How long have you been an educator, and where did you train?
My first teaching position was in 1997 at Mangere Bridge School, which I absolutely loved. I had amazing mentors who supported me to develop a focus on educational leadership. I completed a diploma in teaching at Auckland College of Education, and a bachelor of education degree at the University of Auckland. Later, I continued with my university studies to gain a masters in education leadership.
When did you become principal of Riverhills School?
I started as principal at Riverhills School in 2015. It has been an incredible 10 years with this school and community. I’ve worked with fantastic board members and staff to continually improve the school, making big strides forward to fulfil our collective vision.
What’s the best thing about being an educator and principal?
The opportunity to make a difference and knowing that what you do really matters is such a privilege. The decisions I make and the way I respond to situations can have a huge impact on my staff, students and the community. While some might see this as a big responsibility I see it as an honour. Working as a principal requires quick thinking, flexibility, patience and a big heart. I love hearing from past students and whānau about their successes and how their time at Riverhills contributed to those.
What’s special about Riverhills School?
The people make Riverhills School special. Riverhills is a school that provides a strong sense of belonging. Every student is valued and acknowledged. We celebrate and find the good in everyone, which creates a safe and settled environment, and puts our students in a strong position to be resilient, successful learners. We strive to provide learning that inspires our students and gives them a wide range of opportunities. When we provide engaging, inspiring programmes we know our students will be happy to come to school every day, which is so important for their learning.
Is there anything you’d like improved in the education/school management sector?
Significant recent changes to the curriculum are demanding a huge amount of work over a very short time frame. While I support many of the changes, I think it would be beneficial if there was more time, more support, and critically, a focus on what is best for children as diverse learners. Not all children learn the same way, so there is no one best way to teach them. Teaching needs to be responsive to learners as individuals. Teachers need to be empowered to identify learner needs and to meet those needs drawing from a toolkit of effective strategies. My hope would be that we can find a balance to make sure all children have the best opportunity to succeed.
How is the relationship between Riverhills School and its immediate local community?
We have a wonderfully supportive community around us at Riverhills. The school is well connected with its local ECE centres, providing great transition to school support through weekly visits to the school. The school site is in a quiet location with no heavy traffic rushing past, giving it a sense of peace. Our grounds are accessible to the public outside school hours, and it’s lovely to see members of the community enjoying the facilities and taking good care of the school too.
