Relationships are at the heart of what we do

National Aspiring Principals Programme 2016

Application PresentationWendy Keating

As leaders in education, we have a crucial role to build strength within and between our organisations, in order to provide the best opportunities for our students to grow and succeed. When we keep relationships at the heart of our business, we ensure that we will have the most significant and wide-reaching impact on our learning communities.1

Shaping the FutureBuilding strength through relationship-based leadership

NAPP 2016 Wendy Keating

As leaders in education, we have a crucial role to build strength within and between our organisations, in order to provide the best opportunities for our students to grow and succeed. When we keep relationships at the heart of our business, we ensure that we will have the most significant and wide-reaching impact on our learning communities.2

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tangata! He tangata! He tangata!

What is the most important thing in the world?It is people! It is people! It is people!

Whos at the heart of my work as an educator - the people. The students, their whanau, my colleagues, our school communities, the multitude of agencies and networks in which we interact.But not just for the individuals and communtiies we are today, but for the hopes and aspirations of who we are to become as a society3

Our commitment to our cultural heritage past, present and futureRecognising the Treaty of Waitangi as a model for strong relationships

A significant factor in strengthening our future society, is celebrating our many histories, recognising our mistakes and continuing to re-shape and rebuild our relationships. Our national heritage, our promise as a society, to honour the relationships within Aotearoa must continue to stand strong. As we becoming increasingly global and interconnected, we must stay grounded in our past, as a nation built of many people, and also look to the future. To achieve our aspirations and dreams for all of our people, as educational leaders we too must ensure that our nations promise is reflected in our own commitment to developing and strengthening our learning communities. 4

Future-focussed importance of relationshipsLasting interest in and commitment to individuals, and to societal impact long-term

I think the impact of principals in this way can be very far-reaching...Its a very understated profession, but I think its a very worthwhile onea very special onebecause principals do shape the futures of students. Gabrielle Leigh, Victoria Principals Association

As we develop a commitment to the impact we want to have on our society of the future, we recognise the very special role of educational leaders. As commented by Gabrielle Leigh, principals do shape the futures of students, but there are a multitude of leaders within our educational organisations. The future demands that we distribute leadership, that we draw upon the strengths, passions and capabilities of others who can have wider impact. It is the role of any leader in education to empower others to contribute. Recognising the significant role we all have, enables us to build strength, not just within our settings but also between them, interconnecting and developing relationships, a model for the interactions we desire for our students as they move on into the 21st Century.5

Honouring the past, treasuring the future

A challenge for educational leaders

A significant factor in strengthening our future society, is celebrating our many histories, recognising our mistakes and continuing to re-shape and rebuild our relationships. Our national heritage, our promise as a society, to honour the relationships within Aotearoa must continue to stand strong. As we becoming increasingly global and interconnected, we must stay grounded in our past, as a nation built of many people, and also look to the future. To achieve our aspirations and dreams for all of our people, as educational leaders we too must ensure that our nations promise is reflected in our own commitment to developing and strengthening our learning communities. 6