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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 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.
Background
Two years ago Christine Leighton was approached by a Principal asking if she could host a Deputy Principal seminar for several days at St Andrew’s College.
Though it didn’t have any formal structure / plan in place at the time, the visit was incredibly positive and rewarding experience for everyone involved. The participants enjoyed the rich conversations that emerged, and the DP’s questions made Christine consider how to better articulate what her job entailed, as well as the ways she approached certain tasks.
The DP was able to observe Principal work and leadership in a different environment. They could make comparisons, understand the differing styles and personalities, and how this affects a leadership style.
It was a great experience, and Christine wondered “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? Christine knew a similar programme had been run in Australia, so she reached out to their independent schools' network; in speaking with them she decided to make it happen in New Zealand. Christin approached and of course ISNZ said they would support this initiative..
Ideal Participants
The ideal participant is an AP / DP who has completed 2-3 years in their current role, and whose next step is to apply for a Principal position. 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.
At the Heads’ Circle, Christine presented the framework of what to expect and what the Mentor and Mentee need to consider before the start of the programme.
Mentees can expect to do some preparation ahead of the programme, as well as some post-programme reflection.
For Principals participating, their main role is to provide support for their Mentee. The mentoring will require mentees to be generous in opening up their practice and work. There is of course the need for both Mentor and Mentee to be aware of confidentiality.
Measuring Success
Feedback will be collected via formal correspondence, goal-setting and reflection – this will be especially important for the Mentee. We will focus on measuring the programme’s success by the personal and professional growth the participants have experienced during the programme.
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.
