New Zealand Pasifika Principals Association (NZPPA) - An Association of Awesomeness!

Today I attended my first NZPPA meeting.  It was to celebrate the end of year and also to farewell a true 'Tuawahine' of the group, founding member Corinne Hansell.  It was apt that my first day with this group was the last day for her, as Corinne has been a friend, advocate and guide for me since the day I started as a teacher at Tamaki Primary School...fresh off the boat from Samoa.  She 'afi'd me throughout my transition from teaching in Samoa to teaching back in NZ, and it was destined that she would afi me once again, bringing me into this group of amazing Principals at the beginning of my journey as a new Principal.  I felt humbled to be in such great company with Principals from around New Zealand sharing an incredibly special cultural celebration hosted by Sutton Park School.

It was a day of firsts for me, in that I joined the group and I also experienced an 'ava' ceremony for the first time.  While I'd been present at a few ava ceremonies in Samoa, I had never actually participated in one, so it was with a touch of apprehension that I spoke the words "Le 'ava lea le Atua.  Fa'afetai le fa'aaloalo - Manuia" as I received the bowl and partook in the ava.  There were 23 Principals present, each one receiving the ava and it was such an experience to see the students of Sutton Park carrying out the ceremony with surety and pride.  We were privileged guests and treated with respect and grace throughout the whole event. 
We were welcomed into the assembly hall with a powhiri.  Beautiful Karanga drew us into the whare where the haka powhiri of hundreds of students rang out across the room.  Following the whaikorero of an amazing student representing the 'tangata whenua' and the reply of our Manuhiri representative Filivaefale Jason Swann, and respective waiata, we were then treated to a variety of performances and speeches from Maori, Samoan and Tongan groups.
Following the incredible ava ceremony we were then led to the school staffroom where we were treated to a feast.  True to Pasifika style there was all the culinary delights including my favourite 'oka' (raw fish).  It was a feast fit for royalty and once again an absolute reflection of the manaakitanga and whanaungatanga staff, students and the community of Sutton Park School afford their guests.  A huge 'fa'afetai' to Fa'atili Iosua Esera and his wonderful school for providing such an amazing event for the NZPPA.  What an honour it was to see.
It was a privilege to be present and part of the celebrations.  It was a privilege to meet and in some cases reconnect with people among the Principals attending and it is a privilege to now be a part of the New Zealand Pasifika Principals Association. 

First Time Principal 101

Three weeks in and I'm still in the 'honeymoon' phase of the beginning of Principalship.  I am establishing relationships with staff, trying not to put change in place just yet, but listening to their aspirations and vision for the school and the community.   Going through the process of interview is nerve wracking and once you've put your feet under the Principal's desk, the enormity of what you have taken on begins to set in.  Upon reflection, I wanted to pen the things that I learnt when making

the decision to begin applying for Principalship.  So here goes...First Time Principalship 101:

1. Don't just apply for anything, think about the environment you want to work in and that you are best suited to.  
2. Check out the school online, have a look at the website, get a feel for what the school stands for - values, vision, points of difference, the community it serves.
3. If you've got a professional blog, highlight it in your CV.  If you don't, start a professional blog.  A blog gives the appointments committee a look at your experiences, professional development, vision, values, philosophy in education.  
4. Find yourself a great Mentor - prior to interview.  I was very fortunate to have an experienced principal mentor who advised me and continues to advise me in my new role.  Here are a few gems he gave me prior to interview:
• Boards want to hire a principal, so when you go to check out the school, if the BOT come to see you at your school, and when you walk into that interview - be a principal.  Move your thinking from being a DP/AP to being a Principal.  This piece of advice made a big difference in my mindset and gave me confidence through out the process - the balance is being confident without being arrogant.
• Be prepared prior to interview! Comb the website, check out the last ERO review, ask the school for their charter, annual report and financial report.  Check out their data, school infrastructure and facilities.
  
• Make a list of questions to ask during the interview.  Remember, boards are just as nervous as you are during interview and they want to impress you as much as you want to impress them.  Try to get a sense of how well they communicate with you - does it feel open, friendly, is there humour there?  Relationships are key to success in any school environment.  
5. Identify your areas of strength, your point of difference and match it with schools you are looking at.  Usually it will be an area you are passionate about and one in which you have extensive PLD and knowledge.  Highlight it and show the panel where you will take the community with it.
6. Acknowledge areas you may need support in e.g: budget/property, but speak of what you do know and how you intend to develop your knowledge further in those areas.
7. Have prepared in your mind a range of scenarios in your head that you have experienced, relating to leadership, relationships, situations with students/staff/parents - both successful and unsuccessful.  
8. During the interview, try to relax.  If something unexpected happens, such as the technology for your presentation goes down, don't panic.  Be rational and solutions focused.
9. Most importantly, speak of the job like it is already yours.  When referring to the school you're applying for, say 'we'..."How do we do that here?", "I intend to take us there...".  When referring to your current or previous school, refer to them with their name e.g "At Auckland School, they...."
10. Lastly, listen to trusted voices around you.  Don't let anyone say you can't.  If you don't give it a go, you will never know.