School support staff: collectively making resources count

Support staff make up almost a third of New Zealand’s schooling workforce. They include teacher aides, librarians, ICT managers and staff, administrative staff, and student and whānau support workers. This page contains the report School Support Staff: Collectively Making Resources Count commissioned by the Support Staff Working Group (SSWG), and seven case studies of schools that use effective management practices for their support staff.

Background to the report

The Support Staff Working Group was established in August 2009 with representatives from the Ministry of Education, the New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA), which included two school principals, and New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI Te Riu Roa), which included two school support staff.

The brief was to investigate issues concerning support staff employment; and to recommend attainable changes that would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the support staff workforce.

Support Staff Phase I Report (Word 134 kB)

The Phase 2 report School Support Staff: Collectively Making Resources Count provides rich information about practices in schools and the views of support staff and principals. The Working Group believes that schools who make effective and productive use of their support staff resource:

consider support staff as part, with teachers, of a total school system focused on student learning, and
have management processes and systems in place to support the contribution of support staff.

School Support Staff Phase 2 Report (PDF 2 MB)

School support staff case studies

These case studies showcase schools that use effective management practices for their support staff.

Getting the best from everyone: Windley School (PDF 671 kB)

This study shows what one school is doing to ensure they get the best from all staff in their school, including their support staff.

Helping build the bridge between the school and the community: Porirua College (PDF 747 kB)

This study looks at how support staff can assist the school connect to its community in both formal and informal ways.

Fundamental support: Te Kura Māori o Ngā Tapuwae (PDF 871 kB)

This study looks at designing support roles that reflect the vision and philosophy of the school, and that tap into the full range of skills that support staff have.

Helpful conversations: Wairarapa College (PDF 570 kB)

This study looks at the importance of engaging support staff and ensuring that systems are meaningful.

A story of collaboration: Nelson College for Girls and Nayland College (PDF 774 kB)

This study shows how two schools outsourced the management of their server and worked collaboratively to buy better technology and support than they would have been able to do alone.