Build confidence and capability for principalship.
Explore what is required to successfully lead a school.
Gain insights from experienced principals.
Reflect on leadership strengths and development areas.
Prepare for future principal roles through practical learning and mentoring support.
If accepted, applicants receive:
One to one mentoring with an experienced principal to help support their leadership development.
Opportunities to work with other aspiring principals at a national conference and regional termly wānanga.
Practice-based growth and development through completing an in-school leadership inquiry.
An Individual Leadership Plan to help them reach their principalship potential.
A contribution from the Ministry for their school to support their success.
Ways to provide support
You can identify potential participants and act as a referee for more than one applicant. They can be a current or previous staff member.
You can also apply to become a programme mentor and be matched with someone accepted into the programme. You cannot become a programme matched mentor of a current staff member. This is to ensure they are exposed to diverse leadership styles.
Existing staff members accepted onto the programme will require your support throughout the programme, alongside the programme matched mentor.
Act as a referee
Each applicant must be endorsed to be considered for the programme. We recommend having a conversation with applicants who ask you to be a referee to confirm their readiness and capacity to participate in the programme.
Read information about endorsing an applicant on the applicant page:
Programme participants will be matched by the programme provider with principals who have registered to become mentors. You will be matched with a programme participant who is not part of your staff.
