We embarked on a journey in education as teachers, learning our craft through study, practice, and experience. It took time. We learned from our colleagues, our mistakes, our achievements and our experiences in our classrooms, staffrooms, and communities. Through this, we stepped up to the next challenge of school leadership, becoming principals. School principalship is also a profession. Again, we learned our craft by depending upon and learning from our colleagues.
I believe it is time for the New Zealand Principals’ Federation to establish and develop a College of School Principals. The form this may take is for a future discussion and will need work. And eventually, the College may establish positions of ‘Fellow’.
Elitist? Not at all. This is all about RECOGNITION. We have matured as a profession. We’ve moved beyond the Tall Poppy era of the 60s–80s. There is nothing wrong with recognising superb performance and service to the profession. GPs, Engineers, Psychiatrists have established ‘Colleges’ to enhance their professional status, and to recognise those individuals whose contributions have made a difference to society.
Why should school principals not have a similar professional level of recognition?
Some New Zealand / Australasian examples:
-
NZ College of Midwives NZ College of Chiropractic
-
NZ College of Law NZ College of Business
-
NZ College of Nurses NZ College of Clinical Psychologists
-
RNZCUC Urgent Care RANZCP Psychiatrists
-
RACP Physicians RNZCGP General Practitioners
-
NZ College of Critical Care Nurses
-
RANZCOG Obstetricians and Gynaecologists
‘Fellow of . . . ’ typically refers to a distinguished or specially elected member of an academic, professional or learned society, often recognized for their work or achievements, or as a mark of honour. In Engineering, a Fellow is a highly esteemed and recognized title awarded to individuals who have made significant, sustained contributions to the profession, often demonstrating leadership, innovation, and expertise.
Fellowships of this type can be awarded as a title of honour in their own right, e.g. Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) or Fellow of the Royal Academy of . . .
Some Examples:
-
Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand: Recognizes distinction in research or advancement of science or technology.
-
Fellow of the New Zealand Mathematical Society (FNZMS): Recognizes members who have made substantial contributions to the mathematical sciences.
-
Fellow of the Institute of Directors (CFInstD): The highest level on the chartered pathway, requiring experience and background suitable for membership.
-
Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP): A recognized specialist title linked to training and specialist practice.
-
Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA): An honorific designation recognizing scientific and professional accomplishments and contributions, volunteer leadership, and service supporting the overall AHA mission.
-
Fellow of the British Academy (FBA): An award based on published work.
-
Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng): Recognizes excellence in engineering.
Background information from the Royal Society on how Fellowships are awarded can be found here. I suggest that the NZPF Executive take the initiative and discuss this proposal. Perhaps meet with representatives of SPANZ (and the Principals’ Councils?) to ensure that any decisions would encompass both Primary and Secondary sectors.
The various ‘Colleges’ in New Zealand represent mainly the medical professions, but there is no reason whatsoever why the profession of School Leadership (Principalship) should not also have a very similar level of status and recognition. Twice each year, the New Year’s and King’s Birthday Honours are announced, and it is always gratifying to see our wonderful educational leaders properly recognised for their work.
A New Zealand College of School Principals would go a long way to giving recognition to our top performers, those who have given exceptional service to:
-
Their profession.
-
Their schools and communities.
-
New Zealand society.
Engineers, Midwives and Critical Care Nurses have a ‘New Zealand College’ for their professions. Isn’t it time for School Principals to also have something similar?