Whanaungatanga - Relationships (students, school-wide, community) with high expectations.

As a Principal building relationships is key to success as a leader and to have success across the entire school.  I understand the significance that all staff in our learning community play. My 10 years of experience with a range of staff from a diverse range of backgrounds has enabled me to understand people and how to best communicate and form relationships with everyone. I am a people person who recognising the values that individuals bring to our learning community.

I believe in building relationships with students by being active with students in my lunch hours, recognising needs for all our students. I have taken Minecraft groups which enabled students to grow in areas that they are passionate about. I believe in listening to students who have a particular strength and finding ways for them to explore these...i.e. coding for those students who showed an interest or passion. I have always taken time to strengthen the relationships with all of my students and I believe they value this connection as well. Connecting as a person with the same interests is so important. 

Recognising the unique make up of our community and how they can enhance the quality of our school is paramount for overall success of the school and the leaners. I believe in connecting with the community is as many ways as possible i.e. having open afternoons, allowing sports teams to utilise our facilities, visiting local rest homes and Marae, Moved the CCTT to a Thursday night which proved it self as a way to connect with our own but also wider reaching enabling parents to enjoy the night as a family straight after school or later in the evening.

I spear headed the change with parent interviews by initially meeting all parents in an open forum. This was in response to a very underwhelming number who were attending our initial 1 to 1 or face to face interviews in term 1. The change was very positive with This decision was thought of to create an environment where some find the 1 to 1 presence daunting.

I make regular contact with parents via email, text and through Seesaw which is a digital portfolio of each students work and learning that gives instant notifications to parents when work is uploaded. This not only gives a clear indication of work that is taking place but offers a chance to inform parents of day to day behaviour, needs, attitudes and next learning steps etc, as well as developing that crucial relationship with parents who must feel comfortable with their son/daughters teacher.

As a syndicate leader I have always been approachable and have made time beyond 9-3 for families whenever needed. Parents at the beginning of the year are given my contact details and I make it clear to contact me whenever they feel the need. Vice versa I contact parents regularly as well. This contact is generally positive to inform about success in learning and to let parents know what amazing work is happening but may also include ways to help at home and any concerns that I may have. 


I pride myself on being a perfectionist. I have an eye for detail and believe in attention to detail. This has at times made my own job more difficult as I tend to not like to give control over to others but it is an area that I am working hard to fix. As a Principal I believe that this trait will help me with policy development, finances and the general day to day management of the school.