Leading the school community

Effective principals are community leaders. They work in a wide range of school contexts, groups and organisations. They build partnerships based on addressing the needs of students and improving their learning outcomes.

New Zealand articles and resources

Aiming for Student Achievement: How Teachers Can Understand and Better Meet the Needs of Māori and Pacific Island Students

by Jan Hill and Kay Hawk

This 1998 SET article examines the development of the AimHi project and research. Although this research is now older it still has relevance for schools. It explores the links between the world(s) of the student; the world(s) of home, and the world(s) of school, and how the collision of these worlds can impact on learning and achievement.

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Keeping the Fleas Motivated

by Cheryl Doig

This is a very accessible article for the New Zealand context that pulls together theory and practice to raise interesting and debatable issues for school leadership teams to consider. Cheryl Doig challenges school leaders to think differently and pragmatically about developing a school-wide approach to teaching and learning.

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New Zealand school stories

Walking the talk

by Pip Wells

Principal Pip Wells writes about how she managed her key priorities as the new principal: forming positive relationships with the community, focusing on learning, and building a strong professional team.

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Ashhurst School

Shona Oliver discusses leading people and building community relationships.

Cobden School

Jill Cogger-Mathieson is building relationships with the Greymouth community and actively supporting families of children with special needs.

Other resources

Leading Under Pressure: Leadership for Social Inclusion

by Daniel Muijs, Mel Ainscow, Alan Dyson, Carlo Raffo, Sue Goldrick, Kristin Kerr, Clare Lennie, and Susie Miles

This article looks at ways to improve educational attainment for all students through the removal of barriers to engagement and achievement. It examines the types of school leadership that might assist in improving social inclusion for young people and their families. There is a useful discussion about what is meant by social inclusion.

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