title: The Useful Elements of Pre-principalship Preparation

authors: Roberts, Barry Llewellyn

subjects: mentoring

abstract: Abstract 
 
The importance of the role of the principal in good schools is acknowledged by 
many sources. The preparation of new principals is therefore an important factor 
in ensuring children are educated in good schools. New Zealand does not have a 
formal system of principal preparation. The purpose of this study was to examine 
the experiences of pre-principalship preparation with the aim of discovering those 
activities and developments that were useful in assisting teachers to make the 
transition to successful principalship. 
The research question addressed in this study is,; 
What are the elements of pre-principalship preparation that are most 
useful for potential and aspiring principals in furthering their career 
aims? 
Using qualitative methodology, a group of people who had attended the Aspiring 
and Potential Principals' Pilot run by the School of Education at the University of 
Waikato, were questioned using semi structured interviews about their 
experiences. Five of the six were holding principal positions, the sixth was in a 
deputy principal's position and had some relieving principal experience. The 
results the research generated indicated that while there were varying needs for 
potential principals because of their varied backgrounds, there were six useful 
experiences for all identified. These included, attendance at some form of targeted 
principal preparation programme, a background of ongoing professional learning, 
developing networks, developing successful mentoring, experience of models of 
principalship and support of 'family'. Different people had different levels of 
benefit from these experiences but they were common to all. It is hoped that this 
research will give assistance to guiding professional development for the potential 
and aspiring principals of tomorrow.

text: The Useful Elements of Pre-principalship Preparation Abstract 
 
The importance of the role of the principal in good schools is acknowledged by 
many sources. The preparation of new principals is therefore an important factor 
in ensuring children are educated in good schools. New Zealand does not have a 
formal system of principal preparation. The purpose of this study was to examine 
the experiences of pre-principalship preparation with the aim of discovering those 
activities and developments that were useful in assisting teachers to make the 
transition to successful principalship. 
The research question addressed in this study is,; 
What are the elements of pre-principalship preparation that are most 
useful for potential and aspiring principals in furthering their career 
aims? 
Using qualitative methodology, a group of people who had attended the Aspiring 
and Potential Principals' Pilot run by the School of Education at the University of 
Waikato, were questioned using semi structured interviews about their 
experiences. Five of the six were holding principal positions, the sixth was in a 
deputy principal's position and had some relieving principal experience. The 
results the research generated indicated that while there were varying needs for 
potential principals because of their varied backgrounds, there were six useful 
experiences for all identified. These included, attendance at some form of targeted 
principal preparation programme, a background of ongoing professional learning, 
developing networks, developing successful mentoring, experience of models of 
principalship and support of 'family'. Different people had different levels of 
benefit from these experiences but they were common to all. It is hoped that this 
research will give assistance to guiding professional development for the potential 
and aspiring principals of tomorrow.

year: 2007

title: Determinants of cost-effectiveness in tender and offset programmes for Australian biodiversity conservation

authors: Doole, Graeme J.

subjects: biodiversity

abstract: Tender and offset programmes have been broadly applied for biodiversity conservation throughout Australia. This analysis identifies the relative importance of a range of factors that determine the overall cost-effectiveness of these programmes to guide future management, based on the perceptions of survey respondents with experience in their design and implementation. The novel method of maximum entropy regression for categorical response variables is used to analyse survey results. Key actions for tender programmes, in order of decreasing importance, are the: (a) provision of adequate funding, (b) development of flexible tender designs to aid organisational efficiency, (c) promotion of landholder competition, (d) identification of low-cost means of monitoring, and (e) establishment of strong relationships with landholders. In comparison, key actions for offset programmes, in decreasing order of importance, are the: (a) establishment of efficient organisational processes, (b) promotion of a short time lag between development and the restoration of ecological values, (c) employment of contracts of extended duration, (d) investment in landholder education and support, and (e) development of appropriate biophysical models.

text: Determinants of cost-effectiveness in tender and offset programmes for Australian biodiversity conservation Tender and offset programmes have been broadly applied for biodiversity conservation throughout Australia. This analysis identifies the relative importance of a range of factors that determine the overall cost-effectiveness of these programmes to guide future management, based on the perceptions of survey respondents with experience in their design and implementation. The novel method of maximum entropy regression for categorical response variables is used to analyse survey results. Key actions for tender programmes, in order of decreasing importance, are the: (a) provision of adequate funding, (b) development of flexible tender designs to aid organisational efficiency, (c) promotion of landholder competition, (d) identification of low-cost means of monitoring, and (e) establishment of strong relationships with landholders. In comparison, key actions for offset programmes, in decreasing order of importance, are the: (a) establishment of efficient organisational processes, (b) promotion of a short time lag between development and the restoration of ecological values, (c) employment of contracts of extended duration, (d) investment in landholder education and support, and (e) development of appropriate biophysical models.

year: 2014

title: Adaptation of the safewards model to the New Zealand context: A mixed-methods evaluative study

authors: Knauf, Sarah

subjects: inpatient

abstract: Background: Mental health inpatient units can provide a sanctuary for people to recover from mental illness. However, research has shown these units to be sites of conflict, in an environment that service users do not experience as therapeutic. To support a therapeutic environment, the safety and wellbeing of service users and staff need protection through reduced conflict and containment rates. Conflict can be physical or verbal aggression, self-harm, suicide attempt, absconding, substance misuse and medication refusal. Containment involves methods used to control conflict, including administration of sedative medication, coerced intramuscular medication, increased level of observation, restraint and seclusion. The Safewards model, originating in the United Kingdom in 2015, proposes 10 interventions to address conflict and containment. These interventions are centred on: therapeutic relationships; person-centeredness; teamwork; and least restrictive care. This research pursued active transformation through codesign of an adapted Safewards model to fit the socio-cultural context of New Zealand.

Objective: This thesis with publication describes the adaptation of the Safewards model to the New Zealand context. Cultural adaptation was critical due to significant health outcome disparities between Māori and non-Māori populations and the disproportionate representation of Māori within mental health services. The research sought to discover what a New Zealand model required, what the perspectives of inpatient tangata whai ora and staff were of the developed model and what changes it made to rates of conflict, containment and the ward atmosphere. Participants: Tangata whai ora and staff from the study setting were recruited to participate in focus groups before and after the implementation of the New Zealand Safewards model. Phase one focus groups included 15 staff and three tangata whai ora. Phase three focus groups included 13 staff and four tangata whai ora.

Methods: This is a mixed-methods evaluative study structured into three distinct phases, using methods of participatory action research. The adapted Safewards model was implemented for 12 months, with a staggered introduction of 11 interventions. Qualitative data were derived from the thematic analysis of focus groups. Quantitative data were from the Patient-Staff Conflict Checklist, Essen Climate Evaluation Schema, Fidelity Checklist and Te Whatu Ora Waikato service data.

Findings: A New Zealand Safewards model must: reflect a Te Ao Māori worldview; align with current practices; adapt Safewards interventions; and gain acceptance. Change management is one process that can reduce barriers to change. The adapted Safewards model reduced conflict, increased patient cohesion and improved the sense of safety perceived from staff and tangata whai ora in the study setting. The outcomes of this study hold the potential to contribute to the formulation and implementation of a New Zealand Safewards model, while also bearing relevance for the international adaptation of Safewards to culturally diverse countries and healthcare systems.

text: Adaptation of the safewards model to the New Zealand context: A mixed-methods evaluative study Background: Mental health inpatient units can provide a sanctuary for people to recover from mental illness. However, research has shown these units to be sites of conflict, in an environment that service users do not experience as therapeutic. To support a therapeutic environment, the safety and wellbeing of service users and staff need protection through reduced conflict and containment rates. Conflict can be physical or verbal aggression, self-harm, suicide attempt, absconding, substance misuse and medication refusal. Containment involves methods used to control conflict, including administration of sedative medication, coerced intramuscular medication, increased level of observation, restraint and seclusion. The Safewards model, originating in the United Kingdom in 2015, proposes 10 interventions to address conflict and containment. These interventions are centred on: therapeutic relationships; person-centeredness; teamwork; and least restrictive care. This research pursued active transformation through codesign of an adapted Safewards model to fit the socio-cultural context of New Zealand.

Objective: This thesis with publication describes the adaptation of the Safewards model to the New Zealand context. Cultural adaptation was critical due to significant health outcome disparities between Māori and non-Māori populations and the disproportionate representation of Māori within mental health services. The research sought to discover what a New Zealand model required, what the perspectives of inpatient tangata whai ora and staff were of the developed model and what changes it made to rates of conflict, containment and the ward atmosphere. Participants: Tangata whai ora and staff from the study setting were recruited to participate in focus groups before and after the implementation of the New Zealand Safewards model. Phase one focus groups included 15 staff and three tangata whai ora. Phase three focus groups included 13 staff and four tangata whai ora.

Methods: This is a mixed-methods evaluative study structured into three distinct phases, using methods of participatory action research. The adapted Safewards model was implemented for 12 months, with a staggered introduction of 11 interventions. Qualitative data were derived from the thematic analysis of focus groups. Quantitative data were from the Patient-Staff Conflict Checklist, Essen Climate Evaluation Schema, Fidelity Checklist and Te Whatu Ora Waikato service data.

Findings: A New Zealand Safewards model must: reflect a Te Ao Māori worldview; align with current practices; adapt Safewards interventions; and gain acceptance. Change management is one process that can reduce barriers to change. The adapted Safewards model reduced conflict, increased patient cohesion and improved the sense of safety perceived from staff and tangata whai ora in the study setting. The outcomes of this study hold the potential to contribute to the formulation and implementation of a New Zealand Safewards model, while also bearing relevance for the international adaptation of Safewards to culturally diverse countries and healthcare systems.

year: 2024