Information for first-time principals
These resources focus on helping you to begin your role as a school’s educational leader.
School principals lead and manage multiple and complex responsibilities.
They are expected to improve the quality of teaching and learning in their schools in an environment in which change is constant.
Beginning principals support
Support is available to all beginning principals. The programme is run through Evaluation Associates. View their website for information and contact details:
Support for beginning principals
Information on this website
Use the links below to find some of the guides and articles on this website that can help you with management tasks:
Guides for managing your school
Presentations to first-time principals
University of Auckland Centre of Educational Leadership (UACEL)
Many presentations to first-time principals are available on UACEL on Vimeo. These include:
Surviving your first principalship, Linda Bendikson (2012)
The leader as evaluator, John Hattie (2011). Three videos:
Effect size and leadership, Expectations and target-setting, Seeing learning through the eyes of students
Evidence-based leadership, John Hattie (2009)
Further information
Australian Institute of Teaching and School Leadership
Videos exploring six challenges for new school leaders.
Other articles
New support on its way for beginning principals – Education Review, April 2017
Asks two leadership advisors what they think the main challenges are for beginning principals.
The principalship: First-year hurdles – ASCD
Reflections of a new US primary principal on common challenges and how to respond to them.
Supporting a principal's first years on the job – ASCD
Looks at transitioning into a principal role. Includes a list of common emotional conflicts.
