title: An exploration of the use of coaching and
mentoring as a professional development
process for primary school emerging leaders:
Using science as a context

authors: Barnett, Jane Sandra

subjects: Coaching

abstract: This study looks at the impact of coaching and mentoring skills, provided through a professional development programme, on developing emerging middle leadership in primary school teachers, where the focus is on science teaching. Emerging leaders play a very important role in supporting and developing other teachers' pedagogy in the implementation of the curriculum and new initiatives into the classroom. The literature illustrates that the skills for coaching and mentoring form a key part of a leader's role, in particular that of an emerging leader where teachers are coaching teachers. These skills can assist in the formation of professional learning communities with a strong focus on the teachers' practice and the enhancement of student learning outcomes. 
The study involves four teachers (emerging leaders) from four large primary schools. It uses a qualitative approach, with an action research methodology. The tools used for data gathering are a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews and written journal reflections at the workshops. The data is thematically analysed.
The findings emphasize the value of coaching and mentoring skills in the professional learning of emerging leaders and the teachers that they are working with. Two overarching changes in the emerging leaders' practice arose. Firstly changes in the leadership understandings of the emerging leaders and secondly in the growth of their leadership practice as they developed small professional learning communities. The importance of trust and relationships as part of the community was highlighted. The data also identified a change in the depth and the development of talk about the teachers' science pedagogy. A crucial realization for the participants was the difference between professional and social conversations when it came to taking a leadership role. 
The implications of this research include the importance of providing emerging middle leaders in primary schools with the opportunities to explore the bigger picture of leadership. Senior school leaders would be advised to provide professional development opportunities to help emerging leaders develop in their understanding and practice of the skills and knowledge base involved in the leadership process. This study has illustrated that a coaching and mentoring approach to fostering professional learning can be effective in the growth of leadership skills.

text: An exploration of the use of coaching and
mentoring as a professional development
process for primary school emerging leaders:
Using science as a context This study looks at the impact of coaching and mentoring skills, provided through a professional development programme, on developing emerging middle leadership in primary school teachers, where the focus is on science teaching. Emerging leaders play a very important role in supporting and developing other teachers' pedagogy in the implementation of the curriculum and new initiatives into the classroom. The literature illustrates that the skills for coaching and mentoring form a key part of a leader's role, in particular that of an emerging leader where teachers are coaching teachers. These skills can assist in the formation of professional learning communities with a strong focus on the teachers' practice and the enhancement of student learning outcomes. 
The study involves four teachers (emerging leaders) from four large primary schools. It uses a qualitative approach, with an action research methodology. The tools used for data gathering are a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews and written journal reflections at the workshops. The data is thematically analysed.
The findings emphasize the value of coaching and mentoring skills in the professional learning of emerging leaders and the teachers that they are working with. Two overarching changes in the emerging leaders' practice arose. Firstly changes in the leadership understandings of the emerging leaders and secondly in the growth of their leadership practice as they developed small professional learning communities. The importance of trust and relationships as part of the community was highlighted. The data also identified a change in the depth and the development of talk about the teachers' science pedagogy. A crucial realization for the participants was the difference between professional and social conversations when it came to taking a leadership role. 
The implications of this research include the importance of providing emerging middle leaders in primary schools with the opportunities to explore the bigger picture of leadership. Senior school leaders would be advised to provide professional development opportunities to help emerging leaders develop in their understanding and practice of the skills and knowledge base involved in the leadership process. This study has illustrated that a coaching and mentoring approach to fostering professional learning can be effective in the growth of leadership skills.

year: 2009

title: Wellbeing and public policy: Can New Zealand be a leading light for the ‘Wellbeing Approach’?

authors: Weijers, Dan M.

abstract: Delegates left the Third International Conference on Wellbeing and Public Policy with great expectations following three days of inspirational addresses by some of the world’s most prominent thinkers and policymakers. In this article we ask: what is required for a wellbeing approach to public expenditure to be successfully implemented and sustained?
The wellbeing approach arose out of concerns about whether the current suite of measures used by policymakers provides sufficient information on the full range of contributors to or components of the good life. Sometimes divided on what wellbeing is and how to measure it, proponents of the wellbeing approach agree that the ultimate goal of public policy should be to improve wellbeing for all citizens. In order for this wellbeing approach to be successful, we believe it must address three main challenges: measurement, representation and engagement. We must be clear about how wellbeing will be measured, whose wellbeing we will assess, and the extent to which all New Zealanders are represented in the conversations that will determine the first two issues.

text: Wellbeing and public policy: Can New Zealand be a leading light for the ‘Wellbeing Approach’? Delegates left the Third International Conference on Wellbeing and Public Policy with great expectations following three days of inspirational addresses by some of the world’s most prominent thinkers and policymakers. In this article we ask: what is required for a wellbeing approach to public expenditure to be successfully implemented and sustained?
The wellbeing approach arose out of concerns about whether the current suite of measures used by policymakers provides sufficient information on the full range of contributors to or components of the good life. Sometimes divided on what wellbeing is and how to measure it, proponents of the wellbeing approach agree that the ultimate goal of public policy should be to improve wellbeing for all citizens. In order for this wellbeing approach to be successful, we believe it must address three main challenges: measurement, representation and engagement. We must be clear about how wellbeing will be measured, whose wellbeing we will assess, and the extent to which all New Zealanders are represented in the conversations that will determine the first two issues.

year: 2018

title: "More than bloods and obs" - Whānau Māori discuss health and hospital care

authors: Masters-Awatere, Bridgette

abstract: The impact of colonisation on Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, combined with negative interactions with health workers, has contributed to insufficient resources and reduced access to primary health care. The purpose of this report is to share narratives of whānau Māori who have experienced a child’s hospital admission in order to highlight the common aspects (good and bad) of their stay at Waikato Hospital. The overarching aim of the Harti Hauora Tamariki (HHT) tool trial, within which this report is located, is to demonstrate the measurable impact of a developed screening tool (referred to throughout as the Harti tool). The Harti tool is a comprehensive approach to assessing and addressing holistic health needs for hospitalised children and their whānau. Our recruitment strategy gave priority to those whose kōrero would capture the realities of those living in situations of few resources. This report presents findings from conversational interviews with whānau of tamariki Māori admitted to the paediatrics ward of Waikato Hospital. We have purposefully presented the interview findings as narratives to allow the reader to engage in their own interpretation of commonalities of experiences. Each case study follows the same format: an overview, their hospital experience, and their description of everyday health. Across all the cases, similarities of experience emerge; financial stressors and strain; hunger and isolation; concern for their child(ren); and families that are actively engaged in caring for their children’s health and well-being. The Harti tool, when administered by a culturally competent Harti Research Assistant (Harti RA), appears to work to counteract previous alienating experiences. Being treated with dignity, respect and value had a positive impact. Participants spoke at length regarding how wonderful it was to be able to engage with the Harti RA’s as Māori and in a culturally appropriate way.

text: "More than bloods and obs" - Whānau Māori discuss health and hospital care The impact of colonisation on Māori, the Indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand, combined with negative interactions with health workers, has contributed to insufficient resources and reduced access to primary health care. The purpose of this report is to share narratives of whānau Māori who have experienced a child’s hospital admission in order to highlight the common aspects (good and bad) of their stay at Waikato Hospital. The overarching aim of the Harti Hauora Tamariki (HHT) tool trial, within which this report is located, is to demonstrate the measurable impact of a developed screening tool (referred to throughout as the Harti tool). The Harti tool is a comprehensive approach to assessing and addressing holistic health needs for hospitalised children and their whānau. Our recruitment strategy gave priority to those whose kōrero would capture the realities of those living in situations of few resources. This report presents findings from conversational interviews with whānau of tamariki Māori admitted to the paediatrics ward of Waikato Hospital. We have purposefully presented the interview findings as narratives to allow the reader to engage in their own interpretation of commonalities of experiences. Each case study follows the same format: an overview, their hospital experience, and their description of everyday health. Across all the cases, similarities of experience emerge; financial stressors and strain; hunger and isolation; concern for their child(ren); and families that are actively engaged in caring for their children’s health and well-being. The Harti tool, when administered by a culturally competent Harti Research Assistant (Harti RA), appears to work to counteract previous alienating experiences. Being treated with dignity, respect and value had a positive impact. Participants spoke at length regarding how wonderful it was to be able to engage with the Harti RA’s as Māori and in a culturally appropriate way.

year: 2019