HAVING only been in her job for a week, Linda Jefferies admits to having a lot of things still to learn about Normanby School.
However, she has already worked out that at the heart of the school is a caring community, interested in the education and welfare of its young – a philosophy that matches perfectly with her own ideas about the role of a school principal.
As associate principal of Papatoetoe Central School in South Auckland for 13 years, Linda arrived at Normanby already laden with a fair share of school leadership experience.
Prior to her Papatoetoe appointment, she'd also worked as an education advisor in the area of teacher education – that is, teaching those that would be teaching others.
All in all then, an appointment as principal was definitely something she felt ready for, and for Linda, the question simply became 'where?'
"Having spent my professional life in Auckland, I really felt it was time for a complete change," says Linda.
"I felt I really wanted to be in a smaller, more tightly-knit community."
Much of Linda's attraction to smaller schools stemmed from the early part of her career when she was based in the West Auckland suburb of Green Bay, working in its primary school.
"I was there for 15 years and I really enjoyed it. Everyone knew the school's families really well.
"When I was working at Papatoetoe Central there were 700 children and a huge staff and even though the community was still really close, you didn't always get to know the children and their families nearly as well."
In partnership
When the job in Normanby came up, it seemed to tick all the boxes for Linda and, even though its only been a week or so since she started, she's been pleased to see that staff knowledge of school families is as strong as she'd hoped it would be.
"Schools really are in partnership with parents and families. The closer the connection between home and school, the more advantageous it is for the students involved.
"The principal's role is all about building and maintaining these important relationships and strengthening the lines of communication."
And while like all teachers, Linda enjoys her private time in the weekends and on holidays, she also really enjoys talking to the parents she sees in the local supermarket or out and about.
"It's great for the children to see you outside of school. They can see that you're a part of the community too."
In the school family
Of course, strong partnerships are not limited to outside of school – a principal's role requires good in-school communication too and Linda is keen to make sure her door remains wide open for all the staff working at the school.
"As a principal, I'm looking forward to being in a position where I can effect change. However, it's not about what I think is best for the school; its about working alongside the staff at all times to come up with what we all agree is in the school's best interests."
A high priority for Linda is the maintenance of the excellent culture of consultation that already exists at the school and she is extremely grateful to her immediate predecessor, Lyn Watson who laid down an excellent path for her to follow.
"This job has been made so much easier because of the great legacy left by Lyn. She retired from the school last year, having left lots of easy to follow systems.
"I simply have to keep going with what she'd been doing. I couldn't have asked for a smoother transition."
A crown jewel
The pride with which Lyn left the school is simply a reflection of the community's pride in it; having been held in high regard for its 125 years in existence.
"Families are proud of their school and have been for generations. Some of the children's grandparents came here, so there is great sense of heritage associated with it," says Linda.
Fortunately pride has by no means meant any sort of arrogance, and Linda has been overwhelmed by the warm welcome she has received.
"Everybody has been so friendly; the Board, the staff. They've already thrown a couple of special welcome barbecues fro me, and I have hugely appreciated their efforts."
And of course, so far, the school's 120 children have been welcoming too – freeing up Linda to get to know her new school better.
"From what I have seen, teacher practice in the school is excellent – the planning, the teaching and the assessment have all been outstanding. You can tell there's a real depth of experience within the staff."
The school itself has six teachers, a reading recovery teacher, an enhancement (gifted and talented) teacher, teacher aides, a secretary and a groundskeeper, meaning students at all ends of the academic and behavioural spectrums are well supported.
As well as holding a Masters degree and a Postgraduate Diploma in Teacher Education, Linda herself has strengths in maths and ICT – as well as her experience as an education advisor.
Shared resources
"We all contribute to the school in our own ways with what skills and talents we have.
"Coming from a city perspective, I will probably bring fresh approaches to some things, but the main thing at the moment is being consistent and clear for the sake of the students."
Linda is sure that sooner or later new Ministry of Education initiatives will mean that, like all principals, she will need to make steps to implement appropriate changes at her school.
However, for the foreseeable future, its business as usual at Normanby.
New year means new appointment at Normanby
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