Manaiakalani Principals Tour

This year the Manaiakalani Principals Tour ventured down to the West Coast of New Zealand to look at school who are part of the Manaiakalani Outreach Programme.  The schools were all part of the Toki Pounamu cluster which covers Kumara, Hokitika and Greymouth.  There are 13 schools in the cluster which spreads approximately square 200km.

There were 25 Principals, DPs, APs, HODs, Col leaders and Manaiakalani administrators all come along to see and learn.  The organisation by the Manaiakalani team has been exceptional, with all staff being kept inform of every facet of the trip, before, during and after.  Transport, accommodation, school visits, meals, gifts, speeches...all timed to perfection.  I have to say a huge thank you to the Manaiakalani team who made this whole trip happen.  Their foresight and group management was excellent...there was something for everyone on this trip.  The schools we visited were wide and varied from small schools of 20 students to others of over 300.  Listening to individual teachers and students on their own Manaiakalani learning journey put a lot of what we are doing into perspective and I could relate the different points people were at in their learning.

We were kept busy everyday, leaving our accommodation at 8am and returning between 8-9pm each night.  We did manage to do a bit of sight seeing and touristy stuff in between visiting all the amazing schools along the coast.  Among the pit stops between schools we were fortunate to  experience fantastic southern hospitality and exceptional sights and views that our beautiful country has to offer.  Highlights included the bus trip from Christchurch over Arthurs Pass to the coast, ably driven by our bus driver Cedric where we learned all about the Pass, the highest power pole in NZ, very old hedges and the erection of kia signs.

While I will be more writing posts around the learning I received on this tour, for this post I am focusing on the relationships that were built during the trip.  As we are part of a Col (Community of Learning) I know who the management teams are in the surrounding schools but I don't 'know' them personally at all.  During Hui or PLD meetings, there isn't really a chance to get to know people well and most schools who attend these meetings go with colleagues, so generally sit together. 

This tour gave me the opportunity to get to know the Principal's, DPs, lead teachers and Manaiakalani staff a little better.  Professional conversations were optimal and it was great to share thoughts, opinions and new learning with new colleagues.  Being able to share what is happening across our schools with others and making connections for further sharing when we get home was a real positive.  There was also a lot of laughter and collegiality, making the tour a lot of fun.  I was given the idea by one principal, of arranging a 'get together' of DPs/APs across our CoL to establish a support network with colleagues carrying out like responsibilities.  An opportunity to share, compare, collaborate and network would be beneficial to professional practice around leadership.  Principals to do it, so maybe we should too! Watch this space...