Kahui WATLING
Palmerston North,Manawatū
Summary
Over 25 years of teaching in co-educational secondary schools in Aotearoa New Zealand and abroad. An experienced administrator and school leader who can provide professional leadership throughout all areas of the school. Adept at fostering strong working relationships with key stakeholders in the school and the wider school community. A successful academic background involving graduate qualifications in bilingual teaching and postgraduate qualifications in educational administration and leadership with distinction.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Principal
Freyberg High School
01.2019 - Current
- Acting Principal when principal is absent
- Lead five Within School Teacher teams tasked with tracking priority learners, literacy and numeracy initiatives, culturally responsive pedagogy and practices, and Pasifika initiatives
- Approval of professional development of staff
- Oversight of sport in school, EOTC, and Te Poutama Kahurangi (Bilingual and Immersion Unit)
- Organisation of senior school examinations timetable
- Planning of professional learning development around staff culturally responsive training
- Responsible for daily relief in the school and employment of relief staff
- Liaison and key contact with Alternative Education providers in the Manawatū
- Co-ordinator of programmes and appraisal of kaiako pitomata coming into school for teacher trainee practicum
- Work with the senior leadership team to review the year’s annual plan and prepare the draft annual plan for the following year
- Contribute to discussion around school-wide initiatives affecting the direction of the school, its practices, systems, and processes.
- Coordinated community effort to strengthen partnerships between the school and local iwi
- Spearheaded professional development programmes to foster teacher growth, resulting in improved student performance and engagement.
- Addressed disciplinary issues fairly and consistently while maintaining open lines of communication with parents or caregivers involved.
- Enhanced school performance by implementing data-driven instructional strategies and collaborating with teachers to improve student outcomes
- Developed a positive school culture through effective communication and collaboration among staff, students, and parents.
- Managed budgets effectively while prioritising resources for maximum impact on student outcomes.
- Promoted a safe and inclusive learning environment by addressing student needs, both academically and emotionally.
- Served as a positive role model and leader within the school community, fostering an environment of respect, trust, and support among all stakeholders.
Acting Principal
Freyberg High School
07.2022 - 09.2022
- Fostered positive learning environment by promoting open communication among staff, students, and parents.
- Managed budgets and resources efficiently to ensure optimal allocation of funds for school programmes and initiatives.
- Monitored student behaviour and enforced discipline policies.
- Cultivated positive relationships between community members, school students, and teachers.
- Addressed discipline issues promptly while maintaining fairness; and sustaining positive relationships among staff and students.
Director of Teaching and Learning, Teacher of Mathematics
Tai Wānanga Tū Toa
01.2017 - 12.2018
- Created and Implemented teaching and learning programmes that placed ākonga at the centre of the learning
- Assisted with daily operational needs
- Liaised with external providers and arranged for ākonga to gain work experience while at school
- Designed a report format to reflect a more holistic approach when evaluating the achievement of ākonga
- Promotion of the school in the community as a school of choice
Head of House, Teacher of Accounting, Economics, and Business Studies
Hamilton Girls’ High School
01.2016 - 12.2016
- Developed strong relationships with students, parents, and colleagues by maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a supportive learning environment.
- Managed classroom behaviour effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behaviour to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child's educational journey.
- Assessed student performance regularly using both formative and summative assessments to inform future lesson planning.
Head of School, Māori Academic Leader, Year 13 Academic Leader, Teacher of Mathematics and Gateway Classes
Freyberg High School
01.2012 - 12.2015
- Developed positive school culture by fostering strong relationships among staff, students, and parents.
- Guided strategic planning efforts for long-term visioning and goal-setting within school community.
- Established effective communication channels between administration, faculty, staff, parents, and students.
- Encouraged student leadership opportunities through the house system
- Promoted safe learning environments by establishing clear behavioural expectations and implementing consistent disciplinary procedures.
- Established and enforced clear school-wide disciplinary procedures to protect students and staff.
- Collaborated with Massey University to compare academic success of our kura kaupapa Māori ākonga compared to ākonga Māori in the mainstream that enabled the employment of a science teacher fluent in te reo Māori
Head of School, Teacher of Mathematics and Economics
Freyberg High School
01.2003 - 12.2013
- Implementation of Schools within a School model successful in reducing suspension rates
- Successfully manage the disciplinary, educational, and pastoral needs of 330 students across all year levels for 10 years
- Effectively ran weekly meetings with 22 staff to raise and discuss issues that have school-wide implications and report back to the senior leadership team
- Provide student leadership opportunities to empower students and run weekly assemblies to enhance, broaden, and develop the cultural fabric of the school
- Mentor new heads of schools and deans and provide support and advice for classroom teachers
- Work collectively with CYFS, MoE, Whānau Ora, Whakapai Hauora, Community High School, Highbury Whānau Centre, and Truancy Services to safeguard the interests and well-being of our more vulnerable students
- Conduct full restorative conferences with parents, staff, and students to repair and restore relationships, and empower students to take ownership of their actions
- Participation in Board disciplinary hearings to assist trustees in their decision-making
- Developed a positive school culture by fostering strong relationships among staff, students, and parents.
Education
Bachelor of Science -
Canterbury University
Diploma of Teaching -
Christchurch Teachers College
Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Administration And Leadership -
Massey University
Palmerston North 12.2014
Diploma in Bilingual Teaching -
Victoria University of Wellington
Otaki, NZ12.2001
Skills
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Organisational Skill
- Interpersonal Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Analytical Skills
- Cultural Capability
- Staff Development
- School Community Relations
- Strategic leadership
- Staff Management
- Mentoring
Accomplishments
- Successfully led the school and ran school operations for 10 weeks while awaiting the arrival of the new principal
- Secured 300 hours of PLD funding over 3 years for the school from the Regionally Allocated Professional Learning Development Fund
- Led initiative that resulted in improved academic results of Level 2 students by 15.9%, and Level 3 students by 11.9 % in 2023.
- Improved academic outcomes for senior students across 12 other metrics in 2023.
Personal Statement
- The value of a quality education cannot be overstated. My wife is a deputy principal at Palmerston North Girls’ High School and previously taught English at Mana Tamariki and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Manawatū for over 15 years. Our four adult children attended Te Kohanga reo o te Awhina and Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Manawatū. They sit comfortably and confidently in te ao Māori and te ao Pākehā. Three have attended university with the youngest in his fourth year of completing his Bachelor of Dentistry at Otago University. Our time spent together as a whānau is precious and whānau celebrations are always looked forward to, especially as all four children live out of town. I am an avid golfer and part-time squash player, and I enjoy fishing, travel, and projects that provide time out from a busy work life.
Timeline
Acting Principal
Freyberg High School
07.2022 - 09.2022
Deputy Principal
Freyberg High School
01.2019 - Current
Director of Teaching and Learning, Teacher of Mathematics
Tai Wānanga Tū Toa
01.2017 - 12.2018
Head of House, Teacher of Accounting, Economics, and Business Studies
Hamilton Girls’ High School
01.2016 - 12.2016
Head of School, Māori Academic Leader, Year 13 Academic Leader, Teacher of Mathematics and Gateway Classes
Freyberg High School
01.2012 - 12.2015
Head of School, Teacher of Mathematics and Economics
Freyberg High School
01.2003 - 12.2013
Diploma of Teaching -
Christchurch Teachers College
Bachelor of Science -
Canterbury University
Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Administration And Leadership -
Massey University
Diploma in Bilingual Teaching -
Victoria University of Wellington
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