August 2025
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Leading Well Through Te Whare Mauri Ora -
Wiremu Gray MNZAC
At our recent event, "Leading with Wellbeing: Insights for Schools and Leaders," Wiremu Gray engaged participants with an authentic and distinctly Aotearoa lens on school leadership and hauora. Drawing on his breadth of experience and deep understanding, Wiremu blended story, practice, and principle to deliver a session that was both practical and inspiring for leaders across all levels.
Highlights from the Session:
Those who attended left encouraged and equipped to bring new perspectives into their leadership. Key ideas that stood out included:
Wellbeing as a Foundation for Leadership: Effective leadership grows from a place of balance and hauora. When leaders model this, they create conditions where staff and ākonga can also thrive.
Actionable Approaches for Schools: Participants valued the simple yet powerful strategies that could be trialled straight away, demonstrating how small shifts can make a big impact.
Grounded in Aotearoa: The importance of context was a recurring theme — leaders recognised the strength of approaches that reflect local culture, values, and community.
Collective Responsibility: Hauora is strengthened when it is shared across the school community, with collaboration and relationships at the centre.
Embedding Lasting Practice: Attendees explored how to ensure well-being is not just a one-off initiative but an enduring part of school culture.
Wiremu’s thoughtful delivery encouraged leaders to reflect deeply on their own practice while also sparking optimism for what is possible in their schools. His generosity of knowledge and commitment to uplifting others left a strong impression.
We warmly thank Wiremu Gray for guiding us through such a rich and meaningful session, and for encouraging leaders to keep wellbeing at the heart of their work. To connect with Wiremu, visit: manafacilitation.com
June 2025
Investigating Student Behaviour: Avoiding Conflict, Complaints and Challenges - Tim Sterne
Our recent event, "Investigating Student Behaviour: Avoiding Conflict, Complaints and Challenges," led by the highly experienced Tim Sterne of Basalt Solutions, provided invaluable insights and practical guidance for principals, middle leaders, and aspiring leaders navigating the increasingly complex landscape of student misconduct investigations. Tim's ability to blend his extensive experience as a teacher and a detective sergeant offered a unique and highly relevant perspective on the challenges schools face.
Key Takeaways from the Session:
Key Takeaways from the Session:
Attendees left the event better equipped to handle sensitive school situations with expertise and care. Here are some of the key takeaways that resonated with our participants:
Understanding the Escalation of Investigations: There was a strong consensus that investigations into student misconduct are indeed increasing in both frequency and complexity. Participants acknowledged the significant stress this places on educators who are primarily trained to teach, not to conduct formal investigations.
The Imperative of Truth and Ethics: A core theme was the critical need for investigations to swiftly uncover the truth while rigorously maintaining ethical standards and adhering to legal requirements. The session underscored that the integrity of these processes is paramount.
Building Trust Through Effective Processes: Many attendees recognised the importance of moving towards investigation processes that are consistently effective, efficient, and ethical. The goal is to establish systems that everyone - students, parents, staff, and the wider community - can trust.
Navigating Emerging Issues: The session successfully addressed emerging issues in student disciplinary investigations, equipping participants with the knowledge to proactively manage new challenges and complexities.
Legal and Ethical Principles in Practice: Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the critical legal and ethical principles that underpin fair and just investigations, ensuring compliance and minimising the risk of challenges or complaints.
Tim Sterne's unique background, combining a career in teaching with extensive experience as a New Zealand Police detective sergeant, including investigating serious crimes and internal misconduct, proved to be a powerful asset. His passion for helping schools and tertiary institutions conduct administrative investigations was evident throughout the session.
We extend our sincere thanks to Tim Sterne and Basalt Solutions for sharing their expertise and contributing to the professional development of our educational leaders. To connect with Tim, visit: basaltsolutions.com
March 2025
Empowering You to Grow Your Leadership - Sean Bailey
In March, we had the privilege of hosting Sean Bailey for an inspiring session on 'Empowering You to Grow Your Leadership.' This event, like our others, focused on providing valuable insights and practical strategies for school leaders. Sean's candid sharing of his journey and the key takeaways he offered resonated deeply with attendees. For those who attended, or for anyone who missed out, Sean has graciously shared his presentation slides, accessible here: Link to slides
We encourage you to revisit the key takeaways and reflect on how you can apply them in your own leadership roles.
We regularly host events featuring experienced educators and leaders, focusing on relevant and timely topics, and look forward to continuing this journey of growth and connection with you at our upcoming sessions
To explore Sean's insights further, visit:
November 2024
Leading in the age of AI - Carolyn Stuart
In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, school leaders must be prepared to navigate the complexities of Artificial Intelligence. Connecting School Leaders hosted an insightful event featuring Carolyn Stuart, renowned leadership coach and author, who provided practical strategies for leveraging AI while mitigating potential pitfalls. Attendees engaged in meaningful discussions and gained valuable tools to ensure AI serves the best interests of students, staff, and communities. This event empowered leaders to proactively address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, fostering a future-ready educational environment.
Explore Carolyn's insights further through her blog and publications
https://leadershiplab.co.nz/team/carolyn-stuart/
Trauma Informed Practice - Jase Williams
In 2023, Jase Williams (Ngāti Tamaterā) delivered an inspiring presentation to nearly 80 educators at a Connecting School Leaders event held at The Cathedral Grammar School. Jase is one of the most sought-after presenters, keynote speakers, and professional development facilitators in New Zealand. With over 20 years of experience as an educator and the former Principal of Henry Hill School in Napier, a decile 1A primary school, Jase is a leading voice in Trauma Informed Practice in Education.
Under his leadership, Henry Hill School's Trauma Informed Approach significantly raised attendance, academic achievement, and improved health outcomes for students. The school was awarded the most recent Prime Minister’s Education Excellence Award in the Wellbeing category, a testament to its remarkable impact.
As a Ministry of Education Accredited Facilitator, Jase has worked with thousands of educators and hundreds of ECE, primary, intermediate, and high schools across the country. His influence extends internationally, making him a pivotal figure in advancing Trauma Informed Practice in Education.
Further Educational Links regarding Jase and his mahi:
Education Gazette - Trauma-informed kaupapa provides strength through ongoing challenges
Pathways to Principalship
In early 2023, Connecting School Leaders held its inaugural event at Westburn Te Kura o Hereora, titled 'Pathways to Principalship.' This event featured inspiring presentations from three distinguished former members of the School Leaders Network who shared their personal journeys towards becoming principals. Attendees heard from Leigh Fowler of Marshlands School, Claire Howison, the founding principal of Ararira Springs Primary School in Lincoln, and Rob Naysmith of Weedons School. Their experiences provided valuable insights and guidance for aspiring school leaders, making it a truly enriching and motivational event.
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