This issue of NZ Principal includes some heavy topics tackled head-on, alongside plenty of warmth, celebration, and excitement about the future. It’s a mix that reflects the job of a principal itself: serious one moment, absurd the next, but always hugely gratifying.
In this term’s photo essay, Curating Classic Photos, PhotoLife Director Greg Chadderton delves into decades of class photo archives with NZ Principal to recognise their 100 years of operations and 20 years of NZPF support. We visited Newlands Primary school to meet the principal Shirley Porteous. She’s a bit of a history nut and has recently published a book that chronicles 120 years of her school’s history. We talked to her about the endeavour, her leadership journey, and what’s so special about Newlands Primary.
In the President’s Pen, Jason Miles details NZPF’s recently announced proposal for a Curriculum Advisory Council — a non-partisan and truly representative group of education and sector leaders that is being driven by the NZPF. With the general election getting closer, Jason writes about how now is the time for our politicians to commit to a long-term vision for New Zealand’s education system. Timely, then, that reader-favourite Dr John O’Neill is asking, fairly bluntly, if it is possible to get politics out of our national curriculum. John has looked at lessons from the past, asserting that “today’s curriculum reforms will likely run aground, and for predictable reasons.” It is a very interesting read, particularly when thinking about the short-termism of the current education reforms versus the long-termism of NZPF’s proposed Curriculum Advisory Council.
NZ Principal writer and NZPF executive member Steph Thompson has explored principalship in the context of Matariki, and has outlined four anchors of leadership along with practical coaching questions. You can hear from other NZPF executive members in the Executive Bookclub, and read Lysandra Stuart’s key takeaways from the Rural Teaching Principals Conference.
Rebecca Laney and Charlotte Coutts from the PASL legal team have put together an explainer for information requests, and communications specialist Pete Burdon has prepared some practical guidance on the toughest conversations a principal can ever have: speaking with parents who have lost a child. On the lighter side, regular columnist Helen Kinsey-Wightman writes about the psychology of an 11-week term (and how critical sausage rollls and lollies are to getting through!). We’ve also included something extra special from semi-retired principal and Stewart Island local Andrew Watson. Andrew had been thinking about the similarities between the current education reforms and National Standards, a massive change that happened during his principalship. He wrote a short story about the conflict between individual student needs and an overly regimented education system. It’s whimsical and it is pertinent — and it’s a wonderful contribution to this magazine.
This term’s guest columnists include New Zealand Red Cross and Sport Waikato. The Red Cross (also celebrating 100 years!) writes about the importance of psychological first aid in today’s education environments and what training is available for schools. Sport Waikato have drawn from their Moving Waikato Youth Survey 2025 to examine why rangatahi aren’t engaging in sports and what you can do to increase participation.
And because we all need something that makes us smile (although grimace might be the better word to use here!), NZ Principal has received permission from The Press and Stuff to share a political cartoon from the great Sharon Murdoch with the people likely to appreciate it the most, our school leaders. In June, Sharon sharpened her pen to take aim at the Minister’s one-size-fits-all education reforms. Maybe you can tell me what you think about it — and the NZ Principal magazine — at the International Confederation of Principals (ICP) Convention 2026?
From 16 to 18 September, principals and school leaders are set to flock to Auckland from all corners of the globe for the ICP Convention. It is the premier international event for principals and a fantastic opportunity for PLD and networking. For me as NZ Principal editor, it is going to be such an awesome place to connect with New Zealand principals and tumuaki and to meet my readers! Naomi Bishop, NZ Principal’s advertising manager and designer from Little Island Press, will also be there to say hi. If you haven’t got your tickets yet, register at ICP2026.com/register so you don’t miss out.