There are two required texts for the Aotearoa AP/DP programme. There is no particular time frame to read these in over the course of the programme.
Please select either Michael Fullan text as some may already have this text in their schools. It also provides good conversation between delegates, to discuss how Fullan’s ideas have changed over time.
Delegates may choose to engage with fellow participants online to discuss their thoughts on the required texts. This is optional but a good way to connect with fellow delegates, see others’ perspectives and understand how peers have implemented text ideas in their kura. Add your reflections in the comments section below.
3 Responses
As a Deputy Principal, Quiet Leadership by David Rock has influenced how I approach supporting staff. Rather than jumping in to solve problems, I’ve learned to focus on helping others think more clearly through active listening, reflective questioning, and creating space for their own insights. This coaching-style approach dove-tails nicely with my Solutions focused coaching PLD, and builds trust, encourages ownership, and supports real professional growth in the teachers I work with. It’s been especially valuable in challenging conversations, helping me stay calm, present, and focused on solutions. By shifting from directive to reflective leadership, I’m better able to empower my team and create a more collaborative, positive school culture—ultimately benefiting both staff and learners.
I’ve just finished reading The Principal 2.0. I also found it interesting how little of an impact Transformative leaders (0.11) and Instructional leaders (0.42) actually had on student achievement. What really stood out for me was that everything really comes back to relationships. The relationships you create and foster within the school is crucial – for all stakeholders (teachers, students, whānau and community). I liked this – “Leaders have to be relational before they can be aspirational”. In the three keys to maximizing impact – Spirit Work, Contextual Literacy and Systemness, positive relationships were important. Taking teachers along the journey with you is vital. I also enjoyed reading one principal’s comments on hiring new staff. It highlighted the need for staff to be open to learning and very open in terms of their mindset. Mentions of wellbeing and the changes in society over the last decade were also aspects that stood out to me.
Principal 2.0: Loved this. totally agree with the 6 Cs (character, citizenship, collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking) It’s something we’ve talked about at school. It is good to know about the results of the Covid survey, albeit an study in the States. Interesting to note how little standardised testing meant but not new about the equity gap of homes. in chapter 2 it’s interesting to note about the types of leaders that we have…and the pendulum swings from the promotion of Transformative (too vague) and Instructional leaders (too narrow); both not having sufficient impact. So we need to build the capacity of the Teacher. Much of this reading took me to Viviane Robinson’s book on leadership and i found myself reading this with ‘new eyes’ and more relevance. further on, SGO- Student Growth Objectives – being too odious. this SGO sounds great on paper, but doesn’t work in reality.