Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
Generic

Sonja Maree

Hamilton

Summary

Organisational leader and skilled educator offering 35 years teaching experience and over 20 years senior leadership experience in Special Character schools. Outstanding skills in pastoral processes, holistic education, parent communication, conflict resolution and staff management. Independent worker that remains calm in most pressure situations. Democratic leadership style, sincere and collaborative. Personable and outgoing with skill in building rapport with diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Overview

35
35
years of professional experience

Work History

Associate Principal/ Deputy Principal Pastoral

Waikato Diocesan School For Girls
01.2018 - Current
  • Deputise for the Principal in my Associate Principal role.
  • Acting Principal from July - October 2024 during the principal's sabbatical.
  • Design innovative solutions to improve communication and operational processes.
  • Facilitate restorative strategies to support students and staff
  • Maintain school focus on student achievement and wellbeing by implementing processes related to improving academics and pastoral care.
  • Collaboration with Director of Boarding for the pastoral care of boarders.
  • Oversight of future focussed junior programme that included integrated curriculum and aspects of PBL.
  • Oversight of student leadership, school events, international department, priority learners, wellness centre and student services.
  • Implemented, reviewed and managed school-wide EOTC processes.
  • Oversight of Arts events and supporting the Arts Faculty and Arts Administrator.
  • Contributed to whole school strategic and operational planning, setting and measuring achievement targets. I have participated in significant, whole-school internal and external reviews, using a range of evaluation indicators, to improve outcomes for all learners.

Teacher, DRS, Dean, Acting Deputy Principal

St John's College
03.2012 - 09.2017
  • As DRS I had a shared responsibility of the Special Character and school tone, oversight of student leadership and the planning of Liturgies, Masses and school wide Retreats.
  • As Dean I implemented pastoral and disciplinary systems and forged good relationships with parents and caregivers.
  • Advised, guided and assisted students achieve success in NCEA.
  • Assisted with student pastoral care, running of assemblies and supported staff wellbeing in my role as Acting Deputy Principal.
  • Facilitated reconciliation and mediation with staff, students and parents.
  • Assisted conduct a SCERO review for the Diocese.
  • Organised school wide events and worked alongside the Parent Teacher Association.


Teacher, Acting DRS, Dean

St John's College
05.2010 - 03.2012
  • Developed and wrote level 1, 2 and 3 RE Achievement Standards
  • Assisted DRS prepare NCEA material for moderation
  • Christian Family Life Education – Wrote a new programme for 2012
  • Taught and had oversight of Year 12 Sexuality and Relationships Programme

Teacher, Unit TIC

Patricia Avenue School
01.2009 - 05.2010
  • My main responsibility in this role was to ensure the smooth daily running of a unit based at Marian School and the education of my students.
  • Wrote individual learning plans for my neurodiverse students with special needs.

Teacher,Head of Department, Head of Junior School

St Catherine's School
01.1997 - 12.2008
  • Led the successful restructure of two departments and amalgamation of staff into one school.
  • Senior leadership position in a special character school.
  • Taught a wide range of year levels from 5 - 14 years of age.
  • Small group remedial instruction to improve learning outcomes and to improve excellence.
  • Assessed and diagnosed learning difficulties and wrote programmes to improve learning outcomes.
  • Implemented school wide strategies that led to improved achievement and student wellbeing.
  • Collaborated with teachers to plan interdisciplinary units that connected subjects and promoted deeper understanding among students.
  • Integrated cultural awareness into lessons by incorporating diverse perspectives and materials into the integrated curriculum.

Teacher, Head of Guidance Team

Grantham Park Primary School
01.1990 - 12.1996
  • Taught a variety of subjects to students ranging in age from 7 - 12 years of age.
  • Led the Guidance Team by collaborating with staff, identifying learning needs, writing referrals to therapists, supporting classroom teachers.
  • Offered counselling to students who dealt with different levels of abuse and collaborated with social workers and psychologists.

Teacher

Monument Primary School
01.1989 - 12.1989
  • First year teacher.
  • Coached netball and athletics.
  • Taught English to Taiwanese students and adults.

Education

Post-Graduate Diploma in Remedial Education - Cum Laude

RAU University
Gauteng, South Africa
1998

Graduate Higher Diploma of Teaching -

Edgewood College of Education
Pinetown, South Africa
1988

Bachelor of Education -

Natal Teachers Training College
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
1987

Skills

Principled, firm and fair

Empathetic, compassionate

Practical troubleshooter, problem solver

Optimistic

References

Mrs Mary Curran

Principal

Waikato Diocesan School For Girls

Mobile:      021 247 2230

Email:        mcurran@wdsg.school.nz


Mr Shane Tong

Principal

St John’s College, Hamilton

Work phone: 07 8567091

Mobile:          021 454 761

Email:           stong@stjohns-hamilton.school.nz


The Reverend Stephen Black

School Chaplain

Waikato Diocesan School For Girls

Mobile:     02774 10949

Email:      sblack@wdsg.school.nz





Timeline

Associate Principal/ Deputy Principal Pastoral

Waikato Diocesan School For Girls
01.2018 - Current

Teacher, DRS, Dean, Acting Deputy Principal

St John's College
03.2012 - 09.2017

Teacher, Acting DRS, Dean

St John's College
05.2010 - 03.2012

Teacher, Unit TIC

Patricia Avenue School
01.2009 - 05.2010

Teacher,Head of Department, Head of Junior School

St Catherine's School
01.1997 - 12.2008

Teacher, Head of Guidance Team

Grantham Park Primary School
01.1990 - 12.1996

Teacher

Monument Primary School
01.1989 - 12.1989

Post-Graduate Diploma in Remedial Education - Cum Laude

RAU University

Graduate Higher Diploma of Teaching -

Edgewood College of Education

Bachelor of Education -

Natal Teachers Training College

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Sonja Maree