15 February 2021

Newsletter Articles

Principals supporting Principals… Principals supporting Principles!

Welcome back to our Monday Mailings!

I hope that you all had an amazing and restful break and enjoyed the beautiful weather. No doubt the crazy of school life is already in full swing!

With the Prime Minister’s announcement last night and the movement for us to Level 2 I just wanted to say Kia Kaha – We are all in this together. Don’t forget that your colleagues are here for you so any advice, guidance or a listening ear don’t hesitate to reach out. Also, sending huge love to our colleagues in Auckland, Level 3 has much more difficult implications and no doubt stress levels are rising. Reflecting, I was grateful that this time around we have more knowledge, systems in place and it sadly no longer feels like the unknown and more like the ‘new normal’.

In March we have our retreat coming up. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to come along, these retreats are an awesome way to connect with your colleagues and our sponsors all while learning some awesome stuff for you to take back to your kura. It is a great time to reflect and recharge the batteries to get your yearoff to a phenomenal start!

Nga Mihi
Chrissy Wakeman
Orini Combined School

WPA Dates

A message from Marcus

Kia ora Koutou

Welcome to 2021. I hope everyone has had a positive start to the term. Some of are starting Week 3 and the holidays are becoming a distant memory. 2021 look like it is going a interesting year for leadership teams. ERO are implementing their new approach to school reviews. I look forward to hearing how new process works for schools and if offers the assistance that was at the center of the change. The outcome of the curriculum review may also lead to changes in how and what we are required to teach. The cynic in me thinks it may an attempt to go back a more centrally prescribed curriculum in response to PISA rankings etc. Watch this space, I guess. It will be interesting to see if NZPF progress the idea of the Primary Principals Union. Feedback at the end of last term indicated there is a real desire to change.

In midst of this the WPA have a full programme planned for 2021. Our first event is the Rotorua Retreat. Mark Osborne will share some thinking around Leading Change in Schools. Michael Fullan argues that change knowledge is ‘a forever proposition’ for schools, observing that there will never be a time when we are no longer implementing change. This series of workshops will explore some of the key findings from Mark's recent PhD at the University of Melbourne on leading change in schools. Topics will include building momentum and urgency for change; supporting people to 'take the leap' into new practices; engaging with resistance to change; and embedding change into the fabric of the organisation to ensure sustainability.

Places for the retreat are filling quickly so get on the WPA shop and book your spot now.

We will release details for the term 3 ‘Road Trip’ in the next few weeks. The plan is to head south. The other dates for Connection Days are on the website.

As the 2021 spend cranks ups don’t for to use our WPA Business Partners when you can. It is important to support the business that support us.

Kia ae to wiki

Marcus Freke
WPA President

Learning Lab

Super topical and a great reminder of what to look out for!

2021 Retreat

The 2021 Retreat will be held in Rotorua at the Millennium Hotel from the 18-19th of March. Lock in your space now by following this link: 2021 Retreat

What’s it all about? Leading Change in Schools.

Michael Fullan argues that change knowledge is ‘a forever proposition’ for schools, observing that there will never be a time when we are no longer implementing change. This series of workshops will explore some of the key findings from Mark Osborne's recent PhD at the University of Melbourne on leading change in schools. Topics will include building momentum and urgency for change; supporting people to 'take the leap' into new practices; engaging with resistance to change; and embedding change into the fabric of the organisation to ensure sustainability.

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