Editor
PAUL DRUMMOND Ever y exec utive memb er brings fresh ideas, insights and experience to their work for New Zealand principals. Every now and then a member also brings the ‘X Factor’ and for Paul Drummond, that doesn't mean musical entertainer! From early on Paul demonstrated an acute intelligence for seeing through rhetoric and spin, interpreting complex political arguments and helping his colleagues to form a view that would best represent principals across the nation. It’s a rare gift and one that was highly valued by his colleagues on the executive. He stood as Vice President to Peter Simpson in 2011 and became President in 2012. The overwhelming endorsement from colleagues is testimony to the calibre of leadership that he brought to all of his work. As President he quickly became an influence in the media and never failed to front the cameras whether Breakfast TV or the last current affairs programme of the night and sometimes did both in one day, whilst responding to radio and print reporters in between. His commitment and dedication to supporting his colleagues by taking the message to the public, was exemplary. It seemed the more interviews he did, the more the media came to him for comment. They too recognised and appreciated that Paul would always give them good sound analysis and a fresh approach to an issue. On many occasions he became the news leader, the breaking news on issues like Novopay for which the Campbell Live programme kept returning to NZPF week after week to highlight the plight of principals throughout the country. The pressure was relentless and it soon influenced the policy makers. Connecting with the members was his other strength and he prioritised invitations to speak at regional conferences at every opportunity. He was also acutely aware of the pressures on principals when it came to ‘reading time’ whilst also aware of the importance of keeping them informed and updated. To this end he instigated a redesign of the weekly Federation Flyer to make it easier for principals to get the messages without reading through long passages of prose. His influence is what Paul’s Presidency will be remembered for most. He made an outstanding contribution to the national organisation and a positive difference for colleagues everywhere. We wish Paul and his family all the very best in his well-earned retirement.
PETER WITANA A member of the executive since 2007 Peter brought his own style and special skills to the executive and was always the strongest advocate around the table for his Māori principal colleagues and their work with Māori children. He recognised that if the national executive was to share his aspirations, they too needed some professional development experiences to better understand things Māori. To this end, together with his executive colleagues Keri MilneIhimaera and Whetu Cormick, he planned and organised a weekend trip to Te Tii Marae at Waitangi where the executive were immersed in the cultural practices of the north. This full immersion experience including staying overnight on the Marae and ‘living’ the culture was deeply affecting for everyone and had a major influence on their understanding of an alternative Māori world view. The choice of Te Tii Marae, the site of so many political struggles over many years, was poignant and fitting for the national body’s professional learning. Back at the executive table, Peter’s influence continued as discussions began on how best to lift the achievement of Māori students. Out of these discussions came a ground breaking initiative called the Māori Achievement Collaboratives (MACs). This initiative is a professional development opportunity for principals committed to supporting their Māori students to succeed as Māori and for all students to have a greater understanding of what biculturalism and treaty partnership really means in practice. The intention is to have all schools producing culturally informed, sensitive and tolerant students whose attitudes will in time change the attitudes of the nation for the better. Whilst no one would disagree with the intention, there are many principals who simply don’t have the cultural knowledge or experience to fully understand what an alternative world view might look like and especially what a Māori world view might entail. The collaboratives are led by principals who do have that knowledge and understanding and can share their expertise with the rest. They have been established now for two years and the demand for more is growing. We thank Peter for his transformational work on our behalf, for his undying passion and advocacy for his people and the strength of his leadership in establishing the MACs. This legacy will endure long after his retirement. Our very best wishes go with Peter and his family in his retirement years.