New Measures of Success

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.

New Measures of Success New Measures of Success

When Measuring Schools Becomes Too Simple

March 24, 2026

Over the past week or so, the New Zealand Government has signalled its intention to introduce nationally consistent reporting to parents about student progress. The argument is a simple one: many parents find current school reporting confusing, and clearer information will help them better understand how their children are doing. At one level, it’s hard […]

Educational Transformation Learning Ecosystems Curriculum Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learning Ecosystems New Measures of Success Pedagogy

Who should decide what?

February 2, 2026

In my previous two posts, I’ve argued that we need to rethink how we measure system success – expanding beyond test scores to include the capabilities young people actually need (Post 1) – and that this requires sustained investment in teacher professional learning, leadership development, learning support, and cultural responsiveness (Post 2). Many of you […]

Educational Transformation Educational Transformation New Measures of Success

Rethinking System Success in Education

January 22, 2026

Leading up to and over the Christmas break, my social media feeds were inundated with short video messages from government politicians, including our Minister of Education, celebrating the ‘success’ of their policy implementations – with convincing data to support these claims. It’s an extremely effective strategy: short sound bites, convincing data, emphatic claims of success. […]

Education Leadership Educational Transformation New Measures of Success

Building trust, avoiding polarisation

January 15, 2026

A conversation with Bali Haque about keeping things simple and focusing on what’s important for the future of education. With NCEA results becoming available this week I thought it appropriate to that my first post for 2026 would be with the third of my series on ‘conversations on the future of education‘ where I had […]

Educational Transformation Education Leadership Educational Transformation New Measures of Success Pedagogy

Holding Fast to Our Why in a Time of Mandates

October 4, 2025

It’s difficult to ignore the increasing level of angst among many educators in New Zealand at present – some of which is about to spill over in forms of industrial action, such is the level of frustration being felt. Conversations in schools, staffrooms, and leadership circles are dominated by the latest set of mandates about […]

New Measures of Success Educational Transformation Curriculum Educational Transformation Learner Agency

Why Dewey’s Vision Still Matters

September 28, 2025

A few weeks ago, my twin grandsons both gained their driver’s licenses – marking a milestone in their lives as they step towards adulthood. Watching them go through the process reminded me just how layered learning really is. The first step, of course, was a written test on the road code. They had to show […]

Educational Transformation Educational Transformation New Measures of Success New Measures of Success

Success for Whom? And at What Cost?

September 8, 2025

It was Father’s Day here in New Zealand yesterday, and I had the privilege of enjoying a family lunch together with my children and grandchildren. It’s an exciting time in our family, with my eldest grandsons in their final year of high school and preparing to go to university, several of the grandkids celebrating successes […]

New Measures of Success Curriculum Educational Transformation New Measures of Success

Why Narrowing New Zealand’s Curriculum Misses the Mark

September 4, 2025

As someone who enjoyed playing guitar in my earlier years I’ve always been fascinated with the work of world class guitarists – including Brian May. Not just because he’s the lead guitarist for Queen, but because he also holds a PhD in Astrophysics. Here’s a man who can make a stadium of 80,000 people sing […]

Educational Transformation Educational Transformation Learner Agency New Measures of Success Pedagogy

The Power Shift: From Educational Equity to Ownership of Learning

August 21, 2025

True educational equity requires more than inclusion – it demands a fundamental redistribution of learning agency. In my previous post I explained how I came to establish FutureMakers, and I explored how educators can shift from fighting change to building the capabilities students need for an unknown future. But there’s a deeper conversation we need […]

New Measures of Success Curriculum Educational Transformation New Measures of Success

Rethinking Assessment Beyond Economic Servitude

August 10, 2025

What kind of future are we really preparing our children for? And shouldn’t that future belong to all of them? The current furore over the proposal to replace NCEA with new national qualifications has exposed a fundamental tension in how we think about education. On one side, we have Jamie Beaton advocating for changes that […]

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

March 24, 2026

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What others say

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