckle over the past fortnight. I have also included two short youtube clips.The wrestling one had me in stitches. Who would have thought that teaching Math would have such incredible outcomes! Percentages made easy.

Notes from Monique Bradley- WPA Retreat

WPA Legendary Business Partners 2025

I do want to acknowledge our incredible business partners for all their support in making the recent Rotorua Retreat such a success. Your willingness to share ideas, provide resources, engage with local principals and generally just be great people definitely added to the event. You really are an essential part of the WPA machine. I would also like to particularly acknowledge the sponsors who generously brought drinks, added to the bar tab and helped to initiate the engagement activities in the evenings. 

In closing I would remind all Principal's that if you are looking at a project, initiative or change, the business highlighted below, should always be a starting point. Trusted, reliable and the do genuinely care about our schools.