The 2026 Principal Shadowing Programme has been a highly successful initiative, providing valuable professional development opportunities for aspiring school leaders while strengthening connections and collaboration across the ISNZ network.
We matched 17 Assistant and Deputy Principals (mentees) with 16 experienced Principal mentors and provided ongoing support throughout the process. Follow-up conversations with mentors and feedback from mentees were also undertaken to evaluate the programme and identify opportunities for improvement.
Feedback from both groups was overwhelmingly positive. Mentors valued the opportunity to contribute to leadership development across the sector and were impressed by the engagement and commitment of their mentees. They generously provided two to three days of their time, arranging experiences that exposed participants to the breadth and complexity of principalship. These included senior leadership meetings, strategic decision-making, student engagement, and opportunities to observe the work of finance, human resources and other key departments.
At the end of the programme participants’ feedback included strong appreciation for the experience and the generosity of their mentors. Particularly valued were the opportunities to observe leadership in action, engage in honest and open conversations, gain insights into collaborative decision-making and develop a deeper understanding of the Principal's influence across the school. Participants also appreciated the supportive relationships established and the opportunity to connect with leaders beyond their own school environment.
Feedback also identified several opportunities to strengthen the programme in 2027. These included more structured pre-visit discussions to clarify individual learning goals, a formal follow-up with the mentor four to six weeks after the experience, and opportunities for mentees to connect online with other participants. Engagement with their own Principal following the visit was also identified as important to ensure that learning translates into meaningful future leadership development. Additional experiences, such as attending a Board meeting, meeting with students and gaining exposure to governance, finance, human resources and fundraising, could further enrich the programme.
Overall, the 2026 Principal Shadowing Programme has demonstrated the considerable value of shared professional learning and sector-wide leadership development. It provides aspiring leaders with a unique opportunity to broaden their understanding of principalship, build professional networks and reflect on their own leadership aspirations. Importantly, it also reinforces the willingness of experienced Principals to invest in the next generation of school leaders. Guy Pascoe, Chief Executive ISNZ says, “This is an outstanding initiative that strengthens leadership capability, fosters collegiality and builds meaningful connections, while investing positively in the future of independent school leadership.”
All participating mentors have indicated their willingness to be involved again, several additional Principals have expressed interest, and mentees would readily recommend the experience to colleagues.
The programme was conceived, facilitated and supported by Chris Leighton, previous Rector of St Andrew's College 2007-2025. '' Principals who have welcomed senior leaders from other schools and shared their insights and expertise , reflect the strong collegiality of the ISNZ network. It is great to know that mentees have been inspired and encouraged to pursue further leadership experiences through their involvement with this programme. I hope there will continue to be strong interest next year to enable more aspiring leaders to participate."
We look forward to offering the Principal Shadowing Programme in 2027.
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