Today we’re talking about the process of transition into the tumuaki role, and the challenges that come with becoming principal.

My guests this week are:

• Tom Paekau, who moved into the role of tumuaki at Merivale School in Tauranga from a previous principal role at Te Puke’s Rangiuru School


• Nita Pond, who moved into the role of tumuaki at Whanganui Girls College after assistant principal and deputy principal roles at the school.

This podcast was produced for the Ministry of Education as part of Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals.

You can learn more about this topic by accessing Te Ara Tīmatanga mō ngā Tumuaki - The Beginning Pathway for Principals e-learning modules on the Education LMS: https://training.education.govt.nz

Show notes

Episode themes:

• Pathways into the tumuaki role


• Transition into principal role from senior leadership


• Going into a school new to you as principal


• Impressions of what tumuaki role would be like versus the reality


• Tips for making a successful transition into the role


• Importance of involving the school board in any change, and of bringing staff along on the journey


• Importance of building relationships


• Importance of getting to know the school – strategic plan, finances, processes


• Mistakes new tumuaki can make

Episode themes:

1:05 [to Nita] Tell me about your journey into the tumuaki role.

1:33 [to Nita] What made you want to become tumuaki?

2:06 [to Nita] Tell me about your transition into the tumuaki role. What went well and what did you find challenging? 

3:21 [to Nita] Were there any challenges that came from moving from peer to boss?

4:01 [to Tom] You've come in as tumuaki to a school new to you a couple of times. Can you please tell me a bit about your previous roles? 

4:55 [to Tom] What was it like the first time you became principal in a new school, at Rangiuru?

6:10 [to Tom] Looking back on that first role as tumuaki in a school that you had no prior knowledge of, is there anything you would have done differently? 

7:30 [to Tom] When you stepped into the role at Merivale School, was your experience different, because you now had some experience under your belt as tumuaki?

9:37 [to Nita] What do you think was the magic ingredient for a successful transition into the principal role?

11:05 [to Tom] How did you handle changes you made at the school with the staff? Did you bring them along for the ride, or how did you how did you navigate that?

12:45 [to Tom] What do you think new tumuaki going into a school that's new to them should focus on?

16:05 What do you think are the biggest mistakes new tumuaki make?

18:00 What advice would you offer to new principals?

20:09 What do you enjoy most about being tumuaki?