The Principals (Aotearoa | New Zealand)

In this episode, Mārama Stewart discusses leading a school within te ao Māori through the lens of our guests’ own journeys through the education system in Aotearoa. 

Mārama’s guests are: ● Robin Fabish, former tumuaki and current Leadership Advisor for the Ministry of Education ● Tom Paekau, tumuaki of Te Kura o Tūtarawānanga Merivale School in Tauranga Moana. 

This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te A...

Kia hakatōmuri te haere whakamua: ‘I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past’

In this episode, Mārama continues the kōrero with her aunty, Ani Mohi (or Mrs Mohi to many), about her experiences as kaiako Māori, tumuaki Māori, and the beginnings of kura kaupapa Māori and kura ā iwi.

This episode is a personal tribute to those who walked before us, and a reminder that our stories — our whakapapa — are not just his...

Kia hakatōmuri te haere whakamua: ‘I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on my past’

In this episode of The Principals Podcast, Mārama Stewart, tumuaki and former Leadership Advisor, sits down with someone incredibly special to her — her aunty, Ani Mohi (or Mrs Mohi to many), a proud Māori principal whose story continues to shape and inspire Mārama’s own journey. This kōrero spans generations as they reflect on Mrs Mo...

In this episode, we’re continuing to talk about school budgets, and      we’re covering financial reporting and audits as well. Just a reminder that your school finance advisors are there to help – lean on them if you have questions about school finances.

My guests are:

• Hannah Levy, Ministry of Education finance advisor – Otago/Southland
• Mārama Stewart, former tumuaki and Ministry of Education leadership advisor
• Adrian Edwar...

Today we're going to talk about school budgets, what's included in them, what's not, and what you'll need to do to prepare them.

My guests are:

• Hannah Levy, Ministry of Education finance advisor – Otago/Southland
• Mārama Stewart, former tumuaki and Ministry of Education leadership advisor
• Adrian Edwards, Ministry of Education finance advisor.

This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tī...

There are a number of things that can trip new principals up when it comes to school funding, and this episode covers some of them. Remember you’re not expected to know everything right away – contact your Ministry of Education finance advisor if you have questions or concerns.

My guests are:

• Hannah Levy, Ministry of Education finance advisor – Otago/Southland
• Martyn Wetherall, principal of Laingholm School
• Mārama Stewart, f...

State and state-integrated school funding is made up of various components that have different eligibility rules and funding structures. Staffing for your school is based on your roll, but there are also additional allowances and staffing that you are eligible for.

Being aware of what’s available to your kura is crucial for accessing the funding and staffing you are entitled to, and for making the best use of these resources.

My ...

Today we’re talking about state school property projects. All schools have to plan for maintenance and upgrades, as well as planning for new capital projects – like new or improved buildings. But who leads which projects, how are they planned for and funded, and what’s it like to be involved in or to lead a property project?

My guests are:

• De Thomson, Ministry of Education Infrastructure manager Otago/Southland
• Hugh Gully, (...

Today we’re talking about state school property maintenance. School boards, which include the tumuaki, are responsible for overseeing the maintenance of their kura. Good maintenance keeps schools safe, and prevents small problems from escalating into big ones needing expensive repair.

My guests are:

• De Thomson, Ministry of Education Infrastructure manager Otago/Southland
• Nick Read, tumuaki of Havelock North Primary School
• Al...

As tumuaki, and as part of the board, you have a key role in managing school property, but no one expects you to be the expert. As principal, you’ll need to build and maintain strong working relationships with your Ministry of Education property adviser, consultants and project managers, so you’ll know where to go for help and recognise when you need it. Today, we’ll give you an introduction to property administration, funding and ...

The new process for ERO reviews means tumuaki work more closely with their ERO evaluation partner over the three-year cycle. In this episode, we talk about getting the most out of that relationship, and the process when ERO finds something that’s not going so well in a school.

My guests are:

• Shane Morrow, Manager Review and Improvement Services, ERO
• Sharee Hemingway, Director Ākonga Māori, ERO
• Stephen Lethbridge, principal o...

The Education Review Office (ERO) is the government’s external education evaluation agency, and normally reviews schools over a three year cycle. As tumuaki, you’ll be involved in preparing for a review. Today we’re going to talk about what to expect during an ERO review.

My guests are:

• Shane Morrow, Manager Review and Improvement Services, ERO
• Sharee Hemingway, Director Ākonga Māori, ERO
• Stephen Lethbridge, principal of Poi...

Change is inevitable in a school, and managing change can be challenging. Changes you make may be a choice, where you identify improvements that can be made; or there may be changes to legislation, curriculum, or teaching methods that you need to implement in your school. Principals need to learn how to lead and manage change effectively.

My guests are:

• Iain Taylor, principal of Manurewa Intermediate School, former president...

All ākonga deserve the opportunity to flourish and succeed in their education, and making sure your students have this opportunity is your most important priority as principal. This means providing them with any learning support they need to reach their potential. But how easy is it to find the support your students need, and what can you do if you can’t access it? That’s what we’re going to talk about today.

My guests are:

• ...

All tumuaki want the ākonga in their schools to do well, but we know there are persistent disparities in achievement. In this episode, we speak with three tumuaki who have taken action to make a difference for tamariki and rangatahi previously at risk of underachievement. At the heart of their stories is the expectation that every student can achieve, even if some kids need more help than others to get there. 

My guests are:

...

Today we’re continuing to talk to three Māori leaders who worked hard to turn around learning outcomes for Māori ākonga in their English-medium kura. We’re talking about what drives and motivates these rangatira, and where they turn for support when they need it, including Te Akatea Maōri Principals Association.

My guests are:

• Tom Paekau, principal of Merivale School in Tauranga
• Bruce Jepsen, manukura of Te Akatea Māori Prin...

New Zealand's education system has under-served Māori learners for a long time. As a result, the 97% of Māori learners in English-medium settings collectively experience worse education outcomes than other learners and are less engaged in the education system. 

Today we’re going to talk to three principals who have worked to turn around learning and achievement for Māori ākonga in their English-medium schools.

My guests are:

...

The principal role can be both demanding and complex. It requires a lot of managerial and administrative tasks, you're the professional leader of the school and you have responsibility for and oversight of others, and your workload may feel overwhelming at first. It's absolutely essential that you take time to look after yourself.

If this episode raises concerns for your own health, please talk to someone you trust or see your doct...

The mental health needs of tamariki and rangatahi have undoubtedly increased post-COVID, and schools are often the places where these issues emerge because of the relationships between teachers, young people and their whānau. Getting mental health support for students can be difficult, which can make looking after the wellbeing of students difficult. But there are things schools can do, and others they must do, to look after the we...