PPCB has become aware of NZSTA messaging that they were trying to give clear and specific advice to boards to monitor and review Principal Appraisal.

As you are aware the Professional Growth Cycles came about from an accord between, PPTA, NZEI, NZSTA and the Ministry of Education in 2019.

The Professional Growth Cycle model was launched in October 2021 and was required to be implemented by the leaders by February 2023.

Over the intervening years, the Teaching Council worked with the sector and NZSTA( as it was at that time) on the guidelines.

The PGC requires principals to

• know the professional standards and make them part of their professional practice( 2a FAQ)

• share their goals against the standards with their Presiding Member (PM) and plan the support they will need ( 2b FAQ)

• develop a plan to achieve their goals and work collegially with colleagues to achieve the goals

• seek feedback from a variety of sources, including the PM ( 2d FAQ)

A member of the PGC will confirm annually that the professional leader participated in the PGC and meets the standards.

There are processes to follow if the endorser feels the leader does not meet the standards and a separate process is in place for this type of employment issue.

If multiple sources of feedback are being sought the process can maintain rigour and develop growth.

There is ample opportunity for the PM to be part of the process of setting goals and as a source giving feedback.

As it stands the PGC process does meet the legislative requirements and regulations to do with the principal's practice.

Due to the above PPCB is following up the NZSTA notice with the Teaching Council and NZSTA to see what it means to our members.

We will keep you posted.

From NZSTA

Performance appraisals/agreements update

Mandatory performance appraisals have been removed from most principal collective agreements, but boards still have a duty of an employer to reasonably manage the performance of an employee. NZSTA are currently working on providing clear and specific advice to boards struggling with how to ensure that monitoring, reviewing, and assessing their principal's performance can be done legally and responsibly. We will update our resources soon.