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We are delighted to launch the Principal Shadowing Programme, a new professional development initiative facilitated by ISNZ and Christine Leighton. The Programme will be explained further / in-depth at the Heads' Circle on 1 May, and will cover why the Programme is important, how it works, and how to get involved. Ahead of the Head's Circle, we sat down with Christine for some initial insights.
Q1. What is the shadowing programme?
The Principal and Deputy / Assistant Principal Shadowing Programme is a new mentor / mentee initiative available to all ISNZ member schools. Its purpose is to encourage and uplift the professional development, learning, and connection of APs/ DPs across New Zealand, and to prepare them for their next step into a Principal role. The role of the participating Principals will be to mentor an AP or DP from a different region, hosting them for 2-3 days in your school, and supporting their understanding of the work Principals do.
Q2. How did it come about?
Two years ago I was approached by another Principal asking if I could host a Deputy Principal for several days at St Andrew’s College. I of course agreed.
Though I didn’t have any formal structure / plan in place at the time, their visit was an incredibly positive and rewarding experience for both of us. We enjoyed the rich conversations that emerged, and the DP’s questions made me consider how to better articulate what my job entailed, as well as the ways I went about certain tasks.
The DP was able to observe Principal work and leadership in a different environment than what they normally experience. They could make comparisons, understand the differing styles and personalities, and how that all affects a leadership style.
It was a great experience, and had me thinking “Is this something we could offer for the wider ISNZ network?” There are a lot of logistics involved, so could ISNZ somehow organise / facilitate a programme to take some of that workload off the Principals? I knew a similar programme had been run in Australia, so reached out to their independent schools' network; in speaking with them I decided to make it happen in New Zealand as well.
Q3. Who is the ideal participant?
The ideal participant would be an AP / DP who has completed 2-3 years in their current role, and whose next step would be to apply for a Principal position.
Q4. How much experience should participants have?
A few years in their current AP / DP role at least, and they should have enough experience / feedback to reflect on their own strengths / weaknesses in their role. APs and DPs should go into this programme knowing what they want to achieve, and what they think they can improve upon.
Q5. What can participants expect?
At the Heads’ Circle on Friday 1 May, I will go through the framework of what will be provided to schools / participants, and what the Mentor and Mentee will need to consider before the start of the programme.
Mentees can expect to do some preparation ahead of the programme start, as well as some post-programme reflection.
For Principals participating, their main role is to provide support for their Mentee. The mentoring will require you to be generous in opening up your practice and how you work.
There is of course the need for both Mentor and Mentee to be aware of confidentiality.
Q6. How will you measure its success?
We will of course collect feedback in the usual ways, such as formal correspondence, goal-setting and reflection – this will be especially important for the Mentee, and templates will be provided.
For participants, they will be able to measure the programme’s success by the personal and professional growth they experience during the programme.
Q7. What ambitions do you have for it in the future?
If successful, and people find it worthwhile, this programme could become a regular offering from ISNZ. It could even extend into exchanges of other roles (Directors of Development, Marketing Directors, etc); these kinds of exchanges happen informally now, but it would be great to expand them.
Register here for the Heads’ Circle on Friday 1 May.
