Principals PL Programme

A unique learning opportunity for principals

Registrations of interest are now being sought from NZ school principals who want to participate in a 20 week programme that includes two retreats and a virtual mentoring sessions, providing an opportunity to ‘go deep’ and embed new ideas and ways of working that we explore together.

This is a unique opportunity for 20 principals to participate in an innovative programme of professional development that integrates a focus on wellbeing with exploring innovative and future-focused ways of leading in their schools.

Here’s what you get

An initial two-day retreat that brings leaders face-to-face to explore and reconnect with their ‘why’, apply a future-focused lens to imagine possible futures and discover tools to move forward to this future.

A 20-week period of virtual mentoring and support, allowing you to remain connected between the in-person retreats. Featuring a mix of scheduled whole-group meetings and one-on-one virtual coaching and mentoring sessions.

A 0ne-day celebration event to conclude, where participants will bring stories and evidence of what they have learned and applied to share with each other.

Programme overview

REFRESH

We provide opportunities to address physical, mental and social well-being, and introduce tools that you can use beyond the time of this experience.

RECONNECT

You will explore your personal ‘why’ – the things that motivate and drive you in the work you do. We introduce tools and processes to help you focus on what’s important and to plan forward from there.

REFOCUS

We will be designing a personal and collective view of a future-focused approach, supported by a community of other like-minded people. We assist you to plan out practical steps to make this happen in your context.

While there has been a recent and necessary focus on the wellbeing of students and of teachers, the wellbeing of school principals has often been overlooked.

It is important to focus on long-lasting and sustainable strategies when thinking about how to best support school leaders. A holiday provides a short-lived respite, but this alone is not enduring.

We believe that leaders who have a clear sense of their ‘why’ are confident in communicating this in ways that rally others around them. They are excited by the future for themselves, their colleagues and their students, and they have a set of tools they use to make this future a reality.

This enthusiasm is best supported by a community of like-minded leaders who can support each other. That is the heart of the Refresh Reconnect Refocus programme.

Programme Details

Retreat One

Dates: From the evening of Wednesday 20 March to late afternoon Friday 22 March

Venue: The Historic Hamner Springs Hotel

Retreat Two

Dates: Thursday 19 September

Venue: to be advised

Cost

The total cost for the 20-week programme, including two retreats and virtual mentoring sessions is $4995.00 +GST. This covers…

Transport to and from Christchurch airport to Hanmer Springs for the first retreat
Accommodation
Meals
Entry to Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools
20 weeks of virtual mentoring and support

Programme

Our programme includes a series of participatory workshops and experiences designed to inspire and empower you in your principal role.

Places are limited to 20 principals who must commit to participating for the 20 weeks of the programme.

This programme meets the criteria to access funding from the Principal’s Wellbeing Fund

NOTE – registrations have been closed for the initial programme starting in March, 2024. If you are interested in participating in future programmes please register your interest by clicking on the link below. Also note that, in response to requests, we are considering a similar programme for senior leaders and aspiring principals. If you’d like to talk more about that option please email for more information.

Your Facilitators

Maurie Abraham

Maurie was the Foundation Principal of Hobsonville Point Secondary School in Auckland (2012 – 2023). Before that he was Principal of Opotiki College for 10 years (2003 -2012). At Hobsonville Point Secondary School he has helped lead the development of an innovative curriculum and pedagogy designed to better prepare today’s young people for their current and future worlds. He has also been involved in leading the implementation of restorative practice within schools and has run workshops on this topic throughout NZ and overseas. He now operates a small Education Consultancy HMWLead (How Might We Lead). Schools need transforming and he is keen to help.

Derek Wenmoth

Derek is acknowledged as one of NZ education’s foremost future focused thinkers, He is regularly asked to consult with schools and government agencies regarding the future directions of educational policy and practice in New Zealand and internationally.
Derek has been a teacher, principal, a teacher educator and education policy writer. In 2003 he co-founded CORE Education, a leading provider of educational research and services in NZ. He stepped aside from CORE in 2018 to establish FutureMakers, an organization committed to inspiring the next generation of leaders, thinkers and problem-solvers.
In recognition of his work in education, Derek was designated one of 2008’s “Global Six” by the George Lucas Educational Foundation which recognizes individuals making a difference in education.

The Refresh, Reconnect, Refocus programme is a joint venture between FutureMakers and HMWLead.

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