Reflections from the Trans-Tasman Conference.

Kia ora koutou e te whānau,

I’ve been reflecting on the amazing experience we shared at the recent Trans-Tasman Conference in Ōtautahi, Christchurch. It was such a privilege to connect with so many of you - passionate, hard working colleagues, dedicated to our tamariki and communities. Thank you for taking time out of your schools to join us.  It was one of the largest gatherings NZPF has hosted, yet it felt like a family reunion with our Trans Tasman Cuzzies. Such an awesome vibe!

The bond between NZPF and APPA continues to strengthen. As I mentioned during the conference, we have far more similarities than differences. Knowing we share common challenges, and that together we are  devoted to ensuring equity for every learner, was both empowering and uplifting. The APPA Executive was so impressed with the collegiality, your openness and of course our singing!!!.

"Trans-Tasman Conference Takeaways: Inspiration Galore—No Coffee Required!"

We were fortunate to hear from outstanding keynote speakers.  I can’t cover them all here, but we will have a full conference report in the term four issue of our NZ Principal magazine. 

Hana O'Regan opened our conference with a powerful address on the state of racial relations and the real risks our learners face. This is poignant at a time when Te Tiriti o Waitangi is being questioned. We need to hold fast  and continue to focus on culturally responsive practices in our Kura. It is important to remember that future generations will judge us on our actions today. We, together, are building a more tolerant society and we can all be very proud of that.

Hana also emphasised the importance of a collective response to current challenges, reminding us that we must work together to maintain our progress.

Jordan Nguyen inspired us with his insights on using technology to enhance participation for disabled individuals, and shattered long-held prejudices through his personal stories. 

Iain Taylor reminded us of the expertise we have right here in New Zealand. He had an encouraging message, and is an inspirational leader. It is a reminder to share our narratives and celebrate those who "take truth to power." There are so many more of you out there doing amazing work in your schools. We want to capture more of your stories and share them widely.

I’d like to express my gratitude to the Hon. Erica Stanford, Minister of Education, for addressing our conference. Maintaining strong Ministerial relationships means we continue to bring our professional critique to Government policies and help shape a better and more workable education system. Minister Stanford has been willing to listen. She has heard our views on learning support and made it one of her priorities. She wants learning support to work well as much as we do and recognises that it is the system of learning support that needs reworking. She has also heard the call to slow the pace of change for literacy and numeracy and does not expect both subjects to be fully embedded before 2027. She knows there are schools out there starting from scratch with both subjects and cannot fully embed both subjects by the start of next year. She agrees that extensive and ongoing PLD will be required across all schools meaning additional TODs with quality providers. We share the goal of wanting our tamariki to thrive and by working together and bringing our practitioner voice to discussions, we can achieve that goal more quickly.

I extend my thanks to Minister Stanford for remaining after her address to talk informally with principals and for joining us at the President's Reception later that evening.

Gilbert Enoka provided a poignant conclusion to our conference with key lessons for us as Leaders. Three takeaways include:

1. You will never rise above the opinion you have of yourself.

2. Choices, not chances, determine destiny.

3. The past does not have to equal the future.

These wise words resonated and serve as a reminder of the stresses we put on ourselves. It is our attitude that matters most.

Alongside our keynote speakers, we had an incredible lineup of workshop leaders who generously shared their knowledge and insights. Every workshop could have been a keynote. I hope their  contributions inspired you to take meaningful action in your schools and communities for the benefit of all our tamariki.

National campaign launch at the Trans Tasman Conference “Stand Up, Speak out, Go on Record”

My thanks to all who participated in our “Stand Up, Speak out, Go on Record” national POSITIVE campaign by recording a short clip, about why you love your job or what great things are happening in your school. You came out in droves keeping our NZPF staff on their toes. We now have sufficient recorded clips to give this positive campaign a real boost! It’s not too late. If you want to participate - record a quick 20-second (or longer) clip on your phone and send to us at admin@nzpf.ac.nz. We’ll be sharing these gems on our Instagram and Facebook pages next term.

It’s fantastic to see all the positive energy in these recordings! It’s great for the public to witness the joys of being a principal—and it’s just as uplifting for us to celebrate our roles. Let’s spread that positivity!

In the end, positive, optimistic people usually feel happier, healthier, and achieve more than those who think negatively. The big difference is how they view and interpret what happens in their lives. Keep it positive - TOGETHER!

Happy holiday - yes, take a break!

As the end of term draws near, I want to thank you all for the incredible work you all do. Seriously, you all deserve a medal!  It can be a tough gig at times, but as so many of you say, it’s the only job I’d want to do. Who else gets to shape young minds and the future of our country every day? Sure we also navigate a sea of paperwork, de-escalate crises, and manage the growing gaps in our workforce and that all takes its toll on our health and mental wellbeing. That’s why we all need to take a break with our whanau and friends—it’s the best way to recharge for whatever comes next term!

Ngā mihi,

Leanne