Reforming schooling – Page 2

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 Digital Educational Transformation Educational Transformation New Measures of Success

We Need A New Plan

June 12, 2025

If you do nothing else this week I encourage you to take some time to watch this interview between Ezra Klein and Rebecca Winthrop on Educating Kids in the Age of AI. Rebecca is co-author of a book published earlier this year titled “The Disengaged Teen” which has had a significant impact on my thinking […]

Educational Transformation Education Leadership Educational Transformation Pedagogy

Necessary but not sufficient

May 14, 2025

Naming the Moment To borrow a quote I’ve read lately, “We are right to refocus on the basics – but not if we lose sight of the horizon.” Reading through recent news reports and communications from the Ministry of Education I’ve become increasingly aware of a deepening sense of urgency within the education sector in […]

Educational Transformation Education Leadership Educational Transformation

The Experience Exodus

March 27, 2025

The education system faces complex challenges, yet those with the experience to address them are retiring or becoming disillusioned, leaving critical decisions to short-sighted politicians. Derek Wenmoth In the past couple of weeks I’ve been working in schools and alongside school leaders in some virtual contexts where concerns about the increasing demands and complexity of […]

Educational Transformation Educational Transformation Learning Ecosystems

Extraordinary Learning For All

March 12, 2025

The essence of this book is about redefining schooling as we know it. Drawing on their vast experience as directors of Transcend Education in the US, the authors draw from the stories of schools and school districts they have worked with to illustrate what is possible and how this can be achieved when the right […]

New Measures of Success Educational Transformation Education Leadership Educational Transformation

Patterns of Reform Failure

February 22, 2025

In my previous post I argued the need for transformation over reform, and highlighted the problem of system persistence as a key reason behind so many education reform efforts in the past. In this post I take a look at three more causes of system level failure – most of which can be identified already […]

Educational Transformation Education Leadership Educational Transformation New Measures of Success

System Persistence

February 20, 2025

This post is taken from some thinking I’ve been doing as I begin to construct my next ‘thought piece’. The motivation comes from reflecting on many years of effort in our education system to address many systemic issues that create pressure on schools, educators – and ultimately impact on the quality of educational experience of […]

Educational Transformation Educational Transformation Learner Agency New Measures of Success Pedagogy

What School Could Be

February 8, 2025

My copy of this book has been read by so many friends and colleagues it’s looking quite worn! In What School Could Be, Ted Dintersmith profiles dozens of schools across the United States that are engaging students in rich, real-world learning, and contrasts their experiences with the vast majority of other schools. Dintersmith is probably best […]

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

Measuring What Matters

February 5, 2025

Non-degree credentials on track to become the most awarded in HigherEd within a decade. HolonIQ Newsletter Headline, 3 Feb 202 The headline above caught my interest in the recent edition of the HolonIQ Newsletter. The article begins by saying; “The drive to align education with workforce demands is accelerating. Institutions are reshaping their credential strategies—both […]

Educational Transformation Educational Transformation Learning Ecosystems

All the time, every time, all of us, everywhere!

January 30, 2025

I’m grateful to Iain Taylor who sent me a copy of this book to read – it contains a really great story of transformation a school that was not in good shape when he took over as principal. Reading it was a great reminder of the things that are foundational for leading such a transformation […]

Educational Transformation Education Leadership Educational Transformation Learning Ecosystems

Imagine If…

December 10, 2024

Ask yourself; “If I had the chance to do so today, how would I build a school system to meet the needs of all students, especially those furthest from opportunity?” Carlos Moreno in “Finding Your Leadership Soul” p. 90 I’ve been involved in many meetings and conversations where the question posed by Carlos Moreno has […]

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

June 12, 2025

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December 10, 2024

What others say

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