LEADING LIGHTS Issue 1 | 2023
PIP WELLS
National Co-President
Current principal of Te Kura Pokapū o Whakatū / Nelson Central School, and proud mother of two grown children.
Long association with NZEALS.
Have worked full time, part-time, self employed, contractor, employee, kaiako DP, Principal…
Previously also worked across sectors in teacher and leadership advisory, alternative education and Education outside the classroom.
Love working with others to make a difference for our tamariki, and for our world, through research-based reflection and practice.
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi
Engari he toa takitini
KARYN GRAY
National Co-President
Kei Te Awaamutu e kainga tupu
Kei Whanaganui a Tara e kainga noho
Kei te Kura o Whare o Rapeira ahau e mahi ana
Kei te kura o kaupapa o Matauranga Waldorf
He Tumuaki ahau
I am currently the Principal of Rapahel House Rudolf Steiner school serving parents and students wanting a Waldorf education throughout the greater Wellington area. I have had the privilege of being a leader in a range of schools including NZ state, international, area, and now integrated schools.
I have a burning passion for transforming the learning process, and the leadership structures we serve our schools with through collaboration. I completed a Master in Contemporary Education with a special project on collaborative leadership for transformation.
I love the seamless power of area schooling where our students start in kindergarten and go through to the end of secondary schooling and that is why I appreciate NZEALS as an organization- encompassing early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary educators through literature informed practices.
SHELLEY MCKAY
National Vice President
Ko Remarkables te Maunga
Ko Kawarau te awa
Ko Takatimu te waka
Ko Ngāi Tahu te iwi
No Tahuna ahau
Ko Ward raua ko Barbara oku mama,
Ko Tipene taku hoa rangatira
Ko Zackary taku tama
Ko Paige taku tamahine
Ko tumuake tuarua o te Taumata o te kura
Ko Shelley McKay toku ingoa
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa
My name is Shelley McKay. I am Deputy Principal at Taumata School in Tauranga. My journey into leading has spanned a 29-year career in education. My pathway to where I am today began as a Team Leader, Across School Leader, Deputy Principal in a Foundation School and now Deputy Principal another Foundation school which is growing at an exponential rate. I am also Chairperson of the Bay of Plenty AP/DP Association. It is a privilege to lead and support the growth of other leaders. NZEALS has been an excellent way to grow connections with other leaders in education across New Zealand and be exposed to such a wide range of thinking about leading and learning. I look forward to meeting many of you in your journey with NZEALS.
Nga mihi nui, Shelley McKay
JAY KEDIAN
Immediate Past President
Jeremy Kedian is the Senior Consultant for Leadership Innovation NZ. Previously, he spent almost twenty years as Manager of the Educational Leadership Centre at the University of Waikato. In this role he worked with leaders in education and, to a lesser extent, business leaders. He has worked extensively with schools and other educational institutions –from early childhood to higher education - and has a strong interest in leadership theory, organisational theory, dialogue and dialogic approaches, and the lived experiences of principals as leaders of educational institutions.
Jeremy has been a member of NZEALS since 1998, and has assisted in the leadership of the Society, at various times serving as a National Council member, President and Vice-President.
He regularly works in New Zealand, South Africa, England, Australia and Malaysia, and visits a number of other countries by invitation.
ANN BRIGGS
National Secretary
Kia ora koutou
As a teacher in UK secondary schools, tertiary colleges and universities, my main joy was to enable learners of any age to access knowledge and skills that they valued, and to develop their critical insight. I grew into leadership roles and thence to leadership development, exploring the challenges and responsibilities of leadership with other leaders. As an English graduate and a researcher, I love helping others develop their research skills and academic writing: processes that do not always come naturally.
I’ve been National Secretary of NZEALS since 2011 and it’s the best retirement job I could imagine. From my home in the Top of the South, it keeps me in touch with on-the-ground education issues and with education leaders across New Zealand and the world.
Ngā mihi, Ann
DOUG MILNE
National Treasurer
Originally from Dunedin, presently living in Nelson, having moved here in 1997 from Christchurch to be manager of the Christchurch College of Education Campus. An NZEALS member for 26 years and the current National Treasurer. An experienced professional having worked across all sectors of the educational sector as a teacher, deputy principal, principal, leadership and management adviser, tertiary lecturer. counsellor, mentor, and private consultant, I now enjoy waking up each morning and deciding what I might like to do for the day. Every day is a “Saturday”. This may include walking, biking, swimming, reading, gardening, sports watching, spending time with family and friends or voluntary community work. Being a member of NZEALS enables me to keep in touch and feed my “education diet”.
Members at Large
LISA DILLON-ROBERTS
Canterbury Region Representative
Christchurch has been my home for the past eleven years. I enjoy sharing the region with my husband Stuart and our two children Libby and Max. I have been a Primary School Principal for eighteen years, with roles in Southland, Otago and Canterbury. Currently I am Principal of Merrin School, a full-primary multi-cultural school with approximately 500 students. Over the past two years, I have strengthened my relationships with Canterbury Principals by being elected to the Canterbury Primary Principals’ Association executive. This has enabled me to gain a greater perspective of the complex nature of our regional and national leadership context. I am hoping to add value to the executive by absorbing where we currently stand as an organisation and then collaborating with you all on our future direction.
Nga mihi nui Lisa Dillon-Robert
MURRAY FLETCHER
Otago Region Representative
Ko Kapukataumahaka te mauka to rū nei taku kākau
Ko Mata-au te awa e mehea nei aku māharahara
Nō Waitete ahau
E mihi ana ki kā tohu o nehe, o Ōtākau e noho nei au.
As a very - nearly - completely - retired leadership coach, being with whānau and supporting the younger generation thrive in this world, matters to me, as does the educative world we live in.
Making time to read, talk through, think and write, alongside being with school and centre leaders in their contexts, adds a key dimension to life. I am privileged to walk alongside leaders as they deal with life and its challenges.
I currently edit Leading Lights.
BELINDA MORGAN
Taranaki Region Representative
Kia ora koutou
My name is Belinda Morgan, and I am incredibly fortunate to be the owner and managing director of ABC EDUCARE in New Plymouth. I am Taranaki born and bred and cannot think of a better place to live and raise my whānau than under our beautiful Taranaki Mounga and beside the sea on the mighty west coast.
I have been an early childhood teacher since 1997 and in that time, I have seen many changes to the education sector with shifts in thinking and holding the child at the heart of our decision making. The importance of building relationships, strengthening connections, and ensuring we nurture and grow leadership potential is a key focus that will have an incredible impact for our tamariki.
It is an honour to be part of the NZEALS community where together we can explore leadership and concentrate on what matters most in education in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
MICHELE MORRISON
Waikato Region Representative
Michele is the editor of the Journal of Educational Leadership Policy & Practice.
Michele is a senior lecturer in educational leadership at the University of Waikato. Informed by extensive practitioner experience, Michele attunes practising and aspiring leaders to identity and practice that transforms educational settings and secures high performance, equity outcomes for all. Her research, teaching and professional activities focus on culturally responsive, ethical and socially-just leadership, and the professional formation of educational leaders through dialogic praxis.
ANNETTE ROGERS
Member at large
Ko Annette taku ingoa
Ko Southern Alps to maunga te rū nei taku ngākau
Ko Wanganui te moana e mahea nei aku māharahara
Nō Te Waipounamu ahau
E mihi ana ki ngā tohu o nehe, Tauranga Moana e noho nei au
Kia ora koutou
I’m Annette Rogers. I am currently member at large for the early childhood sector.
My whole education career has been in ECE. I retired from active service last year, however I remain a strong advocate for the cause. I have been a teacher, head teacher, lecturer and spent the last 20 years as senior teacher for Tauranga regional kindergartens known as Inspired Kindergartens.
I have been a member of NZEALS for about 14 years and have held various roles within the organisation over this time and thoroughly enjoy this inspiring group of people who offer fellowship and a passion for educational leadership that builds strong and cohesive teams to deliver quality outcomes for children’s learning.
Ngā mihi nui
Annette
LYSANDRA STUART
Member at large
Ko Stuart oku whanau
Ko Waiuku toku kainga
Ko Ngapuhi toku iwi
Ko Ngati Kahu toku hapu
Ko Lysandra Ahau
Kia Ora koutou
I am currently the principal at Glenbrook School, a u5 country school in South Auckland. I’ve spent over thirty years in education working across a variety of schools and setting in both NZ and overseas. My professional philosophy is based on the belief that every child is unique and should be given opportunities to succeed. I believe all learners are entitled to the best education possible to enable them to reach their full potential and enhance their passions. I like learners to FAIL (First Attempts in Learning) and to thrive in that next moment where they learn what to do next or what not to do, to know that someone believes in them and to know that they care for.
It is a privilege to be able to do what we do and to lead with passion and purpose. We are brave, we are bold, and we inspire to work comfortably with the uncomfortable.
Principal: Glenbrook School
Kahui Ako Leader: Waiuku
President: Franklin Principals Association
