Auckland-based Matthew Prichard, a partner at KPMG.
By Christine Allen
NINETY-THREE graduate accountants, tax specialists and auditors were left counting their blessings after spending a "grad induction" morning at Tikipunga High School.
After sprucing up the school with 220 litres of paint, the team planted an orchard and a garden, and went on to plant hope and inspiration throughout a morning of student mentorship.
The Whangarei school is the first and only secondary school in Northland to sign up to a pilot, strategic leadership learning programme under the Springboard Trust, a charitable trust designed to match secondary schools with large corporations.
MANAAKITANGA
Being part of a group of students performing the haka powhiri for the three busloads of KPMG newbies on March 5 was a moment head boy Sadieux Tua, 17, will never forget.
The student, who looks forward to studying Maori culture when he leaves Tikipunga High for uni, says it was an honour to host the KPMG grads.
"I was proud of my school. We had so much mana for these graduates."
The school has a strong focus on manaakitanga, values of respect and hospitality. And there was no shortage of hospitality for the KPMG team.
"They were told they were welcome for a feed and a cup of tea - whatever they wanted."
Fifteen of the Maori and Pasifika graduates each took a chance to give one-to-one mentoring to some of the students, which the head boy and school leaders arranged.
"The graduates got a sense of what a real, Maori school is like. They liked it, a lot."
Two of the graduates, Alastair Sheard and Felicia Marston, were from Kerikeri.
"This school is like a family - everyone kno
ws each other and we overcome our challenges together," Sadieux said.
The Year 13 student says he feels the profile of the school has been lifted this year, and the students are knuckling down and showing respect for the uniform.
"Our uniform is at its finest, we wear it with pride."
He says the students were thrilled to have KPMG on site for the morning.
"They gave all that time to come and give service. We're so grateful! The school looks so vibrant now."
SPRUCE-UP
The school was long overdue for a makeover so the 93 got to work painting the cafeteria, the swimming pool changing rooms and the foyer.
Despite the heavy rain, an orchard was planted, with pear, apple, feijoa, peach and orange trees.
The orchard and new vege garden left a legacy of learning for the students of the Tikipunga High School Centre, says principal Alec Solomon.
"These students - aged 11 to 21 - have additional education needs and will use the garden and orchard for learning. The produce will also be available for the school community to enjoy.
"The KPMG graduates rolled up their sleeves and got amongst it. "The weather was horrendous and a challenge for planting, but that didn't slow them down."
Ex-tropical Cyclone Debbie tried to dampen spirits when the Auckland warehouse containing the 20 10-litre tins of paint was flooded the night before the graduates were due to start.
But thanks to the Valsper team, through the Wattle outlet in Whangarei, a fresh coat of hope was created - through 20 fresh tins of paint.
The $20,000 Tikipunga project, including paint, hardware and materials costs, was also sponsored by Mitre 10 and Placemakers.
Mr Solomon says the programme reflects the ako (teaching and learning) of the school, in that "we are all lifelong learners, and the teachers can also be students".
"I learned that when people are passionate and committed, and work together, you can achieve great things."
And great things are being achieved at the school. This year, the roll numbers have grown and the students' results are on the rise.
"The school and its supportive board of trustees welcomed eight new teachers to the wonderful team of staff this year also.
"We have also made significant movement in the digital era with subsidised Chrome books and devices for students."
Northland's lead school in the Te Tai Tokerau Trades Academy, Tikipunga High is going from strength to strength, with its Maori performing arts group heading off to perform in Hawaii later this year.
BETTER OUTCOMES
Through the pilot Springboard Trust programme, the Tikipunga principal teamed up with Auckland-based Matthew Prichard, a partner at KPMG.
Springboard is a charitable trust within the New Zealand education sector, funded by the NEXT Foundation. It was established by Ian Narev, chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Bank Group.
Mr Prichard volunteered to work with Mr Solomon through the trust's Strategic Leadership for Principals Programme.
At the end of this year, the school will have a fresh, three-year strategic plan and a one-year operational plan.
The programme also gives principals a wealth of new ideas and a support network of peers and business people.
While the programme is already available for primary schools, there are only half a dozen schools in NZ in the pilot project for high schools.
Known as a "capacity partner" or coach, Mr Prichard has taken Mr Solomon and the school under the KPMG wing and is helping steer the school toward better outcomes.
Mr Prichard says the programme is perfect for principals as they usually don't have a background in strategic leadership.
"Teachers are critical to better outcomes for students, and great principals attract great teachers."
He says many schools face enormous resource challenges.
"But Tikipunga High hasn't let this stop it from progressing," he says.
The KPMG boss says the fresh-faced 21-year-olds joining his firm are made to roll up their sleeves in communities for a reality check.
"They don't spend their induction week in flash hotels."
Instead, they stayed at Mangakahia's Te Aroha Marae and spent their week immersed in cultural values, and among real New Zealanders - the kind of people and communities who will be affected by their work.
They will work in a range of careers in the company's seven branches nationwide, with their feet grounded from their time in real New Zealand.
Mr Prichard says Tikipunga High is a remarkable school with its success a result of its culture.
"It's confident in its place in the community and puts its personality forward without apology and with pride."