Derek’s blog

Derek’s Blog, launched in 2003, serves as a platform for sharing thoughts and reflections related to his work. It offers over 20 years of searchable posts, categorized by the tags below. Feel free to comment, as your feedback contributes to ongoing reflection and future posts.

Digital Educational Transformation Learning Ecosystems Learning Environments Open, Distance & Flexible Education

Getting Serious About Our Future

November 30, 2024

We agree that achieving coordinated, system-wide change is crucial. We must act decisively, act as a whole system, and start now. Brett O’Riley, Chair, 21st Century Learning Reference Group, 2014 […]

Education Leadership Educational Transformation

Certainty vs vulnerability

November 24, 2024

“We have to understand the we are representing the position of this very moment, and that that position could change if the facts change” Malcolm Gladwell A little over 20 […]

Diary entry Educational Transformation News & current events

Focus on Citizenship

November 20, 2024

Like many others, I was captured by the news of the 42,ooo people who marched to parliament on Tuesday this week to show their opposition to the Principles of the […]

conference entry

5th November

November 9, 2024

Education is the cornerstone of democracy Virgel Hammonds, Aurora Institute CEO This post was started at the beginning of the week while I was attending the Aurora Institute Symposium in […]

conference entry Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learner Agency Pedagogy

Aurora24 Symposium Reflections

November 9, 2024

Over the past week I have been in New Orleans, attending the Aurora Institute annual symposium where I’ve had the opportunity to meet and hear from so many inspiring educators […]

Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learning Ecosystems

Leading for Transformation

October 26, 2024

One of the amazing things was how well this group from across a range of sectors and experience levels in leadership just came together and supported each other a grew […]

Digital Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learning Ecosystems Learning Environments Open, Distance & Flexible Education

Systems Thinking: Virtual Learning

October 15, 2024

Virtual Learning Following on from my previous posts about Systems Thinking and School lunches, and systems thinking and mobile devices, this post considers systems thinking and virtual learning within the […]

Digital Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learning Ecosystems

Systems Thinking: Mobile Devices for Learning

October 5, 2024

Mobile Devices for Learning Following on from my previous post about Systems Thinking and School lunches, a second example we could use to illustrate systems thinking is the provision of […]

Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learning Ecosystems

Systems Thinking: School Lunches

September 28, 2024

In my previous post I explored the idea of systems thinking, providing some conceptual ways of thinking about how a systems thinking leader differs from being an organisational leader. In […]

Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learning Ecosystems

Systems Thinking

September 23, 2024

Decades of research on high-performing education systems have demonstrated the need for strategic, forward-looking system leadership. NECC Report, page 31 In his controversial book published in 2005 titled The World […]

Digital Educational Transformation

Digital Transformation

September 19, 2024

I enjoyed participating in a NetNZ Spotlight webinar this afternoon hearing Stephen McConnachie sharing his experiences in helping guide schools and other organisations through the process of embracing digital technologies […]

Learner Agency Open, Distance & Flexible Education Pedagogy

Hybrid @ Hagley

September 9, 2024

“Our unique Hybrid @ Hagley model combines the best of both worlds: in-person learning at our kura and online learning via scheduled video calls.’ https://hagley.schoolpoint.co.nz/courses/course/12hh There’s been a lot of […]

Educational Transformation Learner Agency Learning Environments

The Social Staircase

September 6, 2024

“Developing agency in learners requires a fundamental shift in the way we think about the relationships and learning activity in our schools and classrooms. It recognises learners as its core […]

Digital Learning Ecosystems

Meet the Mini-Devs at Newlands Intermediate

August 24, 2024

A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of attending the launch of an exciting new education app called Mixiply at Newlands Intermediate School here in Wellington. The story […]

conference entry Learning Environments

Designing Learning Spaces

August 17, 2024

I had the privilege of being the MC at the recent LENZ conference in Wellington. It was refreshing to reconnect with a group of educators and architects to focus on […]

Education Leadership Educational Transformation New Measures of Success

If you can’t measure it you can’t manage it.

July 18, 2024

“When you judge someone based on a diagnosis, you miss out on their abilities, beauty, and uniqueness.” Sevenly Jacob and Zoe have been operating a local shelter for dogs for […]

Diary entry Digital News & current events research and papers

Navigating the Impact of Mobile Phone Bans in Schools

July 6, 2024

“On average across OECD countries, students were less likely to report getting distracted using digital devices when the use of cell phones on school premises is banned. (OECD, 2024) Recently I’ve […]

News & current events Open, Distance & Flexible Education research and papers

New Report: The State of Distance Learning In NZ Schools

July 1, 2024

This report is the fruition of our attempts over the past decade to better understand the overall landscape of distance learning in the NZ schools sector Report Introduction, Page 1 […]

Education Leadership Educational Transformation News & current events

Bringing Back the Inkwells!

June 22, 2024

I have offered myself to the inkwell of the wordsmith that I might be shaped into new terms of being. Saul Williams Without doubt we’re in the midst of some […]

Time For Resilience Planning!

June 18, 2024

Hybrid learning withstands the impact of disruptive events, and seamlessly provides continuity of quality teaching and learning for all learners. Te Kete Ipurangi: Understanding the Need for Hybrid Learning It’s […]

Please get in touch to discuss your plans. FutureMakers is an approved provider of Ministry-funded, regionally allocated professional development (RAPLD). Search for Derek Wenmoth on the MoE website’s provider list when making an application.

What others say

The Learning Environments Australasia Executive Committee has received a lot of positive feedback, which is greatly due to your wealth of knowledge and information you imparted on our large audience, your presentation has inspired a range of educators, architects and facility planners and for this we are grateful.

Daniel Smith Chair Learning Environments Australasia

Derek and Maurie complement each other well and have the same drive and passion for a future education system that is so worthwhile being part of. Their presentation and facilitation is at the same time friendly and personal while still incredibly professional. I am truly grateful to have had this experience alongside amazing passionate educators and am inspired to re visit all aspects of my leadership. I have a renewed passion for our work as educational leaders.

Karyn Gray Principal, Raphael House Rudolf Steiner

I was in desperate need of a programme like this. This gave me the opportunity to participate in a transformative journey of professional learning and wellbeing, where I rediscovered my passion, reignited my purpose, and reconnected with my vision for leading in education. Together, we got to nurture not just academic excellence, but also the holistic wellbeing of our school communities. Because when we thrive, so does the entire educational ecosystem.

Tara Quinney Principal, St Peter's College, Gore

Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus is the perfect title for this professional development. It does just that. A fantastic retreat, space to think, relax and start to reconnect. Derek and Maurie deliver a balance of knowledge and questioning that gives you time to think about your leadership and where to next. Both facilitators have the experience, understanding, connection and passion for education, this has inspired me to really look at the why for me!

Jan McDonald Principal, Birkdale North School

Engaged, passionate, well informed facilitators who seamlessly worked together to deliver and outstanding programme of thought provoking leadership learning.

Dyane Stokes Principal, Paparoa Street School

A useful and timely call to action. A great chance to slow down, reflect on what really drives you, and refocus on how to get there. Wonderful conversations, great connections, positive pathways forward.

Ursula Cunningham Principal, Amesbury School

RRR is a standout for quality professional learning for Principals. Having been an education PLD junkie for 40 years I have never before attended a programme that has challenged me as much because of its rigor, has satisfied me as much because of its depth or excited me as much because of realising my capacity to lead change. Derek and Maurie are truly inspiring pedagogical, authentic leadership experts who generously and expertly share their passion, wisdom and skills to help Principal's to focus on what is important in schools and be the best leader they can be.

Cindy Sullivan Principal, Kaipara College

Derek Wenmoth is brilliant. Derek connects powerful ideas forecasting the future of learning to re-imagine education and create resources for future-focused practices and policies to drive change. His work provides guidance and tools for shifting to new learning ecosystems through innovations with a focus on purpose, equity, learner agency, and lifelong learning. His work is comprehensive and brings together research and best practices to advance the future of teaching and learning. His passion, commitment to innovation for equity and the range of practical, policy and strategic advice are exceptional.

Susan Patrick, CEO, Aurora Institute

I asked Derek to work with our teachers to reenergise our team back into our journey towards our vision after the two years of being in and out of 'Covid-ness'. Teachers reported positively about the day with Derek, commenting on how affirmed they felt that our vision is future focused. Teachers expressed excitement with their new learning towards the vision, and I've noticed a palpable energy since the day. Derek also started preparing our thinking for hybrid learning, helping us all to feel a sense of creativity rather than uncertainty. The leadership team is keen to see him return!

Kate Christie | Principal | Cashmere Ave School

Derek has supported, informed and inspired a core group of our teachers to be effective leads in our college for NPDL. Derek’s PLD is expertly targeted to our needs.

Marion Lumley | Deputy Principal |Ōtaki College

What a task we set Derek - to facilitate a shared vision and strategy with our Board and the professional and admin teams (14 of us), during a Covid lockdown, using online technology. Derek’s expertise, skilled questioning, strategic facilitation and humour enabled us to work with creative energy for 6 hours using a range of well-timed online activities. He kept us focussed on creating and achieving a shared understanding of our future strategic plan. Derek’s future focussed skills combined with an understanding of strategy and the education sector made our follow up conversations invaluable. Furthermore, we will definitely look to engage Derek for future strategic planning work.

Sue Vaealiki, Chair of Stonefields Collaborative Trust

Our Principal PLG has worked with Derek several times now, and will continue to do so. Derek is essentially a master facilitator/mentor...bringing the right level of challenge, new ideas & research to deepen your thinking, but it comes with the level of support needed to feel engaged, enriched and empowered after working with him.

Gareth Sinton, Principal, Douglas Park School

Derek is a highly knowledgeable and inspirational professional learning provider that has been guiding our staff in the development of New Pedagogies’ for Deep Learning. His ability to gauge where staff are at and use this to guide next steps has been critical in seeing staff buy into this processes and have a strong desire to build in their professional practice.

Andy Fraser, Principal, Otaki College