Leading change
"To lead change in schools, principals need knowledge and insight into the complex processes of change and the key drivers that make for successful change. In particular they need to keep their focus clearly on the central vision for their school..."
Manaakitanga: leading with moral purpose
Having a sense of moral purpose and a commitment to improved learning and social outcomes is not just about supporting and guiding students, it also involves a commitment to the professional growth and support of other school leaders and teachers.
National standards: leadership links
National Standards came into effect in English-medium schools in February 2010 for students in Years 1 to 8. The standards set clear expectations that students need to meet in reading, writing, and mathematics in the first eight years at school. There are particular expectations of school leaders in the implementation of National Standards. This page brings together a series of links to information and tools that will support school leaders in this important task.
Educational leadership in action
Kiwi Leadership for Principals (2008) promotes the principal’s role as an educational leader. This includes influencing teacher practice in order to improve students’ learning and well-being. A key activity that defines this role for principals is leading change that will impact positively on outcomes for all students. Over 2008 and 2009, 14 primary school principals took part in a Ministry of Education-supported initiative that asked them to connect the educational leadership model (ELM) described in Kiwi Leadership for Principals with a project they were implementing in their own schools.
Leading and managing change
Managing school change is one of the most complex school leadership tasks. School leaders need to understand the change process to lead and manage change and improvement efforts effectively.
Organisational change
Learning organisations that are flexible, adaptive, and productive will excel in times of rapid change. Change on a large scale invariably needs a team approach to leadership.
Strategic leadership
Strategic leadership is based on long-term planning. It involves establishing and maintaining systems, allocating resources, and communicating vision. Principals need to maintain the focus clearly on the central vision for their school.
Leadership for Māori education success
Some school leaders are enjoying pockets of success among their Māori learners despite the latest data continuing to show under-performance of the education system for Māori. The data, evidence, and experiences that underpin such examples of success are important to hear about and learn from – so that success might be shared more widely. This section contains a range of success stories.
Future schools and innovation
Effective school leaders consciously support innovation and keep a focus on education’s ever-changing landscape as it moves into the future.
