Waikato, Thames Valley and King Country Region
Executive member, Maria Dunn – dunnm@hghs.school.nz
Tēnā koutou katoa
I have had the privilege of representing this region for the past two years. I have been in education for the past 20 years, in state mainstream secondary schooling. I am currently Deputy Principal at Hamilton Girls’ High School, a position I have held for the past six years. My passions include Health and wellbeing, schooling for girls, continuing the improvement of Māori educational outcomes (He uri ahau nō Ngati Kahungunu ki Wairoa), and leading in spaces that provide secondary schools more opportunity to break down the shackles that continue to drive the narrative of secondary education in Aotearoa.
Teaching is our calling, however, today is becoming more and more about being what I call (the conscience of society). The role has moved away from our core business of teaching to the societal business of life. I am in no doubt that we are in a wonderful position to support and guide our young people to be ‘lifelong learners’.
This also includes as leaders, leading collective change; committed to building strong, agentic learning environments not only for our students but for ourselves as well.
Ko te manu e kai ana te miro, nōna te ngahere,
ko te manu e kai ana te mātauranga, nōna te ao.
Tihewa mauri ora